Is Big R the Same as Rural King? A Close Look at These Major Retail Chains - 33rd Square (2024)

If you live in the Midwest or South, you‘ve probably come across the Rural King and Big R chains. With their huge selections of farm supplies, ranch equipment, home improvement tools and outdoor gear, these popular retailers cater to rural and suburban customers alike. But are Big R and Rural King actually the same company? Or are there key differences potential shoppers should know?

As a home renovation pro who loves outfitting my woodworking shop, I‘ve spent many hours (and paychecks!) in stores like Big R and Rural King. In this guide, I‘ll use my interior design expertise to compare these two retail giants. You‘ll discover their histories, store models, product offerings, and more to determine which is best for your needs. Let‘s dive in!

Big R – The Rural Lifestyle Store

Big R started off as a single shop in Springfield, Illinois in 1964. Since then, it‘s grown into a chain of around 30 stores located mostly in Illinois, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon and Wyoming.

As a born-and-raised Illinois gal myself, I‘ve been shopping at Big R since childhood for everything from chicken feed to new overalls. The company slogan says it all: "Big R – For Your Rural Lifestyle." Their target market is rural families, farmers, ranchers and other agriculture pros working the land.

When you walk into a Big R, you instantly feel transported back to a classic country general store. The vibe is friendly and down-home. As Digital Commerce 360 reports, "Big R Storesoffers its customers a unique shopping experience combining competitive prices, small-town service and a wide variety of products tailored to rural living."

Rural King – From Farm Supply to Suburban Oasis

Rural King was founded back in 1960 in my current home state of Illinois. Based in Mattoon, the business has exploded to over 165 locations across the Midwest, South and Mid-Atlantic regions.

As a farm girl, I have fond memories of going to Rural King with my dad for baby chicks and planting supplies. But today, Rural King bills itself as "Your One-Stop Shop" for rural and suburban customers alike. Alongside livestock feed and John Deere tractors, you‘ll find power tools, small appliances, workout equipment and more.

Jerry Cloninger purchased Rural King in 1985 and serves as CEO. Under his leadership, the company has achieved over $1 billion in annual sales. Rural King now employs 10,000 people and continues expanding across North America. It‘s an amazing success story!

Serving the Same Customer – With Different Approaches

Both Big R and Rural King built their reputations as go-to stores for rural communities. They offer all the livestock supplies, agricultural equipment, workwear and horse tack farming families could need. As someone who loves outfitting my hobby farm, I appreciate how both chains cater to homesteaders and outdoor enthusiasts with durable gear, quality tools and helpful advice.

However, Rural King has expanded far beyond feed bags and pick-up trucks. They now court suburban homeowners with selections including patio furniture, fitness equipment and home appliances. As Retail Dive puts it, "The company tweaked its merchandise to appeal to not only farmers, but also to suburban and rural customers with suburban tastes and home decor."

Meanwhile, Big R maintains a strong agricultural focus. They excel at providing hands-on farmers and ranchers with livestock care supplies, robust farm machinery and technical expertise. As a farm girl at heart, I adore Big R‘s charming country store vibe and dedication to America‘s agricultural roots!

Key Stats on America‘s Rural Retail Giants

To understand how massive Rural King and Big R have become, let‘s look at some key statistics:

• Rural King operates over 165 stores and growing. They recently opened a 1.7 million square foot distribution center in Alabama to support expansion plans.

• Big R operates around 30 stores predominantly in the Midwest and Western states. All locations offer specialty services like feed mixing, propane exchange and truck repair.

• Rural King employs approximately 10,000 people, making them a major job creator. Big R also provides steady employment in the communities they serve.

• Rural King‘s stores average around 50,000 to 60,000 square feet. Big R stores are typically 25,000 – 30,000 square feet.

• Rural King reported total sales of $1.16 billion in 2021, per Owler estimates. Big R‘s revenue is estimated to be around $333 million.

• Since 1985, Rural King‘s store count has ballooned from 30 locations to over 160 today. Big R has maintained a small but mighty regional footprint.

As you can see, Rural King dominates in terms of sheer store count and sales figures. But Big R continues thriving with its targeted offerings and loyal customer base.

Product Showdown: What‘s in Store at Big R vs. Rural King

Given my construction background, I‘m naturally curious about the product selections at these retail giants. Here‘s an overview of what you‘ll find in-store:

Rural King

With over 165 stores to stock, Rural King offers an endless array of products including:

• Outdoors – Hunting/shooting supplies, live bait, boats, ATVs, mowers, grills

• Home/Furniture – Appliances, furniture, d├ęcor, storage solutions

• Farm Supplies – Livestock feed, farm machinery, tools, fencing

• Pet Care – Dog/cat food, toys, treats, supplies for small animals

• Automotive – Parts, tires, batteries, accessories

• Clothing – Workwear, boots, overalls, kids apparel

• Sporting Goods – Fitness equipment, bikes, treadmills, weights

Rural King is a paradise for suburban families prepping their gardens and lawns for spring. With amazing deals on gardening tools, ride-on mowers and outdoor power equipment, it‘s easy to get carried away filling your cart!

Big R

True to its brand, Big R focuses on supplying country folks and agricultural pros. Top merchandise includes:

• Livestock/Pet – Feed, medications, fencing, grooming

• Farm/Ranch – Tractors, implements, hardware, workwear

• Home/Garden – Tools, lumber, fencing, lawn & garden

• Outdoors – Hunting, fishing, camping gear, firearms

• Footwear/Clothing – Work boots, overalls, jeans, gloves

• Vehicle – Repair, tires, parts, accessories

While smaller than a Rural King, Big R stores feel like entering a time capsule to old-fashioned country living. Alongside livestock supplies, you‘ll find charming cottage decor, cast iron cookware, and nostalgic toys.

As a designer who loves breathing new life into antique furniture, I adore discovering timeless housewares and craft supplies at Big R for my DIY projects. The selection feels curated for no-frills country living.

Battle of the Brands: How Big R and Rural King Compare

Now that we‘ve explored the histories and offerings of these farm supply megastores, let‘s directly compare their strengths:

Pricing

Rural King is known for running amazing promotional deals – like buy one, get one free savings on gardening tools in spring. Their huge purchasing power delivers serious bargains across all categories.

Big R offers everyday low pricing on farm essentials from livestock feed to Carhartt coats. Their prices tend to be competitive, but with fewer flashy sales.

Selection

With its sprawling 50,000+ square foot stores, Rural King dominates on overall product selection and variety. You‘ll find just about anything for country and suburban lifestyles.

Big R has a hyper-focused inventory with in-depth assortments for animal owners and farmers. Don‘t expect power tools or furniture.

Store Experience

I love the throwback, country-style charm of Big R‘s smaller footprint stores. The personalized service and relaxed vibe makes shopping fun.

Rural King locations are more spacious yet cluttered with products piled to the ceiling. The ambiance tends to be warehouse-like.

Growth Trajectory

Rural King continues aggressively expanding its empire across America. They have the scale and resources to open dozens more mega-stores.

Big R has maintained a stable regional footprint, catering to local farming communities with its 30-store chain. Rapid growth does not seem to be their priority.

Specialization

Rural King casts a wide net with products appealing to rural, suburban and urban customers. They lack focus compared to Big R.

Big R nails the farm and ranch supply segment better than anyone. For true country folks, they offer an unbeatable selection.

My Final Take – Which Store Gets My Vote?

For suburban families and weekend warrior types, Rural King is a magical one-stop-shop for all your home and recreational needs. You‘ll be blown away by their unmatched assortment and deals on everything imaginable.

But as someone passionate about country living and my agricultural roots, Big R remains my favorite retail therapy destination. The smaller footprint stores, laidback vibe, and hyper-focus on farm essentials provides a shopping experience like no other.

Big R‘s unique brand of specialty retailing reminds me why I fell in love with rural living in the first place – and that‘s something no suburban superstore can replace. Ultimately, it comes down to understanding your needs and preferences as a consumer. So visit your local Big R and Rural King to see which mission and selection best fits your lifestyle!

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