News
Best Buy Europe Appoints Scott Wheway as new CEO
LONDON and MINNEAPOLIS, July 28, 2009 – 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.
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