Conn's HomePlus opens in Jackson Saturday
Mississippi's first Conn's HomePlus officially opens its doors today in Jackson as the furniture, appliance and electronics chain looks to expand its reach, both in its traditional service area and new markets.
The store has set up shop at 1051 E. County Line Road in the building that was once home to Haverty's and will mark the occasion with various giveaways and promotions. While most of the Texas-based chain's roughly 80 stores are in the South, Mississippi is a new territory for the company. But it's one chief marketing officer Jamie Piper says is a strong fit for the chain's goal of serving lower-income residents in large population centers.
"We're always looking for the location that best fits our target demographic," she said. In County Line Road, the store is getting one of metro Jackson's most traveled roads and a prime retail hub that is gradually revitalizing itself as several long-empty buildings have found new tenants in the last couple of years. In the old Haverty's building, it's getting a structure already configured as a furniture store, a cheaper option than building a store from scratch.
The national uptick in home construction has provided a similar boon for companies like Conn's that sell home furnishings. In its first fiscal quarter, from January through April, Conn's recorded 33.6 percent growth in consolidated revenue and saw sales at stores open at least 12 months increase by 15.6 percent, according to financial filings on the company's website.
The company plans to open as many as 20 new stores this fiscal year, some in new-for-the-company areas like Mississippi, Colorado and Arizona. Its long-term goal is to operate 500 stores nationally, and Piper says a good foundation is being set to make that happen.
But she says the company has resonated with customers just as much through its "Yes Money" in-house consumer financing program, aimed at consumers who may have been turned away when trying to buy similar merchandise from other retailers. It also offers third-party financing and third-party, rent-to-own programs.
About 30 jobs are being created through the store opening. Piper says there are no immediate plans for a second Mississippi location but adds that will be determined by how the Jackson location performs.
Contact Jeff Ayres at (601) 961-7050 or jeff.ayres@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @jeffayres71 on Twitter.
GIVEAWAYS
• The first 100 people to visit the store today will receive a $100 Conn's gift card.
• Within the first 90 days of opening, Conn's is offering a $10,000 shopping spree sweepstakes to one lucky customer.