Best Buy

Best Buy announced it will hire 200 information technology specialists over the next year, growing its team from 100 to 300, in a move to take control of its IT department. According to published reports, the hires are part of a strategic effort to appeal to increasingly digital customers.

New York City -- Best Buy Co. is reviewing its 11 stores in the United Kingdom, according to the Sunday Express. The chain operates the stores in a joint venture with Carphone Warehouse Group Plc. Best Buy is in talks with its shareholders about all possible options for its British stores, the newspaper said.

Bill Bass, president and CEO of Direct at women's apparel retailer Charming Shoppes, took a step back yesterday at the Shop.org Annual Summit in Boston to reflect on five lessons he's learned from the 15 years he's spent in the retail industry, including stints at Lands’ End and Fair Indigo.

This year retailers are commemorating the Sept. 11 anniversary through charity. Companies such as Target, Best Buy, Neiman Marcus and Groupon partnered with the 9/11 Day of Service project and other nonprofits like MyGoodDeed.org to sponsor city-wide service projects across the country on Sept. 11, including clean-up and restoration efforts. 

Best Buy, the electronics retailer whose business has been eroded by smartphone-carrying shoppers and price comparison websites, is fighting back by launching its own rival to online marketplaces such as Amazon’s.

Best Buy is expanding its online shopping experience by partnering with third-party sellers to launch a new online Marketplace that provides a broader selection of products and brands and complements the existing online offering. With the addition of the new Marketplace sellers, Best Buy will add 33% more products online for the holiday season.

Best Buy and Zynga announced a partnership that integrates the first retail branded store into Zynga's CityVille, one of the largest games on Facebook. Now through September 6, 2011, users can place a Best Buy store into their "city" to collect the hottest technology products and unlock a limited edition decorative item. Players can also visit the Best Buy

New companies are gaining ground on retail giants like Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy, according to Stores Magazines Favorite 50 Online Retailers survey. Conducted by BIGresearch, the survey found Macys, Forever 21, Aeropostale and Nordstrom each gained ground with online shoppers this year. Amazon.com, Walmart.com, eBay.com, BestBuy.com and JCPenney.com maintained the top five spots. Macys.com joined the top 10 for the first time, in part because of its new exclusive private labels. Tween and teen apparel retailers Forever21.com and Aeropostale.com both significantly improved their position from last year's ranking, performing above expectations. Nordstrom.com and GameStop.com both made the list

For the last 25 years, Dennis May has been involved in the retail industry — and he's loved every second of it. From his modest beginning selling audio equipment to help support himself while in college (that was the cool job at the time, May recalls) to his tenure today as president and CEO of one of the fastest-growing cross-channel retail brands out there, the one constant has been retail. But that's just part of the reason we've chosen May as our 2011 cross-channel retailer of the year.

Best Buy U.K. today unveiled a site for use on smartphones as it aims to improve its multichannel presence. The retailer, which launched its first big-box store in the U.K. in April 2010, has had a disappointing first year as the electricals sector continues to struggle during the ongoing economic downturn.