Nevada Bob's Canada Inc.
12/3/98 -
Launches Flagship Toronto Store In The Heart Of
NEVADA BOB'S CANADA INC ("NBC-T;NVBBF-L") -
Launches Flagship Toronto Store In The Heart Of - Canada's
Largest Golf Market
Nevada Bob's Canada unveiled an 8,000-sq.-ft. next generation golf
retail store in the heart of Toronto's business and financial
community.
The flagship store at the corner of Yonge Street and Richmond Street East is the first and largest in a
series of stores Nevada Bob's plans to open in the vicinity of Canada's largest city over the next 12 to
18 months. Nevada Bob's is Canada's largest specialty golf retailer with more than double its nearest
competitor's market share.
Housed in an historic building, the new flagship store offers golfers the largest and broadest selection
of golf equipment in Canada.
"Toronto is Canada's largest golf market and this store is a beachhead for our expansion throughout
Ontario," said Lyle Edwards, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nevada Bob's Canada Inc.
"We have created southern Ontario's most complete golf retail outlet," said Martin C. Bunting, Chief
Operating Officer of Nevada Bob's Canada. "The store has been completely redesigned, refixtured
and remerchandised to the company's concept store format.
"Major manufacturers, such as Callaway, Ping, Mizuno and Taylor Made, have been given expanded
space to create high-impact displays of their full lines of golf equipment, fashions and accessories,"
said Mr. Bunting. "They have worked with us to create exclusive displays and selections of their best
equipment for the flagship store.
"We've combined that with staff who are not only golf experts but experts in customer satisfaction.
That's what truly sets us apart from the competition," Mr. Bunting said.
He said the flagship store is an integral part of a multi-million dollar program to create the next
generation in golf retailing. "We have focused on setting the standard in customer service, offering
customers greatly expanded and departmentalized selections of golf equipment, and a broad range of
fashions and accessories, and in-store practice areas where they can try out clubs." All elements of
the store are colour coordinated and woven together in a warm, welcoming environment.
Mr. Edwards said the Richmond Street East store will be the centrepiece of Canada's most innovative
and comprehensive network of golf retail outlets. "It is a high impact, destination store specifically
designed and merchandised for every level of golfer.
"We have an extremely strong franchise system in Ontario with 19 outlets," Mr. Edwards said. "Our
focus has been on building brand equity to make our franchisees' businesses prosper and the
Richmond Street East store will be an integral part of a powerful campaign to brand Nevada Bob's as
the one source for everything golf."
The store will also be a base for Nevada Bob's "aggressive pursuit of the significant corporate golf
sales opportunity with the hundreds of companies headquartered in Toronto."
According to Mr. Bunting, golf is projected to be the fastest growing sports activity in Canada through
the year 2001.
"Nevada Bob's Canada is positioning itself to capitalize on that trend and the growing need of golfers
for quality equipment and expert advice at every price level.
"Canadian golfers spend nearly $3 billion a year on golf equipment and green fees and they are looking
for a company to be their complete source," Mr. Bunting said. "Nevada Bob's Canada will be that
company."
With Canada's approximately 5 million golfers playing more than 67 million rounds annually and almost
350,000 new golfers taking up the game every year, the growth prospects for this industry and for
Nevada Bob's are tremendous, Mr. Edwards said.
He said Nevada Bob's plans to open approximately 12 new outlets in Canada by the end of the second
quarter of 1999, the majority of which are targeted for the under-developed southern Ontario market.
"More than 34%, or 1.8 million, of the 4.8 million Canadians who play golf live in Ontario," Mr.
Edwards said. "This is a tremendous opportunity for Nevada Bob's," he said. "Our new Ontario stores
will increase our total selling square feet by 80%, position us to take advantage of Canada's premier
golf market, and build on our position as the largest specialty retailer of golf equipment, fashions and
accessories across the country."
Nevada Bob's Canada currently owns and operates a total of 39 Nevada Bob's specialty golf retail
locations - 34 in western Canada, 4 in the greater Seattle area of Washington State, and 1 in Toronto.
In addition, the company has announced plans to add two more stores in the Toronto core. Nevada
Bob's is also the Master Franchise holder to 19 franchises in eastern Canada. TEL: (403) 294-0600
Lyle P. Edwards, CA, President and CEO TEL: (403) 217-2342 Martin C. Bunting, Chief Operating
Officer |
