Image: Rona / Rona, one of Canada’s leading home improvement retailers operating or servicing some 425 corporate and affiliated stores under different banners, will open its newest Rona+ store in Abbotsford this week in the former Lowe's store near Costco. From Thursday, February 29 to Monday, March 4, the store will offer the local community an array of special activities to celebrate the grand opening of the stores, including a community event complete with kids’ workshops, food and entertainment on Saturday, March 2 and Sunday, March 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Abbotsford Rona+ to mark grand opening

Abbotsford Rona+ to celebrate its grand opening of converted Lowe’s store this week

Feb 26, 2024 | 9:55 AM

ABBOTSFORD — Rona, one of Canada’s leading home improvement retailers operating or servicing some 425 corporate and affiliated stores under different banners, will open its newest Rona+ store in Abbotsford this week in the former Lowe’s store near Costco.

Rona will hold a board cutting ceremony this Thursday, February 29 at 1225 Sumas Way in Abbotsford to mark the opening of the new Rona+ store, marking the end of the Lowe’s banner in Canada and the reinforcement of the Rona brand presence in the Lower Mainland.

From Thursday, February 29 to Monday, March 4, the store will offer the local community an array of special activities to celebrate the grand opening of the stores, including a community event complete with kids’ workshops, food and entertainment on Saturday, March 2 and Sunday, March 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In a news release from Rona, the company says the conversion of the former Lowe’s stores to the brand-new Rona+ banner is part of a wider effort to redefine how Canadians shop for home improvement. Through this process, the company hopes to build on the strong legacy of the Rona brand and build momentum for a Canadian-operated household name, thereby continuing the transition plan to make Rona a mainstay in the Canadian home improvement sector.

Back in September 2023, Rona announced that it would convert the Abbotsford and Vancouver Lowe’s stores to the brand-new Rona+ banner over the course of the coming weeks. This project is part of a nationwide plan set into motion last June that will see Lowe’s stores in Canada progressively make the switch to Rona, a long-standing brand that has served communities across the country since its founding in Québec in 1939.

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The Abbotsford Rona+ location is located just off exit 92 near Costco.

Rona says the new Rona+ stores will offer customers an enhanced shopping experience thanks to an assortment of products in the brands Canadians are familiar with, as well as lower prices on thousands of products.

“This is an important step for the future of Rona,” explained Andrew Iacobucci, CEO of Rona Inc. “The conversions of Lowe’s stores represent a significant investment and a renewed commitment to the Rona brand. Rona has been a household name for home improvement in Canada for close to 85 years now. It stands for great service, exciting product and brand assortments, good value, and a strong sense of community. We want to build on that and create momentum for this beloved Canadian-operated brand.”

In September 2023, Rona made pledges during the transition that it would provide the best possible experience for their home improvement DIY and contractor customers. The store would remain open during the conversion, guarantees offered by Lowe’s would be honoured, gift cards would still be accepted at Rona+ stores and other Lowe’s stores in Canada, and private brands would remain in the stores’ offering. Rona will also continue to maintain its commitment to Canadian vendors and its affiliated dealer network, who are a key component of the company’s vision.