What Memory Express does

Memory Express is a 100% Canadian-owned specialty computer and electronics retailer founded in 1996 and headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. The company operates a hybrid distribution model consisting of 14 retail showrooms across five Canadian provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan) combined with a national e-commerce storefront at memoryexpress.com. Its product catalogue spans computer hardware components, complete desktop and laptop systems, gaming peripherals and furniture, networking equipment, display devices, software, audio/video equipment, and DIY/Maker products including 3D printers. Product breadth is substantial: the website lists hundreds of items per category (e.g., 689 cooling SKUs, 336 cases, 390 LCD monitors, 273 graphics cards).

Beyond retail, Memory Express generates revenue through three service layers. The TechZone division provides in-store and on-site repair, diagnostics, virus removal, hardware upgrades, LCD replacement, data transfer, and custom system builds at three pricing tiers (Standard, Premium, Premium Plus) ranging from $75 to $150+, with server builds at $130-$100. The proprietary System Configurator tool enables customers to build custom PCs online by selecting compatible components, while the company's MEPC house brand produces exclusive pre-built gaming desktops such as the MEPC ZERO07. The In-Store Product Replacement (IPR) program is an extended-warranty product offering new-for-new and refurbished-for-refurbished replacements with a 5-day turnaround. B2B revenue is generated through a dedicated corporate sales team covering eight Canadian cities, offering software licensing, enterprise hardware, institutional pricing, credit terms, and warranty enhancement.

The company maintains premier-tier partnerships with Microsoft, Intel, and AMD, and core partnerships with NVIDIA, ASUS, MSI, Logitech, Corsair, Razer, and SteelSeries, plus distribution agreements with emerging categories (ThrustMaster racing peripherals, MOZA racing sims, Bambu Lab and Snapmaker 3D printers). The Über Price Beat Guarantee beats any authorized Canadian retailer's price by 10% of the difference (with temporary suspension for volatile DRAM and storage categories), and the Memory Express Financing program extends monthly billing options. The company is co-founded by siblings Ut, Yet, Hien, and Minh Ngo (the latter serving as CEO), with no disclosed institutional investors or external funding rounds.

Name

Memory Express

Legal name

Memory Express Computer Products and Electronics Inc.

Website

https://memoryexpress.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Memory Express is a 100% Canadian-owned specialty computer and electronics retailer founded in 1996, operating 14 retail showrooms across five provinces plus a national e-commerce platform, serving consumers, gaming enthusiasts, and corporate buyers with hardware, custom-built PCs, repair services (TechZone), and extended warranties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Computer and Electronics Retail

SIC

Retail-Computer & Computer Software Stores (5734), Wholesale-Computers & Peripheral Equipment & Software (5045)

akta.pro primary industry

Memory (RAM) (HDACAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Memory Cards (SD/microSD/CFexpress) (HDACAIAD), Gaming Storage & Memory (SSDs, Memory Cards) (CRACAOAI)

Keywords

• Computer hardware retail
• Consumer electronics store
• PC system builder
• Gaming hardware retailer
• Computer repair services

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Hardware and Electronics Sales: Memory Express generates primary revenue through the sale of computer hardware, electronics, peripherals, and accessories. Products include processors, graphics cards, memory, motherboards, storage devices, laptops, desktops, networking equipment, and related accessories. The company offers both online purchasing with shipping and in-store pickup options.
2. TechZone Repair and Service Fees: Revenue generated from TechZone division services including memory installation ($20-$55), data transfer ($55 per 500GB), standard in-store service (per hour), priority service ($80), custom system builds ($75-$150), and server builds ($130-$100). Data recovery services provided through third-party partner Secure Data Recovery.
3. Extended Warranty (IPR) Plans: Optional In-Store Product Replacement (IPR) warranty plans sold as add-on protection for purchases, providing replacement coverage for the plan duration with new-for-new and refurbished-for-refurbished guarantees.
4. Corporate Sales and Bulk Orders: Dedicated corporate sales team serving business IT needs including software licensing, enterprise-grade hardware, institutional and educational pricing, credit terms, and enhanced warranty options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Memory Express is a 100% Canadian-owned computer and electronics retailer operating 14 retail locations across Canada and an e-commerce store. It sells computer hardware, software, gaming products, networking equipment, displays, and consumer electronics from major brands, and provides in-house services including custom PC system configuration and builds, the TechZone repair and service division, the In-Store Product Replacement (IPR) plan, and a dedicated Corporate Sales team.

Product overview

Memory Express is a 100% Canadian-owned and operated computer products and electronics retailer operating multiple retail locations across Canada. The company operates as a platform-plus-services model, combining an extensive e-commerce and retail product portfolio with value-added services. The core product offering spans computer hardware components (processors, motherboards, memory, graphics cards), computer systems (desktops, laptops, gaming PCs), networking equipment, gaming peripherals and furniture, software, audio/video equipment, and DIY/maker products. Key services include TechZone in-store repair and diagnostic services, a System Configurator tool for custom PC building, Custom System Build Services at three tiers (Standard, Premium, Premium Plus), the In-Store Product Replacement (IPR) warranty plan, and Corporate Sales for business IT procurement. The company also offers clearance products through its Last Call section and accepts gift cards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MEPC: House brand for custom-built gaming desktop computers sold exclusively at Memory Express.

Products and services

• TechZone Services
• Custom System Build Service
• In-Store Product Replacement (IPR) Plan
• Corporate Sales Dedicated B2B sales team serving corporate, government, and institutional clients with volume hardware procurement, custom quoting, and business-grade solutions.
• Computer Hardware Retail Retail of computer components, peripherals, storage, networking gear, displays, and accessories from major brands.
• Gaming Hardware and Systems Retail of gaming PCs, consoles, gaming peripherals, and gaming accessories targeted at gaming enthusiasts.
• Consumer Electronics Retail Retail of consumer electronics including audio/video equipment, cameras, smart home, DIY/maker products, and home entertainment.
• Software and Digital Products Retail of boxed and downloadable software, operating systems, productivity applications, and digital licenses.
• Last Call and Clearance Discounted and clearance-priced end-of-life, open-box, and limited-stock products sold through dedicated online categories.
• Gift Cards Physical and digital gift cards redeemable in-store and online for the company's product catalog.

Quantifiable outcome

• Creating customers for life through dedicated service, selection, and savings
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered premier, core and minor.

• IntelpremierStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier partnership level with Intel for processor products, technology collaboration, and promotional programs including bundling campaigns like LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight with qualifying Intel Core Ultra products.
• AMDpremierStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier partnership level with AMD for processor and graphics products. Joint promotional activities including AMD Radeon RX series graphics card campaigns and custom gaming PC builds featuring AMD processors.
• NVIDIAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuthorized NVIDIA partner for GeForce graphics cards, professional graphics solutions (Quadro/RTX), and DGX systems. Promotional programs featuring NVIDIA graphics technology in gaming PCs and workstations.
• ASUScoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegular promotional partner for ASUS products including laptops, motherboards, graphics cards, and gaming peripherals. Joint sales events such as Dads & Grads Sale and Canada Day Laptop Sale.
• MSIcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWeekly Deals promotional partner for MSI gaming laptops, desktops, motherboards, and components. Regular featured product promotions on memoryexpress.com.
• LogitechcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWeekly Specials promotional partner for Logitech gaming peripherals including G3 series products. Joint marketing campaigns and promotional pricing.
• LexarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint promotional partner for The Big Game Kickoff Giveaway. Lexar products featured as Choice of Champions with promotional positioning.
• Bambu LabminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnniversary Sale promotional partner for Bambu Lab 3D printers and related products including filaments and accessories.
• ThrustMasterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPromotional partner for 2026 ThrustMaster gaming peripherals including racing wheels, pedals, and flight sim controls.
• MOZAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSummer Savings promotional partner for MOZA racing simulators and gaming equipment.
• SnapmakerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProduct launch partner for Snapmaker U1 3D Printers availability at Memory Express.
• MEPC (Memory Express PC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProprietary custom gaming PC brand featuring MEPC ZERO07 and other gaming systems. Exclusive in-house brand built with premium components.
• CorsaircoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured brand for memory, power supplies, cooling, and gaming peripherals. Regular promotional pricing on Corsair products.
• RazercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured brand for gaming peripherals including headsets, keyboards, and mice. Regular promotional sales on Razer products.
• SteelSeriescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured brand for gaming keyboards, mice, and audio equipment. Regular promotional events and pricing.
• Secure Data Recovery ServicescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThird-party data recovery service offered at Memory Express retail locations. Secure Data Recovery has over 100,000 satisfied customers and a documented 96% success rate. Services include free evaluation, no-obligation quote, and No Data No Recovery Fee guarantee. Recovery fees starting from $400 USD and vary based on complexity.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• iBUYPOWER: iBUYPOWER is a custom gaming PC builder with online configurator and pre-built systems targeted at the enthusiast market. It is comparable to Memory Express's MEPC and System Configurator offerings in the custom gaming PC space, but lacks physical retail presence and Canadian service operations.
• Puget Systems: Puget Systems is a US-based custom workstation and gaming PC builder focused on high-end, purpose-built systems. It overlaps with Memory Express's MEPC house brand and custom system build services, but serves a higher-end professional/creator segment rather than mass-market DIY builders.

Broad incumbents

• Amazon.ca: Amazon.ca is the largest e-commerce platform in Canada and competes with Memory Express on computer hardware, peripherals, and consumer electronics at scale. It offers unmatched selection, Prime shipping speed, and aggressive pricing but lacks Memory Express's in-store pickup, TechZone repair services, and custom PC build expertise.
• Staples Canada: Staples Canada is a broad-line office supplies and business technology retailer that competes with Memory Express on the B2B/corporate side, particularly for SMB IT procurement. It offers computers, networking, and peripherals but lacks deep DIY component selection and enthusiast focus.
• Best Buy Canada: Best Buy Canada is the dominant broad-line consumer electronics retailer in Canada, offering computers, gaming, networking, and peripherals alongside TVs, appliances, and mobile. It competes with Memory Express on selection and convenience but is far larger, less specialized in DIY components, and lacks a comparable custom PC build service.

Direct peers

• Canada Computers: Canada Computers is the closest direct competitor to Memory Express in the Canadian market. It operates a similar hybrid retail-and-online model selling computer hardware, components, gaming systems, and peripherals, with comparable pricing focus and DIY builder emphasis. Both compete head-to-head for the same enthusiast and SMB customer base across Canadian cities.
• TigerDirect: TigerDirect is an online retailer specializing in computer hardware, components, and electronics. It serves a similar DIY builder and SMB customer base as Memory Express with comparable product depth in PC components, but operates purely online without physical stores or Canadian-specific retail presence.
• Newegg: Newegg is a leading online retailer of computer hardware, components, and consumer electronics with strong Canadian operations (newegg.ca). It directly competes with Memory Express on DIY PC components, gaming peripherals, and enthusiast customer base, but operates purely online without physical retail locations or comparable in-house service divisions.

Regional players

• Micro Center: Micro Center is a US-based specialty retailer of computer hardware and electronics with deep DIY/enthusiast focus, custom PC build services, and in-store technical support. It is highly comparable to Memory Express in customer segment and operating model but operates only in the United States, making it a regional rather than direct competitor.
• Mike's Computer Shop: Mike's Computer Shop is a smaller Canadian retailer of computer hardware, gaming systems, and electronics with physical stores in select cities. It overlaps with Memory Express in product mix and customer segment but operates at a smaller scale with limited geographic reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/memoryexpress
• YouTubeyoutube.com/memoryexpress
• Facebookfacebook.com/memoryexpress
• Instagraminstagram.com/officialmemoryexpress

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Memory Express