The construction works of the 24. OBI store, opening the 18 March, started last November in Keszthely, as part of the Alphapark shopping center at Tapolcai út. The store has a total of 4.000 m2 internal sales area and a 1.800 m2 garden section, and, together with additional service functions of 1.200 m2, make it into a state-of-the-art DIY store. OBI Hungary, a clear market leader on the Hungarian home improvement market, has high hopes related to this new outlet.
"We ourselves were also very excited about the opening" – commented Christoph Wackerbauer, managing director of OBI Hungary Retail Kft. "This will be the first time to show the customers our redesigned merchandising concept. As a result of this we are able to offer an even wider choice and a better overview for our customers. This will definitely underline our strength in the wide product range, worthy to the market leader of the home improvement market in Hungary. Product arrangement and merchandising all underline that OBI is the primary partner to the customers in their home improvement activities. Clearly, success of our new concept will possibly help us realise this in other new stores as well. Our research tells us that many locals are waiting for the arrival of OBI, as they know well its selection, customer focused service and competitive prices from our stores in Veszprém, Nagykanizsa, Siófok or Budapest. In this town, too we intend to become the number one choice of all needs related to home improvement." – said Christoph Wackerbauer.
OBI products traditionally cover 4 areas: living, tools, construction and garden. In the new OBI store everyone will find their likings, be it hobby visitors or professionals, builders, renovators or weekend garden carers. The new store will have permanent displays showing, among others, DIY machines, garden tools and bathroom equipment, as well as boast of a number of customer friendly services, such as bank card payment facility, home delivery, cutting to size, paint mixing and curtain sewing.
"We are confident that our trade, pricing and communication tools that have granted our market leader position, will prove successful here, too. We also believe that we will be able to gain a large number of new, loyal customers. Many residents of Keszthely and the surrounding region plan the improvement of their homes, refurbishing of their flats or the renewal of their gardens. As spring is here, the relaunch of the weekend houses and plots is more actual than ever. Regardless of the budget they have, in our store they are assisted by a wide choice, low prices and an attractive, costumer focused environment. While those, who need advice, can consult any of our 70 strong team or the professionals recommended by them." – said Keszthely store manager, Gábor Kádár.
OBI opened its first store in Hungary in 1994. With the largest number of stores, 6 in Budapest and 18 in the countryside, offering a total of 173.000 m2 sales space and 1800 employees. Last year the chain welcomed 16 million visitors, out of which 8,3 million become customers. Of the DIY market players, OBI received first the Superbrands award in 2004, to be repeated in 2008. This has once again reinforced OBI’s position among the best known and appreciated brands.
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