Pair of stores go through rebranding

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/08/2016 (3522 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s always exciting when businesses have the opportunity to rebrand themselves.

The local Giant Tiger store has done just that in the last few months and store manager Curtis Keber said the changes are exciting for both their employees and their customers.

After 11 years in business in Brandon, it was time for a facelift for the all-Canadian family discount store. Keber said they started renovations back in June and are now putting the finishing touches on the interior and exterior upgrades.

On the inside, you’ll find a new colour palette as well as a reorganization and re-merchandising throughout the store.

“We have a lot more wall displays, so it opens up the store and gives more customer space, it appears bigger even though we haven’t expanded. We’ve always been a bit crowded, because we just have 14,000-square-foot space. It’s quite a big change — it appears like there’s more space, it’s cleaner and a lot more open,” Keber said.

In addition, the corporate logo has been revised so new signage, along with a new paint job, rounded out the exterior renovations.

Giant Tiger, at 2626 Victoria Ave., carries a mix of goods including fashion for the entire family, groceries, housewares, toys and seasonal items.

Keber said they are introducing new brands of fashion for women, have some great clothing lines for kids and have expanded the menswear. In addition, the grocery department has also grown.

“We are now carrying fresh meat including beef, pork and chicken. Plus, we expanded the produce department and replaced all the refrigeration in the store. We really encourage everyone to come check out the new store experience,” Keber said.

Giant Tiger’s grand reopening takes place today from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. There will be bouncy houses, a free barbecue with the Brandon University Bobcats men’s volleyball team, special promotions and the Giant Tiger mascot will be there as well.

Giant Tiger was founded in 1961; they have more than 200 stores in eight provinces. Visit the local store or gianttiger.com for more information.

New look

I definitely have a bit of a theme for this week’s column. Across the city at the Corral Centre, the Ashley Furniture Homestore recently went through a rebrand as well.

Suzanne Rowley, the store manager for the Brandon location, said they are now called Ashley Homestore, and there’s a new look and feel to the newly revised logo.

“We call it our grown-up look. We’ve rebranded our image and have moved to a more refined, urban look and moved away from the really colourful ’90s logo,” Rowley said.

So far, the biggest change in terms of the rebrand is the new signage, as they still carry the same great selection of furniture (for every room in the home), mattresses, home decor, plus rugs, lighting and bedding.

Rowley said consumers were a bit confused and concerned that the store was closing when the signs were down for a week or so.

She assured me, however, that is certainly not the case and it’s business as usual. She did indicate as well though, that customers may see a few more changes in the future as they are also considering interior renovations for next spring. Exciting news, indeed!

Ashley Homestore opened in Brandon in 2007; visit them at 925 18th St. North or at ashleyfurniturehomestore.com.