Two years in the making, Bi-Mart finally opens

By DAVID TELLER

Staff Reporter

After two years of planning and coordination, including the relocation of Minnie Creek, Bi-Mart swung its doors open last Thursday to a waiting line that wrapped around the side of the building.

Store manager, Jaylene Clark, estimated 500 people were waiting.

The Eugene, Ore., based Bi-Mart has 66 stores throughout the Pacific Northwest. There are 40,000 items in the store's inventory spread out over the 31,000 square feet of floor space. Don Leber, the director of marketing for Bi-Mart said the franchise uses the same size store in all of its locations.

Leber said the store's marketing strategy is a simple 80-20 theory, which is serving 80 percent of the people with 20 percent of their needs.

He described these needs as basic merchandise people are always going to need or want. All Bi-Mart Stores carry the same inventory. Occasionally there are some additional promotion items Leber said.

The departments in Bi-Mart range from electronics, like television and sound, to dry grocery. There is also basic clothing, hardware and some convenience items like pop and snacks. The store also has a pharmacy.

Employees are easy to distinguish by their either red or blue vests.

There are some regional influences to the inventory like fishing, hunting and camping equipment that another store in Portland might not have. Leber said the Bi-Mart floor layout is a stark contrast to Costco, which has 8,000 to 10,000 items over 100,000 square feet.

Leber explains the look of the store as having a warehouse like atmosphere with concrete floors and open-beam ceilings. He said the reason, is to keep costs down. The rest of the store has traditional features, like formal shelves and countertops for cleanliness.

To ensure making a positive impression on the first day, Clark said she had 48 people on staff throughout the store. She said the store normally operates with a staff of about 30 -35.

Of Bi-Mart's pricing “(the store has) very competitive prices, day-in and day-out,” Leber said. He added that some competitors will beat their prices, but Bi-Mart's prices are the same, regardless of location.

The open house will remain in effect until Wednesday, Nov. 21.

During that time, patrons may come and go at will.

After Nov. 21, a membership will be required to enter the store.

The life-time membership is a one-time only fee of $5. The membership is good at any Bi-Mart, and any member of the family may use the membership card.

Currently, the store's marketing department is developing savings opportunities or member price reduction at Eastern Washington University Eagles sporting events.

Bi-Mart is also pursuing the same member prices at other business in Cheney.

David Teller can be reached at [email protected]