Best Buy closing two Twin Cities stores because of location

Best Buy is shutting down stores in the Twin Cities suburbs of Blaine and Inver Grove Heights on Oct. 28.

The company says both stores are in areas where Best Buy has many other stores, so it says there should be little effect on customers. The company expects employees will find work at other Best Buy stores.

Blaine is home to two stores, and there are four stores within 8 miles of the Inver Grove Heights location. Company spokesperson Jeff Shelman said Best Buy is continuing to refine its store footprint as leases come up for renewal, and when it makes business sense.

"The pace of these occasional closures has not materially changed over the past several years and is not likely to," he said in an email statement. "In the case of these two specific store closures, we are also making substantial investments in two neighboring stores [in Coon Rapids and Oakdale] as a way to better serve our customers."

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With the planned closings, Best Buy will have 20 big-box stores in Minnesota, 14 in the metro area.

Last year, the consumer electronics retailer closed 11 big-box stores and 41 small stores focused on mobile phone sales. So far this year, Best Buy has shuttered two other big-box stores.

Meanwhile, Best Buy last week began offering same-day delivery in the Twin Cities for a $6 fee. Orders may be placed as late as 3 p.m. for delivery by 9 p.m. the same day.

The delivery service is now available in 27 markets. Best Buy expects it to be available in 40 by the holiday season.