Global electricals retailer Best Buy opens its second UK store today - at Hedge End, near Southampton.

Best Buy’s first store opened in Thurrock, Essex, at the end of last month. Paul Antoniadis, chief executive of Best Buy branded operations, said Best Buy would like to have a central London store, but had not yet secured suitable premises for an opening.

iPads sold at Best Buy

The iPad was on sale today in Best Buy’s two UK stores in Thurrock and Hedge End.

Hedge End opens on a red letter day for consumer electronics with the launch of the iPad in the UK. Best Buy’s rival DSGi, which owns Currys and PC World, was thought to have stolen a march on competitors, including Best Buy partner Carphone Warehouse, Comet, John Lewis and Tesco with an agreement with Apple to sell the iPad 60 days before them.

The iPad was also going on sale, however, in Best Buy’s two UK stores in Thurrock and Hedge End.