The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread

[sacrifice333]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Given that Statscan says Richmond has the lowest average income in Metro, it wouldn't seem a good market for a high end department store.

"income" and "wealth" are two very different things. Especially if there's an offshore component.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by connect2source

THAT'S THE DRAWING / PROPOSAL!!! thanks officedweller!!

Yes!!... clearly remember the, always dead, Sears in Harbour Centre, it sort of evolved the same way, gradually became emptier with less stock, then they closed a floor and then leased a big portion of the main floor to a book store.

The same thing happened to Woodward's Hastings & Abbott - slowly and more rapidly dropped into decline.

[officedweller]

New informal logo for Hudson's Bay? (at the Olympic uniform unveiling)


http://www.thestar.com/sports/amateur/20...mpics_to_feature_slew_of_new_events.html

[Tetsuo]

A few updates:

American Girl line of dolls thats a huge hit for Mattel is coming to Vancouver via Indigo. Going to be located at Chapters Robson.

Target Metrotown's location is using the space much more effectively than Zellers did, although the parkade(IMO) is going to be a mess.

They moved the escalators to the northeast corner (includes the shopping cart escalators that were brought up ages ago in this thread)

The main cash desks are going to be on the first floor's SE corner (customer service and the pharmacy hangs along the south wall). There are no cash desks by the mall entrance on the first floor.

Second floor will have the electronics and grocery sections, along with a few cash desks by the mall entrance and a one or two by the parkade bridge.


The already opened Target stores are facing a general "meh" response and seem to have the same problems Zellers did with messy unkempt merchandise, poor customer service and empty shelves.

[EdinVan]

A few photos from tonight. All mine.

[Prometheus]

Looks colourful.

Thanks for the update.

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by Tetsuo

A few updates:

American Girl line of dolls thats a huge hit for Mattel is coming to Vancouver via Indigo. Going to be located at Chapters Robson.

Target Metrotown's location is using the space much more effectively than Zellers did, although the parkade(IMO) is going to be a mess.

They moved the escalators to the northeast corner (includes the shopping cart escalators that were brought up ages ago in this thread)

The main cash desks are going to be on the first floor's SE corner (customer service and the pharmacy hangs along the south wall). There are no cash desks by the mall entrance on the first floor.

Second floor will have the electronics and grocery sections, along with a few cash desks by the mall entrance and a one or two by the parkade bridge.


The already opened Target stores are facing a general "meh" response and seem to have the same problems Zellers did with messy unkempt merchandise, poor customer service and empty shelves.

the last remaining wave of targets open november 13

i have been to 4 target stores (3 in BC and 1 in alberta) and from what i saw/experienced they were not messy, there was plenty of customer service and there are buttons located throughout the store you can push and someone will come right over to help, the fitting rooms have an attendant who just sits there at the desk the whole time so trying clothes on isn't a problem

as for stock when the store first opened the food section had a few empty shelves but every visit since than the shelves have been well stocked, target is known for carrying small amounts of merchandise anyway, its cheap and trendy like H&M - so if you see it you buy it when you see it, can't tell you how many times i've seen a lamp or frame and thought i'll wait till next time and next time its sold

i love target always have, haven't been dissapointed, they carry the same stuff i loved about them in the states, the prices are not that bad in comparison - people might be disappointed that they can't find sierra mist, A&W Vanilla cream or squirt soda perhaps but target can only carry canadian brands of pop here...

anyway - kelly clarkson is perfoming for the opening of the new microsoft store in metrotown kelly freakin clarkson yes kelly clarkson THE kelly clarkson

[SpongeG]

nice pics of debeers and TB - i like the colour changing... how do those stores get away with not being accessible? are there interior entrances as well?

[djh]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

the last remaining wave of targets open november 13
...
i love target always have, haven't been dissapointed, they carry the same stuff i loved about them in the states, the prices are not that bad in comparison - people might be disappointed that they can't find sierra mist, A&W Vanilla cream or squirt soda perhaps but target can only carry canadian brands of pop here...

How big a price difference would you estimate there is between the exact same product in the US vs Canadian Targets?

I remember seeing a sensationalised article in one of the usual suspects around about the time of the first openings, which aimed to illustrate how huge the price differential was between products here an in the US stores. Just interested to see if they are anywhere near true.

[spm2013]

....

[daveraver]

Originally Posted by djh

How big a price difference would you estimate there is between the exact same product in the US vs Canadian Targets?

I remember seeing a sensationalised article in one of the usual suspects around about the time of the first openings, which aimed to illustrate how huge the price differential was between products here an in the US stores. Just interested to see if they are anywhere near true.

I recently bought bedsheets at Target and the price was about $5 more than they were in the US. For the most part, the pricing will be slightly higher but not significant enough to justify the time to drive down to Bellingham, waiting at customs (if you aren't a NEXUS card holder) and the gas used. True, the US stores have more selection in some areas but I suspect that will get better in Canada once all stores are open and they can focus on selection/what sells and what doesn't sell.

[theKB]

de beers and TB look great, very NOT Vancouver!

The only thing I could do without is the colour changing lights, a bit cheesy if you ask me.

[memememe76]

I don't particularly buy that Canadians are particularly upset that prices in a Canadian Target and a US Target are different. Prices are not the same for Walmart's and Costco's either, but plenty of Canadians shop at Walmart and Costco in their own country.

I think Vancouverites are used to the Super Grocery Store concept that Walmart and Superstore have developed over time--a large grocery department with in-house bakery and deli alongside the clothes, pharmacy and other goods.

At least for British Columbians who cross border shop in Bellingham on a regular basis, Target is not top of mind in terms of places to shop. Costco and Walmart are top of mind, then Fred Meyer. And I think the new Winco is gonna become more popular amongst Canadians when they're more familiar with the place.

The best thing about Target is that it's located inside the Bellis Fair Mall. Otherwise, I don't know why one would shop there. Target's grocery selection is miniscule. Apparently, Target does have SuperTargets in some US markets but I haven't encountered one. Yeah, yeah, apparently Target sells some fabulous clothes, whatever. But ya know, I think Joe Fresh does it better.

[djh]

Originally Posted by daveraver

I recently bought bedsheets at Target and the price was about $5 more than they were in the US. For the most part, the pricing will be slightly higher but not significant enough to justify the time to drive down to Bellingham, waiting at customs (if you aren't a NEXUS card holder) and the gas used. True, the US stores have more selection in some areas but I suspect that will get better in Canada once all stores are open and they can focus on selection/what sells and what doesn't sell.

Thanks for the reply, daveraver.

Are you talking a $5 difference on say a $100 sheet set? So about 5% more expensive in the Canadian Target than the US Walmart?
Or more like a $5 difference on a $25 sheet set, so ~20% more expensive?

[daveraver]

Originally Posted by djh

Thanks for the reply, daveraver.

Are you talking a $5 difference on say a $100 sheet set? So about 5% more expensive in the Canadian Target than the US Walmart?
Or more like a $5 difference on a $25 sheet set, so ~20% more expensive?

It was on a set that was $60 USD (65 USD after tax). This would be nearly $70 CAD I think. The same set here was $78 CAD after tax. If you are going down for a single item, I think you lose $$; if you go and buy several things, I might be able to see that as a cost saver.

[EdinVan]

Originally Posted by theKB

de beers and TB look great, very NOT Vancouver!

The only thing I could do without is the colour changing lights, a bit cheesy if you ask me.

One colour would look nicer (the yellow-gold looks classy), but the changing colours are interesting because they animate the corner. All in all, much better than a dark corner.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by sacrifice333

"income" and "wealth" are two very different things. Especially if there's an offshore component.

No doubt there's a huge amount of undeclared income or earned offshore. Which also explains the run up in house prices.

[theKB]

Originally Posted by memememe76

I don't particularly buy that Canadians are particularly upset that prices in a Canadian Target and a US Target are different. Prices are not the same for Walmart's and Costco's either, but plenty of Canadians shop at Walmart and Costco in their own country.

I think Vancouverites are used to the Super Grocery Store concept that Walmart and Superstore have developed over time--a large grocery department with in-house bakery and deli alongside the clothes, pharmacy and other goods.

At least for British Columbians who cross border shop in Bellingham on a regular basis, Target is not top of mind in terms of places to shop. Costco and Walmart are top of mind, then Fred Meyer. And I think the new Winco is gonna become more popular amongst Canadians when they're more familiar with the place.

The best thing about Target is that it's located inside the Bellis Fair Mall. Otherwise, I don't know why one would shop there. Target's grocery selection is miniscule. Apparently, Target does have SuperTargets in some US markets but I haven't encountered one. Yeah, yeah, apparently Target sells some fabulous clothes, whatever. But ya know, I think Joe Fresh does it better.

Winco is actually doing flyer inserts in some areas along the border in Canada.

Frankly and I have said it before I don't think people save as much as they do when they cross border shop, they only see the price on the receipt and not the total cost.

If CBSA were to enforce the import laws to the letter, people wouldn't shop down there plain and simple and with all the idiotic belt tightening by the harper government and the new 300 million dollar hidden tax increase through the way of increased duties, i'm surprised that they don't squeeze canadians for every dollar (although that wouldn't be too good for the re-election hopes, easier to pain business as the bad guy and not bad government policies for higher prices)

[SpongeG]

re price differences at target

things i looked at and noticed - i had viisted the coquitlam store 2 days before the bellingham one

mossimo watch $24.99 canada $19.99 US
mossimo socks $3.99 C $3.99 US
mossimo shorts $24.99 C $19.99 US
nate berkus lamp $49.99 C $49.99 US
Candle holder $6.99 C $6.99 US
Caldrea kitchen soaps $8.99 C $6.99 US
Method soap $4.99 C $3.99 US

basically i found a lot of prices in the home decor to be the same or very close - i bought a bookshelf at the store in grande prarie for $69.99 the same bookcase in the states was $72.99 so it was actually cheaper in canada

the biggest price difference i noticed were amongst the clothes, some were priced the same or were $5 more - the graphic tees were on sale here for $10.99 and on sale in bellingham for $8.99 i think it was

i never really compared food since its different brands and such - the target food like archer farms was pretty much the same slightly more in canada but not too bad

[Pinion]

My brother wanted to play GTA V and found a new xbox 360 slim for $89 at Target in Delta. They're still $200 in most stores.