Best Buy expands into new categories — including beauty
Best Buy continues to broaden its assortment of products with items that take it into new categories.
The retailer said Friday that nearly 300 of its 1,000 U.S. stores (and its online site) are now carrying devices that offer the latest in skin-care technology. The tech-focused beauty products come with features such as pulsating facial cleansing for deep cleaning and LED light therapy to help reduce wrinkles. Best Buy said it expects to expand the collection with more products in the months ahead.
Best Buy’s expansion into new areas is not new. The retailer has been ramping up its health-related and fitness offerings, making digital -health technology and health-monitoring services a critical feature of its overall strategy. In 2018, it acquired GreatCall, which makes easy-to-use cell phones and connected health devices and provides health and emergency response services to seniors. And last year it acquired Current Health, a U.K. care-at-home technology platform.
Outdoor Living
In November, Best Buy acquired outdoor furniture brand Yardbird. The brand’s collection of sustainable furniture has joined Best Buy’s assortment of outdoor TV and audio products, and the retailer has added new products from outdoor grilling and cooking brands such as Weber.
In May, Best Buy added Yardbird displays at several of its Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home stores in Southern California. The retailer plans to add Yardbird displays to about 90 Best Buy stores this year.
Also, during the past few months, Yardbird opened new stores in Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C., with more on the way.
Electronic Transport
Best Buy currently has more than 750 e-transportation products — including electrics bikes, scooters and mopeds — and accessories available on its website. During the next 18 months, it will roll out a selection of the items to nearly every Best Buy store. It also is rolling out charging devices in several locations.
In addition, the chain is beginning a pilot to test service and repair for e-transportation products in some of its stores.