Company News

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20 Oct: Best Buy Doubles Down, Opens 4 Teen Tech Centers Nationwide

A 12-year-old aspiring inventor created a desk fan for his mom with parts from a broken PC and a cardboard box. Adding a single-throw switch, and wires for the circuit, the fan came alive. Beaming with pride, the boy started his own fan project with a completed prototype and has plans to design a custom enclosure using a 3D printer and a program called Tinkercad.

Believe it or not, he brainstormed and executed his fan project within the walls of the Best Buy Teen Tech Center in Minneapolis.

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15 Oct: ‘Intel Technology Experience’ Zones to Bring Access to Inspiration at Best Buy

While most (79%) of Americans are excited about the chance to learn and try out new technologies, half are frustrated by the lack of access to them beyond what they read or see in the media, according to a new study by Intel and Toluna.

That’s the reason why Intel and Best Buy are now teaming up to bring new Intel Technology Experience zones to 50 Best Buy stores in major markets across the U.S. The Intel Technology Experience lets customers – from tech enthusiasts to technophobes – play, explore, and be inspired by the power of technology with hands-on activities like 3D printing and virtual reality games.

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24 Sep: 3 New Top Fashion Designers Will Invigorate Your Tech Wardrobe 

Your phone, tablet and laptop are about to get a lot more stylish with accessories created by celebrated fashion designers Nanette Lepore, Anna Sui and Isaac Mizrahi New York – coming exclusively to Best Buy stores Sunday, Oct. 5. You can pre-order a selection of these trendy new tech accessories now at BestBuy.com.

Each designer’s collection includes smartphone, tablet and laptop cases with styles and designs available only at Best Buy.

This is not Best Buy’s first trip down the runway. 

Back to School Protect Your Gear

19 Sep: Here’s How To Protect You and Your Tech this School Year

One of the last things you want to worry about now that you’re back at school is an accident with your new tech gear.

Stats say five out of six students say that they’ve lost or broken their phone, and three in five tablet owners suffer from mishaps like keyboard spills, dropping their tablet or damaging the screen.

Whether it’s dropping your device, someone accessing your information on a Wi-Fi network, or catching a computer virus, there are ways to avoid these Back to School blues.

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17 Sep: Best Buy Named to Prestigious Dow Jones Sustainability Index

For the fourth consecutive year, Best Buy has been named to the Dow Jones Index for Sustainable Investing (DJSI), the longest-running global sustainability rankings. The DJSI follows a best-in-class approach to measure and compare companies on environmental, social and corporate governance criteria.  Used by investors around the world to evaluate leadership and risk management, the Index is the official sustainability performance ranking of the largest 600 North American companies.

Best Buy held its ranking in the retail category, scoring in the 84th percentile, 18 points above the average retail company, a clear reflection of the company’s commitment to creating a thriving business while continuing to make a positive impact on the world.

16 Sep: Best Buy Welcomes Two New Wearables

Forecasters claim the wearables market will climb from $2.5 billion last year to $12.6 billion in 2018.

That’s in part thanks to activity trackers like Fitbit Flex and Jawbone Up – and to the folks who not only wear them at the gym, but while waiting in line at the grocery store.

Now two of the latest and greatest health and fitness devices join the wearables family at Best Buy — the Garmin vívosmart and the Misfit Flash.  Here’s the lowdown:

The Garmin vívosmart is an activity tracker with a few smartwatch-like notification features as an added bonus.

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10 Sep: Mobile Phone Plans Have Morphed: 5 Things to Know

With Apple’s new phones coming, along with Samsung’s Note 4 and Note Edge, you may be thinking about upgrading.

What you may not know is things have changed with carrier plans too, giving you more options.

In the old days (about six months ago), a two-year contract was the gold standard. Now new carrier monthly installment billing options without contracts are gaining popularity with consumers, especially those with family plans.

Here’s what’s so appealing about this new option:

1. Pay $0 down
Well-qualified customers can leave the store with a new Apple iPhone or Samsung Note for $0.

Moto 360 Devices

05 Sep: It’s Here: Motorola Launches Moto 360 and You Can Get It at Best Buy

The time has come. Today, Motorola launched its highly-anticipated Moto 360 – an Android Wear-powered device with a sleek round face.

Moto 360

The Moto 360 is available at BestBuy.com today. And on Sunday, Sept. 14, eager Moto 360 customers can check it out and try it on at Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores, the only brick-and-mortar retailers to offer the device at launch.

The new, stylish device is compatible with Android smartphones 4.3 or later. Additional features include:

  • Voice activation – tell your Moto 360 what to do through a built-in microphone
  • Vibration alerts – it discretely sends your notifications
  • Water resistant – up to 3.3 feet and for 30 minutes
  • Built-in pedometer and optical heart rate monitor – keep tabs on your ideal heart rate and track your steps

Order your Moto 360 for $249.99 now at BestBuy.com

03 Sep: Best Buy Introduces Exclusive kate spade new york Tech Accessories

Give your smartphone, tablet and laptop a makeover – after all, it is Fashion Week in New York – as a new collection of exclusive tech accessories from top fashion designers and brands begins to arrive at Best Buy.

Starting Sunday, Sept. 7, kate spade new york smartphone, tablet and laptop cases, as well as portable power packs, will be available at select Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores and on BestBuy.com. It’s the first in a series of Best Buy fashion designer partnerships to be announced in coming weeks.

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29 Aug: Meet the Magnolia Designer Who Creates $60,000 Man Caves  

Jason Chaney makes Man Cave dreams come true.

He’s spearheaded home theater creations as pricey as $60,000 as a Magnolia Designer and now leads the home theater department at Best Buy’s Mission Valley store in San Diego.

Maybe you’ve seen #MagnoliaMondays on Best Buy PR’s Instagram? That’s the work of Chaney and his peers.

So, want to know the hottest trend in home theater?

Wondering what’s the biggest no-no in manufacturing a Man Cave?

Chaney, a 32-year-old home theater veteran, answers all and shares his entertainment expertise.

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26 Aug: Best Buy Reports Second Quarter Results

Non-GAAP diluted EPS from continuing operations of $0.44

GAAP diluted EPS from continuing operations of $0.42

$40 million in additional annualized Renew Blue cost reductions, bringing the cumulative total to $900 million

MINNEAPOLIS, August 26, 2014 — Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) today announced results for the 13-week second quarter (“Q2 FY15”) ended August 2, 2014 as compared to the 13-week second quarter (“Q2 FY14”) ended August 3, 2013.

 

Revenue Q2 FY15 Q2 FY14
Revenue ($ in millions) $8,896 $9,266
Comparable sales % change1 (2.7%) (0.6%)
       Domestic Segment:
   Comparable sales % change (2.0%) (0.4%)
   Comparable online sales % change 22.0% 10.5%
       International Segment:
   Comparable sales % change (6.7%) (1.8%)

 

Operating Income Q2 FY15 Q2 FY14
GAAPoperating income as a % of revenue 2.7% 4.5%
Non-GAAPoperating income as a % of revenue2 2.9% 2.2%

 

Diluted EPS Q2 FY15 Q2 FY14
GAAP diluted EPS from continuing operations $0.42 $0.69
Impact of net LCD settlements3 $0.00 ($0.43)
Impact of non-restructuring asset impairments $0.02 $0.03
Impact of restructuring charges $0.00 $0.01
Impact of gain on sale of investments $0.00 ($0.03)
Benefit of income tax impact of Best Buy Europe sale $0.00 $0.05
Non-GAAP diluted EPS from continuing operations2 $0.44 $0.32

 

Hubert Joly, Best Buy president and CEO, commented, “In the second quarter, we delivered $8.9 billion in revenue and $0.44 in non-GAAP diluted earnings per share versus $0.32 last year.

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25 Aug: Geek Squad Agent Doubles as a Semipro Wrestler? Believe It.

By day, Geek Squad Agent Chuck Weeden pins down technology problems for Best Buy customers at the Auburn Hills store in suburban Detroit.

But after work, Weeden, a.k.a. “Big Money,” tackles opponents as a semipro wrestler with the Michigan Championship Wrestling Association (MCWA).

Weeden’s signature move? The “Cash Out,” fittingly enough.

“I scoop up my opponent and as I slam him down I wrap my arm around his neck, pretty much landing on his neck as I come down,” he said.