Winnipeg Retail

[CoryB]

Re 7-11 it is interesting that we are barely passed them announcing closures of unprofitable locations in Winnipeg "due to theft" that we get news that Couche-Tard (Circle K, formerly Macs) has made a public takeover bid for the full chain globally. This will no doubt trigger Competition Bureau review in Canada and perhaps elsewhere such as the USA. I would also not be surprised to see divestment of additional locations in Winnipeg. It makes be wonder if Weston Foods might make a play for a big portion of locations.

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In terms of CF v Anthro and Urban Outfitters, locally I wonder if those locations are perhaps attracting the same people that have seen crime rise in general in Polo Park. I know the mall is so heavily security cameraed they can trace back after an incident and follow people the whole time they are in the public spaces of the mall and likely the shared back room halls and such. The other piece though is to publicly be saying they aren't welcome back in Polo is likely saying they are not welcome in ANY CF property. I am not sure what exactly is behind this but that it has gotten to public statements is a pretty major rift.