T O P 2 O
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usiness into a one-stop shop to meet the<br />
needs of their community, offering a variety<br />
of services and products.<br />
COMPETITION<br />
The store faces local competition from two<br />
small hardware stores in its immediate vicinity—an<br />
independent lumber and hardware<br />
store right in Breton and an old fashioned<br />
hardware store about 15 kilometres away.<br />
In addition to the competition in town,<br />
TRU Breton also faces big city competition.<br />
A Wal-Mart, Canadian Tire, and<br />
two Home Hardware outlets are located<br />
in Drayton Valley, just 40 kilometres<br />
west of Breton. Additionally, a new shopping<br />
centre recently opened in Drayton<br />
Valley. But the Fullertons didn’t see a<br />
drop in their business with this additional<br />
competition.<br />
Larry and Brenda have also found innovative<br />
ways to increase their stores sales,<br />
namely by selling items through Kijiji.<br />
Posting ads on Kijiji has been so successful<br />
that they were able to expand to selling<br />
boat docks by advertising this way.<br />
TRU Breton also believes in providing<br />
excellent customer service. That can<br />
include anything from delivering riding<br />
lawnmowers free of charge—and full of<br />
fuel. That extra commitment to service is<br />
what the Fullertons believe enables them<br />
to differentiate from their competition.<br />
THE STORE<br />
TRU Hardware Breton has six full-time and<br />
two part-time staff, most of whom have been<br />
working there since the store opened. Larry<br />
works on the floor, while Brenda takes care<br />
of the books and oversees the running of the<br />
store.<br />
The Breton store is very involved in the<br />
community, including helping the local high<br />
school organize for and build a sports field<br />
that opened in 2012. The store also donates<br />
to many different local sports associations,<br />
including soccer, baseball, and hockey.<br />
Larry and Brenda Fullerton pride<br />
themselves on understanding what their<br />
customers need and ensuring that they<br />
carry the products that best suit their<br />
community. They have great staff and a<br />
business mix to meet the needs of their<br />
unique customer base and location. These<br />
traits made TRU Hardware Breton the 2013<br />
Outstanding Retailer Award winner for<br />
Best Hardware Store.<br />
www.hardlines.ca Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly THIRD QUARTER / 2014 45
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