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Best Buy sees surge in demand for items that help people work from home

Retailers that sell items for home office and coronavirus-related necessities like hand sanitizers have gotten a bump. Read More...

As the coronavirus drives workers to their home offices in order to self-isolate, Best Buy Co. Inc. says it has seen a rise in demand for merchandise that will make those workstations functional.

“We are seeing a surge in demand across the country for products that people need to work or learn from home, as well as those products that allow people to refrigerate or freeze food,” said Corie Barry, Best Buy’s chief executive, in a statement.

On the e-commerce home page, Best Buy BBY, -1.39%  highlights the virtual in-home consultations for tech advice, deals on laptop computers, and contactless pickup from stores.

Read: Walmart’s stock wins second upgrade of the week as shoppers flock to grocers amid coronavirus

“We believe Best Buy has recently benefited from consumers stocking up on PCs/monitors as they work from home/home-school, but see headwinds from supply chain disruption, delays in anticipated new products (5G, mobile phones, etc.) and high COVID-19 exposure outweighing the near-term benefits,” wrote Wells Fargo analysts in a Monday note.

Wells Fargo rates Best Buy stock equal weight with a price target of $55, down from $85.

Office Depot Inc. ODP, -17.33%   also features atop its home page a guide to preparing a business to work from home. The guide includes a statistic showing that even before the coronavirus pandemic, half of global employees were working from home 2.5 days per week.

Among the tips are providing enough VPN licenses for staff, and making sure home offices meet IT security protocols.

Office Depot also has workstation bundles for furniture, including a desk, desk lamp and dry erase board, and technology needs.

Though Staples Inc. may be best known for its office equipment merchandise, the retailer says it has seen skyrocketing demand for things like hand sanitizer and face masks. The retailer said it’s prioritizing purchasing these of items by hospitals and other medical professionals.

See: CVS receipts and wet wipes as toilet paper? People are flushing all the wrong alternatives during coronavirus shortage

Home Depot Inc. HD, +5.35%   and Lowe’s Cos. LOW, +3.19%  , which sell both appliances and disinfecting and sanitizing items, has also talked about its role as an essential retailer.

“Our stores will remain open to provide essential products to customers, government officials and first responders,” Lowe’s says on its website.

“Our customers depend on us for urgent needs such as hot water heaters, refrigerators, cleaning supplies, electrical and plumbing repairs, bottled water and harsh weather items like tarps, propane and batteries. Our stores are critical to serving communities, especially in times of disaster and crisis.

Best Buy has suspended in-home installation for major appliances, though items can be left by a customer’s door.

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Workers who are feeling sick will receive sick pay, Best Buy said. And those who don’t feel comfortable coming to work aren’t required to.

“Field” employees who have seen their hours cut will receive two weeks pay based on the normal wage rate for the average hours worked over the last 10 weeks.

Best Buy stock is down nearly 27% over the last year while the S&P 500 index SPX, -1.99%   has fallen 19% for the period.

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