This past weekend I had the awesome opportunity to work with Best Buy on their new store layout launch in Richfield, Minnesota! 
Best Buy forever has been one of the top electronics stores in my mind – probably more especially since their headquarters is located in Minneapolis, and I used to drive by corporate almost daily for 5 years…
But in order to stay relevant in todays world where they are COMPETING with the entire internet for business: they need to make themselves amazing and incomparable to the internet.
So Best Buy thought up a way to make their store more appealing – more worth-while, less hassle, and a LOT more user-friendly and hands-on.
Genius.
In their new store layout (Which will be eventually spreading to a store near you) you can find:
· A personalized shopping experience with one-on-one support throughout the store, and the addition of a Geek Squad Solution Central at the center of the store to help you learn about, and get the most out of your gadgets
· Eye-level displays creating more opportunities to play with and discover the technology you want – and need
· New in-store digital displays that update you on the latest deals, in-store activities, and information on all your favorite brands
· Registers located throughout the store to streamline the check-out process so you can get in and out faster than ever
So What Did I Think???
I thought it was brilliant.
Seriously, at first I was thinking, ‘Really? What’s the big fuss about a new store layout?’ But then – I got there – and realized.
It’s HUGE. The experience was great – it was a lot more than just a trip to Best Buy to get a connector for my phone – it was like having a local convention –with experts on hand to answer any questions I might have.
I honestly do consider it just that: A convention center: with beautiful displays, and experts available from major brands.
*That* is what grabs my attention.
I could spend hours on end researching, but to have an expert explain exactly why their product is the best – is so much quicker! 
Not like the giant conventions that you get totally lost and start to wonder where the entrance was and if it’s time for lunch… but a smaller – more intimate one.
The first thing I noticed was the ceiling. I mean – normally I feel like the ceiling has maybe had ceiling tiles, or something – or just the fact that they were not using the higher-up space previously. – But now, they’ve got signage all across the building – and I can see it all – from anywhere in the store.
The next awesome area I noticed was their Geek-Squad – a.k.a. Solution Central. It’s right in the center of the store – so big that you couldn’t miss it. Pull up a bar stool and talk with an expert.
I also noticed a ton more of the displays. I think the last time I noticed Soda Stream at Best Buy – they were in the corner near all the appliances and toasters: Now they’re front and center with a dedicated display.
I’m guessing that places like Soda Stream, and Dyson, and other companies that have their very own displays have paid for their own displays – much like they would for a spot at a convention center: But it’s what sells the products. It’s what gets me as the consumer interested.
One of my personal favorite areas in the entire store though, was the new Magnolia center. I know that they’re an entire separate entity than Best Buy – but it’s fair to mention: They did an awesome job with the renovation.
I now have a dream goal of a $500,000+ home renovation. Dream Big, Right?
No, but seriously – it’s worth a drive to check out what they’ve come up with… amazing.
Honestly, If I had that kind of money – I would have hired them, right there.
So I couldn’t POSSIBLY show all of this to you, and not make you want to run to your nearest Best Buy and check out their current displays… right?
Disclosure: Level 4 post. I was compensated for my trip to the new Best Buy, but in no way does this alter or reflect my opinion or thoughts on the store or my review.
Man that geek squad center looks AMAZING- I cant wait for my store to be redone!
I am totally going to have to go there with Ryan for a date night, Maybe he can get me a new TV!
Looking forward to not have to climb shelves to shop anymore!
I’m looking forward to the more efficient checkout system
wow! best buy is really comin up!!
I’m most excited about displays at eye level. Easier to really look and try the products.
Love the Geek Squad at the center of the store! Very helpful.
I agree with you on the brilliant thing!! Also, I actually enjoy getting out to the store and doing some shopping on site as opposed to using the internet all the time. I get in the habit of shopping on-line for the “convenience” but we all need to remember that many of the older businesses are failing because of this while newer ones are thriving on the internet. My family has always been a supporter and shopped at Best Buy. In fact my guy just bought a T.V. and a Stereo System from Best Buy here in Los Angeles. I didn’t go with him so I don’t know if they have made any changes to the layout at that particular location but I’ll check that out. Thanks!
I’d like to see the streamlined checkouts at our Best Buy.
The new layout looks great! I hope it comes to our store soon. I also hope they carry more inventory. The last few times we have gone to buy an item they didn’t have it in stock. I love Best Buy and hope the new layout works out for them.
I love the idea of it being an experience, not a retail store. The research in store, means i don’t have to spend my precious downtime hours with two kids trying to figure out what is the best option!
I love the display setups! They all look so appealing I could be in there for hours, only, I won’t have to thanks to their new improved checkouts, which any mom of 3 can fully appreciate!
I love the Solution Center and the aisles throughout the store! Can’t wait to see the changes (if) when they make them here!
I not only love the new eye level displays, but also the registers throughout the store. Wait…and the media room!
I love how organized and clean the new look is. Something sleek about it.
They look super clean and organized. How exciting =)
wow,,I could spend all day in there! looks easy to move around an easy to find what your looking for
The new display and design in the store are great. I love our new Best Buy.
I really love the Best Buy new store format! Before when I went in there last year the appliance layout was to crammed and not very organized! Now it looks like the store is more organized and they have check stands where the customers need them!
sounds like you had fun debbie jackson,
djackson1958 at hotmail dot com
Wow – looks great! I love the new layout – everything is so neat and organized! Lots of space to shop too and try things out 😉
I went to Best Buy last night, I was lost with this new layout
I love the new store layout! It look so clean and organized!
I am really excited to visit my local Best Buy and see the new layout. I hope the lines have improved because honestly that has always been the one thing that put me off frequenting the store.
I love the major appliances ! So many choices, and laid out nicely so
you can compare them ! Thanks for review ! It was wonderful !
Efficient checkout is always a plus!
Hooray for registers throughout the store! Wont that make life easier?
I love all the changes they’ve made. You can make a much more informed decision about your purchase
I really like the idea of eye level displays.
Best Buy’s is looking much more professional.
Very eye-catching! I like the idea of more registers.
I LOVE how they have registers through the store (easy access) and digital displays (very modern!).
looking forward to the new layout so I can find things easier – especially movies
I think the registers throughout the store will help checkout times!
The digital displays are so cool!
ThiS seems so much nicer than the current layout.
The new layout is a lot cooler.
Registers located throughout the store
Wow – looks like I’ll have to visit a Best Buy soon!
The cash registers through out the store is pretty awesome. thanks for sharing your trip!
Wow that is awesome. Great changes. Love it!
I look forward to the registers located throughout the store. That’s really smart.
Wow, that new design does look nice. I like that it has more eye-level displays. The opportunity to ‘play’ with the technology always helps me make better decisions.
I like the layout but at the same time I can’t help but think that this creates a specialization that each employee may have to go into so if you had general questions you may be completely out of luck.
hmm.. I never thought about it that way – but that’s interesting. I bet that they all still get the general training, but yeah, I’m sure they stick to their areas and expertise for the most part.
I’m most looking forward to Registers located throughout the store. The lines get SO long during the holiday season.
looking forward to the efficient checkout system
I love the check-out line. Great idea! Thanks!
Wow I like it!! I love Best Buy..love the new design..thanks for update!!
Blessings!
I like the part “with ‘experts’ on hand to answer any questions I might have.”…I have a lot of questions!!!
I like that they have registers throughout the store.
I can’t wait to see the new kitchen area. Thanks for the chance to win!
mrsmchappell at gmail dot com
I love the idea of registers throughout the store! I have always like dept stores with registers in each section.
In my experience, the geek squad has been super helpful! If I had unlimited funds, I’d buy my hubby a new laptop. His is a dinosaur!
Best buy looks awesome ..so modernized
That is awesome. I can’t wait for it to be like that in my store. Right now I have trouble finding anything other than pc/dvds/cameras. anything else is hard to find. And I hope this will allow for more workers as the one by my house every time I go in for cell phones I have to wait about an hour to get help.
The pictures look really nice BUT if Best Buy is going to compete with online retailers, they need to lower their prices a bit. It’s hard for me to even consider buying something at Best Buy when I can get it on Newegg or Amazon for 15-25% less. Still, I do like to support B&M (brick and mortar) businesses so I do shop there when I need something that I need right away.
I hear you. A lot of times I check out the online prices – and if it’s something that I know that I’ll never need serviced or need to return – then more often than not I will order it online. Like, cables for electronics – and memory cards, etc. but things like Cameras,TV’s, Computers, etc – you really can’t beat buying it at Best Buy with their black tie warranty when you’ve got toddlers in the house.
This year alone we’ve purchased 3 large items from Best Buy with their black tie plan – and we fully intend on needing to use the black tie protection because of our two boys. I’m willing to pay a teeny bit extra for the great service when it breaks or fails. Try to get NewEgg to replace or fix something like your TV when it fails after six months. First you have to pay to ship the item back to them, and then you have to wait… and wait… and then they tell you that they can’t fix it. You may have saved $100 when you bought it, but you also may have to buy a new TV before I would.
I’ve never bought Best Buy’s warranties before and had never even heard of the Black Tie warranties. I always use SquareTrade. Their warranties are CHEAP and they are very easy to work with. I bought a vacuum on Amazon for $75 and got a 3 year ST warranty for $7. When the vacuum broke 1.5 years later, I filled out a simple form online, uploaded a copy of my receipt and $75 was in my PayPal account the next day. If an item would be too costly to ship (TV, vacuum, desktop computer, etc), they don’t require you to ship it in. You just sign an affidavit stating that the item really is broken and if they somehow find out it’s not, they can sue you.
I like the checkouts throughout the store, very convenient.
I like that it will be an experience not just buying something.
Thanks!
i would like the new checkout at our Best Buy
[email protected]
I love that there are going to be Registers located throughout the store
I am most excited about the eye level displays! I also like that they will have more checkouts and that they will be located throughout the store (and hopefully they are well labeled unlike other stores who do this and you wonder where the checked really is lol)
Yeah. the Checkouts were hard to miss – but they also still had a front checkout in case if you wanted to be traditional and look up front for a checkout.
I’m only slightly concerned about the lines on black friday though, I’m sure they thought that through pretty well already – but it’ll be interesting to see how they streamline the checkout process when there’s hundreds of people in the store and not one main line to direct.
I like the new signage – easier to find what you’re looking for.
I like the registers throughout the store! It is so hard to stand in line with two babies and checkout! Sounds great! Mattandcolleen Fuller on FB
i like best buy
Registers, registers EVERYWHERE!! Yay
It’s nice to see reps there from other companies, Expert advice when you are sinking a wad of cash into something is priceless
I’ve always loved Best Buy. I like that they are going to have registers throughout the store.
I have always loved Best buy, great prices and variety and customer service. But it is even better with easy to read displays. Great to read your experience is the same!
I’m looking forward to the improved check-outs 🙂
love all the displays. love to see items out of the box
[email protected]
Love the idea of easier check out and the one on one help!
The displays really look consumer friendly instead of cramped and uncomfortable. Nice to see a store focus on atmosphere instead of packing every square inch possible
I would love if they had the new checkout at my store! 🙂
it looks nice, big and clean – the new store layout looks a lot different (in a good way) than I remember
wow the new design really has the customers needs at hand and i love the new design =}
I actually just did a survey/review for a Best Buy too and told them they needed to set up some areas that were more like home so it sounds like they’re listening ~ way cool!
Im excited about the checkouts located throughout the store.
Enjoyed hearing about your visit to BB. Liked the pics.
I like the idea of the Geek Squad Solution Central.
I love Geek Squad Solution Central! I take all my techy questions to them!
I am most excited about the atmosphere and use of space. I hate stores that feel crowded and trap me in spaces so they can sell me something.
i love how there are checkout places throughout the store, makes it faster, i hope my best buy does this too
I love the idea of Registers located throughout the store — much more convenient 🙂
Our Best Buy seems to be disorganized. I am excited for them to redo it! thanks for the opportunity!
Our Best Buy has recently been redone and I agree, it’s an awesome experience. Less cluttered, better, cleaner displays. Far more professional if you ask me. It was much easier to find what I was looking for as well!
Love the new look..also love the fact that they have registers all through the store. Good idea.
Minta
I love the cash registers throughout the store….what a fabulous idea!
I am most excited to see all the wonderful displays, I like being able to look at stuff “first hand”
I wish our new best buy would follow suit, it’s so run down, they are always out of things and honestly you can never find someone to help you. I would love to see the new movie section.
Can’t wait to see our best buy remodeled!
It has been a long time since I have been to best buy. I remember finding a lot of things I would love to have! Great giveaway!!!
It certainly seems that they have really listened to some focus groups to get some good changes in. I especially like the fact that the signage is visible from all over the store–there are few things more irritating than knowing the a certain area will have what you need, but being unable to easily find that area!
I haven’t been to Best Nuy in a while. I think I’ll check out their new layout. Thanks
I like the idea of the digital displays that update you on the latest deals, in-store activities, and information on all your favorite brands. The store looks great! We don’t have one in our town and I don’t know when we’ll get a chance to go to one but i look forward to it! Great review!!!
I am hoping to see the Geek Squad moved in our store soon- they are in the corner next to returns and you have to stand in line even when they arent busy (GS) It will be nice to have them centrally located.
I am most excited about having convenient checkout locations.
I like that there are registers throughout the store and not just at one location in the store. That is definitely more convenient!!
I really like the new design and layout
Wow! Best Buy is incorporating a great strategy by placing brand specific knowledge experts on the store floor to answer questions. Most consumers don’t have much time to devote to researching a product so having an expert accessible at the store is a great marketing strategy. I hope they remodel the stores in my area to include the many updates mentioned and shown in your blog.
A lot of the changes you wrote about are nice, but our local store is Very Nice and doesn’t need any remodeling.
What I think about when changes are made to stores that are absolutely unnecessary is that those costs are passed on to me.
I never get to go anywhere because don’t have a car but sounds great I wounder how they are on line?
Best Buy always has the lowest prices and best selection for all things electronic!
i like they have more cash registers thru the store
I am most excited for the improved check-outs. Sometimes those lines can be loooonnnng. Thanks!
I look forward to seeing these updates in my local store. I really love the idea of checkouts throughout the store!
I like the new checkouts
My fav: Registers located throughout the store
Thanks for the contest.
I haven’t been to Best Buy in awhile, but look forward to seeing the new setup.
What I would love to see is more CDs and DVDs. I understand people get music and movies, etc, digitally. However, I miss going into stores and browsing. Thanks for the giveaway!
I love that the new Best Buy layout has registers through out the store. I think the benefit of this change will be obvious on Black Friday and near Christmas time when check outs can often get congested.
My biggest problem with BB is the lack of registers. I am glad they put them thru out the store.
Their new layout looks great! I’ll have to check out their local store.
hschonrock at yahoo dot com
Every time I go to Best Buy. I always check out their theater room. Theirs always something new and so much things that I want (Its pricey though, its way over my budget :(. )
BB is really sprucing things up with their new makeovers . . . hopefully there won’t be long lines or waits (last time we were in there we waited 30 minutes for someone to help us).
I haven’t been to my local Best Buy in about five months and then it was just shopping the perimeters (new mouse and dropping off a computer monitor for recycling).
One change I would like to see is a larger and much more varied music section. There are so few music stores left. Sometimes I want current music and other times older music, music that Tower Records would carry or the Virgin stores.
I always think layouts need to be totally smart and just..natural. I think it looks great but I do NOT think every Best Buy needs to change their layout to this. I mean there have been SO many times I’ve known exactly what I needed and gone there to pick it up and felt like I couldn’t just go there and get it. I love Best Buy..worked there during college and LOOOOVED it! But going there is often like going to a car sales store. I can’t ever get rid of the people that work there! I only fear this layout/experience will make that even more overwhelming! It’s nice to have that experience if I need the help and the attention, but if I don’t..which is usually..then it’s going to be annoying…
I like the increased displays and registers throughout the store.
chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com
I am most excited about the registers being throughout the store.
Wow, it looks really great! I really like how some of the products are grouped by company! Looks like everything is really easy to find, too!
I really like the new layout. It looks a lot better than before.
That is an amazing layout. I wish all of them were like that!
I love the idea of having registers located throughout the store! It makes it so much easier to shop.
I like the Solution Central- where you can talk to an expert!
I can’t wait for the improved check outs. I hate the current set up at ours now!
I am most excited for checkouts located throughout the store!
I have used Geek Squad sooo many times!
I like the idea of the Geek Squad Solution Central and easier check out
Easier check out is definitely a plus. I have noticed that the employees are very professional at my local best buy and very friendly and customer service oriented.
I love the media room like their examples show.
is this the best buy in times square..sure looks like it
Thanks for the tour. I have never been in our Best Buy store, but now I really want to. I am starting to look for a new TV for the bedroom, and I do believe I will start here.
your store looks way fancier than ours
I am really excited Geek Squad Solution Central is better than ever~!
[email protected]
I’m thrilled, and the solution central looks great
I like the new register location, they sell candy and drinks too.
I feel like this will make it so much easier to get an expert opinion. People will actually know what they’re talking about.
Interesting that manufacturers are helping to sell the products. Like that idea.
Solution central hopefully will help people like me.
This is great. I love Best Buy. I’m glad that they are only getting better
I love that they have put registers all over the store. I use to hate waiting in the lines.
I love that there are registers throughout the store. One of my biggest pet peeves is having to walk forever and search just to check out!
Our best buy is fairly new so I don’t think ours will be changing. I would like to see the checkouts done a bit more sensibly.
The new display looks great and I love the geek squad
It looks a lot cleaner and easier to find what you’re looking for. I can’t wait to see if they have renovated our Best Buy.
Wow! I’m impressed. The store looks great.
More registers is a great idea!
The look is much better than before. Much neater and easier to find things
brich22 at earthlink dot net
cheer lopez lomong
brich22 at earthlink dot net
i think it looks awesome.we dont even have a best buy in our area i can only shop online
i am happy to know that there are registers through out their stores now!
great looking store. but as a dedicated Agoraphobic I’ll be sticking with best buy online.
I’m excited about the idea of faster check out. Sometimes the lines in there can get super long. I really like shopping there so that will be a huge plus!
more efficient checkout system
The new layout is interesting. I like the big solution center. I could never find it before!
I really like that they’ll have more appliances.
I’m digging the product display area like the dyson vaccums.
I’m excited about more displays with technology to try out
It’s definitely more appealing.
i like that i can now by my dyson vacumm while im there LOL…