News Release for The Co-Op Farm &
Garden
Contact: Kathy Reid FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phone: 360-683-4111
Email: katreid53@yahoo.com
CLALLAM CO-OP NOW A
COUNTRY STORE
Signage Announces
New Operations, Décor, Strategy
Several store
employees were interviewed. The Co-op's
General Manager, Bill Gerdes, commented that their new look and feel is all
about creating a 'country store' identity.
This change is to revitalize the business and gain new market share in
the face of major competition -- national chain retailers who are populating
the rapidly developing west side of town.
Gerdes commented,
"The Clallam Co-Op has endured and prospered for over 70 years by adapting
to such changes. The Co-Op takes a
proactive approach toward competition.
We focus on community needs and meet them. We have continued in business because we
listen and respond. That's what being
part of this community means to us."
Gerdes
continued, "Co-Op Staff and Management recently completed significant
market research, analysis, and planning.
We thought things over and came up with a strategy based on an updated,
more recognizable Co-Op brand. It's a
country store concept with 'The Co-Op Farm & Garden' image."
Kathy
Reid, The Co-Op's Store Manager, commented: "The Country Store strategy is
really four things – refocus, remodel, re-merchandise, and retain.
"We
refocused, based on study of what Co-op members and the community really need
and want. Then we remodeled the store to
fit local rural living and also save customers both time and money. We installed a country store décor using
colors, textures, and organization that create a pleasant, efficient shopping
environment."
Reid
explained further, "We re-merchandised so shoppers can easily find
supplies for their local farm and garden lifestyle. We stock only high-quality products at
competitive prices, and give customers both depth and breadth of selection. While we make so many things new, we're
retaining everything our loyal customers love, like hallmark customer service
with individual attention, help finding what you need, product expertise, and
plenty of free practical fix-it and how-to knowledge.
Reid also
mentioned plans for a Grand Re-Opening event in April which will include food and
amusements for customers of all ages along with store specials. The plan includes themed activities each day
for a week. A schedule will be announced
during March in local Olympic Peninsula news media.
Glenn
Juenemann, Co-op Product Specialist, summed up with a one-liner, "The
Co-op's Country Store styling and revamped operations all add up to a premier
shopping experience designed for the local rural lifestyle."
The Co-op
is running brand image ads all year throughout the Olympic Peninsula, to spread
awareness of their identity makeover, which was created by local graphic
designer and marketer
The
Clallam Co-op was established in 1936. The initial mission was to supply the
Olympic Peninsula’s agricultural producers -- to help local farmers survive and
prosper through the depths of the Great Depression. It provided farmers a competitive source for
needs ranging from farm machinery and equipment to fuel and eventually feed,
grain, and animal supplies.
Demand for
The Co-Op’s earlier product lines diminished because farming declined as the
decades passed. The store was remodeled
and re-merchandised numerous times to keep pace with changing community needs.
The Co-Op
eventually transformed into a consumer’s cooperative during the 1970’s, opening
membership to the community and completely redefining the mission and product
lines. Today’s market has again called
for new adaptive responses.
###
For story support, photos, press
kit, or to schedule interviews, contact Kathy Reid (katreid53@yahoo.com) or
Bill Gerdes (info@clallamcoop.com) at 360-683-4111.
News release by