Best Buy Europe today announced that Scott Wheway, age 42, has been
named chief executive officer.
Best Buy Europe was created in May, 2008, when Best Buy Co., Inc. and
The Carphone Warehouse PLC agreed to create a new company to meet the
evolving needs of consumer electronics customers in Europe. Wheway will
report to the shareholder board of Best Buy Europe. He assumes
responsibility for all Best Buy Europe operations, including The
Carphone Warehouse’s 2,450 stores across nine European markets, its
online and direct businesses, insurance operations and “big box” Best
Buy stores that are planned in Europe and due to open in the U.K.,
beginning next year.
Wheway spent 20 years at Tesco Stores, Ltd., the world’s fourth-largest
retailer. There, he worked his way up from the sales floor to senior
executive leadership positions, including operations director and change
director. Most recently, Wheway served as managing director of Boots the
Chemist, the leading health and beauty chain in the United Kingdom, part
of Alliance Boots PLC, an international pharmacy and beauty group with
both retail and wholesale operations. He also is a non- executive
director of Aviva PLC, the UK's largest insurer with operations in 28
countries across the world.
“It was just one year ago that we announced the creation of Best Buy
Europe and described our vision to transform consumer electronics
retailing across Europe. I am delighted that Scott has agreed to lead
Best Buy Europe into its next chapter,” said Robert Willett, chairman of
the Best Buy Europe board and CEO of Best Buy International. “Scott is
the consummate retailer. He’s never forgotten his roots as a line-level
store employee, and he remains passionate about meeting customer needs.
His energy and background are a brilliant fit for this exciting
challenge as we move forward with our strategy in Europe.”
Wheway joined Best Buy International, the strategic business unit
focused on the enterprise’s growth outside of the United States, as
chief operating officer in May. He will no longer serve in that
capacity; his focus will be on growing Best Buy Europe.
About Best Buy Co., Inc.
With operations in the United States, Canada, China, Europe and Mexico,
Best Buy is a multinational retailer of technology and entertainment
products and services with a commitment to growth and innovation. The
Best Buy family of brands and partnerships collectively generates more
than $45 billion annual revenue and includes brands such as Best Buy,
Audiovisions, The Carphone Warehouse, Future Shop, Geek Squad, Jiangsu
Five Star, Magnolia Audio Video, Napster, Pacific Sales Kitchen, Bath
and Electronic Centers, The Phone House and Speakeasy. Approximately
155,000 employees apply their talents to help bring the benefits of
these brands to life for customers through retail locations, multiple
call centers and Web sites, in-home solutions, product delivery
and activities in our communities. Community partnership is central to
the way we do business at Best Buy. In fiscal 2009, we donated a
combined $33.4 million to improve the vitality of the communities where
our employees and customers live and work. For more information about
Best Buy, visit www.bestbuy.com.
For Best Buy
Media Contacts:
Susan Busch, Sr. Director
of Corporate PR, 612-291-6114
susan.busch@bestbuy.com
or
Shane
Conway, Corporate PR Manager, 07932 199 659
conways@cpwplc.com
or
Investor
Contacts:
Andrew Lacko, Senior Director of Investor Relations,
612-291-6992
andrew.lacko@bestbuy.com
or
Wade
Bronson, Director of Investor Relations, 612-291-5693
wade.bronson@bestbuy.com
