Best Buy to open 200 stores for in-person consultations next month

Best Buy says it will open about 200 stories across the United States in May to offer in-person consultation to customers.

According to the company, customers will be able to schedule appointments at the stores for their essential tech needs. Each appointment will have a dedicated sales associate.

However, only a limited number of customers will be allowed in the store at any given time to ensure appropriate social distancing measures are being followed. Best Buy also said the following safety measures will be taken:

• Mandatory protective gear for all employees, including gloves and masks provided by the company,
• Mandatory self-health checks by employees before each shift using an employee app developed by the company,
• Social distancing guidelines, which will be outlined with signs and enforced by employees,
• Sanitization of areas and surfaces in the store before and after each appointment.

Appointments can be created online, over the phone or through the Best Buy app. Customers will get a confirmation of their visit, plus a reminder text and email. The customer will be notified to go to the store entrance when their appointment is ready to begin. An employee will then shop with the customer to ensure safety measures are followed and sanitize surfaces. Each customer will then be escorted out of the store when their purchase is complete.

The company said customers can still order products online or through the app, and can choose to have products delivered or brought out to their vehicles through contactless curbside service. The company also offers free, virtual in-home consultations.

Earlier this month, Best Buy said it was temporarily furloughing more than 50,000 employees and its CEO would forego 50% of her base salary.