Parrot Lands Best Buy, Circuit City Purchase

By Amy Gilroy On Sep 17 2007 - 6:00am

Parrot Bluetooth car kits will be available at both Best Buy and Circuit City for the first time.

Best Buy will carry the Parrot MiniKit speakerphone in most of its U.S. stores and will also stock two Parrot car kits requiring installation in about 300 stores. These include the CK3000 and CK3100 LCD.

Circuit City will carry three models nationwide through more than 600 stores including the CK3000, CK3100 LCD and 3200 LS-Color.

Parrot said the commitment from two of the largest retailers is a milestone for the Paris-based company that came to the United States only two years ago. It has previously sold to retailers including Pep Boys, Tweeter's Wireless Giant, Crutchfield and Abt Electronics.

The company said its Bluetooth hands-free kits are gaining in popularity as more states enact laws banning the use of cellphones while driving unless they are used with a hands-free solution. New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and several cities have passed hands-free laws, and California and Washington laws will go into effect July 1, 2008.