Best Buy seeks best retail model

In a bid to increase sales, Best Buy - the largest consumer electronics retailer in the United States - has turned to the targeting of niche markets, as it remodels some of its stores to appeal to specific groups, rather than having each store try to be all things to all people.

Each new store is now focused on one or two specific types of client.

Best Buy claims that the 67 stores it has already restructured to the new format have reported sales increases of 8.4 percent, compared to an increase of 2.3 percent at its more traditional stores.

The company has said that by the end of next year it expects to have converted 250 to 300 of its 800-plus stores in the United States and Canada to the new model.

In addition to exploring the possibilities of this non-traditional kind of store model, Best Buy also has plans to extend its new computer service work by enlarging it and by offering repair service to small businesses in some markets.

In this effort, Best Buy has said it will add 5,000 new “Geek Squad” employees to its current service staff of 7,000 in the coming year.

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