Retail News

[drpgq]

I think that for a store like Chapters, if there actually was one downtown, it probably wouldn't do too badly. The problem is that, since Chapters/Indigo is virtually a monopoly, why have another store and split your business, when you can cram everyone into your existing Ancaster store. Sure you might lose some customers, but your margins will be great. If there was a Borders and Barnes and Noble competition arrangement, one of the chains might take a chance. The same thing with Future Shop/Best Buy. I despise having to go all the way to the far end of Upper James (I much preferred the location near Limeridge Mall), but downtown there's not one, so one is forced out into the middle of nowhere.

I do think that a Starbuck's downtown is probably inevitable, but I would guess the first location would probably be on James South near St. Joes.