CityPulse

Circuit City has announced that it will be working with Pulse LLC to launch what it calls a 'unified community and social network' site, while the platform is described as a 'Retail Social Commerce' system. It seems to be some combination of an online Learning Management System, which acts as a portal for manufacturers to upload online learning modules, plus various associated Web 2.0 capabilities. With the staff turnover rate so high in many electronics retailers, finding an economic way of training transient store staff has been one of the many problems bedevilling this sector.

AppleShack

Seems as if RadioShack is going to be the first electronics retailer to try copying the Apple Store format. Forbes suggests that Radio Shack will be testing a small number of new concept stores in the last quarter of 2008.

Solution Stations

Wal-Mart is testing a number of 'Solution Stations' in its stores in the Dallas area. These stations will be managed by Dell. And there are suggestions, elsewhere, that Dell might be resurrecting its own retail formats, using modified concepts from a Texas-based consultancy - Thinq Design & Interactive.

Pomegranate

Apple will open its first store in China on Saturday. It will be Apple's 219th store worldwide. And Ron Johnson, Apple's Retail SVP, says that there are plans for other store openings in China.

Is Circuit City in Play?

Blockbuster has announced that it will not be proceeding with its acquisition plans for Circuit City. Circuit City, not surprisingly, has said that it is still exploring 'strategic alternatives' to 'enhance shareholder value' - something which should be a big part of any management team's endeavours. But, what could the strategic alternatives be? They have a 'shelf registration' ready for any short term funding needs - whatever they might be. But do they have any natural suitors? Not too sure about that one now that Staples has acquired Corporate Express...