SILCORP RENOVATES STORES
By Adnews Staff
Toronto-based Silcorp Ltd. plans to do a makeover of all its Mac's and Mike's Mart convenience stores over the next several years to give larger stores more competition. Currently it has 520 outlets. The new concept has been tested in the Ontario centres of Kitchener and Maple, and Silcorp says people like it. The updated stores have new signs and layouts, and a greater selection of coffee, pastries and other fresh foods. They also have conveniences such as a seating area, cash machines and photocopiers. The company will renovate 60 stores this year and then 100 a year for the next few years. Silcorp will boost capital spending in 1996 to $11.4 million, up from $9.1 million in 1995. Mac's orange and red colors are being changed to green, red and white. Silcorp is on a comeback after having to seek court protection from creditors in 1992. It restructured, closed 380 outlets and sold its 199 Baskin-Robbins ice cream stores to Apex Capital, a merchant bank with offices in Toronto and New York. Advertising for Silcorp is done by Prism Communications of Toronto.