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Best Buy Hurricane Relief – Impact to Operations, Employees


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Best Buy Accepting Red Cross Donations for Hurricane Victims; Company to Match Customer Donations up to $1 Million
MINNEAPOLIS.– Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those affected by Hurricanes Gustav, Hannah and Ike. Currently, we are operating under the guidance and response efforts of the appropriate federal and local authorities, as well as major relief organizations. As an employer in the impacted areas, we are working hard to support our employees and local communities.

Employee Assistance:
Our employees’ safety is top priority right now and we are taking the appropriate measure to ensure we are supporting them as best we can. We’re happy to report that we have accounted for all of our displaced employees.
o All employees will be paid as scheduled until their store reopens; we are also making pay accommodations to reflect the impact of mandatory curfew hours.
o Employees who want to work, but whose home stores are currently closed, are being welcomed at Best Buy stores throughout the U.S.
o Counseling is being offered to all employees through our employee assistance program.
o Store employees and their families can consult an employee hotline for current information.

Customer/Community Support:
Best Buy is committed to supporting its communities, especially during difficult times. For the month of September, Best Buy stores across the nation will accept cash donations for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to support those impacted by Hurricanes Gustav, Hannah and Ike, and in anticipation of the support needed to recover from additional storms. The public can donate at any U.S. Best Buy store register in any dollar amount; no purchase is necessary. Best Buy will match donations up to $1 million. To locate a store near you, visit www.bestbuy.com.

Best Buy employees and customers consistently demonstrate generosity in times of need. In response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, customers donated $1.9 million to the Red Cross through Best Buy store registers and Best Buy matched the donation with $2 million. In fiscal 2008, Best Buy donated a combined $31.8 million through corporate giving programs, the Best Buy Children’s Foundation, and employee-directed donations to improve the vitality of the communities where our employees and customers live and work.

Store Operations:
We are evaluating the operability of our affected properties and will take immediate steps to re-establish safe and secure operations wherever possible. As of Noon CDT, all Best Buy retail stores in the areas impacted by Hurricane Ike are open. To find a Best Buy near you, visit www.bestbuy.com and click on “Store Locator.”



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