Brian Dunn, President and COO, Best Buy
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Many in the channel have been keeping a close watch on Brian Dunn, president and COO of Best Buy, as he increases the $30 billion retailer's ability to deliver services and solutions for small-business and home-theater customers while racking up impressive sales and earnings.
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Dunn this spring bolstered the company's Best Buy for Business operations by adding 600 trained professionals and doubling to 200 the number of stores that offer services. He also continued to build the company's Geek Squad, which services SOHO customers, and drive high-end home-theater installations through its Magnolia stores.
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A 20-year veteran of Best Buy, Dunn, 46, was promoted to his current role earlier this year after serving as president of retail for North America, where he oversaw 930 stores. And he has proven to be a firm believer that services are the key to higher margins. While it may be too early to tell, under Dunn's leadership, second-quarter earnings rose 22 percent while revenue climbed 13 percent to $7.6 billion.
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How solution providers view the competitive threat varies widely by location, markets served and business models. Many solution providers doubt Minneapolis-based Best Buy will ever match their ability to deliver consistent, high-level consulting, services and solutions, while others are not so sure.