We visited Xiaomi’s first store in Barcelona
Xiaomi may have made its name by targeting emerging markets, but now it's making a move on Western Europe -- starting with Spain. Check out our video tour of their first store in Barcelona!
Xiaomi became a global smartphone player by focusing on large emerging markets like India and Indonesia. Now it’s pushing into Western Europe with stores in Spain -- and we visited their newest location in Barcelona.
At first glance, it’s hard to avoid comparisons to the Apple Store, because the Mi Store looks very similar. Phones are neatly arranged on wooden tables, all accessories are in white boxes, and large, bright product banners adorn the walls.
The store isn’t particularly big -- in fact, it’s much smaller than the Zara clothing shop right next to it. But what it lacks in size, it makes up with product diversity and low prices. The budget Redmi 5 smartphone is being sold for 129 euros (US$157), slightly more than its 799 yuan (US$126) price tag in China.
But Xiaomi always takes pains to remind everyone that they make more than just smartphones. The store also sells a wide variety of gadgets, including fitness wearables, headphones, VR headsets, scooters, toy robots and even bath towels.
They also had TV sets on display as well as Mi Box set-top boxes. But while Xiaomi is selling the Mi Box, they say the TVs aren’t available for sale until they find a local content partner.
For more insights into China tech, sign up for our tech newsletters, subscribe to our Inside China Tech podcast, and download the comprehensive 2019 China Internet Report. Also roam China Tech City, an award-winning interactive digital map at our sister site Abacus.
