Best Buy Opens 40 Remodeled Experiential Stores

Best Buy is completing remodels on 40 U.S. stores to offer its experiential store format ahead of the holiday shopping season. 

Described as “inspirational destinations,” the experiential store concept helps shoppers discover, learn about and use the latest consumer electronics, according to the retailer.

In early 2022, Best Buy revealed it would expand the number of experiential stores by remodeling about 50 locations in the next year and transforming approximately 300 locations by 2025 — after first testing the store format in Houston in 2020 and later adding additional pilot locations, including one in Charlotte, North Carolina.

[READ & VIEW: Inside Best Buy’s Experiential Format]

A main feature of the experiential concept is dedicated demo areas to showcase the latest product categories. The areas serve as a test-and-learn experience for shoppers, such as helping them create a home theater experience with the latest Epson ultra short-throw projectors. 

According to a Nov. 25 corporate blog post, Best Buy is wrapping up construction and preparing to introduce these redesigned stores.  

“For some technology, the best way to know if it’s the right fit for you and your home is to see it in person and get that immersive and inspirational experience,” said Damien Harmon, executive vice president of omnichannel at Best Buy, in the blog post. “We wanted to give our customers the ultimate destination to discover and get expert advice on the latest in tech.” 

The remodeled store serves as a hub of immersive experiences for audio, home theater, appliances and other consumer electronics. It includes expanded in-store shops from brands such as Samsung, Meta’s Oculus and Amazon, in addition to larger Apple and Microsoft shops, as well as 24/7 lockers for product pick up.  

The stores also offer:

• An assortment of outdoor living and entertainment products, including from Yardbird, a premium outdoor furniture brand Best Buy acquired in 2021. Products include furniture, grills and smokers, pizza ovens and lighting from brands such as Weber, Traeger and Ooni. A dedicated Yardbird display showcases select collections from its outdoor dining sets, lounge seating, fire tables and accessories. 
• A variety of e-bikes, scooters, mopeds, electric dirt bikes and accessories that first launched on BestBuy.com.
• A dedicated space for shoppers to experience Best Buy’s growing Lego assortment, including popular collections such as Harry Potter, Super Mario and Star Wars.  
• An expanded Geek Squad space that’s 25% larger than Best Buy’s traditional stores, where agents help diagnose problems, make repairs and offer advice. 

Earlier this year, the Path to Purchase Institute visited Best Buy’s 35,000-square-foot experiential location in Charlotte-North Lake, which was renovated in 2021.

The retailer also plans to increase the number of outlet centers to 30 by the end of 2023, while expanding beyond major appliances and televisions to also include computers, gaming consoles and mobile phones in those locations.