SEARS PUTTING UP MORE COUNTRY STORES
By Adnews Staff
Toronto-based Sears Canada is expanding its network of free-standing dealer stores which serve rural markets. Sears has put 15 such stores into operation since opening the first a year ago. Each is run by a local business person. The retailer plans to open another 35 outlets by the end of 1996. The stores average from 4,000 to 6,000 square feet and carry large items such as major appliances, home electronics, vacuum cleaners, tractors, snowblowers and lawnmowers. The stores will be in markets that are currently serviced by a Sears catalogue outlet but don't have a retail store. Five stores will be up and running by mid-January in Greenwood and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Sept Isles, Que., and Port Alberni and Campbell River, B.C. Local print advertising for the dealer stores will begin as they open. It will be created by Networks of Toronto and placed by the store.