MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 22, 2005--Best Buy Co., Inc.(NYSE:BBY):

Best Buy has closed 20 stores currently in the path of Hurricane Rita.
-- The company is honoring mandatory evacuation orders in the
affected areas by closing its stores.

-- Approximately 2,500 employees work in these stores. Every effort
is being made to remain in touch with employees during
evacuations.

-- Employees displaced during the storm are asked to call the
employee hotline, 800-699-9134. The hotline is for store employees
and their families to consult for current information.

-- Employees in need of shelter may visit the Dallas district office
at 4249 LBJ Highway, Addison (north Dallas). Telephone:
972-503-5205.

-- Employees in need of shelter also visit the San Antonio district
office, 125 Northwest Loop 410 (near the San Antonio airport).
Telephone: 210-525-1960.

-- Employees will continue to be employed and paid through the storm.
Best Buy will make every effort to provide any displaced employees
and their families with food, shelter, and other necessities.
Details of long-term employee support will be determined after
storm damage is assessed.

-- Stores will remain closed through the weekend; reopening of stores
will be based on assessments of properties following the storm.

Four stores affected by Hurricane Katrina remain closed.

-- As of September 22, the following Best Buy stores remain closed:
Harvey, La.; Metairie, La.; Slidell, La., and Mobile, Ala.

Copyright Business Wire 2005

Best Buy Company, Inc.

Best Buy Company, Inc.

Giving back to our communities is central to the way we do business at Best Buy. Whether it’s funding innovative programs that make learning fun for kids, providing te@ch awards to K-12 schools each year, supporting the United Way and American Red Cross, or mobilizing TagTeam volunteers throughout the country, we are privileged to help strengthen our communities.

More from Best Buy Company, Inc.