Best Buy Reports 255 Pct eCommerce Sales Growth

Best Buy reported eCommerce sales growth of roughly 255 percent in contrast to the past year quarter-to-date up to July 18. The electronics retailer also noted that online sales “remained strong” with roughly 185 percent in sales growth in contrast to the past year in the timeframe from June 15 to July 18, according to a Tuesday (July 21) announcement.

Best Buy’s FY21 quarter-to-date sales up to July 18 rose roughly 2.5 percent in contrast to the past year, including international sales growth of roughly 8 percent and domestic sales growth of roughly 2 percent. The retailer had started to have shoppers return to its retail locations for “in-store consultation service,” with appointments scheduled at the start of the second quarter.

Best Buy started to let people shop sans appointment at over 800 U.S. retail locations on June 15. It reported that “almost all” of its retail locations were open to shoppers as of June 22. Moreover, the retailer has maintained “in-store consultations” and contactless curbside pickup options.

Best Buy also said it is increasing the beginning hourly wage for all of its staffers in the United States to $15 as of August 2. The retailer noted that each of its hourly retail workers and supply chain staffers who were working as of the “early stages of the pandemic” got “incremental hourly appreciation pay.”

Best Buy CEO Corie Barry said in the announcement, “Strong consumer demand, combined with shopping experiences that emphasize safety and convenience, has helped produce our sales results to date. None of this would be possible without the effort and energy of our front-line employees working in stores, supply chain facilities and customers’ homes.”

The announcement comes as news surfaced that shoppers at Best Buy’s domestic stores would be required to wear a mask. The rule was to take effect on July 15, per a past report.