Best Buy revolutionized retail by removing in 1989. This "Concept II" model created a relaxed, pressure-free environment, though it initially upset suppliers like Sony and Maytag who feared their products wouldn't be "pushed" enough. 2026 Tech & Trends

Founded in 1966, the company originally specialized in high-end audio equipment for 15- to 18-year-old males before expanding into appliances and VCRs.

Before its 2002 acquisition by Best Buy, the original Geek Squad in Minneapolis served customers via bicycle . Shopping Innovations

As of early 2026, computing and mobile phones account for roughly 47% of Best Buy's domestic business, driven by a new upgrade cycle for AI-powered devices.

Best Buy ’s journey from a small stereo shop to a tech giant is rooted in an unexpected disaster: a . In 1981, after a tornado destroyed its flagship store in Roseville, Minnesota, founder Richard Schulze held a massive "Tornado Sale" in the parking lot. The success of this high-volume, low-price event inspired the 1983 rebranding from "Sound of Music" to Best Buy and the launch of the superstore format we know today. Unique Historical Tidbits

Introduced in 1995, Best Buy's tag-shaped gift card is reportedly the only one in the industry that customers can identify by touch alone.