Hardware Retail Leader Unveils New Store Model
at Chicago Convention, Celebrating 100 Years of Excellence
OAK
BROOK, Ill., Aug. 12,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ace Hardware, the world's
largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative, announced today
"ELEVATE3 Ace," its new experiential store concept
to roll-out at new and existing stores over the next five years,
supported with a $1 billion
investment. This groundbreaking, immersive store design, unveiled
at the fall convention in Chicago
last week celebrating Ace's 100-year anniversary, marks a
fundamental shift in the Ace store model and has proved to boost
both the customer experience and drive store growth.
"Elevate Ace is not just a new store format; it's our vision to
become famous for four things in the neighborhoods we serve; namely
Paint, Power, Backyards & Barbeque, and Home Preservation,"
said John Venhuizen, Ace Hardware
President and CEO. "We believe in the power of local, and this
initiative strengthens our community ties by creating experiential
spaces that are not only places to shop but also places to connect.
Our neighbors will benefit from locally relevant, premium products,
expert advice, and immersive retail innovation. With Elevate Ace,
we are setting a new industry standard as we aspire to truly be the
best, most helpful store on the planet."
Key Features of the ELEVATE3 Ace
Experiential Store Model:
- Premium Brand Showrooms: The ELEVATE3
Ace store model will elevate the best and most exclusive
brands including Weber, Traeger, Big Green Egg, Craftsman, DeWalt,
Milwaukee, EGO, and Stihl in a
brand immersive shopping environment that is unique to Ace.
- Enhanced Customer Service: The ELEVATE3
Ace store model enhances Ace's legendary customer service,
ensuring that the new and evolving trends in consumer shopping
patterns are thoughtfully addressed throughout.
- Inspiring and Stimulating Store Design: The
ELEVATE3 Ace flagship store model will include an
outdoor space with a stunning live goods display and grilling space
for demos and events that will provide an aspirational backyard
experience. Indoors and out, this innovative design will touch all
five senses.
- New Assortments and Features: Ace retailers will benefit
from new product assortments and features designed to drive sales
and enhance the overall consumer shopping experience.
"Over the next five years, Ace Hardware will invest over
$1 billion in opening new stores and
remodeling existing stores to better serve our neighbors," added
Venhuizen. "The Elevate Ace store model will be at the
heart of this investment."
More than 17,600 Ace Hardware retailers and industry
professionals who attended Ace's fall convention in Chicago, the largest in hardware industry
history, were the first to experience the innovative
ELEVATE3 Ace store model. A fully built-out
13,000-square-foot model store on the convention floor, complete
with outdoor spaces and live demonstrations, received
overwhelmingly positive feedback for its design and
functionality.
Customers can look forward to experiencing ELEVATE3
Ace in limited locations beginning this year, with the full
roll-out in new and existing stores launching January 2025 and continuing over the next five
years.
About Ace Hardware
Ace Hardware is the largest
retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with over 5,900
locally owned and operated hardware stores in approximately 60
countries. Headquartered in Oak Brook,
Ill., Ace and its subsidiaries operate an expansive network
of distribution centers in the U.S. and have distribution
capabilities in Ningbo, China; and
Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico. Since 1924, Ace has been a part
of local communities around the world and known as the place with
the helpful hardware folks. For more information,
visit acehardware.com or newsroom.acehardware.com.
Contact: media@acehardware.com
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SOURCE Ace Hardware Corporation