In keeping with a plan outlined in its annual report, Ankeny, Iowa-based Casey’s General Stores is rolling out expanded store designs, the Des Moines Register reported.
Casey’s executives told the Des Moines Register that roughly half a dozen stores with the new design are open or nearing completion, and the company hopes to finish a total of 20 by the end of April.
The new ‘O’ floor plan adds 1,000 square feet at newly designed Casey’s locations, providing more options for food and beverage categories that have a greater profit margin.
Company executives told the newspaper that the 3,788-square-foot store on N.W. 18th St. in Des Moines, for example, will be roughly 1,000 square feet larger than the average Casey’s. The extra space will be split roughly equally between larger beverage coolers and additional space for food, including a sub sandwich counter, a coffee bar and customer seating.
Terry Handley, chief operating officer for Casey’s, said the company’s O-shaped design – so named because the cashier now will be in the middle of the store – is simply a reaction to customer demand for more kinds of beer, energy drinks and other items.
“As producers have expanded their offerings of those products … the retailer has to be prepared to offer that to remain competitive," Handley said.
Down the road, existing stores eventually will be remodeled to add food and cooler space, Handley said.
