Retail cooperative Ace Hardware has introduced a new experience store concept called Elevate Ace, which will be available in the next five years, supported by a 1 billion US dollars Investment.
The new store design was unveiled earlier this month at the retailer’s fall meeting in Chicago, where more than 17,600 Ace Hardware dealers and industry experts celebrate the brand 100. Anniversary. The design will be introduced in selected locations starting this year, with full rollout in all new and existing stores planned for January 2025.
“Elevate Ace is not just a new store format; it is our vision to become famous for four Things in the neighborhoods we serve; namely paint, Performance, Backyards and GrillAnd House maintenance,” said John Venhuizen, president and CEO of Ace Hardware, in a statement. “We believe in the power of local and this initiative strengthens our community ties by creating experiential spaces that are not just places to shop, but places to connect.
Ace Hardware will invest more than $1 billion over the next five years to open new stores and remodel existing ones, and Venhuizen noted that the Elevate Acestore model will be “at the heart of that investment.”
The new Elevate model marks a “fundamental shift” in the retailer’s current store design and aims to improve the customer experience and drive store growth through:
- Exhibition space for premium brands with brands such as Weber, Traeger, Big Green Egg, Craftsman, DeWalt, Milwaukee, Ego and Stihl;
- Improvements in customer service aligned with new and evolving consumer shopping trends;
- Experience-oriented design that “touches all five senses” This includes an outdoor area with a live product display and a barbecue area for demos and events, providing an impressive backyard experience; and
- New product ranges and in-store features to improve the consumer’s overall shopping experience.
