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Working with Parker’s global distribution partners,
Parker designed the ParkerStore concept to reach the walk-in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) or “industrial retail” marketplace that had largely been ignored by competitors.
Nearly 20 years after its introduction, ParkerStore will celebrate a significant milestone in its global growth: the opening of its 2000th store, situated near Lyon, France.
When the ParkerStore concept was developed, trade counters were the norm in the industrial space. Combining the trade counter and retail models, ParkerStores would allow customers to order custom, while-you-wait hydraulic hose assemblies while shopping for complementary products typically also required, such as couplings, filters, lubricants, oil, tooling and safety equipment.
The ParkerStore environment was a new concept designed to bring the warehouse out to the showroom. ParkerStore also provided immediate access to critical components, which would have a big impact on a business’ bottom line by helping to reduce the money and time lost due to equipment downtime.
“Parker’s industrial retail strategy has realized significant worldwide growth since the first ParkerStore opening in 1993 as the ParkerStore concept presents a complete business plan for distributors who are interested in operating a retail location,” says Brad Fischer, Director of Global Retail Operations. “With 2,000 ParkerStores today, our distributors support local customers and boost MRO sales by displaying their full Parker offering with a professional shopping experience.”
