Smaller Rona store means end of Totem

Barry N · 09-08-2012, 07:38 AM

EDMONTON - Rona Inc. unveiled its first “proximity store” Wednesday in Edmonton — the first of its new shrinking outlets intended to lure back shoppers and revive lacklustre financial results.
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/busin...807/story.html

sundance · 09-08-2012, 07:51 AM

"The era of the big box is over"

Even though Lowe's is building some big box stores in Edmonton they feel somewhat the same way as Rona does ...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...rticle4469089/

Bill · 09-08-2012, 08:33 AM

i would love to see Rona build a smaller store in downtown, somewhere near the intersection of 109 Street and 104 Ave, across from Future Shop.

Edmcowboy11 · 09-08-2012, 09:43 AM

I would like to see a smaller Rona or any hardware store building right in the warehouse district or a bit further closer to the core in the podium of a bigger building.

IanO · 09-08-2012, 09:44 AM

'at 18445 Stony Plain Road is the first of 15 proximity stores to open by 2014. They are considerably smaller than Rona’s big-box stores so they are easier to navigate and are to be located closer to major urban centres.'

Does not compute.

Edmcowboy11 · 09-08-2012, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanO

'at 18445 Stony Plain Road is the first of 15 proximity stores to open by 2014. They are considerably smaller than Rona’s big-box stores so they are easier to navigate and are to be located closer to major urban centres.'

Does not compute.

It's one of the outer major urban centres they are talking about.

Alex.L · 09-08-2012, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanO

'at 18445 Stony Plain Road is the first of 15 proximity stores to open by 2014. They are considerably smaller than Rona’s big-box stores so they are easier to navigate and are to be located closer to major urban centres.'

Does not compute.

I knew you would be the one to notice that.

IanO · 09-08-2012, 09:58 AM

edmonton daily photo · 09-08-2012, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanO

'at 18445 Stony Plain Road is the first of 15 proximity stores to open by 2014. They are considerably smaller than Rona’s big-box stores so they are easier to navigate and are to be located closer to major urban centres.'

Does not compute.

I know I saw that quote too.. I laughed...

What a bunch of "we are urban and hip" BS

Alex.L · 09-08-2012, 10:39 AM

I had a chuckle at it too. Oh well, they're moving in the right direction.

GreenSPACE · 09-08-2012, 12:40 PM

I call bs on this story. I like Rona and all, but 'urban'? 'like Totem'? Are they going to start giving me free popcorn?!

KC · 09-08-2012, 12:49 PM

When you're being out-competed by a big american chain, you buy up the smaller competition and if that fails, you move mid-market to survive.

Home Hardware is really turning up the heat too. Both Home Depot and Rona reduced their stock selection a number of years ago (with Rona going with tons of in-house branded items) and Home Hardware seems to have jumped at that opportunity.

Anyone been into the HH at 149st and 112 Ave? They were going to have a "Man Cave" I believe.

howie · 09-08-2012, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenSPACE

I call bs on this story. I like Rona and all, but 'urban'? 'like Totem'? Are they going to start giving me free popcorn?!

As quoted in the Journal article:
"Staff at the new store also handed out bags of fresh popcorn, a longtime Totem tradition."

RiverWalker · 11-08-2012, 02:05 PM

We need one of these format stores downtown...105 Ave and 107 Street would be great.

jmart81 · 13-08-2012, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howie

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenSPACE

I call bs on this story. I like Rona and all, but 'urban'? 'like Totem'? Are they going to start giving me free popcorn?!

As quoted in the Journal article:
"Staff at the new store also handed out bags of fresh popcorn, a longtime Totem tradition."

When I was at a Saskatoon Rona last spring they had popcorn...may have been just an in-store thing there.

Rona or some other company should really open a smaller store like this downtown. It's pretty annoying living in the downtown area and having to drive outside the core to get basic hardware items.

halocore · 22-08-2012, 02:44 AM

I think this is a really great idea, even if it's just Totem in drag. I never thought that Rona did an exceptionally good job at competing against Home Depot (and now Lowes) in the big box arena, but I have always been a big Totem fan.

One hitch to putting these near downtown is (if I'm not mistaken) they still have a sizable lumber / parts yard in addition to the retail store.

JJMorrocco · 22-08-2012, 08:13 AM

The Totem model works great - if you have competent staff, which most of the big box stores do not.

Two things I hope they keep up in the new 'Rona' from the old Totem -all stores have similar layout and the cleanliness keeps up - I believe its the southside totem where you can see your reflection in the floors. Imgine if HD served popcorn - that place would be overrun with mice in a week!

Legacy · 02-01-2013, 09:24 PM

If you're looking to do major reno work, buy your materials soon (before Jan 23).

Box of 6 6" ceiling pot lights have gone up a wopping $24, from $65 to $89.

Jan 23 is when the complete switch over happens, and from talking to staff at my Totem store, they're none too happy about it.

I don't like the change, it's almost like the "Hey guys, there's a shop people genuinely like in this area of retail." and the big wigs go "Ooh, let's kill it and make it one of our own!"

A pity.. Totem is going the way of Beaver Lumber and Revelstoke.

09-08-2012, 07:38 AM	#1
Barry N Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2006 Location: Where the sun keeps shining thru the pouring rain.	Smaller Rona store means end of Totem EDMONTON - Rona Inc. unveiled its first “proximity store” Wednesday in Edmonton — the first of its new shrinking outlets intended to lure back shoppers and revive lacklustre financial results. http://www.edmontonjournal.com/busin...807/story.html __________________ "Show me a man with both feet on the ground, and I'll show you a man that can't get his pants on!"

09-08-2012, 08:33 AM	#3
Bill Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Edmonton	i would love to see Rona build a smaller store in downtown, somewhere near the intersection of 109 Street and 104 Ave, across from Future Shop. __________________ How many times have I said to myself, "I feel like a yo-yo"

09-08-2012, 09:43 AM	#4
Edmcowboy11 Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Edmonton, Alberta	I would like to see a smaller Rona or any hardware store building right in the warehouse district or a bit further closer to the core in the podium of a bigger building. __________________ LRT is our future, time to push forward.

09-08-2012, 09:44 AM	#5
IanO Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton	'at 18445 Stony Plain Road is the first of 15 proximity stores to open by 2014. They are considerably smaller than Rona’s big-box stores so they are easier to navigate and are to be located closer to major urban centres.' Does not compute. __________________ inspiration or mediocrity www.decl.org Ottawa-Edmonton-Vancouver-Edmonton

09-08-2012, 09:58 AM	#8
IanO Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton	^ __________________ inspiration or mediocrity www.decl.org Ottawa-Edmonton-Vancouver-Edmonton

09-08-2012, 07:51 AM	#2
sundance Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: City of Champions	"The era of the big box is over" Even though Lowe's is building some big box stores in Edmonton they feel somewhat the same way as Rona does ... http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...rticle4469089/

09-08-2012, 10:39 AM	#10
Alex.L Addicted to C2E Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Edmonton	I had a chuckle at it too. Oh well, they're moving in the right direction. __________________ Y.E.S.S. Fundraiser - http://tinyurl.com/yessdonate Maker of Something Edmonton - http://tinyurl.com/YEGFRAME

09-08-2012, 12:40 PM	#11
GreenSPACE Addicted to C2E Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Downtown	I call bs on this story. I like Rona and all, but 'urban'? 'like Totem'? Are they going to start giving me free popcorn?! __________________ www.decl.org

09-08-2012, 12:49 PM	#12
KC Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006	When you're being out-competed by a big american chain, you buy up the smaller competition and if that fails, you move mid-market to survive. Home Hardware is really turning up the heat too. Both Home Depot and Rona reduced their stock selection a number of years ago (with Rona going with tons of in-house branded items) and Home Hardware seems to have jumped at that opportunity. Anyone been into the HH at 149st and 112 Ave? They were going to have a "Man Cave" I believe.

11-08-2012, 02:05 PM	#14
RiverWalker First One is Always Free Join Date: Jul 2012	We need one of these format stores downtown...105 Ave and 107 Street would be great.

22-08-2012, 02:44 AM	#16
halocore Partially Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Edmonton	I think this is a really great idea, even if it's just Totem in drag. I never thought that Rona did an exceptionally good job at competing against Home Depot (and now Lowes) in the big box arena, but I have always been a big Totem fan. One hitch to putting these near downtown is (if I'm not mistaken) they still have a sizable lumber / parts yard in addition to the retail store.

22-08-2012, 08:13 AM	#17
JJMorrocco Addicted to C2E Join Date: Apr 2008	The Totem model works great - if you have competent staff, which most of the big box stores do not. Two things I hope they keep up in the new 'Rona' from the old Totem -all stores have similar layout and the cleanliness keeps up - I believe its the southside totem where you can see your reflection in the floors. Imgine if HD served popcorn - that place would be overrun with mice in a week!

02-01-2013, 09:24 PM	#18
Legacy Addicted to C2E Join Date: Apr 2009	If you're looking to do major reno work, buy your materials soon (before Jan 23). Box of 6 6" ceiling pot lights have gone up a wopping $24, from $65 to $89. Jan 23 is when the complete switch over happens, and from talking to staff at my Totem store, they're none too happy about it. I don't like the change, it's almost like the "Hey guys, there's a shop people genuinely like in this area of retail." and the big wigs go "Ooh, let's kill it and make it one of our own!" A pity.. Totem is going the way of Beaver Lumber and Revelstoke.