EE launches new Experience store in Bluewater Shopping Centre inviting shoppers in Kent to get hands on with connected technology

• EE is launching its new Experience store in Bluewater Shopping Centre, combining physical and digital experiences to bring to life the latest connected technology
• The Bluewater store is the second of EE’s new Experience stores to launch across the UK, and follows the opening of EE’s flagship Studio destination in Westfield White City, London in June
• Local star of Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK, River Medway, will open the store at 12pm on Thursday 24^th August, with gift bags for the first 100 customers

EE is opening its brand-new Experience store in Bluewater Shopping Centre on Thursday 24^th August, bringing technology to life for Kent shoppers.

Situated in one of the UK’s largest shopping centres, the new EE Experience store is packed with the latest connected technology, from top-of-the-range games consoles to smart home devices, giving visitors to the south-east retail destination the opportunity to have fun and get hands on with game-changing innovations.

The second of EE’s innovative new concept stores showcases a host of ‘experience zones’ and ‘room sets’, with each area carefully curated to give Kent shoppers a taste of future living and demonstrate how cutting-edge technology and connectivity can enhance their everyday lives.

The experience zones in the Bluewater EE Experience store include:

• Welcome Zone: An inviting and dynamic shopfront, including a changeable digital window canvas that lets customers see the latest product launches and in-store offers before they even step inside.
• Gaming Zone: Feel the power of EE’s network and discover the latest and greatest in gaming – with the most up-to-date games and consoles available to try, as well as expert advice from the team on a range of bundles and plans, gamers of all levels can come in and experience the best in gaming.
• Base Camp: A space for customers to sit down and stay a while; with comfortable sofas, work benches and collaborative worktops, visitors can stop by for a complimentary tea or coffee, catch up on emails or speak to one of the EE team for advice on a range of products and services. Shoppers can also drop off their device for a rapid two-hour repair service, whatever network they are on.
• Tech Live: Try before you buy with an interactive bench inviting customers to trial the latest innovations, discover new devices and speak to the experts. A host of technology will be on display, evolving as new drops hit the shelves, with visitors able to browse and purchase their chosen products online.

The new Experience store also gives customers the opportunity to visualise their own personalised connected home by exploring the real-life room sets. The specially curated room sets include a Living Room with superfast broadband and connected home technology such as home security and TV packages, and a Home Office with technology to support with online security and working from home.

EE is committed to offering the most personal, customer-focused service on the high street, which is reflected through its Bluewater store team. Each team member has different passions and interests that come together with a love for technology and helping people. Visitors to the Bluewater store can receive face-to-face advice and guidance on how to use a range of different technology in everyday life, with EE’s Guides helping to digitally upskill the Kent community.

Bluewater is one of Europe’s leading retail and leisure destinations, serving millions of visitors a year and offering a range of unique experiences. EE has been a feature of Bluewater for over a decade, with this new Experience store demonstrating EE’s commitment to brick-and-mortar retail and supporting local customers with all their technology needs. The store, which is moving from EE’s existing space on the ground floor of the shopping centre, is located on the first floor and combines two existing units to create an open and dynamic tech-filled space.

Asif Aziz OBE, Retail Director at EE, said: “We are proud to have served the Kent community through our Bluewater store for over ten years and we are now looking forward to bringing our new Experience store format to this iconic retail destination.

As part of our ambition to become the most personal, customer-focused brand in the UK, we have designed our Experience stores to offer our customers the chance to discover and interact with the technology that is right for them. Our new Bluewater Experience store offers shoppers and the local community the chance to try out a range of connected technology, get advice from one of our expert EE Guides or simply have fun and set their fastest lap in the Gaming Zone. We can’t wait to welcome our first customers”.

James Waugh, Centre Director at Bluewater, said: “We’re thrilled to see the EE team invest so heavily in their existing presence at Bluewater, and choose our centre as home of the UK’s second EE Experience store.

We encourage our guests to come down and try out the range of cutting-edge technology on offer throughout the store and experience future living.”

The launch of the new Experience store in Bluewater is part of EE’s new retail strategy, which seeks to reinvent the role of retail in the telco industry putting innovation, personal experience, and community service front and centre.

The EE Experience store will open at 12pm on Thursday 24^th August, with gift bags for the first 100 customers and an exclusive appearance from local artist and star of Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK, River Medway. There will also be exclusive in-store deals, offers, and entertainment throughout the day.