Canada's fastest growing consumer electronics retailer and e-tailer will
open its first Vancouver Island location in Nanaimo
NANAIMO, BC, July 4 /CNW/ - Best Buy, Canada's fastest growing consumer electronics retailer and e-tailer announced today that it will grand open its first Vancouver Island store in Nanaimo on Friday, July 18th. The new 25,000 square foot store will extend its official grand opening celebrations through the weekend with celebrity appearances and customer activities, the highlight of which will be a free outdoor performance by JUNO Award-winning artist Jully Black on Saturday, July 19, 2008 starting at 3:30 pm.
The Nanaimo location, which will be the 52nd store Best Buy has opened in less than six years, will serve as the consumer electronic giant's most western location and will solidify its coast-to-coast national footprint.
"We are thrilled to finally open our first Vancouver Island retail location", says Charles Tobin, senior vice president of Best Buy. "As the gateway community to many other regions, Nanaimo was a location of choice for us. Best Buy stores offer a unique shopping experience - one that we believe the residents of Nanaimo and surrounding communities will embrace."
As the only Best Buy store on Vancouver Island, the chain will service communities extending well beyond the borders of Nanaimo and opens the door to nearly 100 new full and part-time positions for those with a variety of skill sets and interests.
"Best Buy offers a no pressure, no-commission shopping environment that is appealing to both customers and employees," says Dave Rowett, general manager, Best Buy store, Nanaimo. "We have had an overwhelming response to employment opportunities - a testament, not only to the need for job opportunities in the community, but also for the reputation Best Buy has built for itself across the country."
To celebrate its introduction and commitment to Nanaimo and its surrounding communities, Best Buy will present a cheque for $20,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Vancouver Island during the grand opening ceremony on July 19th. In addition to an ongoing partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, Best Buy's commitment to the community extends to the environment. The brand encourages customers to consider recycling alternatives when disposing of unneeded electronics and offers a free in-store recycling program for some portable electronics and other items such as batteries, ink cartridges and CDs/DVDs. Further details on this program are available online at BestBuy.ca.
The Best Buy Nanaimo store is fully equipped to deal with the needs of small business customers, employing a team of dedicated professionals working in the store's Best Buy For Business area along with a force of Geek Squad Agents ready to assist individual or business computer support needs in-store, in-home or in-office.
The Nanaimo store offers the full complement of brand name products all backed by the Best Buy low price guarantee. In addition, Best Buy offers customers an exclusive loyalty program, Reward Zone(TM) that awards members with points for purchases as well as additional exclusive rewards and benefits. Further details on Reward Zone(TM) are available at www.BestBuyRewardZone.ca.
About Best Buy
Best Buy stores in Canada are a division of Burnaby, BC-based Best Buy Canada Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY). Best Buy is Canada's fastest-growing specialty retailer and e-tailer (www.BestBuy.ca) of consumer electronics, personal computers and entertainment software and also operates the Geek Squad. (www.GeekSquad.ca). There are over 50 stores in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia.
Best Buy offers consumers a unique shopping experience with the latest technology and entertainment products, at the right price, with a no-pressure (non-commissioned) sales environment. The Company is committed to kids and communities, supporting non-profit organizations that help youth develop their skill set, discover their talents and sustain a lasting interest in education.
For more information about Best Buy, including store locations, visit www.BestBuy.ca
For further information: or to arrange a tour of the store, please contact: Kelly Aldinger, NATIONAL Public Relations, (604) 638-7453; Heather Seabrook, Communications, Best Buy Canada, (778) 999-1735
© CNW Group
