Butte, MT, Oct. 12--In an effort to keep local people shopping in Butte--and not elsewhere in Montana--Pierce Flooring and Design is changing its name and offering its flooring products at mill outlet prices, according to the Montana Standard.
"We feel this marketing effort fits the Butte market," said Greg Loeffler, manager of the Butte store.
The new name is Pierce Carpet Mill Outlet. The store is modeled after a Pierce-owned store in Bozeman called the Carpet Mill Outlet.
Loeffler said that while some aspects remain the same--such as service and installation--large volume purchasing of carpet, vinyl, ceramic tile, hardwood, area rugs and laminates will be offered at up to 70% below retail prices. The store hopes that its new competitive emphasis will keep local consumers in Butte and not traveling to the Home Depots and Lowe's in nearby towns.
"We want to bridge that gap, but we are not a big box," he added.
Pierce Flooring and Design is a Montana-owned and operated company that has seven locations across the state. The Pierce family has been in business in the state for nearly a half-century, Loeffler said.
He emphasized that while the prices may drop, quality will not. The company uses volume purchasing power and expert shopping to take advantage of overstock and specials at manufacturers to pass savings on to Butte and southwest Montana customers. The store holds nearly a $500,000 in inventory to appeal to customers' varied tastes.
"In the last decade, factory outlets have grown at over 10% per year and have become an attractive alternative for price/value oriented consumers shopping for name brand, quality merchandise at below normal retail prices. The savings they realize by going to outlets are considerable," said Jon Pierce, general manager for Pierce Flooring.
Particularly popular are hardwood and laminate. Although Pierce will install the flooring, do-it-yourselfers will find the floors easy to do as well. "You can have a new floor in a weekend," Loeffler said. "It's extremely durable and easy to do."
The store is also keeping warranties and other service programs intact to preserve value and customer service.
"We just want to focus a lot more on middle America," he said. He said that Pierce believes in the Butte market.
"I'd rather have someone buy from our competitors up the road than go out of town," Loeffler said.
