Dick’s Sporting Goods opened a new location at the WestShore Plaza in Tampa last weekend.
The store opened last Friday, April 25, in the old Saks Fifth Avenue space, and is notable for its sheer size. The venue is described by the Tampa Tribune as Dick’s “flagship” store, and it comprises 80,000 square feet on two stories. The new venture has filled Saks’ old space, as well as renovating it completely. Among the changes made are building new pillars to support the roof, moving the escalators, and enlarging the skylight to the size of a basketball court.
The selection of merchandise covers almost everything a sports-minded person could want. The second floor has kayaks, dozens of coolers, and hundreds of fishing rods, as well as an archery test range. The chain’s marketing manager, Lauren DeLaney, notes that in other Dick’s locations, kayaks are hung from the ceiling to save space, but here there is enough room to display them on the floor.
Downstairs, there is an ‘Under Armour Store’ and a ‘Nike Store’, each of which is as big as an independent chain store. Lacrosse players can take advantage of a full-service area devoted to their needs, as can golfers, who have their own section.
Dick’s could work with a flyer printing company to create handouts for distribution near the new store, advertising specials to generate interest.
