Best Buy in recent days has put into place a reorganization of its retail operations, meant to place more employees out in front of customers, a company spokesman confirmed Monday. The move will include both pay cuts and limited job eliminations.
The reorganization, which which largely carried out on Saturday, was the culmination of a multiple-month process, beginning with its headquarters layoffs early in this year, in which the company was "looking at our retail operating model and how it was laid out," spokesman Justin Barber told Dealerscope.
The result was a "kind of re-shifting of talent," in which Best Buy "completely revamped our retail operating model," Barber said.
Under the new operating regime, Barber said, Best Buy will be "taking some of the leadership roles, and giving them more customer-facing time. Also, to empower our leadership to lead more effectively."
Barber added that there will be limited job eliminations, but that many of those eliminated will either be transferred to new jobs or given the opportunity to re-apply for newly created positions. He added that there will be some "pay changes," which are not "one size fits all."
He did not know as of now how many jobs will ultimately be eliminated.
Some employees were told about the changes throughout last week, until the official announcement was made Saturday.