Ethnography Essay
...at a place called Best Buy. The undisputed heavy-weight electronic’s retailer champion of the world. I worked there for over two years and got to see what Best Buy was really all about.
If you don’t know what Best Buy is you probably don’t live on the planet which we call Earth, especially if you live in the United States. Everybody whether they want to admit it or not has shopped or purchased something from a Best Buy at some point in their life. Best Buy is North America’s leading retailer of consumer electronics, personal computers and entertainment software and appliances. They own and operate more than 750 stores in the U.S. and Canada under the Best Buy, Future Shop, Geek Squad and Magnolia Audio Video names. Basically Best Buy is “The Man” and they chew up and spit out all the little mom and pop electric shops that try to slip underneath the mans dress. But the man doesn’t give out a free peep show so he crushes mom and pop electric shop into the asphalt with its stiletto heel. So what I’m trying to say is that Best Buy is a cross dressing corporate monster.
It all began back in 1966 in St. Paul, Minnesota by Richard Schulze under the name Sound of Music. Between 1979 and 1981 Sound of Music began expanding their products to video, photography and home office products. Which doesn’t really make much sense considering that your going to sound of music to pick up a new red stapler. Hence, Sound of Music’s board of directors approves a new corporate name: Best Buy. Best Buy opens its first superstore in Burnsville, Minnesota. In 1988 Best Buy stores begin selling PC’s. 1989 Best Buy revolutionizes the “grab-and-go” store format that offers customers pressure-free, non-commissioned shopping in a warehouse-style environment. Best Buy’s brand logo changes to the familiar yellow tag that we all know and love. And then some more stuff happened yada, yada,...
View Full Essay
