Heilig-Meyers Launches New Store Concept in Las Vegas

Furniture World Magazine

The four Las Vegas Heilig-Meyers Furniture Stores are looking different from their 810 counterparts around the country. That's because they are part of a multi-million dollar program introducing a new look and new merchandise ready to launch Friday, March 10, 2000. Almost half of the upholstered furniture will be brand new items never offered before by Heilig Meyers "said Curtis Kimbrell, Executive Vice President of Merchandising. "Plus we are introducing the new Easy Room packages that match the needs of today's busy customer - one decision change the look of a whole room at once." The new format allows the store to concentrate on its core business of furniture and home accessories. The newly renovated stores will feature a more open layout for case of shopping that includes more space for "trying out" the furniture. The enhanced lighting will create a truer color palette for matching furniture to customers floor and window treatments. In addition to furniture and home accessories, the stores will show electronics including home theater displays, with big screen televisions and special order computers. "As the nation's largest furniture company with nearly 18,000 employees in 29 states and Puerto Rico, change has been necessary in its 87-year history. We will be watching the results and reactions of our Las Vegas customers, to the changes we have made," said Donald S. Shaffer, President and Chief Operating Officer. "Their buying decisions will help us decide what elements we will use to toll out the new format across the country." The changes were celebrated with a store re-grand opening complete with instore specials, a celebrity appearance and a contest to win a $3,000 Room of Dreams package. Also changing are the credit products Heilig-Meyers traditionally has offered. The Las Vegas store will feature the new Heilig-Meyers revolving credit product and the Heilig-Meyers credit card issued through Conesco Financial Corp, The Heilig-Meyers installment credit product is also available to the customer. Heilig-Meyers is the Nation's largest retailer of furniture, bedding and related items. As of January 2 1, 2000, the Company operated 904 stores: 814 as Heilig-Meyers, 54, as the RoomStore, 3 as Homemaker.-, and 33 in Puerto Rico as Berrios. Visit the Company's retail web site at http://www.heiligmeyers.com and http:// www.roomstore.com.