Gary's grows in eastern Pa

Drug Store News, Sept 6, 1993 by Barbara White

EAGLEVILLE, Pa. -- Powerhouse discount chain I got it at Gary's opened its fifth store in Abington, Pa. earlier this month. Another new unit and a relocation are due in 1994 for the $43-million chain, with a total of 10 stores slated by 1995.

The Abington store, projected to generate $18 million in sales in its first year, created plenty of excitement during its grand opening. By 8:30 a.m. on opening day, over 400 people were lined up at the store's doors and there was a 20-minute wait for a parking place.

The new store combines I got it at Gary's' regional low-price appeal with a new design and merchandise format whose aim is to excite and stimulate shoppers. The 26,500-square-foot store combines a number of experimental ideas and expanded departments with a unique shopping environment, full of neon signs and interesting-design elements.

Among the test departments is a customer service kiosk at the front of the store for one-hour photo, key-making, gift-wrapping and other services.

Cosmetics has been moved to the center of the store. The layout, which uses some of the best new manufacturer fixturing, combines self-serve fixtures with the availability of a cosmetician from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.

Bold signage

New signage flags cosmetics lines. Adjacent to cosmetics are expanded bath and skin care departments. Bold signage draws attention to important HBA segments and emerging categories like healthy snacks.

The refrigeration and soft drink wall is given high impact through the use of a bright purple awning.

Neon signing and a comfortable waiting area also highlight the pharmacy.

"We didn't want to use a 45-degree angle setup or a race track layout," said president Gary Wolf. "We used straight aisles so customers wouldn't get lost. It makes it easier...to shop."

The added space--the prototype is 25,000 square feet --also allowed Gary's to expand its already broad mix.

"It's labor-intensive to maintain and monitor the kind of selections we offer," said Wolf. "We've added 15,000 SKUs in the last year-and-a-half; that's what makes the store exciting."

Selection, combined with ambiance, service and an aggressive advertising and marketing campaign keep Gary's on top of its market.

"We are discounters, but we are much more,"said Wolf. "I think the chain is an evolving hybrid of what drug stores can be."