Our latest Future Of Retail Report looks at the trend of Shopper Coaching. One manifestation of this theme is Best Buy’s Geek Squad Solution Center. The big box electronics retailer is opening smaller, “Connected Stores” in an attempt to cut costs while focusing on high-end customer service. Located in the middle of the store is the Geek Squad Solution Center offering free tech support consultations and classes. A home theater design center allows customers to play with the latest video and audio technologies and staff are on hand to help them configure theater setups for their own homes. Further, the Pacific Home & Kitchen section is a place where customers can ask employees how they can create the ideal kitchen to fit their lifestyles. The scaled-down Connected Stores typically range from 30,000 to 45,000 square feet compared with 58,000 square feet for the traditional store.

Best Buy

A summary of PSFK’s Future of Retail report is available to view for free - and a download of the full 100 page document can be ordered today.