Holiday RV Superstores Opens First Store with Recreation USA Theme
29 March 2000
Holiday RV Superstores Opens First Store with Recreation USA Theme
Next Generation RV and Boat Dealer uses Distinctive Colors,
High-Tech Features to Define National Brand
ORLANDO, Fla., March 29 In its quest to establish a
recreational vehicle and marine dealership national brand, Holiday RV
Superstores, Inc. has unveiled the first theme store using its
Recreation USA tradename.
The Orlando, Fla. dealership chain said that its new 31,000 square-foot
store in Spartanburg, S.C. will serve as a prototype for other dealerships
joining the Recreation USA family. Its distinctive red, white and blue decor
makes a bold, visual statement for customers that is easily recognizable --
and easily transferable to the new and redesigned dealerships that will come
under the Recreation USA flag. Likewise, its premium features such as onsite
Internet access, an ATM machine and full-line service center will set the
standard in the business.
"Families traveling cross country immediately recognize the Golden Arches
as a symbol for McDonald's, and we intend to build the same kind of visual
awareness for our Recreation USA dealerships," said Ronald G. Huneycutt,
president and CEO. "We want our RV and marine customers to be able to pick
out a Recreation USA dealership at a glance -- whether they're traveling in
Florida or Texas or California -- and know it's a place they can trust.
"Our new store in Spartanburg embodies the spirit and the look of
Recreation USA, which stands for high-quality products, excellent service and
a superior sales staff."
The Spartanburg store has 2,000 feet of interstate visibility along a
section of I-26, a main thoroughfare to the Atlantic Coast. The dealership,
which moved to Spartanburg from a leased facility in a neighboring city,
offers a large, indoor showroom that features a full line of motorhomes,
towable RVs, pleasure boats and pontoons as well as a parts store that carries
a full line of RV and marine accessories. Recreation USA expects revenues
from sales and service will increase more than 40 percent over the next 12
months.
Gary Poole, general manager of Spartanburg Recreation USA, said the
dealership's investment in service makes its stand out from the competition.
The service operation features 18 service bays and three 27,000-pound lifts
capable of hoisting a 40-foot motorhome eight feet into the air for repairs.
The dealership will employ 10 full-time ASE-certified technicians to handle
everything from front-end alignments to wheel balancing to chassis work -
something that very few dealerships currently offer.
"Recreation USA sees service as one of the primary areas where we can
distinguish ourselves from our competition," Poole said. "We provide one-stop
service options for our customers, whether they're looking for a quick repair
or more extensive warranty work.
"Historically, our industry has overlooked the importance of service, and
most dealers simply aren't equipped to handle these kinds of repairs. But we
see this commitment to servicing the products we sell as another added benefit
for the customers who do business with Recreation USA."
The Spartanburg store also features an expanded and more comfortable
waiting room where customers can check their e-mail, use the Internet to plan
the next leg of their journey, or even make a cash withdrawal using the
dealership's ATM. The dealership also offers overnight hook-ups for motorhome
owners who might have to wait for a part to be delivered, as well as extended
storage facilities for boats and RVs.
Recreation USA, the nation's only public traded chain of dealerships, has
14 such dealerships located in California, Florida, New Mexico, South
Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia which sell, service and finance more than
60 RV and 10 boat brands. The Company also markets its offerings through an
advanced e-commerce website at http://www.recusa.com