19th Ave New York, NY 95822, USA

Best Buy Paints an Exciting Picture for Gamers at E3

Best Buy announces new promotions and trade-in program incentives in advance of some of the most anticipated title releases ever

Best Buy E3 3D Art Installation – Exclusive Raptor Armor skin for Halo 4

MINNEAPOLIS & LOS ANGELES (June 3, 2012) – At the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) reaffirmed its commitment to gaming, announcing new promotions and exclusive content for some of the most anticipated titles of the year. Additionally, the team shared new pre-order incentives including exclusive Halo 4 content, a special offer for Reward Zone Gamer’s Club Unlocked members and a new trade-in bonus offer.

“We still see a significant role for the console right now along with all of the exciting digital and mobile offerings out there – there’s never been a better time to be a gamer,” said Chris Koller, Vice President and Merchandising Lead, Home Group at Best Buy. “And this year is all about big titles like Halo 4 and Call of Duty Black Ops II, new hardware like Nintendo’s Wii U, as well as PC downloads which will be significant part of our business. Gaming and the gaming community remains a major priority for us, and we continue to invest both in-store and online to deliver what we know our customers want – more value for game trade-in, and a wide selection of titles, accessories and consoles.”

Beginning today, gamers who pre-order Halo 4 at Best Buy will be able to get the exclusive Halo 4 Multiplayer Raptor Armor skin letting gamers customize the color of their armor.  Also starting today, Reward Zone Gamer’s Club Unlocked members can receive $20 in Reward Certificates per game when they pre-order and purchase select titles. Reward certificates are redeemable on nearly every product at Best Buy.

For the first time, the team will be on the E3 show floor taking a real-life approach to gaming with a life-size 3D art installation highlighting the exclusive Multiplayer Raptor Armor skin. Attendees will be encouraged to step in the 3D painting as they pose with accompanying Halo props and walk away with a printed picture on behalf of Best Buy. The 3D artwork will be located in area F7 of the showroom floor.

Better Way to Buy, Better Way to Save
·         Pre-order Exclusive Content: Best Buy is focused on providing customers with exclusive offers throughout the pre-order experience. All of the top new releases in 2012 will be feature a pre-order incentive, a strategy which has driven a 350 percent increase in pre-orders to date over last year.
o   Customers who pre-order Halo 4 will receive a customizable Multiplayer Raptor Armor skin.

·         More Trade-in Value: Best Buy Game Trade-In allows customers to get more for their old games – more money back, more new games and more of the tech they love. Whether customers trade games in online or in-store, Best Buy makes it easy to get more for a game.
o   Customers now receive a 100 percent trade-in bonus when they trade-in their old games.
o   Best of all, the trade-in value will be in the form of a Best Buy gift card that can be used on any product throughout the store – not just games.

·         Better Experience for Gamers with the Reward Zone Gamers Club: Leading the retail industry in customer appreciation and incentives, Best Buy’s loyalty program for gamers, Reward Zone Gamers Club, has seen its membership increase more than 30 percent since last year at E3.
o   Reward Zone members can sign up to participate in the Reward Zone Gamers Club for free. For an additional $14.99/year, customers can sign up for an Unlocked membership.
o   The benefits continue for Reward Zone Gamers Club members as they earn the same program points on digital gaming purchases as they do on boxed product. We will continue to make investments to improve the customer experience for digital purchases and to pursue strategic partnerships to provide unique experiences for our gamers.
o   Beginning today, Reward Zone Gamers Club Unlocked members will receive a $20 Reward Certificate (worth 1,000 Reward Zone points) when they pre-order and purchase one of several eligible games by their street date. Eligible titles include Halo 4, Madden Football 13, and Assassins Creed 3. For additional titles visit www.bestbuy.com/Get20.
§  Reward Certificates can be redeemed on nearly everything at Best Buy. Check out MyRewardZone.com for more information on Reward Certificates and Reward Zone program rules.
§  Other benefits to becoming a Reward Zone Gamers Club Unlocked member include a one-year free subscription to Best Buy’s exclusive magazine, @Gamer. Now available in a digital version (launched by Future US), the first digital issue of @Gamer – the June “E3” issue – includes exclusive coverage, expert previews and reviews, and news surrounding the industry’s largest event. The digital version is now available for all browsers, as well as iPad and Android devices. Additionally, a special digest edition of the June issue (a 40-page sampler of the full publication) is now available for FREE.

For additional information on Best Buy at E3 visit www.bestbuy.com/E3 or follow us on Twitter at @BestBuy.

###

About Best Buy Co., Inc.
Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) is a leading multi-channel global retailer and developer of technology products and services. Every day our employees -167,000 strong – are committed to helping deliver the technology solutions that enable easy access to people, knowledge, ideas and fun. We are keenly aware of our role and impact on the world, and we are committed to developing and implementing business strategies that bring sustainable technology solutions to our consumers and communities. For information about Best Buy, visit www.bby.com

Contact:                                                                    
Erin Bix, Best Buy Public Relations
612-291-7965 or erin.bix@bestbuy.com

Richard Chen, Edelman Public Relations
206.268.2293 or richard.chen@edelman.com