Moms Freeze Family History in 'Digital Age'; Best Buy Suggests Empow

    Business Editors/Lifestyle Editors

    MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 19, 2005--Add another role to mom's duty roster. In a recent national survey, seven out of 10 mothers ranked the role of family historian right up there with that of household teacher and nurse. In fact, moms rated their responsibility of Chief Historical Officer (CHO) as more important than chef, chauffeur and housekeeper.
    Moms take the CHO job seriously, and a majority of them (67 percent) say it's important to preserve the family history for their children and grandchildren by taking, organizing and saving photos. The Best Buy survey found this especially true when it comes to recording memories related to holidays, family vacations and birthdays. However, nearly half of the mothers polled (44 percent) cited lack of time as the biggest hindrance to fulfilling their CHO responsibilities.
    While seventy-one percent of women embrace digital technology as a way to capture memories, many are still looking for the most effective means to share and display family photos.
    "Digital technology can turn this sometimes daunting task for moms into a creative form of expression when sharing family stories," said Dan Moe, vice president of digital imaging at Best Buy. "While many family albums of activities and accomplishments pile up over the years, moms are creating fun and convenient ways to transform those old shoeboxes of photos into a virtual shoebox that preserves memories for generations."
    Survey results show 79 percent of women would use digital technology if it could help them share and display family photos more effectively. In fact, with new digital solutions, CHOs can use digital imaging to make their memories come alive in minutes. As photos are shared through electronic scrapbooks, Web sites and television slide shows, family and friends will be mystified by moms' capabilities of presenting clever clips and snapshots.

    Helping Moms Share Memories

    The National Retail Federation reports that shoppers will spend $700 million on consumer electronics and accessories this Mother's Day. Best Buy expects digital imaging products to be well represented in the mix. Moreover, the Photo Marketing Association International predicts that more than 20 million digital cameras will be purchased in 2005. These findings underscore the growing desire to share memories through digital living, and Best Buy is arming moms with Mother's Day gifts to help them along the way.
    Seventy percent of moms surveyed said they e-mail digital photos to family and friends regularly. Nearly 62 percent print photos at home, and more than half (53 percent) create photo slide shows with a computer. "Digital imaging has changed the way moms view sharing their family memories," Moe said. "Whether it's seeing pictures instantly, showing photos on DVD albums or e-mailing snapshots of family vacations, it has enhanced the entire experience."
    It's easy for mom to share digital photos with friends and family. She can transfer her pictures to a PC using a memory card reader or by connecting her camera to the computer. Once her photos have been transferred, mom can email, upload to the Internet or print from the comfort of her home. PC-free printers allow mom to print directly from a memory card. And some printers are portable, making it possible to print pictures "on the go" while still at that special occasion.
    In addition to a full line of digital imaging solutions including DVD burners, cameras, printers, software and accessories, Best Buy provides moms with the unique capability to upload digital photos to its online print shop, Best Buy imagelab(TM). The site, found at www.bestbuy.com/imagelab, enables users to send friends and family e-mail invitations for viewing pictures online and/or ordering prints directly from the site. For more information on sharing memories through digital imaging stop by a local Best Buy store or visit www.bestbuy.com.
    Best Buy's findings were secured through a national telephone survey of 507 mothers with a maximum margin of error of +/- 4.35 percent at the 95 percent confidence level.

    About Best Buy Co., Inc.

    Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) is an innovative Fortune 100 growth company that continually strives to create superior customer experiences. Through more than 780 retail stores across the United States and in Canada, our employees connect customers with technology and entertainment products and services that make life easier and more fun. We sell consumer electronics, home-office products, entertainment software, appliances and related services. A Minneapolis-based company, our operations include: Best Buy, Future Shop, Geek Squad and Magnolia Audio Video. We support our communities through employee volunteerism and grants from The Best Buy Children's Foundation.

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CONTACT: for Best Buy: Moranne Clarke, 404-870-6819 moranne.clarke@mslpr.com or Kevin Cockett, 612-291-6122 kevin.cockett@bestbuy.com

KEYWORD: MINNESOTA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS RETAIL CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD SOFTWARE SOURCE: Best Buy Co., Inc.

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