Meriden Mall Best Buy Set To Close: Report

MERIDEN, CT — Best Buy will close its Meriden Mall location, with the last day of business being Oct. 30, The Meriden Record Journal reported. The electronics retailer is set to close 20 stores this year.

Best Buy saw a surge in online purchases during the pandemic, and company officials have said they believe this switch to buying online will be permanent. The company saw online sales soar 89% from November 2020 to January, according to USA Today.

Best Buy has closed 20 locations in each of the last two years, according to The Meriden Record-Journal. The Enfield store closed in February.

The Meriden location will close as its lease will expire this year. Across the country, 450 Best Buy leases are scheduled to end in the next three years, USA Today reported. The company laid off 5,000 full-time employees in February, then brought on 2,000 part-time workers.

In the last two years, the Meriden Mall has lost anchors Sears and Macy's as well as smaller stores like Charlotte Russe, LOFT, and Game Stop.

See related: Despite Vacancies, Meriden Mall In 'Full Operation' Owners Say