Future Shop
Future Shop was a Canadian consumer electronics retailer founded in 1983. In 2001, it was acquired by Best Buy Canada Ltd.; its stores were largely rebranded to Best Buy, and the entity now operates as a non-reporting subsidiary within Best Buy Canada's multi-channel retail platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersBurnaby, Canada
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Future Shop does
Future Shop was a Canadian consumer electronics retailer founded in 1983. In 2001, Future Shop was acquired by Best Buy Canada Ltd., after which its stores were largely rebranded to Best Buy and the entity ceased independent operation. The operating_status recorded in source data is "acquired," and the entity has functioned as a non-reporting subsidiary of Best Buy Canada Ltd. since the transaction. No Future Shop-specific revenue, headcount, or operating metrics are disclosed in the input, and the legal name "Future Shop" remains on record while operational activity has been folded into Best Buy Canada.
The source material pertaining to this entity predominantly describes Best Buy Canada's current operations through bestbuy.ca, which now occupies the market position originally built by Future Shop. Best Buy Canada operates a multi-channel consumer electronics retail business combining physical retail storefronts across Canada with a comprehensive e-commerce platform. The technology stack centers on an integrated order management and inventory system enabling in-store pickup options (as fast as one hour), order tracking, and fulfillment pathways including home delivery. The product portfolio spans more than 20 categories, including Computers & Tablets, Cell Phones & Plans, TV & Home Theatre, Audio, Appliances, Smart Home, Wearables, Gaming & VR, Fitness Equipment, Cameras & Drones, and Car Electronics.
The business model spans four revenue streams: one-time transactional hardware sales as the primary engine; a Best Buy Membership subscription program offering exclusive deals and member benefits; Geek Squad professional services for technical support, installation, repair, and protection plans; and Trade-In plus Outlet programs covering refurbished, open box, and clearance products. Customer segmentation is horizontal, targeting individual Canadian consumers as the primary segment while serving business customers through a dedicated Best Buy Business division. Pricing is promotional and unit-based, with up to 47% discounts on select audio, up to 40% on major appliances, and dollar-amount savings on TVs, laptops, and phones; specific subscription pricing is not publicly disclosed.
Future Shop firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Future Shop
- Legal name
- Future Shop
- Website
- https://futureshop.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Future Shop was a Canadian consumer electronics retailer founded in 1983. In 2001, it was acquired by Best Buy Canada Ltd.; its stores were largely rebranded to Best Buy, and the entity now operates as a non-reporting subsidiary within Best Buy Canada's multi-channel retail platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Future Shop industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Consumer Electronics Retail
- NAICS
- Electronics and Appliance Retailers (4492), Furniture, Home Furnishings, Electronics, and Appliance Retailers (449)
- SIC
- Retail-Computer & Computer Software Stores (5734)
- akta.pro primary industry
- General Big-Box Consumer Electronics Retail (CRACAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Big-Box Electronics + Gaming & VR Retail (CRACAAAG)
Keywords
Where Future Shop is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Burnaby
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Future Shop business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales: Sale of consumer electronics, appliances, computers, phones, TVs, audio equipment, gaming products, and other technology merchandise. One-time transactional revenue model with high volume sales across diverse product categories.
- Subscription/Membership: Best Buy Membership program providing exclusive offers, deals, and potential benefits to enrolled members.
- Professional Services (Geek Squad): Technical support, installation, repair, and consulting services through Geek Squad brand. Includes technology support, home installation, and protection plans.
- Trade-In and Outlet Programs: Trade-in program for consumer electronics (phones, devices) and outlet sales of refurbished, open box, and clearance products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard retail pricing with promotional deals |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Future Shop product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Future Shop was a Canadian consumer electronics retailer selling a wide assortment of technology products including computers, mobile phones, TVs, audio equipment, appliances, gaming products, and smart home devices. The company complemented its hardware offering with supporting services such as Geek Squad technical support, product protection plans, membership programs, trade-in services, and electronics recycling. Following acquisition by Best Buy Canada in 2001, Future Shop's operations were integrated into Best Buy Canada's multi-channel retail platform.
Product overview
Future Shop operates a multi-category electronics retail platform offering both physical stores and online shopping. The product portfolio spans core consumer electronics categories (Computers, Tablets, Cell Phones, TV & Home Theatre, Audio) alongside specialized segments (Smart Home, Wearable Technology, Video Games & VR, Fitness Equipment, Appliances). The service layer includes Geek Squad technical support services, Best Buy Membership loyalty program, Best Buy Protection extended warranty plans, Trade-In and Electronics Recycling programs, and Best Buy Business solutions for commercial customers. The company also operates an Outlet channel featuring Open Box, Refurbished, and Clearance products at discounted prices. Notable branded products include Google Pixel phones, Microsoft Surface laptops, Bose audio systems, and RGB LED TVs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Geek Squad Services Professional tech support, installation, repair, and consulting services for electronics and appliances. Available to consumer and business customers.
- Best Buy Membership Subscription-based membership program offering exclusive deals, early access to sales, and member-only benefits to enrolled consumers.
- Best Buy Protection Extended protection plans covering repairs, replacements, and extended coverage for purchased electronics and appliances.
- Best Buy Business Business-focused technology solutions including bulk purchasing, business accounts, account management, and commercial-grade electronics for business customers.
- Monthly Subscription Recurring subscription service offering flexible technology access and upgrade options to enrolled customers.
- Trade-In Program Program allowing customers to trade in used electronics such as phones and devices for credit toward new purchases.
- Electronics Recycling Program for responsible disposal and recycling of batteries and electronic products.
- Best Buy Health Health-focused technology services and products aimed at consumer health and wellness needs.
- Open Box Products Discounted products returned by customers, inspected and certified by Geek Squad, sold at reduced prices through outlet channels.
- Refurbished Products Factory-refurbished electronics sold at reduced prices with warranty through outlet channels.
- Clearance Products Deeply discounted discontinued or overstocked electronics and accessories sold through clearance channels.
- Gift Cards Digital and physical gift cards available in various denominations for use across the retail platform.
Companies that use Future Shop
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Future Shop technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Future Shop partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Future Shop competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Best Buy: US parent company of Best Buy Canada Ltd.; operates the same big-box consumer electronics retail model at scale in the United States and is the strategic anchor for the Future Shop successor operations in Canada.
- Amazon: Largest pure-play online competitor to Best Buy Canada across consumer electronics, appliances, and computing; sets the price benchmark that forces heavy promotional discounting in physical CE retail.
- Walmart Canada: Big-box mass retailer carrying consumer electronics, TVs, and appliances as part of a much broader assortment; competes with Best Buy Canada on price and one-stop shopping convenience.
- Costco Canada: Warehouse club retailer selling consumer electronics and major appliances at competitive member-only pricing; competes for big-ticket household electronics purchases alongside Best Buy Canada.
- Apple Store: Manufacturer-direct retail channel for Apple products in Canada; competes with Best Buy Canada on premium computing, phones, and accessories with a focused, brand-controlled in-store experience.
Direct peers
- The Source: Bell Canada-owned Canadian consumer electronics specialty retailer; directly comparable to Best Buy Canada on product mix, store footprint, and carrier-tied mobile sales across Canadian markets.
- Canada Computers: Canadian specialty electronics retailer focused on PCs, components, gaming, and consumer electronics; competes head-on with Best Buy Canada in the computing and gaming enthusiast segments.
- Staples Canada: Office and technology retailer operating physical stores and e-commerce in Canada; directly competes on computers, peripherals, printers, and small-business technology procurement.
- Memory Express: Canadian consumer electronics and IT retailer with both physical stores and online presence; directly comparable to Best Buy Canada on computing, gaming, and home electronics categories.
Regional players
- Visions Electronics: Western Canada-focused consumer electronics retailer offering major appliances, home theatre, and audio; competes with Best Buy Canada regionally rather than nationally.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Future Shop social profiles
Digital presenceFuture Shop financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Future Shop leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Future Shop funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Future Shop M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Future Shop
What does Future Shop do?
Future Shop was a Canadian consumer electronics retailer selling a wide assortment of technology products including computers, mobile phones, TVs, audio equipment, appliances, gaming products, and smart home devices. The company complemented its hardware offering with supporting services such as Geek Squad technical support, product protection plans, membership programs, trade-in services, and electronics recycling. Following acquisition by Best Buy Canada in 2001, Future Shop's operations were integrated into Best Buy Canada's multi-channel retail platform.
Is Future Shop a public or private company?
Future Shop is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Future Shop founded?
Future Shop was founded in 1983. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Future Shop based?
Future Shop is headquartered in Burnaby, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Future Shop make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are subscription/Membership, professional Services (Geek Squad) and trade-In and Outlet Programs.
Who are Future Shop's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart Canada, Costco Canada and Apple Store. Direct peers are The Source, Canada Computers, Staples Canada and Memory Express. Visions Electronics is listed as a regional player.
Does Future Shop have an API?
No public API is recorded for Future Shop.
What industry is Future Shop in?
Future Shop's product category is Consumer Electronics Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACAAAA, General Big-Box Consumer Electronics Retail, with a secondary code of CRACAAAG, Big-Box Electronics + Gaming & VR Retail. Its NAICS code is 4492 and its SIC code is 5734.