ROUND 1: CANADIAN CONNECTION
Best Buy, founded in 1983, grew into a national electronics retailer through a decisive move into Canada via the 2001 acquisition of Future Shop for more than 500 million dollars. The expansion allowed Best Buy to plant its banners across the country, making its presence felt in Canadian shopping centers and malls. Future Shop, which opened its first store in Vancouver in 1982, rose to become one of the country’s most recognizable electronics retailers before destiny brought the two brands together. Source: Best Buy corporate history; Source: Future Shop archives.
SCORE: BEST BUY – 0
FUTURE SHOP – 1
ROUND 2: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Best Buy: In Canada, the footprint has traditionally been lean. The chain operated roughly 51 locations nationwide, with some Atlantic provinces lacking a store altogether. Future Shop: By contrast, Future Shop built a broader network in its heyday, boasting well over 100 stores coast to coast, with at least one location in every province. When shoppers were told to come see what the future has in store, there was a good chance a Future Shop storefront awaited them somewhere nearby. Since the mid-teens, most Future Shop outlets were converted or closed as the brand integrated with Best Buy Canada. Source: industry data.
SCORE: BEST BUY – 0
FUTURE SHOP – 2
ROUND 3: ATTACK OF THE ATMOSPHERE
Best Buy aimed for a relaxed shopping vibe, with sales associates stepping in only when customers asked for help. That approach kept the environment calm and allowed people to browse without feeling pressured into extended warranties or extra accessories. Future Shop tended to radiate a more energized atmosphere, with some employees on commissioned pay who pushed for higher sales and more add-ons. The contrast illustrated how staff incentives and store layout shape a shopper’s experience. In this context, the Best Buy approach offered ease, while Future Shop could lean into brisk, sales-driven momentum. Source: retail analysis.
SCORE: BEST BUY – 1
FUTURE SHOP – 2
ROUND 4: REWARDS RIOT
Best Buy has a points-based program for its customers, rewarding purchases and offering discounts after certain point thresholds. While the system may seem modest at first glance, it adds up for heavy electronics buyers who rack up devices, software, and accessories. Future Shop did not run a dedicated loyalty program at that time, relying more on promotions and competitive pricing. The result favors Best Buy in this round. Source: program histories.
SCORE: BEST BUY – 2
FUTURE SHOP – 2
ROUND 5: CHEQUE POINT
Best Buy’s value proposition often comes through bundle deals, promotional periods, and financing options that help consumers manage larger purchases. Future Shop, while competitive on product selection, sometimes required careful price comparisons to confirm parity with rival offers. The bottom line is that both retailers could deliver solid deals, and neither dominated every category across the board. That said, the distinction lay in how each brand framed value to shoppers. Source: pricing histories.
SCORE: BEST BUY – 2
FUTURE SHOP – 3
ROUND UP: The tally tells a story of reach, atmosphere, and rewards. Best Buy offers a calmer shopping journey and a recognizable rewards path, yet its Canadian footprint has remained comparatively smaller than the historic Future Shop network. In real life, the brand consolidation years later saw Future Shop stores converted or rebranded, and today Best Buy Canada operates the storefronts that once carried Future Shop signage. The retail landscape shifted, but shoppers still benefit from Best Buy’s ongoing promotions and service network, while that earlier era of Future Shop remains a notable chapter in Canada’s electronics retail history.