Commercial Construction & Renovation

SEP-OCT 2012

Commercial Construction & Renovation helps our subscribers design, build and maintain better commercial facilities by delivering content to meet the information needs of today's high-level executives.

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The legacy continues A look at Eddie Bauer's game plan for 2012 and beyond By Michael J. Pallerino A n appreciation of the outdoors. Quality. Innova - tion. Those are the qualities that continue to define the Eddie Bauer legacy. Just ask Jim Gale, the director of construc- tion for the specialty retail- er. His job is to oversee the construction of Eddie Bauer store design, and implement modifications into stores throughout North America. Currently, the retailer operates some 334 stores throughout the United States and Canada. "It's not a new proto- type, but we're making modifications to what we have been building since 2009," Gale says. "So, instead of having a one- store-fits-all prototype – for example, one retail store or one outlet – we're adjusting the prototype to fit into the different mar- kets and mall types we enter." Commercial Construc - tion & Renovation sat down with Gale to a get a feel for how Eddie Bauer is working the prototypes into its strategy, how it is approaching its sustain- ability initiatives and where the brand is head- ing in 2012 and beyond. Photo by Ken Shepard, Azzura Photography What is the most pressing item on your to-do list? We are right in the middle of initiating the process to tier the prototypes. It's not a new prototype, but rather it adds variations to the current one. So, instead of having a one-store- fits-all prototype – for example, one retail store or one outlet – we're adjusting the prototype to fit into the different markets and malls we enter. We'll have three plans based off the existing "lodge" prototype, which we started building in 2009. We believe this will help better tailor our stores to the customers in these different markets, as well as keep our design and construction costs down. And as with everything we do, we will con- tinue to refine and evolve over time. Walk us through the process. For example, we had a very specific retail store prototype for mall locations. What we've done is adjust that prototype using different elements and finishes for different markets – even malls. The objective was to get our design and construction costs down, relative to sales volume expectations. September/October 2012 ccr-mag.com 23

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