Best Buy Co. Inc. is closing its 250 small-format Best Buy Mobile stores across the United States by the end of May.
In a letter to employees on Wednesday, Best Buy CEO Hubert Joly said the mobile stores — which only sell phones and accessories — were more costly to run than big-box stores. The Richfield-based retailer also wants to focus mobile sales at its big-box locations and website. Best Buy started remodeling some of its mobile departments in its big box stores last year as part of a company project, Mobile 2020.
"Hundreds of our Big Box stores received Mobile 2020 redesigns last year, with nearly 200 more this year; and, our In-Home Advisors now enable us to sell products and services in-home, nearly all of which can be powered by a smartphone," Joly said in the letter.
The company didn't say how many employees would be affected. There are at least six Best Buy Mobile stores in the St. Louis area: Saint Louis Galleria, South County Center, St. Clair Square, West County Center, Chesterfield Mall and Mid Rivers Mall.
