A $50-million a year business has just improved its operations for those who shop there.
The Barrhead and Districts Co-op, following months of hard work, unveiled renovations at its Barrhead Home Centre location. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Aug. 26 to honour the occasion. Special guests were invited to share in the celebration including Mayor Brian Schulz, MLA Ken Kowalski, Federated Co-op Ltd. regional manager Trevor Livingstone, board president George Andrews, Chamber president Elize Zuk and longtime Co-op member and past employee Art Skirrow. The changes to the store mean the Barrhead and Districts location is the first Co-op in western Canada to install a particular type of new shelving – a brand new concept for fixtures.
Renovations started in November, but putting in the fixtures started in February. The changes were made to improve the flow of traffic and to provide more selection of product for Co-op members.
“For quite a while now, our staff has been working very hard on these renovations,” Andrews said. “All the while, they did a really good job of maintaining the level of service. We are really pleased with our members and thank them for their patience.”
Cote told those in attendance that thanks to the renovations, the Home Centre’s merchandising is now second to none. The renovations have increased the sales floor by 73 per cent, giving the Home Centre a total of 18,825 square feet. With that added square footage, the Co-op was able to improve its product selection and, in addition, changes to the purchase procedure have been made to allow for faster checkout times. The two tills located at the entrance to the store will now be used as express checkouts, and customers who are looking for help with projects and ordering materials will be asked to use the new customer service desk.
“There are so many people who work so hard to complete these renovations,” Cote said. “Our local contractors were amazing to work with, and we’re lucky to have their knowledge in our community.”
Cote said he and his staff would continue to provide Co-op members with the services and selection they have all come to expect.
In celebration of these renovations, the Co-op offered up a chance for one member to walk away with $5,000. Ballot boxes were set up at the food store, the Home Centre, the gas bar and the Mayerthorpe location. One name was drawn every week leading up to the grand re-opening. It was Shauna Bissonnette who was the lucky winner of the giveaway.
