MINNEAPOLIS -- New technologies are emerging daily to help people plan, monitor, and enhance their health and fitness activities. Yet finding the ways and the time to stay fit and motivated can seem more complicated than ever before. Starting today, Best Buy customers in select markets from Washington, DC to Denver can turn to the nation’s largest consumer electronics retailer for help in satisfying their health and fitness equipment and management needs.
This broad selection of health and fitness gear is now available at 40 Best Buy stores in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Mexico and Texas. The new health and fitness selection at these Best Buy locations includes more than 30 feet of technology devices organized by popular activities such as running, walking, swimming, and yoga, as well as fitness equipment in some locations.
"We’re constantly looking for the most innovative solutions to address our customer’s lifestyle needs," said Steve Trier, senior director of customer research & development at Best Buy. “Customers expect quality, selection and service from Best Buy, and with health and fitness, we’re matching the right combination of gear with experienced BlueShirts and Geek Squad to help them manage and stay motivated by their fitness routines.”
In preliminary tests of the health and fitness concept, Best Buy identified the challenges frequently faced by customers – especially busy moms -- as they try to establish a regular fitness regimen. This early research revealed that while people typically launch a routine with the best of intentions, they often find it difficult to stay interested and on track. They want guidance for using technology to help them get fit, and to help monitor their progress so they are inspired to make fitness a long-term habit.
From creating a home gym complete with a TV and surround sound to downloading workout data to the home computer, Best Buy’s health and fitness products connect technology and workouts. Health and fitness shelves at these select Best Buy stores are now stocked with the latest heart rate and workout monitoring watches, pedometers, and conditioning accessories; and in many locations customers can also try out elliptical machines, stationary bikes and treadmills from brands including Lifespan, ProForm and Reebok.
The health and fitness assortment includes a wide variety of monitoring watches by Timex, Polar, Garmin, and Sportline. And true to Best Buy’s interactive in-store experience, watch displays enable customers to try products and experience the features and functionality firsthand. The assortment also includes headphones from Sennheiser, and pedometers and MP3 accessories designed specifically for workouts. Swimmers, yoga, Pilates and conditioning enthusiasts can choose from products by FINIS, GoFit, and Gaiam. Products for monitoring health, such as scales, blood pressure monitors and books, are also available.
With this product selection, in-store interactive tools and specially-trained Best Buy BlueShirts, customers will walk away with the latest and greatest gear, and an understanding of how technology can help maximize their health benefits, track results and stay motivated. And for those customers who want help connecting their monitoring gear to their home PC, mobile device or other gear, Geek Squad also is available to provide in-home equipment assembly and related tech support.
For more information about the health and fitness selection at Best Buy, visit www.bestbuy.com or www.bbylabs.com.
About Best Buy Co., Inc.
With operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, China and Mexico, Best Buy is a multinational retailer of technology and entertainment products and services with a commitment to growth and innovation. The Best Buy family of brands and partnerships collectively generates more than $45 billion in annual revenue and includes brands such as Best Buy; Audiovisions; The Carphone Warehouse; Future Shop; Geek Squad, Jiangsu Five Star; Magnolia Audio Video; Napster; Pacific Sales; The Phone House; and Speakeasy. Approximately 155,000 employees apply their talents to help bring the benefits of these brands to life for customers through retail locations, multiple call centers and Web sites, in-home solutions, product delivery and activities in our communities. Community partnership is central to the way we do business at Best Buy. In fiscal 2009, we donated a combined $33.4 million to improve the vitality of the communities where our employees and customers live and work. For more information about Best Buy, visit www.bestbuy.com.
