The Consumerist somehow came into possession of a Best Buy, Inc. (NYSE: BBY) employee training manual that seems to spell out customer stereotypes -- from early adopter males to empty-nester couples. Why would the consumer electronics retailer need such a document to train its floor associates? So that the company could outwit "demon" customers and focus on "angel customers."

Those terms was coined by consultant and customer guru Larry Selden based on his recommendations to the retailer in 2004. Demons were customers who constantly bargain hunted and returned products at a high rate and angels were profitable customers who paid higher prices and bought extended warranties with many purchases. In other words, some customers are great and some are horrible. Selden's advice: focus on the customer, forget the actual product.

Now, Best Buy's focus on the customer apparently includes training associated on "personas" that Best Buy employees use to sell the most profitable products to the the correct "type" of customer. In the training manual, young urban males are termed "Buzz" while upper middle class women are termed as "Jill."

Once a blue-shirted salesperson identifies what type of customer they are dealing with, they can customize their sales approach to get the most profitable product sold. Although this stereotype way of selling may bother some, this is the future of retail. Each customer needs a specific sales approach and a customized experience. In the process, the retailer needs to move inventory and hopefully the most profitable kind at the same time. Looks like Best Buy may be leading the way.