Elder-Beerman continues rollout

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 11/20/2000 12:00:00 AM

DAYTON, OH -The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. announced the grand opening of its newest department store in Jasper, IN.

The 55,000-square-foot store opened its doors on Nov. 17. It is the third new concept store that the retailer has opened this fall, and the fifth total. The company, based here, plans to open a sixth concept store in spring 2001 in Wisconsin.

"Retail is entering a new phase," said Frederick Mershad, chairman and ceo. "And we believe our three-part strategic plan is allowing us to evolve from a traditional department store to a new kind of store. Our goal is to keep the best traits of a fashion department store and offer a competitive balance of price, selection, convenience and service-in short, to offer the best value we can to our customers."

Home furnishings, apparel, cosmetics and fragrances will all be offered at the new location, which boasts centralized customer service centers, self-select cosmetics, a bridal registry kiosk and The Zone, a combined juniors' and young mens' specialty store.

"The growth of our concept stores is very important to our three-part strategic plan," Mershad continued. "Concept store growth, along with our emphasis on value in our merchandising strategy and the increased efficiencies of our organizational structure, allows us to develop our own niche in a crowded retail landscape."

Elder-Beerman currently operates 63 department stores and two furniture superstores in eight states.