OfficeMax has revealed its plans to roll out new concept stores across the US, with the first
one due to open recently in Macedonia, Ohio, and ten more expected before year-end.
The prototype outlets are designed to improve the shopping experience, with new features that include boutique-like shopping areas that customers are directed to from a central hub at the stores’ entrances.
Chief merchandising officer at OfficeMax Ryan Vero said the company watched "hundreds of hours of video on how customers actually shopped our stores".
He told OPI: "The new store concept provides a more positive customer experience and is very efficient from an operational standpoint. At no high cost, the concept will result in customers visiting stores more often and shopping longer while they are there."
In separate news, OfficeMax posted its Q3 results, revealing a loss due to weak sales and lost revenue from the sale of its paper and forest products businesses. The retailer reported a net loss of $3.9 million, compared to a profit of $62.2 million a year earlier. Sales fell 37 per cent to $2.29 billion from $3.65 billion recorded in Q3 2004.
