Last fall, we shared how we’re testing new store models in Charlotte, North Carolina and how all of them work together to meet our customers’ varied and changing needs. Today we’re introducing another piece to that pilot: our first ever small-format, digital-first store.

This new 5,000 sq. ft. store, which opens on July 26 in Monroe, will feature a curated selection of our best-in-category products, the expert services customers know and love like Geek Squad, and new ways to pick up your tech. Plus, we’re testing a new digital-first shopping experience that encourages customers to do everything from shop, select your product and get advice digitally while in the store.

This is one more way we’re continuing to invest in our stores to better serve our customers’ needs in an ever-growing digital world and create a more seamless shopping experience.

We’ll continue learning from our store pilots in Charlotte as this new small-format store test gets underway.

While the shopping space inside the store is smaller than our traditional larger stores, shoppers can expect the same great experience and services, including:

The Monroe store will carry large TVs, but it won’t carry major appliances and other larger products. Don’t worry, though, those items can still be purchased on BestBuy.com and picked up in Monroe, or can be shopped for at any of the larger format stores in the Charlotte area.

 The smaller shopping space isn’t the only new thing customers can expect to see at the Monroe store. We’re also piloting a new digital-first shopping experience that encourages customers to shop, get advice and check out digitally. When shoppers enter the store, they will be greeted by a 7-foot-tall digital display that explains what’s new and how they can shop inside the store, including:

For those shoppers who prefer not to use these digital options, our trusted Blue Shirts will still be available to help just like at any other Best Buy store. We’re excited to learn more as we test this new store format, and like all pilots, expect to make adjustments along the way.

For more information on all of the stores we’re piloting in the Charlotte market, click here or visit BestBuy.com.