Castorama reformats further stores

Castorama is currently converting four further stores to the new format that has been on trial in three outlets since September 2003. The results from these pilot stores exceeded expectations, according to an end of year report by the company. The concept marks an about-turn from the “Casto L’Entrepôt” format promoted since 2000 under the influence of Kingfisher. The range is subdivided into four large, colour-coded areas: garden, decoration/fittings, technical DIY products and building materials. Each of these areas is composed of different themed worlds designed to take better account of the customer’s needs and presented as stores within a store.
The trade journal DIY in Europe reports on the new concept in detail in its 3-4/2004 issue in an article entitled “Back to basics for Castorama”.