Ace Hardware Unveils Elevate Store Concept
Ace Hardware has unveiled its ELEVATE3 Ace experiential concept that will roll out to new and existing stores over the next five years.
Premiered at Ace’s fall convention in Chicago that celebrated the hardware cooperative’s 100th anniversary, company officials said the new store design marks a fundamental shift in the company’s store model to enhance the customer shopping experience while also driving store growth.
“Elevate Ace is not just a new store format; it's our vision to become famous for four things in the neighborhoods we serve; namely Paint, Power, Backyards & Barbeque, and Home Preservation,” said John Venhuizen, Ace Hardware president and CEO. “We believe in the power of local, and this initiative strengthens our community ties by creating experiential spaces that are not only places to shop but also places to connect. Our neighbors will benefit from locally relevant, premium products, expert advice, and immersive retail innovation. With Elevate Ace, we are setting a new industry standard as we aspire to truly be the best, most helpful store on the planet."
Key Features of the ELEVATE3 Ace Experiential Store Model:
- Premium Brand Showrooms: The ELEVATE3 Ace store model will elevate the best and most exclusive brands including Weber, Traeger, Big Green Egg, Craftsman, DeWalt, Milwaukee, Ego, and Stihl in a brand-immersive shopping environment that is unique to Ace.
- Enhanced Customer Service: The ELEVATE3 Ace store model enhances Ace’s customer service, ensuring that the new and evolving trends in consumer shopping patterns are addressed throughout.
- Inspiring and Stimulating Store Design: The ELEVATE3 Ace flagship store model will include an outdoor space with a live goods display and grilling space for demos and events that will provide an aspirational backyard experience.
- New Assortments and Features: Ace retailers will benefit from new product assortments and features designed to drive sales and enhance the overall consumer shopping experience.
“Over the next five years, Ace Hardware will invest over $1 billion in opening new stores and remodeling existing stores to better serve our neighbors,” added Venhuizen. “The ELEVATE3 Ace store model will be at the heart of this investment.”
Shoppers will experience ELEVATE3 Ace in limited locations beginning this year, with the full roll-out in new and existing stores launching in January 2025 and over the next five years.
