MERCHANDISING CHANGE

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Milton, vp., and Dennis, sec.-treas. The general manager of the Hemet store is Don Watson.

Despite recent PoPulation growth due to retirees and others seeking escape from the smog and bustle of Los Angeles, the population of the valley in which Hemet sits is onlY about 50,000. Their onlY headson competition at Present is from a K-Mart unit. As a result, Don Watson notes that they will be stressing service and the fact of their obvious expertise in the business.

A feature of the new store will be a complete audio visual training center that will stock tapes and film strips for the do-it-yourselfer.

Additionally, a Customer Service Center will be set uP to assist in cutting paperwork and streamlining special orders. They are even setting up a bicycle rack on their 314 acre parking lot as an added customer convenience.

The new building has 26,000 sq. ft. under roof plus two 40' x 70' umbrella sheds that adds 5,600 extra feet. The one story, all-wood structures are being built by the San Antonio Rigid Pole Construction Co. Approximately 15,000 sq. ft. is devoted to the showroom, 8000 sq. ft. for the new garden shop and tool area with the balance of the building for offices and storage space. The center sits on3tL acres ofland.

The interior of the building will be utilized to show off wood in various applications as a permanent display of what can be done with the material. Design of the center was formulated by consulting design experts and by adding an equal amount of real life experience.

Unlike the old store, an extensive inventory of housewares will be car- ried and will be an important part of the inventory.

At present the firm has a customer mix of 6Wo contractor and 4Wo consumer and is aiming at a 50/50 ratio. There will be separate departments for consumers and contractors.

Advertising will be stePPed uP as they approach the slated December opening and the closing ol the old location. Presently a monthlY flYer is used for all three stores as well as individual advertising in local markets for each unit.

Future plans call for the renlodeling of their other stores, so the Hemet operation will be closely monitored by management to evaluate the changes they are making. Store hours are not firm for Hemet at this date, but will probably be l0-12 hours per day, seven days a week. Present employee roster includes about 40-42, divided roughly ll3 - 2l3rds yard to store and office.