• SEAT opens first ever retail ‘store’ at Intu Lakeside shopping centre in Essex
• Media event with SEAT UK Director, Richard Harrison, launches store
• In-store technology, seven-day car delivery and on-site, unaccompanied test drives support modern retail experience
• Retail concept store opens in association with dealer partner Group 1 Automotive

The next-generation of car buying has launched in the UK after SEAT UK opened its first ever retail ‘store’ at intu Lakeside in Essex, hosting a packed media and VIP event on Tuesday (6^th December) evening.

Eight 22-inch digital ‘hubs’ let customers configure their car, explore financing options and arrange test drives while a number of 70-inch ultra HD screens line the walls to display the latest in-store offers, as SEAT puts its Spanish spin on traditional browsing-orientated retail environments.

Focus has been given to trying to simplify the buying process; taking the hassle out of choosing specific models by stocking specifically targeted, popular cars which means that customers browse real-time stock and models can be available for delivery as soon as seven days after ordering.

This accessibility is complemented with an outdoor Experience Centre which houses 16 SEAT models to discover and test-drive on-site.

The store has been opened alongside franchise partner Group 1 Automotive, as the Barcelona-based brand starts to develop the way we buy cars, combining a relaxed retail environment and automotive expertise.

Staff at the store, known as SEAT Experts, have retail backgrounds but all 13 working full-time, have completed an intensive SEAT training course on brand and product knowledge to back up their service-orientated backgrounds.

Richard Harrison, Director, SEAT UK, hosted the event, saying: “Our new store is a world first for us, and I’m delighted SEAT is taking a leading role, right here in Essex in making the car buying process more modern and relaxed.”

For more information on SEAT, visit www.seat.co.uk