Ollie's Bargain Outlet – Retail Signage

Project Background

Established in 1982, Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is one of the largest U.S. retailers specializing in closeout merchandise and excess inventory. With over 280 stores in 22 states, primarily across the East Coast, Ollie’s offers name-brand products at deeply discounted prices across departments like housewares, flooring, food, and sporting goods.

Flexlume began working with Ollie’s in 2016, initially supporting retail signage needs in Central and Western New York. Over the next few months, our scope expanded to include coordinating signage service calls across four states: New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan.

Key Challenges

Ollie’s contacted Flexlume to get a second opinion on retail signage issues at one of their locations in West Virginia, including:

• A pylon sign that was completely non-operational, despite including multiple tenants.
• Lighting issues on the front elevation, including a fully unlit channel letter.
• An earlier estimate from another vendor that exceeded their signage maintenance budget by nearly 20 percent.

They asked us to assess the situation and see if a more cost-effective, reliable solution could be found.

Solution Proposed

Right away, our team noticed inconsistencies in the original estimate, both in pricing and responsibility. Given that the pylon sign included multiple tenants, it seemed unlikely that Ollie’s alone would be responsible for its maintenance.

Through direct communication with the property owner and careful documentation review, we identified a path forward that aligned with both the site’s obligations and Ollie’s budget.

Outcome

Our due diligence uncovered a misattributed responsibility that saved Ollie’s 72% on the service call. More importantly, we ensured the brand’s visibility was restored quickly and professionally, without unnecessary expense.

By taking a strategic, and detail-oriented approach Flexlume delivered more than just a quick fix—we became a trusted retail signage partner. 

Looking for a Retail Signage Partner You Can Trust?

Contact Flexlume today to discuss your retail signage needs and discover how we help brands save money while maintaining visibility that lasts.