While it remains in its familiar location, Sears in Carlyle has opened its doors to a new day thanks in part to a redesign of services offered by the long-time locally owned business.
Holding a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the re-branding of the business, the public was welcomed into the store to see the new layout, the new selection of products, and to meet the staff of the Carlyle store as well as executives from Sears Canada.
Referred to as a 'Dealer Store,' the Carlyle Sears is a wholly, locally owned operation. Functioning up until now as a catalogue store, with little in-location merchandise, the new services will feature many changes.
"We call it, 'bringing the city to the town,'" said Sears market sales manager Kevin Derenisky. "The new store is equipped with the same type of register as the city locations, and will now be offering retail pricing on goods."
"This means a savings on everything carried by Sears at the Carlyle location," Derenisky said. "Retail pricing is lower than what you see in the catalogue for the most part, and now those prices are available to consumers in Carlyle."
"Also pricing promotions that are a part of a city location will now be available in this location," Derenisky said. "Scratch and Save promotions, Super Saturdays, and a number of other pricing promotions will be seen."
"The product lines have been expanded substantially, with brand names like MayTag and LG products available," Derenisky said. "Also more items like treadmills, shop-vacs, and garage-door openers. Our electronics have expanded, and now includes plasma, LCD and LED televisions."
"It has been a change right across the product lines."
The shake-up in product-lines and store layout were only part of the revamping of the Sears services in town. Along with the increased merchandise came a commitment from Sears to invest in local programs and projects.
Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, Sears Carlyle owner and operator Connie Smith made a presentation of a cheque, from Sears Canada, to the Carlyle and District Leisure Complex in the amount of $500.
"As a Dealer Store, the store is locally owned and operated," Derenisky explained. "As a result, the store and products can be tailored to meet the needs of the local population."
"Sears Canada remains involved with numerous charities and fundraising efforts as well," Derenisky said. "With Connie here to help us guide our charitable efforts, we can help local children's programs and facilities."
"One of the things we do is hold a 'Round-up Day,'" Derenisky said. "On Round-up Days, customers shopping at Sears can round-up their purchase prices, by adding $20 to their final total for example, and the money will be targeted at a local charitable cause."
"When consumers do round-up their prices as a method of donation, Sears Canada will match the dollar value of every round-up," Derenisky said. "This way Sears can continue to provide top rated retail services while being a good corporate citizen in the community."
For Smith's part, the development of her business has everything to do with the support she receives from all quarters.
"This is really thanks to the wonderful support that I've received from our friends, associates, and customers," Smith said. "We have the best staff, and they have worked very hard to keep a great level of service going in the store."
"In many ways, I think that this change in the way we do things will help the area too," Smith said. "This is why I sought support from Sears Canada for the pool. It is something that is available to children all through the region, so supporting it helps a wider-range of people."
