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Tom Merritt, host of the Daily Tech News Show (DTNS), revealed the "Final Four" contenders for the Tech Tournament of Best Tech Stores during Monday’s "Office Hours" broadcast. Following a second round of voting defined by significant upsets and nostalgia-driven results, the bracket now moves into a semifinal showdown between surviving retail giants and enthusiast-favorite chains. Voting is currently open to the public to determine which stores will compete in next week’s championship final.
Key Points
- Best Buy and Newegg secured their spots in the semifinals, defeating CompUSA and ThinkGeek, respectively.
- Two major upsets occurred as Radio Shack knocked out Fry’s Electronics and Micro Center eliminated the Apple Store.
- The upcoming matchups pit Best Buy against Newegg, while Radio Shack faces off against Micro Center.
- The tournament concludes next week, at which point the DTNS community will begin nominations for a new tournament theme, likely focusing on "tech drinks" or science fiction franchises.
Bracket Breakdown: Giants Advance While Icons Fall
The second round of the tournament saw the top seeds maintain their momentum. Best Buy, the tournament’s top seed, defeated CompUSA with 60% of the vote. Despite CompUSA’s legacy status, Best Buy's continued physical presence and market relevance appeared to sway the audience. Similarly, Newegg dominated ThinkGeek with a 67% to 33% victory, highlighting a preference for component retailers over novelty merchandise stores.
The bottom half of the bracket, however, was defined by upsets. Radio Shack, seeded seventh, leveraged a wave of nostalgia to defeat Fry’s Electronics 58% to 42%. In an even more surprising turn, sixth-seeded Micro Center ousted the Apple Store with the same 58% margin. This shift suggests the DTNS informed audience prioritizes the "maker" and DIY culture associated with Micro Center over the ubiquitous corporate retail experience offered by Apple.
The Semifinal Outlook: Practicality vs. Sentiment
The first semifinal matchup between Best Buy and Newegg represents a clash of retail philosophies: the brick-and-mortar survivor versus the e-commerce specialist. Merritt noted that while Newegg has faced criticism in recent years regarding its customer service and ownership changes, it remains a powerhouse in the tech community. Conversely, Best Buy was described as a resilient force in a declining physical retail landscape.
"Best Buy has found a niche in an area where it shouldn't exist. It's a brick and mortar store that shouldn't be there. It's a cockroach surviving the nuclear winter of retail."
The second semifinal features Radio Shack against Micro Center, a matchup DTNS contributor Amos characterized as "the classic versus the modern." While Radio Shack rides a wave of sentimental value from the TRS-80 era, Micro Center is viewed as its spiritual successor for modern hobbyists.
"I'd have to go with Micro Center because... I never associated Radio Shack with computers necessarily. Versus Micro Center where it’s like, ‘I need a thing, I’m sure Micro Center has it.’"
What’s Next for the Tech Tournament
Voting for the semifinal round is currently live at Challonge, requiring a registered account to prevent automated voting manipulation. Merritt and the DTNS team expect a "squeaker" in the Best Buy vs. Newegg matchup, though Best Buy's broad utility may give it the edge over Newegg's niche appeal.
Following the crowning of the "Best Tech Store" next week, the show will pivot to a new tournament. Early suggestions from the audience include a "Tech Drinks" bracket—featuring sodas, caffeinated beverages, and "geek" staples like Jolt Cola and Bawls—or a tournament centered on science fiction television franchises. Nominations for the next bracket will officially open during next Monday’s final round broadcast.
