Lubbock Avalanche-Journal from Lubbock, Texas • Page 45

t7, 1970 MAY 18 IN LUBOBCK, AT 66TH STREET AND UNIVERSITY AVENUE Mart Discount Department Store, Market To Open 1 1 i ,1 i I pany's EXECUTIVE ON HAND Bowles Stresses Youth Retail Opportunities Clyde K. Bowles is vice president of the S. S. Kresge Company's Southern Region. He is responsible for more than 200 mart, Kresge variety and Jupiter discount stores in 13 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Bowles responsibility is supervision of store operations in this region. He works closely with his district managers to see that each store 'manager tailors his merchandise assortment to meet the shopping needs of his particular customers. Among other duties, Bowles sees to it that the quality of goods remains high, prices remain low, the Kresge Coin- policy is a i a i anc outstanding leadership ability is recognized within all personnel ranks. The retail business golden opportunities for people, Bowles believes. "Of course," Bowles said, "the work can be hard, but rewards for those who put in their best effort come more quickly than in any other field." to his beliefs.

After-graduating from the University of Illinois, he started in the retail business in 1931 in the Kresge management-training program. He served as a store manager, a district manager, assistant to a top executive and buyer before becoming a top executive himself in of the company's Western Region Bowles then managed the Midwestern Region and the Southern Region. In 196S he was elected vice president for the K. BOWLES Southern Region. "satisfaction always' offers young DEDICATED ASSISTANTS Mart Management Team Includes Area Personnel Knowledge of the product, service and consumer desires is apparent in mart personnel.

The key men in the new Lub- have long the consumer bock operation recognized that wants convenience, a 1 i fashion and low prices. Among those on hand to supervise the local functions of mart are six key assistants Cecil Holt, assistant manager, comes from the Wichita Falls mart, and he has been with the organization two years. Mrs. and Mrs. Holt live at 1604 3Sth f.V in Lubbock.

He is a graduate of Baylor University. Larry Adams, operations manager, is a seven-year. mart veteran, coming from the Ft. Smith (Ark.) mart. He attended North Marrs Hill College in Carolina, and he and Mrs.

Adams have two sons, five and eight years of age. They live at 2816 66th St. Dennis Todd, merchandising manager, comes from Beaumont, and he has been with the S. Kresge company for seven years. Mr.

and Mrs. Todd have a son and daughter, and they live at 6001 W. 34th St. He attended school in Salem, Ind. Don Barnett, assistant manager, moved from the Kresge store in Gaprock Center.

He is a Texas Tech graduate. The Barnetts have one daughter, and they live at 2212 5th Apartment 27. Dub- Threadgill, merchan dising manager, formerly was with the S. S. Kresge and comes to Lubbock from Hurst.

He attended school in Floydada and at Draughon's Business College. Mr. and Mrs. Threadgill have two sons a daughter, and they live at 45th St. BOARD CHAIRMAN AND BABY S.

S. Kresge Co. board chairman and president, Harry R. Cunningh is pictured standing by his baby, mart, a result of changing retail patterns. TRICES MUST BE ALWAYS COOMPETITIVE' am Principles, Experience And Research Combined InK Mart's Enviable Image The mart discount department store of today is a'com- bination of basic i i 1 created before the first mart opened in 1962 and improvements resulting from almost a decade experience and research.

The original mart blueprint emphasized that mart selling prices must be competitive. They are still as low as or lower than the selling prices available to mart customers within any given trading area. Although price tags on mart merchandise are determined by S. S. Kresge Company headquarters in Detroit, each Kmart manager is personally responsible for keeping his store competitive.

The manager may recommend lower prices, but he does not have the right to raise them. mart stores were to be publicized as true discount department stores. Only when unusual demand requires marts to carry certain "fair trade" lines, such as prestige cosmetics, do customers find a few items that are not discounted. But policy continues to require the replacement of such merchandise as quickly as other items of equal or superior value and selling merit can be developed. iManufacturtng Control Part of the company's effort to give customers qua 1 i merchandise was to be a private label program.

The mart division has consistently created its own brands of exceptional values in staple assortments. A strong private label program has developed in such lines as cameras, apparel, domestics, hardware and home improvements. Private label merchandise is manufactured under strict controls. Every item is laboratory tested to assure quality equal or superior to that of the leading competitive nationally advertised brand and can be placed on mart counters at a lower price. An active import program was also specified to improve merchandise quality while maintaining discount prices.

Buying representatives in European and Asian markets work closely with the home office import department. Kresge Company buyers frequently search of mart exclusives. All Imported merchandise is required to equal or surpass the quality specifications of its domestic counterpart and be available at lower cost. An advertising program was to be created to'gain customers' complete confidence in the integrity and credibility of mart. The customer who goes to travel abroad merchandise and in a mart newspaper in or response to a television advertisement will find advertised items at advertised prices pro- minently displayed.

The Kresge Company's traditional "satisfaction always policy was to be incorporated into the operating standards of every mart and proclaimed by signs throughout the salcsfloor. The sincerity of this policy is proved by the ease with which a customer can get a refund or exchange. The mart service desk is conveniently located at the front of the store where attendants are always available to refund shopper's money, exchange merchandise or credit charge accounts. The only requirement is the purchase receipt. High Personnel Standards One of the final, but perhaps one of the most important, aspects of the original mart blueprint wa that all marts would be staffed by quality The mart discount department store and supermarket in Lubbock will open at 9 a.

Monday, May 18. It is, located at the northeast corner of 66th Street and University Avenue. The new unit is being managed by John D. Guthrie Jr. This will be the 28th mart in Texas as the mart division of the S.

Kresge Co, continues its programmed expansion in the state. On the same day the grand opening ribbon falls in Lubbock, niarts will make their debuts in Tucson, and Lancaster, Pa 'Lubbock city officials and top executives of the Kresge Company will take part in a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony at tho main doors of the department store immediately before opening. Because record crowds of ages are expected to participate in the grand opening, police have been asked to give special attention to traffic on the streets surrounding the store during the first few hours of opening "This is for the safety of the motorists driving by," explained Guthne "Once a car is in our adequate and convenient parking lot there should be no congestion The mart store is operated by the Kresge Company which for 71 years has operated some of the most popular stores in the nation The decision to build a mart in Lubbock came after the company made extensive economic and population surveys and became convinced that the area is just beginning to realize its potential, VThe new mart, selling nationally advertised products and backing all sales with a 'satisfaction always 1 policy, will be a discount department store in its pricing policies," Guthrie Alany Following are highlights of the merchandise department store will carry; major appliances, including color television sets, Washing machines an refrigerators; ma 1 1 appliances; furniture; building tools and supplies; floor coverings; draperies, yard goods and sewing materials; womens' fashions; men's, boys', girls' and infants' clothing; bedding; jewelry; camera supplies; books and records; pet and pet supplies, and health and beauty aids.The mart will have a complete automotive center with personnel. manager The men marts chosen to arc See MAUT Page 35 ex- large featuring auto music stereo tape section players and tapes. Several bays will be available to expedite light maintenance and parts replacement service.

The center will offer wheel alignments arid 'balancing the quick checking and replacement of tail pipes and mufflers. The store will also feature a full-line sporting goods department; a full-range grocery supermarket and a self- serve snack bar with booth seating. Local Personnel 175 be given full "More than residents will employment when the mart opens, said Guthrie. "Additional personnel will be hired part-time during holiday seasons. A staff made up of entirely local people J.D.

GUTHRIE (mthrieTb City Store John D. Guthrie Jr. Is general manager of the new 114,500 square-foot mart Discount Department Store In Lubbock. His appointment was announced recently by the mart division of the S. S.

Kresge Co. Guthrie joined the Kresge management-training program in 1960 after attending Texas Tech and St. Mary's University in San Antonio. He svas then promoted to the management of his first store in 1967 In Carol City, Fla, Monngod Florida Stores Guthrfo then managed a second Kresge variety-dopartmcrit store in Daytona Beach, Fla. Ha comes to his Lubbock assignment from the co-managership of Mart In Hollywood, Fla.

Thi new mitrt discount department store will be under the supervision of Clyde K. Bowles, vice president Kresge's Southern JJegion headquartered in Atlanta. A wide variety of nationally advertised brands at low prices will assure our being alert to all including a full of the needs of our customers." newpllanccs, fashions be offcmi. line of np- and furniture ON MANAGEMENT the higlily qualified hay men at the Lubbock mart are. left to right- Leal Holt, assistant manager; Larry Adams, operations manager; Dennis Todd, merchandising manager- Dub lireadgdL, merchandising manager- Don Barnett, assistant manager; and H.

M. "Butch" Terrell advertising manager. MART CHEF DRIVE-IN IS ONLY 'SIXTH 'FOR 'COMPANY HILL: MANAGER Mart Chef Drive-In Is One Of Six The S. S. Kresge Company will open a mart Chef Drive-in at 6925 University Avenue in Lubbock on May 14.

It will be located by the mart discount department store at the northeast corner of 66th Street and University Avenue. The announcement was made by the drive-in's manager, Georsre Hill. The drive-in is the sixth to be opened by the company. The other units are in Pontinc and Mt. Clemens, Erie, Moline, and Wichita, Kan.

The mart Chef will be self- serve drive-in where patrons will help themselves, proceeding down a cafeteria-type line. Hill said: "Patrons will be able to choose from a varied menu including a Big Burger which is a super-deluxe hamburger sandwich and a Sea Chef which is a deluxe fish sandwich. Carpeted "The interior of the mart Chef will be markedly divided between the dining area and the preparation and service area. The dining area, with 72 booth seats, will be carpeted and softly lit with at a chandeliers. Burnt an champagne and wood tones will be used in the furnishings and appointments." Hill has been with the Kresgc Company for six years.

He was manager of the grills in mart discount department stores in Charlotte and Fayctteville, N.C., and Tampa, Fla. Prior to joining the Kresge Company, Hill owned and 'restaurants. Others Scheduled The Lubbock mart Chef will be under the supervision of Clyde K. Bowles, vice president of Kresge's Southern Region headquartered In Atlanta. Seven more mart Chefs are scheduled to open throughout the United States in 1970 in Albuquerque, N.M.; Warren, Shawnce Mission, Kansas City, Houston, Bloomington, 111., and Fayetteville, N.C.

The Kresge Company now operates more' than 1,000 mart, Kresge. and Jupiter stores in the United Puerto Rico, Canada and Australia. 'LET'S ROLL new mart store at University Avenue and Street in Lubbock features one of the most complete automotive and tire departments in ihe southwest. KM tires are part of the store's policy of creating its own brands of exceptional values. Private-label merchandise is manufactured under strict controls.

Every item is laboratory tested to assure quality equal or superior to that of leading competitive nationally advertised brands, the management reports, and can be placed on mart counters at a lower price..