Canadian Tires Erects New Concept Stores for Rural Areas
Canadian Tire is developing new one-stop shopping concept stores specifically for rural markets, including 18,000 sq. ft of retail space, plus 5,300 sq. ft. dedicated to Mark’s Work Wearhouse brands, a 7,000 sq. ft. Garden Centre, 13,000 outdoor compound, and an on-site Canadian Tire bas gar.
The first of two such stores just opened in Heart, ON and Deep River, ON (gas bars are still to be added), and mark the first of four test locations planned to be opened this year.
The other two, scheduled for fall openings, will be located in Athabasca and Cochrane.
"We have identified approximately 100 communities across Canada that we believe to be potential sites for this concept," says Mike Arnett, President, Canadian Tire Retail. "By leveraging the strengths of our interrelated businesses, we are able to bring this new concept to these markets enabling customers in small towns to get everything they need for their car, home and leisure activities conveniently under one roof."
These new concept stores will either replace existing larger-format Canadian Tire stores, or become new locations. Canadian Tire expects each new or revamped location, which is no doubt more cost-effective to the company, to generate $5.9 million annually.
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