Best Buy Lays Off Geek Squad and Other Workers as it Shifts Towards AI-Powered Services
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Best Buy laid off Geek Squad field agents, home theater technicians, and phone support workers as it shifts towards relying more on AI.
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The cuts were part of a previously announced restructuring plan aimed at stabilizing Best Buy after months of declining sales.
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Best Buy is launching new AI-powered virtual assistants later this year to help customers and reduce the need for in-home repair visits.
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The restructuring plan, announced in February, includes employee terminations across the company to balance resources and improve efficiency.
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Best Buy recorded $169 million in restructuring charges in Q4, primarily for employee termination benefits, and expects up to $30 million more in fiscal 2025.