FEATURE/Non-Traditional Valentine's Day Gifts Are Gaining In Popularity; Today's Romantics are Giving Digital Cameras, MP3 Players and Mobile Phones

Business Wire, Feb 11, 2004

Feature Editors/Business Editors

FEATURE...

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 11, 2004

Best Buy, the nation's leading specialty retailer of digital technology and entertainment products and services, is striving to be the Valentine's Day gift destination. Chocolates and cards may be traditional Valentine's Day fare, but more people are turning to non-traditional gifts such as consumer electronics or entertainment as a lasting gift of love.

A survey conducted by the Consumer Electronics Association found that 64 percent of women would rather receive a digital camera than a pair of half-carat diamond earrings. The Canon A60 PowerShot 2.0 mega-pixel digital zoom camera ($199.99 before the $30 instant rebate, plus a $25 Best Buy gift card) is sure to wow and have your Valentine clicking away.

While roses and chocolates say "I love you," pictures are worth a thousand words. The new compact Canon ZR-85 digital camcorder ($499) provides the flexibility of digital video and digital photos all in one. The beauty of this camcorder is that you can print your still pictures right to a printer without ever connecting to a computer.

When it comes to romance, there's nothing like music to set just the right Valentine's Day tone. Romantic titles from Beyonce's Dangerously In Love, Harry Connick, Jr.'s Only You, Norah Jones' Sunrise, Josh Groban's Closer, or Sting's Sacred Love ($9.99 each) can be just the way to set the mood. For couples on the go, try the Rio Nitrus 1.5 GB MP3 player ($199.99 and receive a $20 Music Now Digital Music download card) to take those romantic tunes with you.

Busy couples who need to keep their dates and music organized and have phone numbers at their fingertips will appreciate the Hewlett Packard iPAQ h1945 PDA ($299.99). The thin, light, color display design will fit in your Valentine's pocket and touts powerful applications and integrated Bluetooth for wireless connections. It even stores music and photos of that special someone.

When Conversation Hearts just don't do the trick, keep in touch this Valentine's Day with the Sprint Samsung A600 ($349.99 - $150 Sprint instant savings - $50 Best Buy instant savings - $70 Mail-in rebate with new line of service = $79.99)(a) which doubles as a high-tech digital camera. Another option is the Virgin Mobile Slider V5 MTV Edition mobile phone, including melodic ring tones and text messaging features ($139.99). The phone is one of Virgin's pay-as-you-go options, meaning there's no long-term commitment... to the phone... not to your Valentine.

For a special Valentine's date, why not have a romantic movie night? The Yamaha YHT-440 6.1 Channel Dolby Surround Sound Home Theater In-A-Box ($499) can provide the ultimate movie experience at home. You and your Valentine can enjoy premium digital sound and video, and choose from hundreds of DVD titles including romantic classics such as Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Princess Bride, Pretty in Pink and Casablanca (two of these titles for $20).

And, if all else fails, a gift card still lets a person know how much you care, while allowing them to choose their own special gift. Best Buy gift cards are available in several denominations and make a great gift you can guarantee they'll love.

To make Valentine's Day shopping even easier, visit Best Buy's web site at www.bestbuy.com.

About Best Buy Stores

Best Buy Stores, owned and operated by Minneapolis-based Best Buy Co., Inc., is the nation's leading specialty retailer of technology and entertainment products and services. Best Buy was founded in St. Paul, Minn. in 1966. Best Buy Stores reach an estimated 300 million consumers per year through more than 600 retail stores in 48 states and online at BestBuy.com. For more information about Best Buy, visit the virtual pressroom at http://communications.bestbuy.com/pressroom/.

(a) Sprint instant savings requires in-store activation of a new line of service and two-year PCS Advantage Agreement.