Retail News

[fastcarsfreedom]

Somewhere I posted regarding Peoples before. The company had a decades-long presence downtown--though never in J.S.

Used to be in a streetfront location on King just east of James. Moved to the H.E.C. when it opened (1991?). It, along with sister jewellery company Mappins were among the first big chain retailers to bail out of the H.E.C. and downtown in relatively short order -- I'd guess '92 or '93...right when Peoples (and the retail economy in general went into a financial tailspin.

Peoples opening in JS is not only a great addition of a national retailer to JS, but more importantly marks the return of a retailer that had long ago given up on the core.

[fastcarsfreedom]

I happened to be near our local Linens 'N Things--firstly the gift cards are dead in the water, useless, worthless, over.

This company went into a fairly rapid tailspin relating to over-expansion, debt and their focus on home goods. The sad part is that the Canadian operation has been a real bright spot, profitable in the 10 or so years they've been operating up here. LNT made an effort to parcel off it's Canadian unit and sell it to either Bed Bath & Beyond or HBC (Home Outfitters) - however, corporate credit was too hard to obtain for either party--so the Canadian stores--and their jobs--go with the rest of the company down the pipe. As an aside LNT's failure has had a significant impact on Canadian home goods manufacturer umbra, which counted LNT as one of it's largest customers.

Some of LNT's premier locations may ultimately be cherry-picked by one of the other "home" retailers.

Just as the recession of the early 1990s had a landscape-changing impact on retail--it appears this economic downturn is going to have an equal or greater impact on retail. Three significant U.S. chains have closed/liquidated recently - Linens 'N Things, discounter Value City and midscale department store chain Mervyn's. Circuit City has filed for Chapter 11 with the intent of continuing operations...the concern ultimately is that these companies are acting BEFORE Christmas--whereas the typical cycle for retail is to go to bankruptcy court and/or liquidation AFTER the holidays. More to come.

[markbarbera]

Originally Posted by hammergirl

Something else crossed my mind about Peoples....is this a relocation of the Centre Mall Peoples?

Yes.

[raisethehammer]

Originally Posted by fastcarsfreedom

Somewhere I posted regarding Peoples before. The company had a decades-long presence downtown--though never in J.S.

Used to be in a streetfront location on King just east of James. Moved to the H.E.C. when it opened (1991?). It, along with sister jewellery company Mappins were among the first big chain retailers to bail out of the H.E.C. and downtown in relatively short order -- I'd guess '92 or '93...right when Peoples (and the retail economy in general went into a financial tailspin.

Peoples opening in JS is not only a great addition of a national retailer to JS, but more importantly marks the return of a retailer that had long ago given up on the core.

definitely, this is good news.
If they can do well, hopefully it will encourage other retailers to come back downtown.
The store looks nice too, not a shabby looking place like many of the other jewelry stores in the mall.
Also, Deco's Deli and Shanghai Tea Merchant look really nice too. It seems like things are turning around in Jackson....I believe that if the York redevelopment plans and pedestrianization of Gore take place, you'll see Jackson do really well smack dab in the middle of two great urban districts.

[oldcoote]

Originally Posted by bornagainbiking

I was looking at the MEC on-line. One thing I did notice many products were or or made in China and Viet Nam.
Considering the times Buying Canadian (North American) should be a major factor for any Canadian Company.

MEC has recently moved at least some of its manufacturing overseas.

Distressing! They used to be a proud "made in Canada" company.

[raisethehammer]

that's a shame. they couldn't resist the pull to cheap, foreign labour and a completely car-dependent suburban location.

[markbarbera]

The Burlington location is not car-dependant. There are two Burlington Transit lines serving this location via Burlington GO Station and the Burlington Transit terminal (route 2 and route 12). With a bus passing this location every 15 minutes, the transit service here is relatively frequent.

[FairHamilton]

Originally Posted by markbarbera

The Burlington location is not car-dependant. There are two Burlington Transit lines serving this location via Burlington GO Station and the Burlington Transit terminal (route 2 and route 12). With a bus passing this location every 15 minutes, the transit service here is relatively frequent.

Any quess on how many of their customers will arrive via transit? I'm guessing in a place like Burlington it will be less than 1%.

[highwater]

So it's just a coincidence that they're just off the highway?

[oldcoote]

Originally Posted by markbarbera

The Burlington location is not car-dependant. There are two Burlington Transit lines serving this location via Burlington GO Station and the Burlington Transit terminal (route 2 and route 12). With a bus passing this location every 15 minutes, the transit service here is relatively frequent.

Fair enough...

However, MEC has long been a champion of sustainability, and really, this Burlington location is a real departure for them.

Most of us have been in the Toronto location. A great streetfront location in a busy active downtown, with a streetcar at your doorstep.

The Ottawa location is in Westboro, which is an earthy outdoorsy neighbourhood (not unlike Westdale), and not far from the O-Train.

The flagship Vancouver location has moved from its original location, but West Broadway is a very busy and active neighbourhood.

You see the trend here?

Perhaps the move to a big box type store reflects there recent decision to have much of their manufacturing moved overseas. Maybe the almighty dollar is compromising their values.

It's starting to reek a bit like Disney.

[raisethehammer]

Originally Posted by FairHamilton

Any quess on how many of their customers will arrive via transit? I'm guessing in a place like Burlington it will be less than 1%.

I'd set the over/under at 0.4%

[markbarbera]

Originally Posted by FairHamilton

Any quess on how many of their customers will arrive via transit? I'm guessing in a place like Burlington it will be less than 1%.

I was not attempting to estimate how many would actually arrive via public transit, I was merely pointing out that the Burlington location's accessibility is not exclusive to cars as has been implied here.

Originally Posted by highwater

So it's just a coincidence that they're just off the highway?

The Toronto location is just off the highway too, but is also easily accessible by public transit, just like the new Burlington location. The Toronto location, however, is not eligible for LEEDS gold certification.

From my perspective, it seems like this discussion is being driven by sour grapes over Burlington getting a MEC before Hamilton. We didn't get one. Get over it.

[markbarbera]

From MEC's website regarding the Burlington MEC:

Green Features

• The store is expected to be 70% more efficient than a conventional building, and is on track to achieve LEED Gold certification.
• A 24kW combined photovoltaic and thermal solar system will be installed to generate electricity which will be fed back to the grid. The thermal energy will heat both the building and its water.
• The design includes high efficiency gas boilers with radiant distribution for heating, an ice storage system that uses off-peak electricity for cooling, and a fan assisted displacement system with heat recovery and in floor distribution for ventilation.
• Storm water will be collected for non-potable use.
• The use of panelized material and mechanically fastened connections will allow the building to be deconstructed and repurposed when it reaches the end of its life.

Bike
The store is accessible by bike via Brant Street. There are bike racks and we have several bike locks you can borrow free of charge. Just ask at the Member Service Desk.
Check out Burlington cycling routes or Hamilton bike routes. The Brant Street bike line also provides access to the Waterfront Trail, a 900km multi-use path.

Public Transit
All Burlington buses are equipped with bike racks. You can reach the store via Burlington bus routes #2, 7 and 12. See Burlington transit bus routes and schedules for more information.

Parking
Free parking is available for MEC members. We have preferred parking set aside for hybrid vehicles and car co-ops.

[highwater]

Originally Posted by markbarbera

The Toronto location is just off the highway too,

hardly.

Originally Posted by markbarbera

From my perspective, it seems like this discussion is being driven by sour grapes over Burlington getting a MEC before Hamilton.

No. It's being driven by the fact that their Burlington location goes against nearly everything they purport to stand for, whereas a Hamilton location would not have. It's supposed to be a co-op. Members have every right to hold them to a higher standard.

[markbarbera]

Originally Posted by markbarbera

The Toronto location is just off the highway too

Originally Posted by highwater

hardly.

Driving distance from nearest 403/QEW exit to MEC Burlington = 1.1 km

Driving distance from nearest Gardiner Expressway exit to MEC Toronto = 1.5 km

[markbarbera]

I used to sit as a director on a co-op board, so I am quite familiar with how a co-op is expected to operate. I am intrigued by the accusation that the Burlington location goes against everything MEC stands for. I have reviewed their mandate here. Can anyone point out specific examples of how this new location goes against MEC's charter? I cannot find any.

[raisethehammer]

this is moronic.

1. 'TO store just off the highway'. Hardly. You pass established neighbourhoods, retail districts and sit in big-city traffic if you choose to drive from the Gardiner to TO's MEC.
In Burlington, you exit the highway, zip through the stoplight and try to slow down in time so you don't fly past the store. It literally is next to the highway. It's like saying Gore Park and IKEA are equally 'next to the 403/QEW'.

2. 'Bikes can access the store via Brant St' - have fun with that one.
3. Public Transit - yea, a real viable option for traveling around Burlington. Next thing they're going to tell us is that it's just as convenient as the streetcars in Toronto. On the bright side, you can be sure that there will always be room for your bike on a rack in Burlington.
4. Parking - Pay attention to these 2 words (without them, business in Burlington has little chance of survival): free parking.

[FairHamilton]

Originally Posted by markbarbera

I was not attempting to estimate how many would actually arrive via public transit, I was merely pointing out that the Burlington location's accessibility is not exclusive to cars as has been implied here.

I would argue it for all intents and purposes is exclusive to cars. Just because a few buses run by doesn't mean it's transit friendly. And free parking would truly mean they expect the vast majority of people to arrive via private car. Charge $2 to park if they are driven (pun intended) to uphold their corporate values. They could donate the $2 to a wildlife fund, like the $0.05 when you decline a plastic bag at MEC.

The Toronto location is just off the highway too, but is also easily accessible by public transit, just like the new Burlington location. The Toronto location, however, is not eligible for LEEDS gold certification.

By that logic, then all of downtown Toronto is off the highway.

A couple of buses does not make an area transit accessible. By that measure far corners of every major city are effectively accessible by public transit. It might just take you 1.5 hours to get there on a Sunday afternoon, but a bus runs there.......

The Toronto location opened in 1998, prior to or at the same time of LEEDS, so it was never designed to met that newish certification.

From my perspective, it seems like this discussion is being driven by sour grapes over Burlington getting a MEC before Hamilton. We didn't get one. Get over it.

"Before Hamilton", that makes it sound like they'll build another one in the area at some point in the future. They won't.

Personally, I'm more upset by their suburban choice (wherever that location might be) then Burlington over Hamilton. Though I'll admit I'd visit the store if it was in Hamiton, but won't likely visit it in Burlington.

I guess, it's a good thing I work less than 100 metres from MEC Toronto.

[raisethehammer]

I usually go to MEC once a year (maybe more) and enjoy making a day of it in Toronto.
I'll still do that. I don't plan on ever darkening the door of the burlington store...just like I don't darken the door of anything else in burlington.

[FairHamilton]

Originally Posted by markbarbera

Driving distance from nearest 403/QEW exit to MEC Burlington = 1.1 km

Driving distance from nearest Gardiner Expressway exit to MEC Toronto = 1.5 km

That's an apples to Cadillac comparison.

All of Downtown Toronto is just off a highway, but it's an urban setting with, a sophisticated transit system (bus, subway, streetcar) with an around the clock high density. And you have to pay to park at MEC Toronto, but they only have about 30 parking spaces so they clearly expect people to walk, or transit to the store.

I'm going to bet the Burlington location will have more parking than the downtown Toronto location. I hope the Oakville people keep shopping at Hiker's Haven.