Aug 28 (Reuters) - Electronics retailer Best Buy ( BBY )

posted a surprise rise in second-quarter sales on Thursday,

driven by strong online sales and a surge in demand for

artificial intelligence-powered computers, mobile phones and

other devices.

Comparable sales for the quarter ended August 2 rose 1.6%,

compared with analysts' average expectations of a 0.52% drop,

according to data compiled by LSEG.

(Reporting by Savyata Mishra in Bengaluru)