Best Buy to roll out Mobile stores

Best Buy (NYSE: BBY), the largest consumer electronics retailer in the U.S., will be launching 150 to 200 Best Buy Mobile wireless stores in its New York, Boston and Texas markets. The phase-in of these Mobile stores will occur over the next 18 months, according to the retailer.

Best Buy just keeps on singing a happy tune with its performance. Its retail stores are way ahead of competitors Circuit City Stores (NYSE: CC)and CompUSA in terms of profitability, its Best Buy for Business division is healthy, and it acquired Speakeasy to enter the computer services arena even further. The company just can't seem to do wrong these days.

Best Buy's latest effort in the wireless landscape will include freestanding locations branded as "Best Buy Mobile" and kiosks within Best Buy stores themselves. I'm left wondering how the in-store units will be different than the wireless departments already inside Best Buy stores, however.

The company states that the newer Mobile stores will feature an expanded assortment of handsets, accessories and services. Wireless operators that will be offered include Cingular, Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S) and Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ). Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) and prepaid services including Amp'd Mobile, Boost Mobile, Cingular Go Phone, Verizon InPulse and Virgin Mobile will also be offered.