Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
Standing on a firm foundation with an eye on the future, Orgill celebrated the grand opening of its 553,000-square-foot Innovation Center in Collierville, Tennessee. The facility, located next to Orgill’s headquarters, doubles the size of its previous center in Olive Branch, Mississippi, and expands its capabilities to serve independent home improvement retailers.
“The opening of this Innovation Center marks a new chapter for our company and underscores our commitment to fulfilling the mission of helping our customers be successful,” says Boyden Moore, president and CEO. “This is just one example of how we continue to invest in new ideas, technologies and advancements that can benefit our customers and our industry partners.”
The $66 million investment, with an additional $15 million for technology and outfitting, will provide retailers with year-round access to interactive showrooms, product testing labs and advanced retail technology. The space is designed to function as a living laboratory where retailers can explore store layouts, merchandising strategies and emerging technologies such as retail robots, electronic shelf labels and integrated point-of-sale systems.
“Orgill has a long and rich history in the industry, but an investment on this scale really shows that we are not content resting on our reputation,” Moore says. “We understand that the market is constantly changing and having access to this kind of a resource can help our customers better navigate those changes through experimentation, education and collaboration with our team and our partners.”
Key features of the Innovation Center include interactive showrooms that highlight the latest and most innovative products and merchandising trends, a retail technology hub with the latest in retail technologies, including retail robots, electronic shelf labels, point of sale systems from industry leaders and e-commerce integrations and a training and education center with space for workshops, seminars and tailored training.
The Concept Testing Lab will allow experimentation and testing of retail layouts, store design strategies and new technologies, while the meeting and event areas will accommodate customer events, vendor conferences and training sessions. The center also includes a recording studio for marketing and media production.
“We have a resource that is unique within the industry. Collaborating with our vendor partners and service providers, we have the ability to test new and innovative products, assortments and the latest in technology,” says Clay Jackson, executive vice president and COO. “It also allows for a variety of experiences with interactive areas that can showcase different categories or brands and the ability to host a variety of events. It’s just an amazing investment to help serve our customers and connect them with industry partners.”
Retailers visiting the center will have the opportunity to engage with Orgill specialists, test new merchandising strategies and gain insights into customer engagement tools and e-commerce solutions. The center will also host anchor events tied to Orgill’s seasonal buying programs, providing vendors with dedicated spaces to showcase products. Other benefits for retailers include optimized store operations strategies to boost sales and reduce costs, access to Orgill’s expertise and cutting-edge industry trends and tailored retail solutions to fit specific market needs.
“When collaborating with retailers on resets, introducing new assortments or designing completely new stores often makes it challenging to convey ideas clearly through just descriptions, photos, or drawings,” says Chris Freader, senior vice president, retail services. “With Orgill’s new Innovation Center, we can invite customers to experience this process firsthand. They’ll have the opportunity to see, explore, touch and try out ideas at the Innovation Center prior to introducing them into real-world practice. Orgill’s new Innovation Center is truly a one-of-a-kind resource in every way imaginable.”
Fast Facts About the Orgill Innovation Center
- Total Size: 553,000 square feet
- Structure Type: Build-to-suit warehouse-style with integrated showroom/event areas
- Loading bays: 20 dock positions
- Construction Budget: $80 million
