Fall 2016 Hardlines Strategies

The remodel to Roaring Fork Valley Co-op included shifting departments and bringing in new products. The Roaring Fork and Blish-Mize teams did the work in stages, and the store stayed open throughout the process.

The co-op also features a gas station and convenience store, making it a one-stop shop for visitors. A true co-op, consumers don’t need to be members to shop at Roaring Fork, but for just $25, they can purchase a lifetime membership that entitles them to share in patronage dividends. These dividends are derived, at least in part, from the continued ability of the store to be competitive and attract customers. The desire to meet customers’ needs was the major impetus behind the decision to remodel the location, according to Baldo Barragan, store manager. New Look, New Products The remodel to Roaring Fork began a few years ago, with updates to the co-op’s electrical and computer systems and repaving the store’s parking lot. While these first steps in the process weren’t necessarily the most noticeable

to customers, they made a big difference in the co-op’s ability to operate efficiently. With improvements made to the business’ infrastructure, the remodel quickly turned to the salesfloor. Inside, Barragan and his team shifted around some of the departments, brought in plenty of new products and added the convenience store. “We brought in more new items in hardware, too,” says Barragan. “We got two new front counters, and we brought in new lines, like Milwaukee power tools. enhancing assortments, the Roaring Fork team also relied on help from Blish-Mize, which sent a team to spend a week helping remerchandise the store. After moving all the old merchandise to the warehouse located behind the store, the team installed new fixtures that would accommodate the enhanced product selection. That line has been a good seller.” When it came to updating and

Blish-Mize sales representative Denver Randol, who helped with the remodeling project, says it was a challenge to keep the store open during construction, but the Roaring Fork staff managed. “They had to do the work in stages,” Randol says. “They did all this work while the store stayed open.” Barragan says he appreciates the help he and the rest of his staff received from Blish-Mize throughout the process. “They helped with everything,” he says. “I was very grateful; it was exhausting.” While Barragan admits there was a bit of an adjustment period for some of the co- op’s longtime customers, he credits his staff with helping ease shoppers through any potential growing pains. “We have quite a few people on the floor who can take our customers where they need to go,” he says. One of the most noticeable additions that came about during the remodel was the convenience store. This unique area

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