Fleet Farm changes good or bad?

The one in hudson is going through drastic and dramatic changes. I don’t know if I like it yet. Been a couple of weeks since I have been there so I don’t know how far along they are. Use to be a couple of weeks away from the ounce to be known as the “Man Store” was a long time for me. Something about having dishsoap and toiletries so close to the Rapula isle is just odd in my book. I guess having panic paper close by is a good thing when stocking supplies for a weekend outing on the river.

What kind of changes are you seeing? The Lakeville location has not changed, at least not since last weekend. Product movement? Product line changes? Painting the wall pink? Turning the furniture department into a daycare? I wouldn’t mind the last change…

All of the above except for pink walls and daycare.
Its like going into a Walmart that emphasizes on sports and automotive.
Where the tools were is now cookware, toiletries and cleaning supplies. I think they stuck the tools in the back corner they were still aranging things when I was there last.

Haven’t noticed any changes at the Carver store, but it has been about a week since I last visited. I better check tonight…

Hadn’t noticed any changes at the Brooklyn Park store.

The Hudson store has gone through many changes over the years fom a small wherehouse to a bigger store built next door. I guess their trying to make this store more inline with the newer stores.
It is going to take a while to adjust and adjust I will. Lots of cherished memories that go way back many decades 4 at least.

That’s it, I am going to Gander…. no S.P. there

must just be them there Wisconsin locations. they are just marketing to their cliental – more toiletries to take away the cheesy smell.

Haven’t been there in a couple weeks, but I was lost the last time I was there. Hope it’s done soon. I got some shopping to do

Francis K wrote:

Hadn’t noticed any changes at the Brooklyn Park store.

Well, they redid the customer service counter. And their card readers now accept chip cards. Other than that, same old, same old.

I actually don’t mind that includes things such as toilet paper and dishsoap. If I’m out and about running errands while my wife is at home (or sometimes even with), it gives me a reason to not go to Target or somewhere to get that stuff. And it’s actually priced pretty good.

Don’t get me wrong, they always offered that stuff, now more of it. They now offer nicotine products and there was talk of a liquor store and a refrigeration ilse. No judgment meant just a desription of the changes.
I suppose being that the hudson location dos not have a gast mart its only logical put those goods in the store. Lot of product being missed out on before this.

404 ERROR wrote:

What kind of changes are you seeing? The Lakeville location has not changed, at least not since last weekend. Product movement? Product line changes? Painting the wall pink? Turning the furniture department into a daycare? I wouldn’t mind the last change…

Lakeville went through a complete overhaul about a month or two ago. I actually like it much better and the selection seems to have gotten better as well.

Where else can you get a 10lb bag of candy, a new toaster, some fishing tackle and horse feed in one stop? Bring on the variety, I love it. I absolutely hate having to bounce from store-to-store when running errands. Let’s just hope they don’t start offering skinny jeans so it doesn’t turn into a Walmart…

munchy wrote:

Lakeville went through a complete overhaul about a month or two ago.

I must be completely blind. I saw ammo prices and blacked out…

I think they are adding more in the line of groceries and housewares.

Duplicate

Last time I was at the Blaine store they were in the middle of a minor renovation/layout refresh. Mostly seemed to be adding coolers and a much larger food section and re configuring/locating shelving.

In Blaine they added coolers about 200 gas grills to the front of the store, swapped the candy/nuts to the grocery area.
The fishing area was a mess, than again it’s never been that organized. Did find the three colors of Moxies I was looking for!

The only thing I have noticed is the amount of workers at the one in Cambridge seems to be down compared to a year ago.

Here in Rochester we have a marketing genius. The seasonal candy aisle is right next to the plus size ladies wear. A few steps further and around an end cap and we have motor oil to help them slide into their new duds. Fishing is immediately to the right of the main entry where it should be. There is some rain gear and seasonal clothing at the end of the fishing department that makes the boundary for the hunting/shooting section. The only issue I have with Fleet Farm is putting out this damned X-mas crap just before Halloween. If they need to put all the junk out that early, put it out in the garden center….more impulse buyers at 30 degrees than at 68.

Alexandria is/was going through the changes. I think I like it but to early to tell.
DT

deertracker wrote:

Alexandria is/was going through the changes. I think I like it but to early to tell.
DT

So has there been an official announcement that fleet farm is going through store inventory/operational changes or are you all just mentioning things you’ve noticed?

They also have a new website. Haven’t used it much yet but the one time I looked something up it felt nice.

In Lakeville it feels as if the fishing dept is considerably larger, they moved hardware and tools to the back of the store and their seasonal area is bigger and better organized. They also probably doubled the size of groceries.

Major reorganization of the stores layout. Nothing with the building has changed, only the shelving.
DT

Just got back from Fleet Farm and what an incredible change. I more than like what I saw.

Sorry Fleet Farm for that walmart comment. Still the ” The Man Store” with more inclusiveness.

Moving the auto department to the same side as the sports is genius. Although being in the back corner still genius. Like the fishing department and camping and hunting it feels like each department has been quertened off into their own space, its like that through the whole store.
I like the addition of the grocery department along with the pharmacy type section next to that.

To answer my own ? A huge
Fleet Farm has transcended this store which I thought was great to another level.

OOOH!
I forgot about the section just across from the fishing section as you turn left as one enters the building on the left side. The grill, butcher and what you need section. Pure genius!
Sorry about the excitement but its better than being distracted by shiny objects.

I also noticed the addition of intrerstate batteries and optimas to their line up.

Blaine Fleet Farm added a good sized grocery section where all the workwear used to be, as well as a store reset in the middle of the store. Do we really need a 4th grocery retailer in a 4 block stretch?
My biggest problem with the Blaine store is their stock, particularly on sale items, is always low. Plus it always seems like one out of four pegs are empty in the fishing and hunting sections.

deertracker wrote:

Alexandria is/was going through the changes. I think I like it but to early to tell.
DT

I was in there in early January and was told that they were increasing the sporting goods area. Will be the largest sporting area of all FFs. Floor manager said 20% larger than Brainerds.

These changes must be the first changes the new owners are making. It makes sense that they do something to keep up with the changes Menard’s has made over the years. I’ve often wondered if they’ll ever expand the Brooklyn Park store more into the yard. They have plenty of room to make it a bigger store. I’d like to see the sporting goods section get larger to match the other Fleet Farm stores. Right now it’s cramped. And for a store that reportedly sells more fishing licenses than anywhere in the state, you’d think they’d put a larger focus on expanding the fishing department.