KAMLOOPS, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Aug. 20, 2008) - RONA inc. (TSX: RON.TO), the largest Canadian distributor and retailer of hardware, renovation and gardening products, opened its new RONA store in Kamloops today. The new outlet, located at 1555 Versatile Drive in the heart of Kamloops' retail shopping district, represents a $15 million investment and the creation of 60 local jobs. The new RONA store offers the latest concept in RONA proximity stores specializing in home construction and renovation.
The 52,000-square-foot RONA Kamloops store features a 6,000-square-foot garden centre and offers an outstanding selection of more than 22,000 finishing and specialized products available through boutiques such as paint, lighting, kitchen and bathroom, and doors and windows. Departments such as tools, hardware, plumbing, electrical, flooring and seasonal as well as a 7,500-square-foot indoor lumberyard and a 20,000-square-foot outdoor lumberyard complete the offer. The existing RONA Kamloops Home Centre located on Mount Paul Way will continue its operations and will shortly undergo important renovations and upgrades. Both stores will be working in collaboration to serve customers from all parts of Kamloops and the area, sharing services such as delivery. The Mount Paul Way store will be oriented towards the professional and contractor clientele with a larger selection of building materials. "RONA is dedicated to creating value for each market in which we operate. We have been in Kamloops for a number of years now and we're happy to provide customers from the area with a brand new store on the other side of town so they can find everything they need for their renovation or construction projects wherever they are located," says Robert Dutton, President and CEO of RONA. "We are proud to be expanding the RONA experience in Kamloops. We have managed to create a unique environment for the community by offering a customer-friendly atmosphere with a wide variety of the latest products, usually found in large urban centres," says Claude Bernier, Executive Vice President, Proximity and Specialized Stores for RONA. "Customers who have been visiting us at the Mount Paul Way location will find the same customized service they've grown accustomed to while benefiting from a larger product selection." The new RONA store features services such as lumber and key cutting, a contractors and professionals desk, kids work shop, delivery, installation and financing services and RONA's Project Guide service, a recently-introduced concept offering the help of knowledgeable, specially-trained staff who guide customers through the different stages of specific renovation projects, available from the store's Project Desk. "We are excited to show off the new RONA store to our customers," says Nick Esser, Manager of the new RONA Kamloops store, long-time Kamloops resident and previous employee of the Mount Paul Way store. "Our employees are friendly, hardworking, and knowledgeable. We look forward to continuing to provide the excellent service for which we've become known at our first store. With the outstanding selection of products and new location on the other side of town, we'll be able to service Kamloops customers better, personalize the shopping experience with one-on-one help, and provide "how-to" information to make home renovations easier," he added. Opening ceremony Mr. Esser was joined at today's grand opening by Kamloops Deputy Mayor Joe Leong, MLA Claude Richmond, members of the RONA senior management team, new store employees and many valued customers. Drew Neilson, Snowboard Gold Medalist at the 2007 World Cup in Furano, Japan, and member of RONA's "Growing with our Athletes" program, as well as Nancy Greene, Kamloops resident, former Olympic Medalist and top female athlete of the 20th century were also on hand for the celebration. The 100 athletes supported by RONA's "Growing with our Athletes" program were selected by the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee in cooperation with their member sports federations. These athletes are either competing at the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing or embody Canada's hopes for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. RONA is a national partner of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver and a national partner of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic teams until 2012. During the opening ceremony, the RONA Foundation presented a $2,500 donation to the Aboriginal Agricultural Education Society of British Columbia. The program provides underprivileged youth with the tools to access employment and educational opportunities. It includes literacy and grammar training, healthy living, introduction to agriculture and related trades, as well as horticulture. This gesture marks the arrival of the new store in Kamloops and the RONA Foundation's efforts to help build better communities. The RONA Foundation's mission is to give assistance to young people between the ages of 12 to 30 by working to lower school dropout and illiteracy rates, and by helping to provide them with the training they need to take up a trade or other occupation. About RONA RONA inc. is the largest Canadian distributor and retailer of hardware, home renovation and gardening products. RONA operates a network of close to 700 corporate, franchise and affiliate stores of various sizes and formats. With over 27,000 employees working under its family of banners in every region of Canada and more than 15 million square feet of retail space, the RONA store network generates over $6.3 billion in annual retail sales. For more, please visit www.rona.ca. ContactsQUAY Strategies Inc.Media
Fareedah Rasoul Kim
604-687-2824 x224 or 604-781-4839 (Cell)
fareedahrk@quaystrat.com
Eva Boucher-Hartling
RONA inc.
Director, External Relations
514-599-5900 x5114
eva.boucher-hartling@rona.ca
RONA inc.
Financial Community
Stephane Milot
Senior Director, Investor Relations
514-599-5951
stephane.milot@rona.ca
