Future Shop
Future Shop was a Canadian electronics retail chain founded in 1982 by Hassan Khosrowshahi.
Future Shop was a Canadian electronics retail chain founded in 1982 and later acquired by Best Buy, which discontinued the brand in 2015.
What it was
Founded in Vancouver by Hassan Khosrowshahi, Future Shop grew from a single store into one of Canada's largest consumer electronics retailers by the 1990s. It was headquartered in Burnaby, British Columbia, and operated for about 33 years.
Why it closed
Best Buy acquired Future Shop in 2001 for C$580 million. On March 28, 2015, Best Buy Canada ended the Future Shop brand, closing 66 stores and converting 65 others to Best Buy locations as part of a consolidation strategy.
Key details
The closure affected hundreds of employees and marked a major shift in Canada's electronics retail landscape. The brand's legacy remains a notable chapter in Canadian retail history, with some former stores still operating under the Best Buy banner.
In short
- Founded in 1982 by Hassan Khosrowshahi in Vancouver.
- Acquired by Best Buy in 2001 for C$580 million.
- Brand discontinued on March 28, 2015; 66 stores closed, 65 rebranded.
- Operated for 33 years, once Canada's largest electronics retailer.
Future Shop was a major Canadian retail brand, founded in Vancouver and later headquartered in Burnaby. Its rise and closure are part of modern Canadian retail history, especially in consumer electronics.
Quick questions
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Sources
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_ShopSupports: Founding date, founder, acquisition by Best Buy, closure date, store conversions, and general company history.
- Retail Insider — https://retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2025/03/10-years-since-future-shops-closure-in-canada/Supports: Canadian closure context, founding in Vancouver, Best Buy acquisition, and the 2015 brand shutdown.
- CBC News — https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/future-shop-stores-closed-across-canada-some-to-rebrand-as-best-buy-1.3013534Supports: Closure announcement, immediate shutdown, and rebranding of some stores to Best Buy.
- CBC News — https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/best-buy-snaps-up-future-shop-for-580-million-1.285215Supports: 2001 Best Buy acquisition and purchase price.
- Newswire — https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/future-shop-celebrates-30-years-of-being-tech-forward-takes-a-historical-look-back-510847821.htmlSupports: 30-year milestone and store count before closure.