BY APRIL ANTONIAZZI
It’s business as usual for Rob McIntosh employees and customers
less than a month after their move from the first floor of the New
Sudbury Centre to the second floor of Sears.
The china and crystal shop opened in its new location April 1,
but the company has had a partnership with Sears for about three
years. About a dozen Sears in Canada have Rob McIntosh shops as
tenants.
At first, manager Helene Giroux Levesque was unsure about how
the
move would go because the new area is smaller than their previous
location.
Some merchandise is no longer available in the store but can be
ordered either on-line or through the store’s catalogue.
The new location does have advantages though.
“It’s a much more open space then what we would have in the mall
itself, so the merchandising is much more open and inviting,” said
Peter McIntosh, vicepresident of marketing for Rob McIntosh.
Despite the partnership and the shared bridal registry, the
stores remain
separate entities.
The catalyst behind the move was Rob McIntosh’s lease in the
mall ending.
“We approached them (Sears), they were interested and we were
able to move in,” said McIntosh.
Levesque is happy with the way things turned out and the way the
stores
complement each other, particularly when it comes to bridal
registries.
“They (Sears) sell the pots and pans and we have the crystal,
the china, the flatware, the gift crystal and all that, so it works
well,” she said.
Both stores cite advantages to the ongoing partnership.
Rob McIntosh’s customer base has broadened to include Sears
shoppers, and Sears is now able to provide new services to their
customers.
“Whenever (customers) go to the Rob McIntosh section in our
store, they will get expert service and the information that they
need,” said Sheena Wrigglesworth, business development for
Sears.
So far, the customer response to the move has been positive. Regular Rob McIntosh customers have found their way to the second floor and new ones are noticing the store every day.
