Mervyn’s to Add Four Stores in the County
What recession? What retailing slump?
You’d never know they existed, judging by Mervyn’s plans to add four outlets over the next couple of years to the 10 it already operates in San Diego County.
Mervyn’s, the value-priced retailer that is a subsidiary of the giant Dayton Hudson retail concern, has already determined where two of the new locations will be: Chula Vista Center in the South Bay and Carmel Mountain Plaza in North San Diego, both of which are owned by the Homart subsidiary of Sears, Roebuck. Construction will begin soon on both stores, which are expected to open late next year.
The chain is also scouting for two other locations in the county, one in the Encinitas area and the other between Oceanside and Escondido, said Scott A. Nelson, real estate manager for the Hayward-based chain.
Mervyn’s, a chain with 250 locations, is part of the retailing sub-category that has thrived during what for other firms have been tough times. Nelson thinks there are plenty of opportunities left in San Diego County for retailers in his category.
Other chains that target so-called “value-oriented” consumers are growing locally. Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Costco and Sam’s Clubs are just a few of the national discount retailers known to be looking for locations in the county.
One key to discount merchandisers’ success is that they operate at much lower costs than “classic” retailers, said Rick Moses, vice president for regional mall development for Homart Development Co.’s Western region.
Nelson said retailers today must devote more attention to “time-bankrupt” consumers who know more or less what they want, and want their purchases to be as convenient as possible.
