New-To-Richmond Electronics Retailer Opens Short Pump Store

Fresh on the scene in the Richmond market, Indianapolis-based hhgregg opened their new Short Pump Town Center store last Thursday in the building that formerly housed Circuit City. The store is currently in a soft opening phase, with grand opening celebration to take place this coming Thursday, November 20, 2009.

Inside the store, much has changed. The entire warehouse-style building was gutted, re-floored and a drop ceiling was added to the entire length of the back wall. On one side you’ll find your typical consumer electronics offerings and on the other you’ll see an array of different appliances, from washers and dryers to refrigerators and small kitchen electrics.

We found hhgregg to be relatively bare and empty upon our visit. Though some inventory had yet to be delivered before the grand opening, there’s a striking lack of shelving and incredibly wide aisles, unlike the tightly-packed merchandise that lined the aisles when it was a Circuit City. The company claims that shelving no higher than eye level and wide aisles are part of their strategy to maintain an open airiness in their stores. hhgregg also doesn’t sell CDs or DVDs unlike its competitors such as Best Buy. Employees are paid commission verses an hourly rate.

The retailer started as small appliance shop in 1955. It is still operated by the Gregg family and today has 112 stores located throughout the South and parts of the Midwest.