RED DEER, Alta. — While Peavey Mart customers in Yorkton and Assiniboia will see a lot of similarities in the stores, there will still be some differences.
The resurrected company, which has new ownership, confirmed on Jan. 7 that the communities would have the first two stores in Saskatchewan to reopen as part of the company’s relaunch. Both stores are expected to start serving customers in early March.
Meagan Parisian, the leader of marketing and e-commerce for Peavey Mart, said Assiniboia and Yorkton were selected because of their ability to be hub locations, along with their previous performance in the community, community engagement and logistics.
“How quickly and efficiently can we get products to stores?” said Parisian.
Both Yorkton and Assiniboia’s new Peavey Marts will be in the old locations. The Assiniboia building is undergoing a facelift that is expected to be finished in early February.
“What’s great about both of these stores is the internal layout is going to be a little bit different. It’s going to have some wider aisles, so it’ll be a lot easier for folks to shop more comfortably to find the products that they’re looking for,” she said.
A store manager for the Assiniboia location has been hired, and job postings are up for positions in both communities.
The assortment of products is reduced but more focused, she said.
“We have a plethora of returning suppliers who are really excited to get their products back in front of customers through Peavey Mart, and we are incredibly thankful for our relationships with those vendors, and to be able to continue to offer products,” said Parisian.
She added Peavey Mart has had a greater shift to Canadian merchandise.
Peavey Mart reopened four stores in Alberta in December, and another in Red Deer will resume in April. Parisian said business has been good at the Alberta sites.
“We are a bit blown away at the support, and incredibly thankful to our loyal customers who have come back to support us, appreciating and understanding that we don’t have the full assortment in the stores just yet,” said Parisian.
The four stores have a focus on farm and acreage needs, like feed and animal husbandry products, so when working to bring vendors back on board, Parisian said Peavey Mart really focused on those core items that customers really need. Customers have been happy to talk with staff in stores about the products Peavey Mart does have and those it will offer soon.
A decision has not been made on the other Saskatchewan stores that were closed last year, she said. The ownership group will look at the performance of the first seven stores to reopen. The initial plan was to have up to 12 stores, strategically placed on the Prairies. A timeline has not been made on when a decision could be made.
“We want to make sure we are offering a top-tier customer experience at the stores that we have, and supporting those stores in a way that our customers really feel the core value that Peavey Mart offers, which is ensuring the reliable, relevant and unique products that Prairie customers know and love, and come to us for.”
