Two new RONA+ stores set for grand opening in Brampton

Lowe’s stores in Brampton will be opening under a new name with the official switch to RONA+ locations this week.

The switch is part of a nationwide change-up with five Lowe’s stores in southern Ontario converting into RONA+ on Thursday.

The new RONA + stores are aimed at “redefining how Canadians shop for home improvement,” RONA Inc. says, with more stylish products as well as lower prices on select items and more benefits for home improvement professionals.

RONA+ will open two locations in Brampton on Thursday. RONA+ Brampton South will open at 370 Kennedy Rd. S. at the old Lowe’s South location while RONA+ Brampton North will take over the Lowe’s North store at 10111 Heart Lake Rd.

Other locations in Mississauga, Etobicoke, Toronto and Scarborough will also change over to the new banner this week.

While RONA is opening the new locations in Brampton it is also shutting down its home and garden centre located at 50 Gillingham Dr. permanently on Jan. 11, saying the company is consolidating efforts “on the stores that were in the best position to meet all the home improvement and construction needs of our customers.”

The closure comes after a series of ownership changes in recent years which saw the American-based Lowe’s first acquire the RONA brand. RONA originated in Quebec and has a company history going back to 1939 selling home improvement and hardware which will continue as the company’s business focus.

As for staff at the Brampton location, the company also said it “will make every effort to relocate employees at surrounding stores whenever possible.”

RONA, which is based in Boucherville, Que., said in June that it was eliminating 500 jobs across Canada in a bid to simplify its organizational structure and adapt to a slowing economy.

The retailer says it operates or services around 425 corporate and affiliated stores under different banners across the country with some 22,000 employees.