Best Buy Hurricane Relief – Impact to Operations, Employees

Best Buy (NYSE:BBY) accepting Red Cross donations for hurricane victims; company to match customer donations up to $1 million.

bestbuy.com - September 15, 2008

(PRNewsChannel) / Minneapolis, Minn. / Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by Hurricanes Gustav, Hannah and Ike. Currently, we are operating under the guidance and response efforts of the appropriate federal and local authorities, as well as major relief organizations. As an employer in the impacted areas, we are working hard to support our employees and local communities.
 
Employee Assistance:
Our employees’ safety is top priority right now and we are taking the appropriate measure to ensure we are supporting them as best we can. To date, Best Buy has accounted for the majority of its displaced employees and are working to connect with remaining employees.
All employees will be paid as scheduled until their store reopens; we are also making pay accommodations to reflect the impact of mandatory curfew hours.

Employees who want to work, but whose home stores are currently closed, are being welcomed at Best Buy stores throughout the U.S.
Counseling is being offered to all employees through our employee assistance program.
Store employees and their families can consult an employee hotline for current information.
 
Customer/Community Support:
Best Buy is committed to supporting its communities, especially during difficult times. For the month of September, Best Buy stores across the nation will accept cash donations for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to support those impacted by Hurricanes Gustav, Hannah and Ike, and in anticipation of the support needed to recover from additional storms. The public can donate at any U.S. Best Buy store register in any dollar amount; no purchase is necessary. Best Buy will match donations up to $1 million. To locate a store near you, visit www.bestbuy.com.
 
Best Buy employees and customers consistently demonstrate generosity in times of need. In response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, customers donated $1.9 million to the Red Cross through Best Buy store registers and Best Buy matched the donation with $2 million. In fiscal 2008, Best Buy donated a combined $31.8 million through corporate giving programs, the Best Buy Children’s Foundation, and employee-directed donations to improve the vitality of the communities where our employees and customers live and work.
 
Store Operations:
We are evaluating the operability of our affected properties and will take immediate steps to re-establish safe and secure operations wherever possible. As of 1:00 p.m. CDT, 18 Best Buy retail stores are closed due to Hurricane Ike and eight have limited hours of operation; all other stores are open regular hours. Following is a complete store list, with location and operation status. To find a Best Buy near you, visit www.bestbuy.comand click on “Store Locator.”
 
CLOSED:
Woodlands, Texas
Willowbrook, Texas
Beaumont, Texas
Humble, Texas
Galleria, Texas
Conroe, Texas
Copperfield, Texas
Baytown, Texas
Spring, Texas
Northwest Crossing, Texas
Gulfgate, Texas
Webster, Texas
Price Plaza, Texas
Pasadena, Texas
Pearland, Texas
Rosenberg, Texas
Lake Jackson, Texas
Victory Lakes, Texas
 
OPEN (Some with limited hours):
Greenspoint, Texas
Katy, Texas
Lufkin, Texas
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Cypress, Texas
Sugarland, Texas
Sharpstown, Texas
West Oaks, Texas
 
About Best Buy Co., Inc.
With operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, China and Puerto Rico, Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) is a multinational retailer of technology and entertainment products and services with a commitment to growth and innovation. The Best Buy Co., Inc. family of brands and partnerships collectively generates more than $40 billion annual revenue and includes brands such as Best Buy, Audiovisions, The Carphone Warehouse, Future Shop, Geek Squad, Jiangsu Five Star, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales Kitchen and Bath Centers, and Speakeasy. Approximately 150,000 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 in our communities. Community partnership is central to the way we do business at Best Buy. In fiscal 2008, we donated a combined $31.8 million to improve the vitality of the communities where our employees and customers live and work. For more information about Best Buy Co., Inc., visit www.bestbuyinc.com.
 
Contact:
Nissa French
612-291-6216

Source Web Site: bestbuy.com