Best Buy CEO Talks Pandemic, Importance Of Diversity At CES
Best Buy Blog | January 12, 2021
No one could have imagined that webcams would be among the hottest tech products of 2020, but that’s exactly what happened in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic — and Best Buy had to act quickly to serve consumers’ shifting needs.
Best Buy’s primary focus throughout the pandemic was on keeping everyone safe while continuing to meet customers’ essential needs. For example, accelerating its planned launches of contactless curbside pickup and free digital consultations with tech experts.
Beyond the pandemic, 2020 also brought the killing of George Floyd, a tragic event that put a spotlight on racial inequity and the importance of inclusion and diversity efforts at companies like Best Buy.
“One of the things that’s always been core to our value system is the importance of inclusion and diversity,” CEO Corie Barry. Last month, Best Buy announced a five-year plan that commits more than $44 million toward diversity, inclusion and community efforts.
Corie said, “I think the message that I have is one of resilience in this work. It is not just about this year or this moment in time. It is about how each of us continuously is iterating and thinking about how we drive change for the long term.”