Best Buy to double outlet store count; four upcoming locations announced

Best Buy is going after shoppers looking for a bargain.

The retailer will open four outlet stores this summer and fall, in Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, and Manassas, Va. The openings are part of Best Buy’s plan to double its outlet store count during the next year, expanding from its current 16 locations to 32.

The upcoming Chicago, Phoenix, and Manassas outlets will be remodels of existing Best Buy stores, while the current Houston outlet will move to a new location that is three times bigger.

“Customers have shown a growing interest in our outlet locations, not only because our experts are there to provide advice, but because they offer a wide assortment of open-box and clearance items at a discounted price,” Best Buy said.

The company added that Best Buy Totaltech membership benefits apply to its outlet stores, including free delivery and standard installation.

Expanded products and services
In addition to opening more outlet stores, Best Buy is expanding the product assortment beyond major appliances and televisions to include laptops, tablets, gaming products, mobile phones, and more

It’s also adding more services. All outlet stores now offer same-day delivery through the company’s third-party delivery partners, including Dolly and Bungii.

Every new outlet will have a Geek Squad area offering tech support. Also, at all new outlet locations, customers can have small products, such as laptops and tablets, shipped directly from the store to their home.

In addition, for the first time ever, customers will be able to shop their local Best Buy outlet online and pick the purchase up in-store or at curbside.

Less electronic waste
Best Buy noted that by shopping at its outlet stores, customers are helping to limit waste by giving technology a new, longer life.

“That’s one of the steps of a circular economy, in which products are kept in use for as long as possible through repair, trade-ins and recycling,” the company said.