ASSOCIATED PRESS
Best Buy, whose Hawaii presence would provide
competition to Circuit City and CompUSA,
operates 461 retail stores.

Best Buy exploring
entry into Hawaii market

The electronics retail giant
has looked at sites in Kakaako
and Pearl City, sources say

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By Rick Daysog
rdaysog@starbulletin.com

Best Buy Co., the nation's largest electronics chain, is scouting several isle locations for its first Hawaii store.

Representatives with the Minnesota-based retailer said it has looked at several potential sites in recent weeks and has spoken with a number of local landowners.

Connie Stelter, spokeswoman for Best Buy, said company is still in the exploratory stages and has made no commitments to local landlords.

Real estate sources said the company has eyed properties in Kakaako and Pearl City.

According to Stelter, the company's stores generally range from 30,000 to 45,000 square feet and employ between 90 and 125 people.

The addition of a Best Buy would bring new competition to the local electronic and personal computer market dominated by Circuit City and Comp- USA.

Based in Eden Prairie, Minn., Best Buy operates 461 retail stores in 42 states. The company offers a complete line of consumer electronic products, personal computers, cameras and appliances. The company also retails electronic products through its BestBuy.Com Web site.

Best Buy does not operate a retail electronics store in Hawaii, but its subsidiaries operate Sam Goody music stores in Aiea, Ala Moana Center and Windward Mall. Best Buy also owns Suncoast Motion Pictures, which has video stores in Pearlridge Center and Windward Mall.