Samsung Experience Store, opened last April 2014 in one of the biggest mall in Europe, will be closed at the end of 2014. While its biggest store will be closed, Samsung has nine others that are still open across United Kingdom.
Cnet was told by Samsung that: "We regret to announce that we will be closing the Samsung Experience Store at Westfield Stratford City at the end of this year."
Samsung used Samsung Experience stores as locations of flagship retails. These stores are the first place where users can buy their new devices such as Galaxy S5 or Galaxy S4.
Westfield Stratford City store in London employs 5 part-time and 53 full-time employees. "We will do our utmost, where possible, to look to find affected employees alternative employment within the business or offer a financial package should they choose to move on to find new opportunities," says Samsung.
Samsung also said that the other stores, including the branch at Oxford Street will still be open for business: "We remain fully committed to the operation of the remaining nine Samsung Experience Stores across the UK, and wish to reassure our customers that those stores will not be affected by this decision."
Samsung announced its plans earlier this 2014 to collaborate with Phones 4U and Carphone Warehouse to open own-brand stores within United Kingdom and Europe. However, with profits from mobile business of Samsung dropping a stunning 74% during the third quarter this year and because of the downfall of Phones 4U, the Samsung's plans will considerably change this forthcoming year.
Samsung promised to reduce 25 to 30 percent of its more than 50 smartphone lineup in the hope that the things will turn around this 2015. Samsung will not only be pressured by the move of Apple into Phablets, but also deal with its Chinese competitors such as Lenovo, Xiaomi, and Huawei.