BOUCHERVILLE, QUEBEC, Dec 05 (MARKET WIRE) --
Robert Dutton, President and CEO of RONA inc. (TSX: RON), and dealer
co-owner Andre H. Gagnon today officially opened the new RONA store in
Brossard, which has relocated to the Quartier DIX30 lifestyle shopping
centre. The new 120,000-square-foot store is located at 9800 Leduc
Boulevard in Brossard. Construction and facilities at the new store
represent an investment of approximately $31 million for RONA and the
Gagnon family. All 150 jobs at the former RONA outlet on Taschereau
Boulevard have been transferred to the new location.
"Today's opening reflects the commitment and determination of RONA and
its dealer-owners to maintain the leading edge in the hardware and home
renovation retail sector," said RONA President and CEO Robert Dutton.
"Our growth plan is based on expanding our network as well as the ongoing
success of our existing stores. We are especially proud to be opening
this new store today in association with the Gagnon family, who have
played such an important role in RONA's success over the years."
"We're very pleased to join the other merchants at Quartier DIX30 and
contribute to the growth of this new South Shore retail magnet. The new
RONA Brossard location, next to major thoroughfares and residential
neighbourhoods, positions us very advantageously to serve the population
of Brossard and its surrounding areas and to continue growing our
activities," said dealer co-owner Andre H. Gagnon. "Consumers will
benefit from the up-close and personal service of our expert in-store
consultants, in addition to enjoying a vast selection of quality
products."
Everything a do-it-yourselfer, trade professional or contractor needs
RONA Brossard is designed to make everything simpler for
do-it-yourselfers, trade professionals and contractors by putting all the
products and materials they need to get their projects done right under
one roof. The store covers a total area of 120,000 square feet, including
retail space (90,000 square feet), indoor lumberyard with car service
(27,000 square feet) and greenhouse (3,000 square feet). Outside there's
also a 22,000-square-foot garden centre. The store's impressive product
selection includes some 33,000 different items, 90% of which come from
Canadian suppliers.
The new store's layout is based on RONA's latest big-box concept. It
makes finding products for a given project easier because items are
displayed and grouped in different departments, with wider aisles,
improved lighting and upgraded signage. Besides building and finishing
materials, there are special departments for doors and windows, kitchens
and bathrooms, floor coverings, tools, stoves and fireplaces, seasonal
products, paint, decoration, shelving...and much more.
Customers can also access a number of specialized services, including
delivery, installation, tool rentals, a cutting room, a dedicated counter
for contractors and professionals, and a brand new "Project Guide"
concept - a program offering the help of knowledgeable, specially-trained
staff who provide advice and personal follow-up to customers through the
different stages of specific renovation projects.
At the same time, the "RONA by Design" renovation and interior decoration
concept offers suggestions and solutions for dealing with projects like
bathroom and kitchen renovations, shelving and storage, home facade
makeovers and even holiday layouts.
RONA supports our athletes
At the opening ceremony, Robert Dutton and Andre H. Gagnon were joined by
local dignitaries, RONA executives, store employees and numerous
customers. Two of the athletes being sponsored by RONA as part of the
"Growing With Our Athletes" program also took part in the event: Martine
Dugrenier, silver medallist (67 kg category) at the 2005 World Wrestling
Championships in Budapest, Hungary, and gold medallist at the 2005
Commonwealth Wrestling Championships in Melbourne, Australia; and Nancy
Morin, gold medallist in the goalball events at the 2004 Summer
Paralympics in Athens, Greece and 2000 Paralympics in Sydney, Australia.
RONA has made a commitment to support Canadian athletes through its
"Growing With Our Athletes" program, which offers financial support to
100 top-level athletes in winter or summer sports, whether they're
already Olympians or headed in that direction. Every RONA store in Canada
is paired with one of these athletes to increase community support and
participation.
RONA Foundation makes a donation to the Quebec Breakfast Club
To mark the opening of the new RONA Brossard, the RONA Foundation made a
$5,000 donation to the Quebec Breakfast Club. The Quebec Breakfast Club's
mission is to provide kids in need with a nutritious breakfast before
they go to school to help improve their chances at academic success and
to help reduce the school dropout rate. The donation will be used
directly in Brossard where the club feeds more than 100 kids a day.
Founded in 1998, the RONA Foundation provides assistance for young people
between the ages of 12 and 30 by supporting local organizations and
projects that fight the school dropout problem and illiteracy, or that
offer training to help young people find work in a trade or profession.
The RONA Foundation seeks to help young people who are in trouble or come
from underprivileged backgrounds to believe in themselves and their
future - for their own benefit and for the good of their communities.
About RONA
RONA is the largest Canadian distributor and retailer of hardware, home
renovation and gardening products. RONA operates a network of more than
670 franchise, affiliate and corporate stores of various sizes and
formats. With over 26,000 employees working under its family of banners
in every region of Canada and more than 14 million square feet of retail
space, the RONA store network generates over $6 billion in annual retail
sales.
To learn more, please visit RONA online at rona.ca.
The official opening ceremony photo is available.
Contacts:
Media:
RONA inc.
Eva Boucher-Hartling
Director, External communications
514-599-5900,ext. 5114
eva.boucher-hartling@rona.ca
Sphere Communication
France Bouffard
514-286-2772, extension 10
Cell 514-718-4811
fbouffard@spherecom.qc.ca
Financial Community:
RONA inc.
Stephane Milot
Senior Director, Investor Relations
514-599-5951
stephane.milot@rona.ca
Copyright 2007, Market Wire, All rights reserved.
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