99 Cents brings small format to Waco

Extreme value retailer 99 Cents Only will use its entry into the Waco, Texas, market to unveil a store format considerably smaller than any of its other locations.

The City of Commerce, Calif-based operator of 339 stores said its new store in Waco will open on Jan. 9 and measure about 13,000 sq. ft. That size is well below the company’s average store size of 21,000 sq. ft. and also below the range of 15,000 to 20,000 sq. ft. the company had previously identified as its sweet spot for new stores.

The company did not respond to email or telephone inquiries regarding the store and new market entry.

The Waco store will feature the typical promotional activity that has come to characterize 99 Cent Only grand openings. For example, the company will sell a variety of products that are not normally part of its product assortment for 99 cents to select customers who arrive early. A Westinghouse brand 40 inch flat screen television will be sold for 99 cents to the first nine customers in line. The next 99 customers in line may purchase a scooter for 99 cents and the next 99 customers can purchase a Crayola Color Explosion kit for 99 cents.

The new store is located at 5912 Bosque Blvd. and will feature a perishable food department offering produce, dairy and frozen products. More than half of the company’s annual sales of nearly $1.7 billion during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 came from the sale of food and beverages, including produce, dairy, deli and frozen foods, along with organic and gourmet foods.

The company currently operates 45 stores throughout Texas, along with 244 locations in California, 33 in Arizona and 17 in Nevada.