BEST BUY TAPS INTO WELLNESS MARKET WITH EQ-LIFE STORE.

HFN: The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network, January, 2005 by Rudnick, Michael

Byline: Michael Rudnick

MINNEAPOLIS-When consumer electronics shoppers need a full body massage or want to tone up with a yoga class, who do they turn to? Best Buy?

The big-box consumer electronics retailer is looking to get its feet wet in the health and wellness business with the launch of its new concept store eq-life.

Eq-life will open its Richfield, Minn., doors on Feb. 4, according to a company spokeswoman. The new store has been developed via a Best Buy partnership with local Park Nicollet Health Services and PrairieStone pharmacy.

The eq-life concept was hatched by Michael Marolt, former senior vice president of retail operations for Best Buy Stores, who will now serve as president of the new store.

Marolt...