We will continue to operate these pilot stores for two years and then offer the concept at additional stores throughout the Southeast.
Don Marks, CEO, W.S. Badcock

photo © RTO Online Don marks, CEO of W. S. Badcock Corporation.

W. S. Badcock Corporation will soon celebrate the opening of its third Home Now pilot store, part of a rent-to-own concept the 102-year old company launched in 2004 (see story).

The 6,000 square foot store is located in Cocoa, Florida. The opening will be celebrated with a ribbon-cutting event on October 6, 2006.

"The new concept has taken off very quickly," notes Albert Kohut, Badcock's VP of New Business Development. "We have a great customer base in Cocoa area with about five stores in the area. They are anxious for a new player to meet the demands of the marketplace." The store is located in an ideal traffic area in Clearlake Plaza next to Winn Dixie.

The Cocoa Home Now location joins a network with two other pilot stores—one in Tampa and another in Clearwater (see photo gallery of Home Now's grand opening of it's first store in Tampa). After the Cocoa location is operating for about 18 months, W. S. Badcock Corporation will evaluate its performance and decide whether to continue with the Home Now concept.

According to Badcock, the Home Now concept provides customers with benefits that go beyond a traditional rent-to-own store. The merchandise available in the Home Now stores is a select part of the Badcock product mix, allowing Home Now to provide customers with a large merchandise selection, in-stock product availability and fast delivery from Badcock's regional distribution center.

Home Now also offers a credit-building program called "Credit Builder," which helps customers establish credit. This is just one of the free benefits that is part of their "Pledge Program." Unlike other traditional rent-to-own stores, Home Now only accepts monthly and semi-monthly payments.

photo © RTO Online Albert Kohut, Badcock's VP of New Business Development.

"The Home Now concept is taking off quite well," notes Don Marks, Badcock's CEO. "We will continue to operate these pilot stores for two years and then offer the concept at additional stores throughout the Southeast."

Headquartered in Mulberry, Florida, W. S. Badcock Corporation is one of the largest home furniture retailers in the United States. Badcock has more than 300 locations throughout the Southeast.