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martyb [soylentnews.org] writes:

Here is a copy of the e-mail that I just received from Best Buy. In an age where corporations seem to be focused entirely on this quarter's financial results, it is a breath of fresh air to see what appears to be a genuine concern for the health and safety of their customers and their employees.

To Our Customers,

Earlier this week, we announced changes to how Best Buy will run our business in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Against this backdrop, I wanted to share some of my thoughts about what we’re facing and how Best Buy is responding.

Right now, our role as a consumer electronics retailer is rapidly shifting and we are striving to make the best decisions with two goals in mind: The first is to protect our customers, employees and their families. The second is to do the best we can to serve the millions of Americans who are looking to us for increasingly vital technology tools to stay connected, as well as household necessities.

You are turning to us for help getting the technology that allows you to continue running a small business or shift your usual job from an office setting to your home. You are turning to us to help your children continue their education outside of their classroom. And, you are turning to us for necessities that allow you to store and prepare food for your family.

With these needs in mind and given our commitment to keep our employees and customers safe, we are shortening our store hours this week, and on March 23, will begin permitting only a small number of customers into the store at a time so we can enforce the necessary social distancing guidelines. We are also working to enhance our curbside service and strongly recommend you take advantage of this whenever possible.

As for our employees, let me start by saying this: We will not make any employee work if they aren’t comfortable doing so. Further, if an employee is sick or needs to take care of their children home from school, we are paying them. Additionally, with our reduced hours and less staff in the stores, we are paying affected employees for their regularly scheduled hours.

We are in a difficult time and find ourselves in uncharted waters. My best wishes to you and your family as we navigate the days ahead together.

Corie Barry, Chief Executive Officer

Best Buy

Years ago, I had stopped shopping at Best Buy except when I needed something Right. Now. Over the past few years, I am happy to report that I have seen a tremendous change I had read reports that the new CEO's focus was on customer service. It is one thing to read it, and quite and other to experience it. I like to give credit where credit is due, but the cynic in me wonders if the behavior I'm seeing is specific to my local store. I would like to think it is chain-wide, and this e-mail only serves to cement that perspective for me.

What stores that you frequent have stepped up and above like this? What has your experience been? Which stores would you recommend? And which would you avoid (and why)?

Original Submission