Best Buy to pose no threat to ASUCLA

By Dexter Gauntlett
Daily Bruin Reporter

Despite last week’s opening of Best Buy ““ the fifth
chain technology store in Westwood ““ and a drop in the tech
industry in general, the Associated Students of UCLA expects sales
in Ackerman’s store to endure “minimum
impact.”

According to retail director of operations Keith Schoen, ASUCLA
has not seen a drop in the number of computers purchased, but the
drop in retail computer prices in Ackerman is consistent with the
technology sector as a whole.

Along with other major money makers such as emblematic apparel
and textbooks, computers contribute 20 percent to overall retail
sales. Though Best Buy carries such a diverse product line, they
only compete with ASUCLA in computers, Schoen said.

“There are so many other competing stores already in
business in Westwood, I think (Best Buy) will have a bigger impact
on the neighborhood businesses rather than ASUCLA,” he
said.

Many of Best Buy’s competitors such as Tower Records and
Circuit City expect that upon the store’s opening, they will
see a drop in sales but are confident things will return to normal.
Other local competitors include the Wherehouse and Radio Shack.

The general manager for Bel-Air Camera, Frank Ponder, who also
serves on the Westwood Business Improvement and Development
Committee was actually excited about the opening. He said, “I
think everyone’s looking forward to any business coming into
Westwood.”

Despite Westwood’s recent sluggish economic past, he still
believes that Westwood is on the rebound and said he noticed more
students in some parts of Westwood than ever before, but noticed
other places are rarely frequented by students.

“I think there’s kind of been a wall of some sort on
Le Conte where faculty, students and staff feel like they
can’t go to the other side of,” Ponder said.

Unlike Schoen, Ponder said that Best Buy, due to its proximity
to campus, would be most problematic for ASUCLA and not for
surrounding businesses.

Gary Harris, manager for inventory and loss prevention at the
new Best Buy said that he has been pleased with student response in
the store’s first week.

Harris said it is difficult to tell how the store will affect
ASUCLA. However, he said that historically, Best Buy’s have
coexisted near universities.

ASUCLA is a nonprofit organization that includes all of the
on-campus convenience and book stores along with franchise food
services. Proceeds from those services go to the Student Union and
other student programs. Funds are also used to maintain building
infrastructure and pay ASUCLA businesses employee salaries in
addition to medical benefits.

According to Jerry Mann, Student Union director, computer
mark-up ran at 10.3 percent and was responsible for $11.063 million
in retail sales last year.