Toronto — Vizio, which swiftly entered and dominated the U.S. TV business behind its former “vision-meets-value” rallying cry, is expanding its distribution to our neighbors of the North.
The company said Wednesday that it will launch an expansion into the Canadian market Sept. 12, bringing its high-value products initially into Best Buy and Future Shop retail locations throughout the country.
Initial model lines will include Vizio’s E- and M-series full-array LED smart TVs and a range of audio solutions, including Vizio’s 2.1 and 5.1 Sound Bar Systems and a 2.1 Sound Stand.
Vizio will look to replicate the business model that propelled the company’s offerings into the top-three market-share position rankings for LCD TVs and other categories in the United States, the company said.
Audiences in the United States have found Vizio’s picture quality and heavily promoted price points hard to resist over the past decade.
Vizio said its current TV line also stresses design styling with modern aesthetics.
“Vizio believes everyone deserves access to best-in-class technologies at a great value, and our commitment to Canadian consumers is rooted in this mantra,” stated Matt McRae, Vizio chief technology officer. “Offering our products through Canada’s largest consumer electronics retailers grants more households access to attainable, high-quality Vizio technologies in both the HDTV and audio categories.”
Vizio said Best Buy and Future Shop stores will carry its lines both in-store and online.
“Canadians continue to choose Best Buy and Future Shop as their top two consumer electronics and lifestyle goods retailers. Our teams are always working hard to bring new and exceptional brands to keep pace with the wants and needs of our customers, which is why we’re very excited to offer Vizio’s award-winning product line,” said Mat Povse, Best Buy Canada and Future Shop merchandising VP. “Over the past decade, Vizio has solidified itself as a trusted brand in the U.S. We are very proud to now offer Vizio’s HDTVs and audio solutions in Canada, adding more amazing products for our customers as we continue to expand our lead in the market.”
All of Vizio’s smart TVs for the Canadian market will feature the Vizio Internet Apps Plus platform, carrying such leading apps as Netflix, YouTube, Yahoo News, Flickr, Crackle and more.
An app dock overlays the bottom of the screen giving consumers quick, at-a-glance access to seven of their favorite apps, without interrupting onscreen content.
Vizio’s audio solutions will include the Vizio 54-inch 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar System with Wireless Subwoofer designed fpr HDTVs 55-inches and larger, and the Vizio 2.1 Sound Stand, which offers big sound in a compact form factor.
Vizio Sound Bar systems include an intuitive and easy-to-use remote, Bluetooth pairing.
The entire Vizio audio lineup comes equipped with Bluetooth technologies for streaming music, even when the TV is off, and includes all necessary cables for a quick, hassle-free set-up right out of the box.
Vizio said it is also expanding its North American-based customer support to the Canadian market, offering the same level responsiveness seen in the United States.
“Vizio promises Canadian consumers the same advanced technology, best-in-class quality and responsive customer service that has made us such a trusted brand and market leader in the U.S.,” said Laynie Newsome, Vizio chief sales officer and co-founder.
Vizio models that will be carried at Best Buy Canada and Future Shop stores will include the following:
E-series HDTVs
24-inch Razor LED smart TV (E241i-B1)
28-inch full-array LED smart TV (E280i-B1)
50-inch full-array LED smart TV (E500i-B1)
60-inch full-array LED smart TV (E600i-B3)
70-inch full-array LED smart TV (E700i-B3)
M-series HDTVs
42-inch full-array LED smart TV (M422i-B1)
50-inch full-array LED smart TV (M502i-B1)
60-inch full-array LED smart TV (M602i-B3)
70-inch full-array LED smart TV (M702i-B3)
Audio Products
42-inch 2.1 Home Theater Sound Bar with wireless subwoofer (S4221w-C4)
42-inch 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar with wireless subwoofer and satellite speakers (S4251w-B4)
54-inch 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar with wireless subwoofer and satellite speakers (S5451w-C2)
21-inch 2.1 Sound Stand (S2121w-D0)
