Best Buy Bows Exclusive Liz Claiborne Accessories

Opens 900th U.S. Location

By Colleen Bohen -- TWICE, 10/26/2007

The new store’s main floor functions as a showroom.

New York — Best Buy rolled out the blue (yes, blue) carpet last night at an event held at its newest Columbus Circle location.

The affair served both as an occasion to preview the chain’s 900th U.S. location, opening today, and as an opportunity to unveil the exclusive line of fashion-focused accessories Best Buy is now offering in partnership with Liz Claiborne.

The new store — one of 15 locations opening across the country today — features an about 45,000 square feet of retail space. Its notable features include a main-floor showroom, the largest Magnolia Home Theater store-within-a-store in the Northeast, an appliance section with kitchen vignette and full-size products, a dedicated pick-up area for online orders and more.

Last night’s event revolved around a fashion show to showcase the retailer’s new line of exclusive Liz Claiborne technology accessories. The show was hosted jointly by Best Buy’s trends VP Liz Haesler and by Tim Gunn, Liz Claiborne’s chief creative officer, known for his roles as co-host of “Project Runway” and star of “Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style;” both shows air on the Bravo network.

One of the displays featuring Best Buy’s new exclusive line of Liz Claiborne tech accessories.

The accessories are intended to bring in female clientele, as Gunn said, “the style she wants and the technology she needs.”

The products in the line include briefcases, large purses that double as laptop cases, smaller purses that also function as camera cases, wristlets with built-in compartments to house iPod Nanos, and cellphone clutches.

From left: Tim Gunn, CEO, Liz Claiborne; Liz Haesler, VP of trends, Best Buy; Julee Wilson, associate fashion editor, Real Simple magazine; Tom Davis, general manger, Best Buy Columbus Circle

Haesler told TWICE that the line of about 22 products is launching to 250 Best Buy stores, “concentrating on major urban areas.” Going forward, she said the retailer and Liz Claiborne expect to eventually grow to reach more of its stores and to expand and cater to more CE product categories.