Canadian Retail Thread

[kirjtc2]

Canada had so much more of it's own identity back then. Too bad we sold out to the American's. :)

You do realize Woolco and K-Mart were American too, right?

[Denscity]

Few stores are as depressing as SAAN was:
http://ensign.ftlcomm.com/business/uncertain/retail/SAAN/002.jpg
ensign

or depressing (and stinky) as Field's
http://boundarysentinel.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/Original/news_images/theboundarysentinel/mar/clake_fields_store.jpg
boundarysentinal.com

And this wretched place:
http://dealcetera.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/the_bargain_shop_flyer.jpg
dealcetera

Can't forget Stedman's V&S Dept. Store
http://vendreici.ca/images/clients/448949/849165/big/meublesbernard004.jpg
vendreici

Haha we've had all of these except Saan but the town next door did.
And I've never even heard of Giant Tiger. The Rockies seem to block both certain chains and polar temperatures.

[miketoronto]

You do realize Woolco and K-Mart were American too, right?

Woolco was only operating in Canada by the 1980's. Plus we had more than just Woolco. There was a lot more Canadian stores back then, even discount stores.

How are we any better off now, with just Walmart? At least we had choice before with a ton of different stores.

I think Canadian's just like to complain. I have been in many Zellers stores, and I never saw any stores in shambles.

[Policy Wonk]

Who could (that lived during those times) forget Consumers Distributing? The closest thing to communism state stores that we ever had in Canada, next to the (still existing) Beer store (aka Brewer's Retail). Fill out your purchase slip from the catalogue. Bring it to the clerk and pay. Wait a year or three. WHOOOOSH! Out it comes on the conveyor belt.

Most famous item in the catalogue: "Personal Massager" (Vibrator/Dildo). :haha: :haha:


They weren't even subtle about it, those would be on the first or second page.

I remember going there with my dad to buy a tent, they brought the wrong one out about half a dozen times.

I think the last thing I ever bought there was a Canon printer.

I also remember a bunch of kids brawling at the location on Centre Street in Calgary over who was next to play the demo of Super Mario Brothers on an original Nintendo.

Before they went under they were experimenting with a big-box format.

[Martin Mtl]

Woolco was only operating in Canada by the 1980's. Plus we had more than just Woolco. There was a lot more Canadian stores back then, even discount stores.

How are we any better off now, with just Walmart? At least we had choice before with a ton of different stores.

I think Canadian's just like to complain. I have been in many Zellers stores, and I never saw any stores in shambles.

Woolco came in Canada in the 70´s.

[Marty_Mcfly]

Don't forget BiWay!
http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lstehzREM41qhpzp8o1_500.jpg
http://forums.redflagdeals.com/merged-zellers-closing-rebranding-sale-thread-1137651/2/

Oh my god.....you're bringing back serious memories from 1995.

[SignalHillHiker]

We don't have Giant Tiger here but I do remember it from Winnipeg. It was pretty depressing but the redeveloped ones from the previous page look tolerable.

I suppose our equivalent is Riff's. But I can't find a website so maybe they've since closed? That was probably the most terrifying chain I've ever been inside. You felt like you needed latex gloves just to touch anything. And the decor - both inside and out - was... rural hockey rink condemned 20 years ago.

If we're talking just a grocery, not a department store, then in urban areas here it'd be Dominion, Coleman's, and Sobeys. We have no Safeway or anything like that.

In rural areas it used to be IGA, Foodland, etc. Dominion AND Sobeys in service centres (say 5,000+ population) and possibly a Coleman's as well on the west coast of the island.

These days it seems that No Frills has cornered the rural market - and even encroaches on some suburban areas of St. John's, such as the Town of Paradise.

http://i57.tinypic.com/4hei5t.jpg
Marystown Mall, Google Street View

It's owned by Loblaw's, which also owns Dominion, so...

[Taeolas]

I used to work at the Metropoletan store (later the Met store) at my town growing up. It and Stedmans were the only department stores in town. Eventually a few Dollar stores moved in as well, and the Met chain folded into SAAN. WalMart moving in finally killed it for good. Stedmans was downtown, and folded long before WalMart came in. They also had Dolphin's as a department store downtown too.

Freddy had BiWay and Consumers Distributing and Woolco and KMart back in the day. If I recall correctly, the BiWay is now the Fabricville, Consumers Distributing is now a TDBank. KMart is Canadian Tire and Woolco is a Walmart Supercentre now.

[casper]

Woolco came in Canada in the 70´s.

I think you are correct. It had been around a very long time. Woolco was "the big box" format of Woolworth. It was interesting setup for the Woolworth company, small Woolworth stores in small towns and neighborhood stores and then have the Woolco in the larger malls.

What is even stranger is the company still exists in Canada. Woolworth had a small subsidiary called Kinney Shoes (remember my parents buying shoes for me there where I was a growing up) that had a little know sub-brand called Footlocker. The Bargain Shop was also a Woolworth brand as well as Northern Reflections or Northern Elements and a few other small store chains.

[wg_flamip]

Canada had so much more of it's own identity back then. Too bad we sold out to the American's. :)

I feel Canada's identity is much stronger now than it was back when I was growing up in the 90s. An identity based on low-end chain retail is kind of pathetic.

I used to work at a Zellers diner back in high school. What a poorly managed store it was. Near the end, I think they were only making money off of the HBC credit cards they were constantly trying to get you to sign up for. I'm not sure that HBC could've survived had they not got rid of them.

[SignalHillHiker]

It's all the same shit with a different name.

Watch the uproar here if they try to change the name of the grocery Dominion to Loblaw's. It's the same fucking store. The logo for Dominion is even the Loblaw's L turned to look like a D.

People cling to difference. But they really only get their backs up when exposed to the rest. I drank more Pineapple Crush and ate more Purity biscuits in Winnipeg than I do here where they come from. :haha:

It doesn't matter really if it's Zellers or whatever else. The places they're in will still be the same.

[miketoronto]

I would like to know why people think American retail is so much better run? The truth is, American retail is not run well at all, and most of it is facing troubles as well.

[TownGuy]

It's all the same shit with a different name.

Watch the uproar here if they try to change the name of the grocery Dominion to Loblaw's. It's the same fucking store. The logo for Dominion is even the Loblaw's L turned to look like a D.

People cling to difference. But they really only get their backs up when exposed to the rest. I drank more Pineapple Crush and ate more Purity biscuits in Winnipeg than I do here where they come from. :haha:

It doesn't matter really if it's Zellers or whatever else. The places they're in will still be the same.

You still have Dominion grocery stores? Thought that brand was defunct.

[SignalHillHiker]

No, it's the dominant one here. Sobeys might be ahead overall province-wide (but not in St. John's), I don't know. But it's definitely in that top two in terms of size, number, etc. Ours were a separate chain bought by Loblaw's but they kept the local branding. I think it was Ayre's that owned it?

One sec...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_Stores_%28Newfoundland%29

There ya go. Separate from the Canadian one but with its branding.

[manny_santos]

I would like to know why people think American retail is so much better run? The truth is, American retail is not run well at all, and most of it is facing troubles as well.

My experience has generally been better, more attentive and friendlier service whenever I've shopped in the United States, especially where Walmart and Target are concerned versus what I see at Rona and Canadian Tire in Canada. This is only a generalization; I've had great customer service experiences in Canada too, but in the days I used to shop in Port Huron, I saw a big difference in the attitude of the retail workers there compared with Sarnia and London.

Even on the Canadian side of the border, I've generally found staff at Target and Lowe's to be a lot more helpful and friendlier than at Canadian Tire, Rona, or Sears Canada. Again, generalizations, but there is a noticeable trend.

[Trevor3]

We don't have Giant Tiger here but I do remember it from Winnipeg. It was pretty depressing but the redeveloped ones from the previous page look tolerable.

I suppose our equivalent is Riff's. But I can't find a website so maybe they've since closed? That was probably the most terrifying chain I've ever been inside. You felt like you needed latex gloves just to touch anything. And the decor - both inside and out - was... rural hockey rink condemned 20 years ago.

If we're talking just a grocery, not a department store, then in urban areas here it'd be Dominion, Coleman's, and Sobeys. We have no Safeway or anything like that.

In rural areas it used to be IGA, Foodland, etc. Dominion AND Sobeys in service centres (say 5,000+ population) and possibly a Coleman's as well on the west coast of the island.

These days it seems that No Frills has cornered the rural market - and even encroaches on some suburban areas of St. John's, such as the Town of Paradise.

It's owned by Loblaw's, which also owns Dominion, so...

Loved Riff's when I was in middle school. The only place in town to get brand name shirts was Riff's! They're still on the go but they stick to the tiniest towns where they are legitimately the only option, like Deer Lake, Port aux Choix and Port aux Basques.

The closest equivalent to the new look Giant Tiger's would probably be Piper's in St. John's. No idea why they don't try to expand outside the metro area, if they could they'd essentially block Giant Tiger from coming in.

No, it's the dominant one here. Sobeys might be ahead overall province-wide (but not in St. John's), I don't know. But it's definitely in that top two in terms of size, number, etc. Ours were a separate chain bought by Loblaw's but they kept the local branding. I think it was Ayre's that owned it?

One sec...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_Stores_%28Newfoundland%29

There ya go. Separate from the Canadian one but with its branding.

From what I can tell, Sobey's banner is only in St. John's, Corner Brook and Grand Falls, but Sobey's owned 'Foodland' is the most common in smaller communities. Dominion is in all the principle towns, with those No Frills things in smaller places like you said.

We have Dominion but no Sobey's presence at all. We have 2 Coleman's and a Co-op though.

I used to work at the Metropoletan store (later the Met store) at my town growing up. It and Stedmans were the only department stores in town. Eventually a few Dollar stores moved in as well, and the Met chain folded into SAAN. WalMart moving in finally killed it for good. Stedmans was downtown, and folded long before WalMart came in. They also had Dolphin's as a department store downtown too.

Freddy had BiWay and Consumers Distributing and Woolco and KMart back in the day. If I recall correctly, the BiWay is now the Fabricville, Consumers Distributing is now a TDBank. KMart is Canadian Tire and Woolco is a Walmart Supercentre now.

Corner Brook had a KMart, it became a second Zellers and eventually Target. The funny part is, until the interior facelift for Target it was the exact same as KMart until Zellers closed out. Even the mall was commonly called the KMart Mall until recently, and people still know exactly what you mean when you call it that.

[SignalHillHiker]

Piper's! I forgot all about Piper's.

http://i57.tinypic.com/2yvszeo.jpg

http://i60.tinypic.com/2vbrj9f.jpg

My mother dies for it. She's down to one at least once daily. Dad can't stand it. I was waiting in the car with him once for Mom to come out and this family with matching buck teeth walked by and Dad said, "See, that's what shops at Piper's. That and yer mudder."

It would be cool if they'd expand, though. At least to take over the closing Target in Corner Brook. CB could support a big Piper's. St. John's market is pretty saturated with Piper's, though, so something else will have to take over Target here. I'd say it'll be something completely unrelated. Golf Town or some shit, again..

[LFRENCH]

People cling to difference. But they really only get their backs up when exposed to the rest. I drank more Pineapple Crush and ate more Purity biscuits in Winnipeg than I do here where they come from. :haha:

What is this pineapple crush you speak of? :sly:

[SignalHillHiker]

From Wikipedia:

Several flavors (Orange, Diet Orange, Grape, Strawberry, Cherry) are available at most stores throughout North America; however, others are distributed only within small markets. Pineapple Crush and Birch Beer Crush, for instance, are relatively easy to obtain in both can and single serving bottle in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador and in Fort McMurray, Alberta.

http://i62.tinypic.com/105ozs6.jpg

[LFRENCH]

From Wikipedia:



http://i62.tinypic.com/105ozs6.jpg

Funny I picked up a bottle of Piná when I was visiting family, I noticed on the bottle it was Hencho En Canadá. I though it was a bit strange as i do not know of it being sold here.... perhaps it is this that it was referencing. :shrug:

[toaster]

Going back to Target. Anyone think Sears might pick up some of the less pristegious, 2nd tier mall locations? I could see Sears trying to get in at places like Cloverdale in Etobicoke, and Billings Bridge in Ottawa.

[Nouvellecosse]

Is Sears really in a position of taking on anything new? I thought it was struggling just to maintain what it already has...

[caltrane74]

Walmart, Costco, Canadian Tire and the Grocers will pick and chose those Target locations they want the most.

Sears is offering jobs to laid off Target employees though.

[someone123]

Funny I picked up a bottle of Piná when I was visiting family, I noticed on the bottle it was Hencho En Canadá. I though it was a bit strange as i do not know of it being sold here.... perhaps it is this that it was referencing. :shrug:

The pineapple crush is pretty common in NS too but it might be brought in from Newfoundland. You can get Purity biscuits and other stuff in normal groceries stores, and then there are a couple of "Newfoundland" stores that carry cod tongues, seal flippers, and whatever else (I think some of the traditional foods have remained regional for a reason).

It's a bit strange when you don't realize what is common everywhere and what's unique to wherever you're from. I remember being really puzzled when I couldn't find some stuff after I moved here. Other foods occupy different ranges of the market in different parts of the country; the wholesale lobster price in NS for example was recent $3/pound.

Here's a Newfoundland-themed store in North End Halifax. I guess it's even on topic for this thread:

http://newfoundlandtack.com/files/gimgs/105_105_img1742.jpg
Source (http://newfoundlandtack.com/books/halifax/)

[Trevor3]

Is Sears really in a position of taking on anything new? I thought it was struggling just to maintain what it already has...

Perhaps they're jockying for a run at taking over the void left by Target/Zellers, or at least certain aspects of it, and trying to be #2 after Walmart. The loss of "the other" big retailer kind of changes the landscape. Sears was struggling, maybe this is their chance to make some noise and roll out a new format or just do something other than 40,000 sq.ft of clothing with a side of a bunch of beds and lawnmowers.

[MolsonExport]

An identity based on low-end chain retail is kind of pathetic.


:haha::haha::haha::haha:

[MolsonExport]

Sears is finished. Everyone seems to know that except Sears. They are kaput.

[toaster]

Sears is finished. Everyone seems to know that except Sears. They are kaput.

They've repositioned themselves, and have started to cater to the less urban, les expensive locations. Many of those old Zellers/Target locations would fit the bill.

[memememe76]

I fail to see how Walmarts in the US are soooo much better than those in Canada. 24 hours is certainly the biggest benefit. But otherwise? Do Vancouver folks really think the Walmart in Bellingham is better than the one in Morgan Crossing? Really?

[Xelebes]

They've repositioned themselves, and have started to cater to the less urban, les expensive locations. Many of those old Zellers/Target locations would fit the bill.

Sears hasn't done any such thing yet.

[Trevor3]

Sears is finished. Everyone seems to know that except Sears. They are kaput.

Sears hasn't done any such thing yet.

They haven't done anything yet as far as I know, and they're definitely going down unless they role the dice and take a shot at something different.

Right now is as good a chance as they're ever going to get to take a run at survival.

[MonctonRad]

Right now is as good a chance as they're ever going to get to take a run at survival.

Indeed. This is Sears last and greatest chance at coming up with a survival strategy in Canada.

A lot of the people who patronized Target hate Wal-mart with a passion. Personally, I go to a Wal-mart maybe 2-3 times a year and pride myself on spending less than $100/year at that particular American icon of trashy merchandise.

I think Sears should abandon the downtowns (which they have largely done anyway), and should seek their future as a mid range retailer for the suburbs and the small towns of Canada. There is an opportunity for them there, especially with the demise of Target. The 50% of Canadians who don't live in our 10 largest cities need and deserve an alternative to the Wal-mart behemoth.

If executed correctly, there could be a future for Sears. This will be an important year for them. They are at the tipping point. If they can't take advantage of this opportunity then they will be gone too.........

[TownGuy]

^ Count me as a Walmart hater. Haven't been in that place in years. Would love a legit alternative since Zellers closed (we never got a Target).

Cobourg has a small to mid sized Sears in the mall but I never set foot in it either. They definitely need to reinvent themselves. Their offering here is appliances, a wide selection of shitty overpriced clothes, towels and perfume.

[casper]

Sears hasn't done any such thing yet.

I think Seas is going in that direction. It may not be a deliberate plan but as a result of downsizing the parts of the operations that are not viable.

In Vancouver they have pulled out of the downtown. I get the impression across the country they are leaving the Urban market. That leaves them with the Suburban locations and the network of Sears franchises in small towns across the country that primarily are depots for mail order and internet sales.

[kwoldtimer]

I think Seas is going in that direction. It may not be a deliberate plan but as a result of downsizing the parts of the operations that are not viable.

In Vancouver they have pulled out of the downtown. I get the impression across the country they are leaving the Urban market. That leaves them with the Suburban locations and the network of Sears franchises in small towns across the country that primarily are depots for mail order and internet sales.

Sears took over some downtown Eatons, unsuccessfully, but basically it has always been a suburban/shopping mall kind of store, no?

[casper]

Sears took over some downtown Eatons, unsuccessfully, but basically it has always been a suburban/shopping mall kind of store, no?

Many of the downtown stores pre-date the takeover of Eaton's.

In Vancouver after the Eatons takeover they shifted from Hasting into Pacific Centre (a few block) The Hasting location was there going back decades, a few blocks away from the Woodwards flagship store. They have now closed down the Pacific Centre store and Nordstrom is moving in. A retreat back to suburbia.

In Saskatoon, the only "full" Sears in the city is downtown.

Not certain about other cities, but I get the impression they tried to make the Eaton's stores work and then slowly left back to suburbia.

They still have this massive network of independent pickup depots in small towns across Canada for catalogue items. Some stock major appliances other stock clock. I think they have a better understanding of how to serve rural and small town Canada than say the Bay or Wallmart. In the west there are two others national companies that understand small town Canada Field's and the North West Co. (Northern).

[eternallyme]

I fail to see how Walmarts in the US are soooo much better than those in Canada. 24 hours is certainly the biggest benefit. But otherwise? Do Vancouver folks really think the Walmart in Bellingham is better than the one in Morgan Crossing? Really?

Walmart has experimented with 24 hour stores in Canada, but the traffic during the night hours didn't seem to justify opening, even though that is when a lot of stocking and shelving takes place.

[SignalHillHiker]

I thought the Walmarts here were still 24 hours but I checked and they're not.

The three in St. John's are 7 a.m. - 11 p.m., seven days a week. And the one in Mount Pearl is 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.

[Policy Wonk]

Sears took over some downtown Eatons, unsuccessfully, but basically it has always been a suburban/shopping mall kind of store, no?

Until 1972 Sears was effectively banished to the suburbs by their non-compete agreement with Simpsons and didn't open their first downtown store until 1976 and it wasn't until 1978 that the federal government shut down their arrangement with Simpsons as anti-competitive after HBC bought Simpsons.

[Marty_Mcfly]

I thought the Walmarts here were still 24 hours but I checked and they're not.

The three in St. John's are 7 a.m. - 11 p.m., seven days a week. And the one in Mount Pearl is 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.

The one on Kelsey was 24 hours for a very brief period many years ago, but the excessive amount of shoplifting put a very quick end of that. People were able to walk out of there with big ticket items due to a combination of less staff, relaxed security, and cashier negligence.

[Trevor3]

Many of the downtown stores pre-date the takeover of Eaton's.

In Vancouver after the Eatons takeover they shifted from Hasting into Pacific Centre (a few block) The Hasting location was there going back decades, a few blocks away from the Woodwards flagship store. They have now closed down the Pacific Centre store and Nordstrom is moving in. A retreat back to suburbia.

In Saskatoon, the only "full" Sears in the city is downtown.

Not certain about other cities, but I get the impression they tried to make the Eaton's stores work and then slowly left back to suburbia.

They still have this massive network of independent pickup depots in small towns across Canada for catalogue items. Some stock major appliances other stock clock. I think they have a better understanding of how to serve rural and small town Canada than say the Bay or Wallmart. In the west there are two others national companies that understand small town Canada Field's and the North West Co. (Northern).

They're called Sears Hometown Stores. Ours does exactly what you said, they stock major appliances and TVs, lawnmowers and snowblowers, and have a counter for catalogue pick-up.

Walmart has experimented with 24 hour stores in Canada, but the traffic during the night hours didn't seem to justify opening, even though that is when a lot of stocking and shelving takes place.

Walmart here used to do 24 hour openings for the last week before Christmas. I feel like their theory was that stock employees were on shift so they may as well open a couple checkouts and try to make some sales. Don't think they've done it for a couple years though.

[casper]

Until 1972 Sears was effectively banished to the suburbs by their non-compete agreement with Simpsons and didn't open their first downtown store until 1976 and it wasn't until 1978 that the federal government shut down their arrangement with Simpsons as anti-competitive after HBC bought Simpsons.

I think that was an Central Canada thing. Simpsons did not have much of any presence in Western Canada on its own. Thought I do remember many of the Sears stores as a kid still had the name Simpsons-Sears.

[manny_santos]

According to an unidentified Target employee in Toronto who was interviewed by CTV, Target Canada's operations will be shut down no later than May 16, 2015.

If I were one of the Target employees losing my job, I would apply for one of those Sears jobs, but I would also apply for many others and only take the Sears job if nobody else gave me an offer.

[Policy Wonk]

I think that was an Central Canada thing. Simpsons did not have much of any presence in Western Canada on its own. Thought I do remember many of the Sears stores as a kid still had the name Simpsons-Sears.

Simpsons got as far west as Regina when the non-compete with Sears was negotiated. It's funny to look back at this today because it would be so ridiculously illegal for two large retailers to establish a joint-venture and then carve up the country.

[manny_santos]

I just visited Kingston's Target tonight, and I left empty-handed. I needed some new sneakers, but what I didn't realize before now is how tiny their footwear department is - probably about 15% of what Walmart has. They had so few running shoes in stock, they had none in my size (10). Tons of empty racks. That said, I'm told the store was very busy over the weekend, with people looking for deals that haven't started yet, but considering the time of year, I'd be surprised if they sold a lot of sneakers over the weekend.

On the bright side, the staff seemed to be in good spirits. A guy working near the front door said "Welcome to our store" to me.

[SignalHillHiker]

Jumbo Video, the last video rental store in St. John's, is closing. The end of an era.

[Taeolas]

Yeah I think Jumbo Video closed their last locations here in Freddy a month or two ago. Other than the Redboxes in Sobeys, I don't think there's any way to rent videos any more in town. (Maybe Scholtons and some of the convienence stores still rent but that's about it)

[manny_santos]

Jumbo Video, the last video rental store in St. John's, is closing. The end of an era.

As far as I know, we still have the one in Kingston, but they're expensive compared with the independent video rental downtown - Classic Video. The one downtown still does very well - it's often busy even during weekdays. After Robin Williams died, the owner told me that every single one of their titles that he was in, even the lesser known ones, were rented out. They have specialized in a lot of classic TV shows, including an extensive Dr. Who collection, and a lot of shows you can't easily find online.

[esquire]

As far as I know, we still have the one in Kingston, but they're expensive compared with the independent video rental downtown - Classic Video. The one downtown still does very well - it's often busy even during weekdays. After Robin Williams died, the owner told me that every single one of their titles that he was in, even the lesser known ones, were rented out. They have specialized in a lot of classic TV shows, including an extensive Dr. Who collection, and a lot of shows you can't easily find online.

I think these cinephile specialty shops will be the only real alternative to Redbox for physical media rentals as long as DVDs/Blurays remain a common way to watch movies... kind of crazy considering how ubiquitous video rental stores used to be 20 years ago.

For what it's worth I don't mind Redboxes. Obviously the selection is a bit thin with mostly big new releases on offer, but the price can't be beat and they are really convenient. Since a few of them popped up in my neighbourhood, I have stopped using PPV movies from my cable provider.

[kwoldtimer]

The Mop & Pail is reporting that GoodLife Fitness may be looking at taking on some Target locations.

[Taeolas]

The Mop & Pail is reporting that GoodLife Fitness may be looking at taking on some Target locations.

I could see that happening in Freddy. Not the entire space; but one of the bigger Good Life gyms here was set up next to Target when Fredericton Mall converted to Uptown Centre. Currently they basically have a storefront slot that also reaches along the back of the mall behind a couple of other stores.

So I could see them chewing into the Target space, maybe setting up a Goodlife Women and Kids gym in parallel with the Goodlife Coed location already there. (They already have a similar parallel across the river here). If the stores Goodlife reaches behind want their backdoors accessible again, it could be a win for everyone.

[SignalHillHiker]

That could work here. Target is out in the middle of nowhere, literally at the edge of the city, but there is a trailer park and some subdivisions nearby.

http://i57.tinypic.com/x8679.jpg

[Acajack]

GoodLife has a limited presence in Quebec as they have something of a non-aggression pact with Quebec club Énergie Cardio.

There is actually an Énergie Cardio in the same complex as the Target that will be closing down near my place.

Our closed Target would be a good location for one of those mini-IKEAs, or maybe a furniture store from the Montreal area that doesn't yet have a footprint in the Outaouais.

Walmart is out of the question as they are already 1 km or less away on the same road.

[MalcolmTucker]

GoodLife has a limited presence in Quebec as they have something of a non-aggression pact with Quebec club Énergie Cardio.

There is actually an Énergie Cardio in the same complex as the Target that will be closing down near my place.

Our closed Target would be a good location for one of those mini-IKEAs, or maybe a furniture store from the Montreal area that doesn't yet have a footprint in the Outaouais.

Walmart is out of the question as they are already 1 km or less away on the same road.

GoodLife and Énergie Cardio are the same company, merged in 2009.

[MolsonExport]

Goodlife fitness is an extremely poor substitute of an anchor. We have them all over London, some in malls (but we are talking about peripheral local malls that somehow survive despite themselves). People going for a workout are not exactly shopping-inclined when they get out.

[LFRENCH]

Goodlife fitness is an extremely poor substitute of an anchor. We have them all over London, some in malls (but we are talking about peripheral local malls that somehow survive despite themselves). People going for a workout are not exactly shopping-inclined when they get out.

not to mention half their membership probably doesn't even go there on a regular basis. I think goodlife would be terrible for many of the locations here in Calgary

[vanatox]

GoodLife and Énergie Cardio are the same company, merged in 2009.

No, they are not the same company. They are partners, but they still are two distinct companies. Acajack was right with is non-agression pact.

http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/544013/new-partnership-between-energie-cardio-and-goodlife-fitness

[memememe76]

I would *love* it if Steve Nash Fitness World (my gym) moved into any of the Metro Vancouver Target locations--Metrotown, particularly, just because the current location on Kingsway sucks so much. Goodlife is still pretty new here, but I could see it move into the Lansdowne Mall location in Richmond.

[manny_santos]

Goodlife fitness is an extremely poor substitute of an anchor. We have them all over London, some in malls (but we are talking about peripheral local malls that somehow survive despite themselves). People going for a workout are not exactly shopping-inclined when they get out.

Goodlife has taken over former department stores before, at least in London. The basement level of the former Eaton's at Galleria became part of a Goodlife, and the Zellers at Sherwood Forest Mall became a Goodlife. That Zellers closed during a round of closures of underperforming Zellers locations about 12-13 years ago; that store still had the mid-1970s logo up until its closure.

[MalcolmTucker]

No, they are not the same company. They are partners, but they still are two distinct companies. Acajack was right with is non-agression pact.

http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/544013/new-partnership-between-energie-cardio-and-goodlife-fitness

From a Globe and Mail profile on the company (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-magazine/the-secret-of-goodlifes-success/article17673987/?page=all):
GoodLife also merged with Energie Cardio, a 65-club chain in Quebec, in 2009.

[Tony]

Goodlife fitness is an extremely poor substitute of an anchor. We have them all over London, some in malls (but we are talking about peripheral local malls that somehow survive despite themselves). People going for a workout are not exactly shopping-inclined when they get out.

This.

Goodlife also seems to have a sort of cult following.

[GreaterMontréal]

From a Globe and Mail profile on the company (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-magazine/the-secret-of-goodlifes-success/article17673987/?page=all):

conditional partnership in Québec.


As part of this agreement, Énergie Cardio retains its brand in Quebec; senior management, current management and staff remain unchanged. "The six centers GoodLife Fitness, located in Quebec in Loblaws supermarkets, will soon become Énergie Cardio centers," said the founding president of the banner Énergie Cardio,
oct 2009

Since Énergie Cardio leads the way for health and fitness in Québec, the combined strength and expertise of our two companies, means more benefits for members and access to more clubs", said Patchell-Evans. GoodLife has partnered with Énergie Cardio according to Patchell-Evans "because I was impressed by their well-run operations, great people, positive atmosphere and commitment to giving back to their communities. Success is proportionate to how you treat the people you come in contact with - great employees translate into satisfied members."
http://www.newswire.ca/fr/story/544013/new-partnership-between-energie-cardio-and-goodlife-fitness

[1overcosc]

Anyone know if Target has started clearance sales yet?

[Nathan]

Anyone know if Target has started clearance sales yet?

I could be wrong, but I thought I read in 2-3 weeks.

Not like they'll have that much extra stock to get through though... :notacrook:

[Taeolas]

I could be wrong, but I thought I read in 2-3 weeks.

Not like they'll have that much extra stock to get through though... :notacrook:

Seriously. I was at the Freddy Target on Tuesday, and the shelves were so empty, it looked like they were 2-3 weeks into the Clearance sales already, except for the lack of clearance sales. (Was looking for towels and their entire bathroom section could've been compressed to 1 aisle and still not looked crowded).

Last I heard, they're going to start liquidating the first or second week of February.

[Coldrsx]

Second Simons for Edmonton at Londonderry mall.

[manny_santos]

Starbucks is wasting no time in getting out of its Target Canada locations. All locations will be closed by the end of today.

http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/starbucks-out-of-target-today-1.2202280

[Nouvellecosse]

Maybe they're afraid the Target locations will be looted! :P

[ScreamingViking]

No time for coffee if you're running around trying to scoop up discounted merchandise (assuming there is any ;) )

[manny_santos]

I was in Billings Bridge in Ottawa today, and although the mall was busy, the parking lot down by Target was pretty deserted.

After finding out about the level of compensation their former CEO is getting, and how much compensation Canadian managers are getting, I don't plan to buy any more at Target during the wind-down. Let the shareholders waste their money and forego dividends to pay for this.

[FrankieFlowerpot]

Uniqlo are opening 2 stores in Toronto - one at the Eaton Centre in the former Sears space (28,000sf) and at Yorkdale (24,000sf)

http://www.thestar.com/business/2015/01/26/uniqlo-to-open-to-2-flagship-clothing-shops-in-toronto.html

[MonctonRad]

After finding out about the level of compensation their former CEO is getting, and how much compensation Canadian managers are getting, I don't plan to buy any more at Target during the wind-down. Let the shareholders waste their money and forego dividends to pay for this.

Agreed. This whole thing has left a very foul taste in my mouth.

[Tony]

Starbucks is wasting no time in getting out of its Target Canada locations. All locations will be closed by the end of today.

http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/starbucks-out-of-target-today-1.2202280

All Sbux in Targets are Franchise, owned I believe, by Target.

It makes sense for them to bail early. Their excess merchandise cannot be shipped back to the States or to another store (corporate stores and other franchise won't buy it). A lot of the stock is also perishable and better to stop the shipments immediately.

[manny_santos]

All Sbux in Targets are Franchise, owned I believe, by Target.

It makes sense for them to bail early. Their excess merchandise cannot be shipped back to the States or to another store (corporate stores and other franchise won't buy it). A lot of the stock is also perishable and better to stop the shipments immediately.

That is correct - from my understanding, Starbucks ended their franchise agreements. I suspect that they also didn't want their brand associated with Target in Canada any longer, and I don't blame them.

[caltrane74]

Uniqlo are opening 2 stores in Toronto - one at the Eaton Centre in the former Sears space (28,000sf) and at Yorkdale (24,000sf)

http://www.thestar.com/business/2015/01/26/uniqlo-to-open-to-2-flagship-clothing-shops-in-toronto.html

I'm taking a guess here, but it's looking like the mall portion of the Eaton Centre will continue through the middle of the old SEARS store, and the North Eastern Flank (with huge windows/LED Screens/Facing Yonge) will be Nordstorms and the Western Flank (without windows) will be Uniglo.


Also, I have a feeling the huge multi-level cafes will over window seating facing onto Yonge, with 2 to 3 levels of window seating facing onto Yonge. Will really animate the street, not to mention new LED Screens. (Just spit-balling here, but you never know??)

http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2UBXDeXLyrc/VBjOwFCzXxI/AAAAAAAASwk/AA_seFQU9A4/s1600/IMG_20140916_195519.jpg


http://lh5.ggpht.com/-A8a-MMnSScI/VKcHMlxrYXI/AAAAAAAATgM/uaOJqsdS7qU/s1600/IMG_20150102_155311.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bHB0vNKFKOo/VFipDqBiT9I/AAAAAAAATEc/KBRo9WAiD54/s1600/IMG_20141104_051835.jpg

[J.OT13]

Any rendering of what the revamped Eaton/Sears/Nordstrom section will look like.

[MolsonExport]

Starbucks is wasting no time in getting out of its Target Canada locations. All locations will be closed by the end of today.

http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/starbucks-out-of-target-today-1.2202280

https://sdwriters.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/stay-on-target.gif
sdwriters

https://i.imgflip.com/7lx0t.gif

[le calmar]

Since you guys are talking about Yonge-Dundas, can someone tell me what they are building where the white crane is?

http://oi61.tinypic.com/2q366x1.jpg

[caltrane74]

Any rendering of what the revamped Eaton/Sears/Nordstrom section will look like.

They seem to be really secretive about releasing any renderings. That's why I have a feeling there will be some interactive media component to the re-design.

Still the cafe's are the big news here.


Since you guys are talking about Yonge-Dundas, can someone tell me what they are building where the white crane is?
]

30-35 floor apartment building.

[manny_santos]

Over the past several days, Future Shop has announced the closing of several of their stores, including ones in Kingston, Regina, and now the Gloucester location in Ottawa. In Kingston's case, the store is located in the same complex as Best Buy, which owns Future Shop.

Wonder how many people outside of this forum even knew Future Shop was American-owned.

[J.OT13]

They seem to be really secretive about releasing any renderings. That's why I have a feeling there will be some interactive media component to the re-design.

Still the cafe's are the big news here.


Couple cafés street level will be great for the area. The Rideau Centre will have two street level restaurants in the expansion; Earl's on Rideau Street which is a "lounge type bar and dinner" according to an Ottawa foramer, and Joey's which will be on the corner of Rideau and Nicholas (to become a pedestrian street, so guaranteed patio).

Looking forward to the finished product for Eaton's. I would love to see a Yonge Dundas type area in Ottawa. Maybe Rideau at King Edward someday.

[Mrs Sauga]

Since you guys are talking about Yonge-Dundas, can someone tell me what they are building where the white crane is?

http://oi61.tinypic.com/2q366x1.jpg

You don't want to know. Its hideous. I can't find a render though. But you wouldn't want to see it anyway.

[MolsonExport]

Over the past several days, Future Shop has announced the closing of several of their stores, including ones in Kingston, Regina, and now the Gloucester location in Ottawa. In Kingston's case, the store is located in the same complex as Best Buy, which owns Future Shop.

Wonder how many people outside of this forum even knew Future Shop was American-owned.

In the past it was Canadian...with that and the shrinking number of outlets, perhaps it should be relabelled Past Shop, or Past Prime, or Fuck Off With Your Bullshit Extended Warranty.

[Nouvellecosse]

Over the past several days, Future Shop has announced the closing of several of their stores, including ones in Kingston, Regina, and now the Gloucester location in Ottawa. In Kingston's case, the store is located in the same complex as Best Buy, which owns Future Shop.

Wonder how many people outside of this forum even knew Future Shop was American-owned.

Well they sell the exact same products at the exact same prices and even have the same items featured during their sales. Not Not sure the purpose of having the two chains operating in duplication like that. You'd think if they wanted to maintain two separate brands they would do something to differentiate them.

[SpongeG]

the prices are slightly different. i bought a tv at future shop way back in 2008, it was 899 at future shop and 799 at best buy, so i went to futureshop and they priced matched it plus 10%

looking through the flyers a lot of things are priced slightly different and not on sale at the same time

i find the best buy stores more pleasant to shop in compared to futureshop which feels cluttered and dated and confusing in comparison

[Nouvellecosse]

Well that either just recently changed or they handle things differently out west than they do here. Here the best buy and FS are about a 5 min walk apart and I remember numerous times when i was looking for a particular product going and checking both and there was never any differences.

[MalcolmTucker]

Over the past several days, Future Shop has announced the closing of several of their stores, including ones in Kingston, Regina, and now the Gloucester location in Ottawa. In Kingston's case, the store is located in the same complex as Best Buy, which owns Future Shop.

Wonder how many people outside of this forum even knew Future Shop was American-owned.

Chapters tried to buy them and the competition bureau rejected it (or vice versa). Then Indigo bought Chapters and Best Buy bought Future shop.

[Trans Canada]

Main difference between Best Buy and Future Shop IIRC is that employees of Future Shop work for commission and Best Buy do not.

That BB/FF/Chapters/Indigo situation sounds odd to me, isn't it worse for competition to have electronics all under one ownership and books all under another, rather than competition between 2 diversified companies?

[manny_santos]

I've only bought one thing at Future Shop over the past 10 years, and it was a device that let me hook up my computer to a video feed so I could transfer VHS onto my hard drive. It didn't work, and as I found out reading the manufacturer's forum, it didn't work for most other users, and their tech support was incompetent. I returned it to Future Shop, told them they should stop selling defective products and I haven't set foot in one since.

Commission-based compensation needs to go away - it's bad for employees who are given unrealistic expectations, and it's bad for consumers who get swarmed by commission-hungry salespeople. I'm not shedding a tear for Future Shop's broken business model.

[MalcolmTucker]

Main difference between Best Buy and Future Shop IIRC is that employees of Future Shop work for commission and Best Buy do not.

That BB/FF/Chapters/Indigo situation sounds odd to me, isn't it worse for competition to have electronics all under one ownership and books all under another, rather than competition between 2 diversified companies?

Best Buy wasn't in the Canadian market at the time, or at least not in a significant way. And back in the day Chapter's had reasonably sized software departments and both sold music.

[1overcosc]

Chapters/Indigo/Coles may have a near monopoly on physical store book sales, but remember that through the internet Amazon is a huge competitor to them. In fact, that consortium has suffered badly from the advent of online shopping.

[1overcosc]

Commission-based compensation needs to go away - it's bad for employees who are given unrealistic expectations, and it's bad for consumers who get swarmed by commission-hungry salespeople. I'm not shedding a tear for Future Shop's broken business model.

Agreed. As an introvert, I find being swarmed by salespeople quite irritating. Haircuts also irritate me... if there was a chain of salons whose haircutters had a no talking rule, I would be their most loyal customer.

[TorontoDrew]

How are the Nordstrom locations coming along across Canada?

[caltrane74]

How are the Nordstrom locations coming along across Canada?

The first one has opened up in Calgary, second up I believe is Vancouver.

[1overcosc]

Ottawa's is opening in March.

[Policy Wonk]

Well they sell the exact same products at the exact same prices and even have the same items featured during their sales. Not Not sure the purpose of having the two chains operating in duplication like that. You'd think if they wanted to maintain two separate brands they would do something to differentiate them.

It's called "Don't Beat the Competition, Be the Competition", it's about the illusion of competition between two ostensibly identical stores.

Future Shop entered the US market in the 90's and had a mutual bruising with Best Buy everywhere they clashed. They eventually left the US and got ready for the eventual siege when Best Buy entered Canada.

In 2001 Best Buy came North to a waiting Future Shop who had bought Computer City to those locations and associated Canadian infrastructure out of Best Buy's hands as well as having secured a lot of redundant locations to tie them up.

Deciding that fighting Future Shop was at best going to be ruinously expensive and possibly futile, Best Buy bought them out and established the duality we have today. Best Buy the clean and bright US retailer of your Black Friday roadtrips. And Future Shop, the name you "trust".

[Denscity]

The first one has opened up in Calgary, second up I believe is Vancouver.

I'm not sure Vancouver is next as they're the only city getting a flagship Nordstroms so should take longer to fit out the space.

[caltrane74]

I'm not sure Vancouver is next as they're the only city getting a flagship Nordstroms so should take longer to fit out the space.

Can't be any longer than Toronto's which is going to take another year and a half, as was announced some time in the late winter/early spring of last year.

[manny_santos]

Agreed. As an introvert, I find being swarmed by salespeople quite irritating. Haircuts also irritate me... if there was a chain of salons whose haircutters had a no talking rule, I would be their most loyal customer.

Midas is another bad one, they are so pushy. When I want my winter tires installed, I just want my tires installed, I don't want them calling me and wasting my time at work trying to sell me a bunch of other things I don't need. It's bad enough they have bankers' hours. I've been using Midas for the past year and a half, but I'm planning to switch to Canadian Tire where I find they just do what you tell them to do and they do it, plus their hours are a lot more convenient.

If you find yourself back in Kingston anytime soon, try Generations on Queen Street. I've been there a bunch of times and the guy who cuts my hair doesn't say a word. And he does a much better job than some other places in town.

[1overcosc]

My boyfriend worked at the now-closed Future Shop in Kingston for a few weeks over the holidays (hired as a temp) and he said it was quite empty most of the time.