You walk into a Best Buy these days, and sometimes, it feels a little… quiet. A little too much space between the aisles. You see the headlines online, read the comments on social media, and the same question keeps popping up. Is Best Buy going out of business? It’s a question a lot of us are asking, especially as we head into 2025. The simple answer isn’t a straight yes or no. It’s way more complicated than that. The company is definitely in a weird spot, that’s for sure. It’s not the giant it used to be, but it’s not exactly a ghost either. Let’s get into what’s really going on with the big blue and yellow store.
The Big Problem: Why Everyone Thinks Best Buy is Doomed
So, the elephant in the room. The online world.
Amazon is the big one, obviously.
They can sell stuff cheaper. Usually.
And they can deliver it to your door in a day. Sometimes hours.
This has been a problem for Best Buy for like, forever.
People call it “showrooming.”
You go to Best Buy to look at a TV. You see how big it is.
You poke at the screen. You listen to the sound.
Then you pull out your phone, find it cheaper on Amazon, and order it right there.
It’s a tough situation for any store with physical locations.
Plus, you’ve probably noticed it yourself.
Stores are closing. It’s not just your imagination.
Best Buy has been shutting down some of its bigger stores.
They’re trying to save money on rent.
When you see a familiar store with a “Closing Down” sign, it’s hard not to think the whole company is sinking. It’s a bad look, no matter how you spin it.
But Hold On, Best Buy’s Not Dead Yet
Okay so it sounds pretty bad. And it is.
But they have a few tricks left.
They have some things that Amazon just can’t copy that easily.
It’s not all doom and gloom for the blue shirts.
The Geek Squad Factor
This is maybe their biggest weapon.
You buy a fancy new computer online. It shows up in a box.
Now what?
You have to set it up, transfer all your old files, install stuff.
Or you buy a huge 85-inch TV. Who is going to mount that on your wall?
The Geek Squad. That’s who.
They provide a service. A real, human service.
They come to your house, they fix your router, they install your smart home things.
Amazon has tried to copy this, but it’s not the same.
Geek Squad is a known brand. It’s considered to be pretty reliable generally speaking.
This service part of the business brings in a lot of money.
And it keeps people coming back to Best Buy.
The “Need to See It” Advantage
Some things you just need to see in person.
Buying a really expensive TV online feels like a gamble.
What if the colors look weird in your living room?
What if the soundbar you bought sounds terrible?
At Best Buy, you can see a dozen TVs all lined up.
You can listen to different sound systems.
You can hold a laptop and see if you like the feel of the keyboard.
You can also talk to a real person.
Sometimes they know what they’re talking about.
They can explain the difference between QLED and OLED.
That’s something a website product description can’t always do. This personal touch is a big deal for big purchases.
The New Game Plan: Health and Memberships
Best Buy is also trying to change its game.
They’re getting into new areas.
One of them is health technology.
Things like smart watches that monitor your heart.
Or systems for older people to stay safe at home.
This is a growing market, and Best Buy wants a piece of it.
They also have their membership programs. They keep changing the name.
But the idea is the same. Pay a yearly fee.
And you get perks like free installation or special prices.
This is an attempt to create loyalty. To make you a “Best Buy person” instead of just a random shopper.
What Do the Numbers Actually Say?
If you look at their finances, it’s a mixed bag.
Their sales aren’t growing like crazy. In fact, they’ve gone down.
The boom from the pandemic, when everyone bought new laptops and webcams, is over.
Now, things are returning to a more normal level.
And that new normal is tough.
But they are still making a profit. They’re not losing billions of dollars like some other struggling companies.
What they are doing is what businesses call “right-sizing.”
That’s a fancy word for shrinking.
They are closing the giant, expensive stores that aren’t making enough money.
And they’re opening smaller stores. Or focusing more on their online sales.
So it’s less about dying, and more about becoming a smaller, leaner company. The Best Buy of 2025 doesn’t need to be as big as the one from 2010 to survive.
The Final Verdict: Going Broke or Just Changing?
So, back to the big question. Is Best Buy going out of business in 2025?
The answer is almost certainly no. They are not filing for bankruptcy next year.
But the Best Buy you and I know is changing. It has to.
It will likely be a company with fewer, smaller stores.
It will focus way more on selling services like Geek Squad installations and memberships.
It will be less about just selling you a product in a box.
And more about selling you a solution, and the support that goes with it.
The fight against Amazon and other online sellers is not over. It will never be over.
There will be more store closures. There will be more tough headlines.
But they have a path to stick around. It’s a bumpy path, for sure.
But it is a path. They’re not just waiting around to die. They’re trying things, you know?
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Buy’s Future
Is Best Buy actually going out of business?
No, not in the immediate future like 2025. They are profitable and are changing their business model, not shutting down completely. They are facing some really big problems but have a strategy.
Why are so many Best Buy stores closing then?
Best Buy is closing its larger, less profitable stores to cut costs. They are “right-sizing” their physical footprint to focus on areas that make more money and are opening some smaller-format stores.
Can Best Buy really compete with Amazon?
In a direct price war on every single item, no. But Best Buy competes by offering things Amazon can’t easily do, like in-person expert advice, product demos, and hands-on services from the Geek Squad.
Should I still buy stuff from Best Buy in 2025?
For big, complicated purchases like a home theater system, a major appliance, or a computer where you might need setup help, yes. It’s still a good option because of the in-person support and installation services they offer.
Key Takeaways
Not Going Out of Business: Best Buy is not on the verge of bankruptcy in 2025, but it is shrinking and changing.
The Big Threat is Real: Competition from online stores like Amazon is a massive problem that isn’t going away.
Services Are Their Savior: The Geek Squad, with its installation and repair services, is a huge part of why they’re still in the game.
Fewer, Smaller Stores: Expect to see fewer of the giant Best Buy stores as the company focuses on smaller formats and online sales.
It’s a Transition: The company is moving from being just a product seller to being a service provider that also sells products.
