A major electronics retailer is opening multiple stores in Richmond, possibly taking over some locations left behind by Circuit City.
Indianapolis-based HHGregg announced Wednesday they planned to open up to 22 stores over the next year, most of which will be located in Richmond; Tampa, Fla.; and Memphis Tenn. The company did not say exactly where those stores would be located.
One reported location will be at Hancock Village in Chesterfield County.
Developer Doug Horack told the Chesterfield Observer last August that HHGregg would take over the 30,000 square foot store that was originally slated to be a Circuit City location.
From the HHGregg press release:
During the past year, competitive dynamics within the consumer electronics industry and the real estate landscape have changed considerably, with a major competitor exiting the market and substantial real estate availability in both new and existing markets.
BizSense could not reach a representative of the company to confirm how many employees they may hire here, but a recently opened store in Wilmington, North Carolina hired about 45 part and full-time workers.
HHGregg started as small appliance shop in 1955 in Indianapolis. It is still operated by the Gregg family and today has 112 stores located throughout the South and parts of the Mid West. In addition to selling electronics it also sells appliances, mattresses, and luggage.
BizSense has been unable to confirm if HHGregg plans to take over any of the six Circuit City stores around town, but brokers are reported to have been marketing the properties to them since they became available.
The expanding retailer has already moved into former Circuit City stores in Indiana, Tennesse, Ohio and Mississippi.
HHGregg accelerated its expansion once Circuit City collapsed. The company also gave away $50 gift cards towards purchase over $299 in exchange for defunct Circuit City gift cards and credit cards of the same value. It repeatedly extended the deadline for that promotion from February to April and as recently as May 31.
Watch More:
See our most popular video of going-out-of-business sale at Circuit City’s Headquarters here.
Al Harris covers commercial real estate for BizSense. Please send news tips to Al@richmondbizsense.com.
If Circuit City went belly-up, I hate to think of the future for hhgregg. Impressed by their ads, I went there on May 31st to order a washer and dryer. Pleased with the salesperson, we went back the following day to close the sale, and left not entirely happy with their delivery possibilities, but agreed to Friday, June 4th. I was told I would receive information on a window for delivery early Friday morning between 6AM and 8:30 AM. FROM THAT POINT ON, I HAVE RECEIVED NOTHING BUT MISERY FROM THE PURCHASE!!!
When I did not receive the expected scheduling call as promised I called the store (Hagerstown, MD) and shortly thereafter received a call from the driver asking if I really wanted two washers, I said no, the order was to be a washer and dryer. He said the order was input incorrectly and he would take care of it.. In the meantime I finally received a call scheduling me for a 2:30-5:30 window. Apparently someone in the store had accidentally destroyed the original order, and one of the managers had rewritten it incorrectly. I understand mistakes are a part of life, and my husband had not noticed the change when he signed…so we felt the corrections were made and all was well. NOT SO!!! When our window passed I was alarmed that we had not received a call stating they would be late, so I called Winchester, VA for assurance the delivery would be made. I spoke with the manager there, Kevin, and he informed me that there were still two washers on the truck, and no dryer…while not pleased I agreed to accept the one washer and they could follow-up with the dryer. Around 7:30 PM he called back to say that he was mistaken, and the washers were not on the truck. Not happy with having to hand wash a uniform for work the next morning, I agreed to them delivering the full order on Sunday, but after 1:00 PM. I received a call Sunday with another 2:30-5:30 PM window. When that window was not met, I again kept calling…the store…spoke to someone called Mike who was going to call me back in 30 minutes…didn’t happen, and at some point I could not reach anyone, except the driver, who finally did arrive at 9:45 PM, exhausted. I was pleased to see that both men were professional in spite of the odds, and when they left at 11:15PM I did go online and gave they a good report, not being totally truthful about them not meeting their window or calling. But I did feel sorry for them. I then had to dry my hand-washed clothing for work for 7AM Monday, but when I put my hand on the dryer, it was very hot on the outside and on the inside drum, but the clothing was not drying. Fearing a fire we unplugged the unit, and I spent the rest of the night checking that there were not smoldering wires involved. Needless to say, I could not go to my job the next morning. I made calls to Whirlpool and hhgregg and told them we would be there in the afternoon. I was told the store director would be there. However, when we arrived shortly after 3:00 PM we were told he was in a meeting. A lady worked with us, we opted not to go with Whirlpool again and she pleasantly arranged for a Maytag delivery. The store director came out and stood a few feet away, but did not acknowledge us…not good customer relations in my book. Tuesday delivery was not convenient for them, and I told them we both had to work Wednesday, leaving the house by 3:30PM. They called with the same old 2:30-5:30 window and I got very angry, but then did call the delivery manager and told him that if they could not deliver and install by that time, I would be home after 8:00PM, since they seem to deliver that late…to make a long story short, we waited up until after midnight, I placed two calls to the driver, and received no response. It is now after 7:00 AM Thursday and I have no washer and dryer, must go to work again at 3:30 and am up to my eyeballs in dirty laundry!!!
Obviously you need to contact hhgregg’s corporate office and demand a fix to the problem since it appears that you’re dealing with the worst employee’s in hhgregg’s history. Also drop a note to the Consumerist.com about your current nightmare. The users there may have contacts you can use to get corporate a bit more motivated
Good Luck.