Quote:
Originally Posted by Loco101
Wow didn't realize that Hart has a new logo. I've been to Hart stores in Kapuskasing, Kirkland Lake, Sudbury and some in Quebec. (Rouyn-Noranda, La Sarre, Amos, etc.) There are many locations in Quebec.
That is a chain of stores that could potentially grow much more. I've noticed now that there are a number of locations in Southern Ontario as well as a few in New Brunswick. Hart could become the next Zellers/Target but with few departments.
Another similar chain which is also Quebec-based is Rossy. There is only one location in Ontario (Greater Sudbury) but many in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces.
I also put Giant Tiger (based in Ottawa) into the same category as Hart and Rossy although I'd say that GT has become very boring compared to the two others and could be in trouble in the near future. Rossy and Hart tend to focus more on style and trends rather than simply being a discount store.
I wouldn't at all be surprised to see a merger between any of the three store chains I mentioned above.
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Hart used to be a lot bigger than it is now and had a large footprint in Atlantic Canada. About 5-6 years ago they took a nosedive and went into bankruptcy protection. They shut down all of their stores in Newfoundland, a couple in Quebec, and most of their stores in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and another 5 in Ontario. I think there were 25-30 closures. I was pleasantly surprised by your post to hear that they are still open. My mom worked for Hart for years and a good chunk of my childhood was spent in their store.
Rossy came into Newfoundland by taking over Hart's vacant stores. Their ok, but definitely a step below Bargain Giant/Hart. Rossy is almost depressing to go into. Giant Tiger is a discount store which is great if I am looking to buy something cheap. I went there frequently when I was a student living in Fredericton. I go to Rossy whenever I'm at the mall now and always walk out with nothing. 90% of their inventory can be found for about $5 cheaper by walking 50 feet down the hall to Walmart.
Giant Tiger has spread out pretty well and now has stores from Sydney, NS to Manitoba at least. Not sure if they are further west or not. But I have found them to have a decent selection, a little grocery department, health/beauty which isn't shop rot, and even clothing which is sometimes decent. And their renovated/new stores are actually nice to be in.