Hacketts sale to clear way for new merchandise

The Hacketts store in Ogdensburg is clearing selected inventory this month in what it's calling a "huge inventory liquidation sale" designed to prepare the merchant's 1223 Pickering St. flagship for a new hardware supplier, the return of firearms sales and the introduction of a "midline" variety of apparel priced between bargain and the store's signature high-end labels.

Senior buyer James M. Brown said Monday that the store's 50 percent to 70 percent discount on hardware, tools and plumbing, electrical and heating supplies is aimed at making room for products from a new supplier, 5 Star Hardware.

"Our big thrust is going to be the hardware," Mr. Brown said.

Hacketts parted with its previous hardware supplier, True Value, in 2009 after financial and legal woes began to burden the retailer.

The Ogdensburg store's new hardware department will require less floor space to accommodate other layout changes that, according to Mr. Brown, will be in place by the end of the month.

Mr. Brown emphasized that the store will drop none of its high-end apparel labels such as The North Face, Columbia, Woolrich, Lee, Point Zero and Adidas. He declined to identify the labels that make up the "midline" apparel.

The sale of firearms, according to Mr. Brown, will return Hacketts to a product it once sold with success. The store also is counting on the same results with the issuing of hunting and fishing licenses, for which it will seek a state permit.

"It's a big business," Mr. Brown said of the wildlife licenses. "It's a big draw. It brings people in."

The Ogdensburg store also will ramp up its electronics inventory, but will drop jewelry sales. Mr. Brown said the spring apparel will arrive soon.

The store also is discounting winter clothing, gifts, Christmas supplies, electronics, automotive products and lawn and garden supplies.

Mr. Brown said Hacketts had a good Christmas shopping season.

"Not bad," he said. "We did well."

Hacketts also has stores in Massena and Canton as well as a seasonal store in Sackets Harbor that will open in April, Mr. Brown said.

Hacketts is owned by Seaway Valley Capital Corp.