Best Buy acquires health service provider for $800M

Best Buy purchased Great Call, a health service provider. Bill Lackey/Staff

Best Buy purchased Great Call, a health service provider. Bill Lackey/Staff

Best Buy recently purchased a health and personal emergency response service for $800 million.

With more than 900,000 paying subscribers, GreatCall aims to help older consumers stay independent longer and reduce health-care costs, according to a Best Buy release.

The company uses mobile products and connected devices tailored for aging consumers to reach agents who can connect the customer to family caregivers, answer service-related questions and dispatch emergency personnel.

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“Since the launch of GreatCall, we’ve focused on providing the very best technology and services to the aging population, giving them and their families the peace of mind that comes with the right technology and support to help keep them safe and improve their lives,” said David Inns, CEO of GreatCall.

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Best Buy recently started investing in its health- and wellness-related products and initiatives.The acquisition is part of Best Buy’s plan to “enrich lives through technology by addressing key human needs,” specifically the needs of an aging population, according to the release.

“We know technology can improve the quality of life of the aging population and those who care for them,” said Hubert Joly, chairman and CEO of Best Buy. “Now, we have a great opportunity to serve the needs of these customers by combining GreatCall’s expertise with Best Buy’s unique merchandising, marketing, sales and services capabilities.”

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