Quake shakes up Bay Area retailing; area discounters clean up, pitch in with donations - San Francisco Bay Area earthquake

Discount Store News, Nov 13, 1989

Quake Shakes Up Bay Area Retailing

SAN FRANCISCO - In addition to attending to their own cleanup efforts, many discounters with stores in the Bay Area are also rallying to help the region recover from last month's devastating earthquake by donating both funds and needed supplies.

K mart - which operates about 20 discount stores in the Bay Area, along with some 65 Pay Less drug stores and 65 Waldenbooks units - contributed $100,000 to the American Red Cross' relief fund. The donation follows the $70,000 K mart contributed to the Red Cross' Hurricane Hugo relief effort.

Company spokeswoman Leslie Kota said K mart's stores suffered only minor damage, and most stores were open almost immediately after the earthquake.

Target Stores, along with its sister division Mervyn's and parent company Dayton Hudson, also made a $100,000 donation to the Red Cross. Additionally, Target employees started a relief fund for fellow workers in the Bay Area. Target is matching every dollar donated to the fund.

Bay area Target stores suffered only superficial damage from the quake. While some stores were forced to close for several days - due to power outages - all locations were operational a week after the quake struck. Company spokesman George Hite said while distribution was adversely affected right after the quake, because of some road closures, the problems have been cleared and sales in the area have been strong.

Ross Stores, the off-pricer with both its headquarters and some 27 stores in the Bay Area, also donated money to the Red Cross. In addition to a $25,000 contribution, Ross is offering a 20 percent discount to people who qualify for Red Cross disaster relief.

Ross said the earthquake damaged inventory at its stores, but there was no structural damage and all stores are currently operational.

Although it does not operate any warehouses in the Bay Area, PACE Membership Warehouse and Coors Brewing Co. have combined to bring food, water and clothing to earthquake victims.