‘Amazing’: Inside Boscov’s multimillion-dollar renovation

Boscova The Camp Hill store is now much brighter.

The lights have always been on at the 39-year-old Camp Hill Shopping Center department store, but now the store is noticeably brighter.

It is part of a multi-million pound refurbishment which began in February and has just been completed by the Reading-based retailer.

Jim Boscov, general manager of Boscov’s, said the lighting itself makes a big difference, and the new tile floors, carpeting and fixtures make it feel like a brand new store.

“When I walked into the store, I think it was about 10 days ago, I was just shocked,” Boscov said in an interview Thursday. “I just thought it was as light and bright and attractive as it could be. I was very impressed. I was impressed by my colleagues. I was impressed with the inventory. I felt really, really good about it.”

This was the first major renovation of the Camp Hill store. Boscov’s also recently completed a major store renovation project at the York Galleria Shopping Center in Springettsbury Township.

The company has undertaken a number of major renovations at its stores and typically does them about twice a year. The 39-year-old store, which is open nearly every day of the year, is in need of an update, Boscov said.

“We can take good care of our stores, but these stores age like everything else and they need to be refreshed periodically and that needs to be done to stay relevant,” he said.

But Boscov said major renovation projects are about more than just fresh paint and new floors. This gives the retailer the opportunity to reconfigure stores to suit today’s shoppers, making it easier for them to shop.

“The business has changed over the years,” he said. “When we first opened this store, we didn’t have a big, tall men’s clothing department. Over time, dresses became more important. Sportswear has become more important. And you have to give it the right place. This is an opportunity to re-size departments to reflect their importance in today’s world and also to showcase them in a more attractive way.”

The project included increasing the range of children’s shoes in the store. Boscov’s also revamped its adult shoe department, increasing the number of items on the sales floor. The shoe space is now much larger at about 11,000 square feet. Store sales have increased since the new shoe department opened, according to store manager Clarence Banks.

“In our shoe department, we have introduced ‘open sale’, which customers prefer, and it surprises me. My grandfather taught me how to sell shoes by bringing shoes from the warehouse, kneeling down and helping me try them on, and we found that many customers preferred to be seen when they saw what was in stock and tried them on (the shoes themselves). They see it as preferable,” he said. “We certainly want to offer it to those who want it, but we continue to offer services to those clients who want it.”

A self-checkout counter has also been added. Boscov said customers’ preference for self-service also surprised him.

“To test this, we put four full-service checkout counters next to three self-checkout counters, and there were people who decided to go one way or the other,” he said. “One of the things I’ve heard from people is, ‘I don’t want to go self-service because it’s going to cost people their jobs.’ This is wrong. If we can get someone off the register, that means we can put another person on the trading floor to help people.”

The Bargain Central discount area is now Bargain Outlets, which has now been relocated throughout the store. The discount outlets opened at the beginning of the year and the new area opened within the last few months. The discount zone is almost like a store within a store with its own departments including clothing, shoes, accessories, pets, cosmetics and home goods. Discount stores have a checkout feature called Last Call Checkout and another feature called Item of the Week. For example, last week an interesting product was a flashlight for $5.

“These are crazy priced items in small quantities, so if people see something they like, they should buy it today because it won’t be there for long. But new materials are constantly appearing. And people are starting to understand this,” Boscov said.

The department store has also expanded its cosmetics offerings and has a dedicated area called the Indulge Studio.

Boscov said many women are now getting makeup, hair and skin care tips from social media sites like Tik Tok, and he says the retailer is noticing that shoppers are coming into the store to find the same products they see on social media. networks.

The popular candy counter was dismantled during construction and now has a new home in the store that housed women’s sportswear. There is a fudge machine and the store will make roasted nuts in the future.

“During the renovation, this was the most frequently asked question. Where’s the candy? When will it come back? Banks said.

Other updates include:

• The delivery room has expanded to include a nursing room.
• Expansion of the range of furniture.
• The retailer has changed its curtains and drapes department. Previously, customers had to go into a warehouse to find what they were looking for. Now the stock will be located right next to the curtains.
• The retailer has expanded its selection of plus-size, junior-plus, and plus-size and plus-size men’s clothing.
• Boscov’s home grounds have been redone.
• The range of men’s and women’s sportswear has expanded.
• The store’s tourist and optical centers have expanded.
• Boscov’s has added additional curbside parking for pickup trucks.
• All new lighting has been added to the store.
• Toilets have been added to the ground floor. The stairs from the second floor have been removed because customers will not need to go upstairs.
• Cash registers are now located at three entrances, and the cash registers in the sales area have been reconfigured.

Stores at Camp Hill Mall and York Galleria Mall remained open throughout the renovations.

Boscov said the company is doing well, but said there is no doubt it is a very competitive market.

“People are very worried. They want to make sure they are spending their money wisely. And frankly, that concern bodes well for us because I think people understand that at Boscov’s they know they’re going to get a good deal,” Boscov said.

Boscov said spending habits have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic with people stuck at home. They bought more household items and casual clothing. As things began to open up, shoppers started buying much dressier clothes. He said sales reflect purchasing habits similar to those before the pandemic.

At the end of the day, it’s all about the employees and the customers. Boscov said the Camp Hill store has several employees who have worked there 10, 20 or 30 years, as well as several employees who have been there since day one, 39 years ago.

During a recent visit to the Camp Hill store, he said he enjoyed interacting with both employees and customers.

“My favorite part was walking around the store (and) talking to excited and happy customers and expressing their appreciation for Boscov’s,” he said.

Boscov’s is hosting a week-long celebration at its stores at Camp Hill Shopping Center and York Galleria Shopping Center, which began on Thursday and ends on Wednesday, October 30th.

Boscov’s was founded 110 years ago and operates 50 stores in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Ohio and West Virginia. The retailer says it is the country’s largest family-owned department store chain.