Wandered through Menard's---interesting private label selection

[jamiel]

Had a wander through Menard's Tuesday (we don't have them convenient in Detroit) and was intrigued to see their appliance selection (last time I was in one 10 years ago don't think they had appliances). They seemed to have Kitchenaid as their best line, with also a full selection of Whirlpool and a few Amana items. The interesting thing, though was they had a private label called Criterion which was all Chinese (Midea) except for a 7 cuft freezer which came from Turkey. They were touting their in-stock situation "take it home TODAY" which I'm confident was 80% these Chinese appliances.

The displays were essentially similar to Lowes/HD but just at a slightly lower-end price point; kitchen cabinets were less "vignette" based and more "lineup of panels" based. Not sure there was much kitchen design help offered.

Gave the distinct impression of being more a "low-end", cabin/cottage or rental property type department and assortment.

 

[circlew]

Jamie, that may be specific to the store location you were in. The Cincinnati area stores have nice kitchen displays, with good semi-custom cabinet lines available, such as Medallion, and Cardell. Findlay OH also had a nice kitchen department when I was there a couple years ago.

 

[jamiel]

Interesting, as this was in Oregon, OH and a big, nice store. Actually gave The Andersons vibes (RIP). Perhaps I was too hard on them--my only other experience has been up at their Auburn Hills, MI store which is in a shopping area I absolutely loathe.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

I'd gone into one, too--a MegaMart, to say the least, adding groceries and appliances to a Meijer or WalMart stock...

Or being a Lowe's/Home Depot establishment where you can fill your food pantry...



-- Dave

 

[circlew]

I have noticed that the Loveland store doesn't have as nice of kitchen department as the one in Evendale, which is a larger two floor building. Medallion is a Cabinetworks Group brand, which also owns Kraft Maid, Yorktown, and several other brands. We sold them when I was working at a plumbing supply showroom about 35 years ago. It was one of our upper mid level brands.