``Tech'' a Walk on the Wild Side; National Survey Shows Most Americans Will Use Portable Technology During Outdoor Spring/Summer Recreation

Business Wire, May 22, 2002

Business Editors & Technology/Lifestyle Writers

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 22, 2002

As the weather gets warmer, people will spend more time outdoors, making sure to bring all the essentials: sun screen, bug spray and their beloved tech toys. In fact, according to a recent national Best Buy survey, 80 percent of Americans plan to take wireless technology with them when they go out and play, with most using wireless phones (60 percent), followed by digital cameras/camcorders (42 percent) and portable CD players (36 percent). Whether listening to tunes via satellite radio while road tripping, watching movies on portable DVD players while camping or accessing the Internet during outdoor sporting events, technology will be everywhere, making life more fun this spring and summer.

Route 66 or Bust

Memorial Day weekend kicks off another season of vacation travel, and tech toys are proven on-the-go items. A recent Forrester(R) study reveals 75 percent of Americans plan to use their own car for vacation travel this year, and according to the Best Buy survey, one out of three people use technology the most while on the road, from satellite radio to wireless phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs). Most spring travel (81 percent) will be for pleasure, and 15 percent of people plan to do more traveling this year than in 2001, according to the Travel Industry Association (TIA).

"Roughing It" in Comfort

For many road trips, campsites are a popular destination. Staying connected with friends and family is important while "roughing it," as 20 percent of people use technology the most while camping or hiking in the woods. When asked what one technology they would bring with them if they were roughing it in a remote location for two weeks, 60 percent said they'd bring wireless phones, followed by global positioning systems (GPS) at 16 percent.

And when they're deep in the woods, men don't mind asking technology for assistance with directions, as 70 percent of those who plan to use GPS units while outdoors are male.

The latest music technology is the most popular among younger crowds -- 48 percent of those who use satellite radio, and 28 percent of those who use MP3 players are 18 to 24 years old.

Scoring Big

Athletes and sports fans most likely will capture the moment, as 42 percent will use digital cameras and camcorders while enjoying their games, up nearly 20 percent since the 2001 Best Buy survey (42 percent in 2002 vs. 26 percent in 2001). When on the move, people also may frequently access the Internet to check sports scores and to keep themselves organized. In fact, the Forrester survey revealed nearly 9 million North American households currently own PDAs, and in 2002, an expected 2.5 million will become new owners.

When sports fans can't participate in the live action, the game can travel with them. More than 15 percent of people plan to bring portable video games with them while they're out and about, and they're equally as popular among men and women.

"It's easier than ever to bring portable technology with you wherever you go," said Corey Greenberg, consumer electronics expert and NBC's "Today" show correspondent. "This spring and summer, people won't be leaving the comforts of home behind. Even if they're camping in the woods or traveling to a vacation spot, they will be bringing technology and entertainment with them to make recreational time more fun and productive."

`Soak up the Sun' with Sheryl Crow

From May 19 to June 8, 2002, consumers will have a chance to win one of five trips to see Sheryl Crow live in concert, or a 2002 Ford Escape complete with a Sony car audio and satellite radio system. Consumers can pick up a game piece at all Best Buy stores for two chances to win - either automatically in-store or online at www.gomobile.bestbuy.com. Those registering online, who do not win the concert tickets or 2002 Ford Escape, will automatically be entered into a "second chance" drawing, with the chance to win one of hundreds of portable, go out and play technology/entertainment prizes, including car audio systems, notebook computers, PDAs, GPS units, digital cameras, videos, gaming systems, combination TV/DVD players and Best Buy gift cards.

Minneapolis-based Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) is North America's No. 1 specialty retailer of consumer electronics, personal computers, entertainment software and appliances. The Company operates retail stores and commercial web sites under the names: Best Buy (BestBuy.com), Future Shop (FutureShop.ca); Magnolia Hi-Fi (MagnoliaHiFi.com), Media Play (MediaPlay.com), On Cue (OnCue.com), Sam Goody (SamGoody.com), and Suncoast (Suncoast.com). The Company reaches consumers through more than 1,800 retail stores in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Best Buy commissioned its survey in April 2002 to determine consumers' views on using technology during outdoor recreational time. The survey, conducted by Market Facts, Inc., polled a representative sample of 1,000 people aged 18 to 65, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent.