It's not news that many big box operators — Walmart, Best Buy, etc. — are opening smaller formats. While not getting as much attention, some retailers — Menards, Forever 21 — are going the opposite route and opening bigger box stores.
According to a Star Tribune article, Menards has begun building stores in excess of 200,000 square-feet, including a two-story 235,000 square-foot unit in Eden Prairie, MN. The home improvement chain is also in the process of expanding another store in the state from 128,000 square-feet to 250,000 square-feet on two floors.
With the additional square feet, Menards is able to expand existing sections of the stores while adding new product categories including garden centers and lumber yards.
"People have to look, touch and see things," Joe Petrich, assistant general manager of the Eden Prairie store, told the Star Tribune. "We get them with the wow factor."