Best Buy Opens Small-Format, Digital-First Store

Best Buy (Richfield, Minn.) has opened its first small-format store, with a “digital-first” shopping experience, according to a company press release.

The store, which debuted July 26 in Monroe, N.C., is 5000 square feet, and features a curated selection of product from smartphones to headphones and small appliances. Geek Squad services are available; in-store pick-up, as well as pick-up lockers outside the store, are also on hand. Shoppers are greeted at the entrance by a 7-foot-tall digital display that details what’s new in store and how they can shop.

The small-format will carry things like large TVs, but anything much larger, or any other major appliances, will need to be ordered from a larger format store or purchased on bestbuy.com. Overall, the new concept encourages shoppers to “get advice” or select products to buy all digitally while in store.

In addition to mobile self-checkout options, shoppers can scan an item via a QR code that they want to purchase to be ready for them at the pick-up counter; there will also be a select amount of items that customers can “grab-and-go” using the Best Buy app.

Just like other full-line Best Buy stores, associates will be on hand to help as needed.