Canadian Retail Thread

[eternallyme]

http://www.retail-insider.com/

Good analysis there. Is there ANYONE willing to fill 800,000 square feet though? That much space for only fashion (i.e. no home appliances, furniture, etc.) would be almost unheard of these days, and those hard goods are not exactly the most profitable.

I think the locations at Markville (less upscale area) and Masonville (mid-sized city) are going to be more difficult to fill though. Masonville is very productive, but are new anchors really interested in a city of 400,000? Meanwhile, Markville is not one of the most productive malls, so it is unlikely to get anything higher-end. Subdividing that space for smaller stores or non-retail uses is probably the best they will be able to do.

For comparison, what are typical retail options in US urban areas of population 200,000 to 500,000 (i.e. lower mid-sized)?

[GreatTallNorth2]

Originally Posted by eternallyme

http://www.retail-insider.com/

Good analysis there. Is there ANYONE willing to fill 800,000 square feet though? That much space for only fashion (i.e. no home appliances, furniture, etc.) would be almost unheard of these days, and those hard goods are not exactly the most profitable.

I think the locations at Markville (less upscale area) and Masonville (mid-sized city) are going to be more difficult to fill though. Masonville is very productive, but are new anchors really interested in a city of 400,000? Meanwhile, Markville is not one of the most productive malls, so it is unlikely to get anything higher-end. Subdividing that space for smaller stores or non-retail uses is probably the best they will be able to do.

For comparison, what are typical retail options in US urban areas of population 200,000 to 500,000 (i.e. lower mid-sized)?

You remember that is was Cadillac Fairview, the owner of these malls, that bought the leases back from Sears, right? No mall owner would just decide to buy out the leases without having a replacement tenant. Masonville wouldn't just say "Right, we don't want this large anchor department store, so let's pay money so we can have empty space". Doesn't make sense, so they probably do have a tenant lined up.

[caltrane74]

It will be so nice to get that Sear's Sign off the Eaton Centre and have it replaced with a Macy's or Nordstrom's.

So chic, just want Dundas Square needs to go upscale and clear out the trash.

[miketoronto]

They probably won't do it, because we don't think big anymore in North America.
But that Eaton Centre SEARS location could really be turned into something special.
Just think of restaurants with outdoor patios a few floors up, like they have across the street at the AMC Dundas Square complex.
Retail could fill the lower floors of the old SEARS. Put in a huge grand atrium, connecting all the things together.

These ideas that should be floated around. But I can guarantee are probably not even being thought of.

But such a bold redevelopment like that could help the Eaton Centre compete with Yorkdale again, as Yorkdale has really been sealing the thunder lately, and is undermining our downtown.

[eternallyme]

Originally Posted by miketoronto

They probably won't do it, because we don't think big anymore in North America.
But that Eaton Centre SEARS location could really be turned into something special.
Just think of restaurants with outdoor patios a few floors up, like they have across the street at the AMC Dundas Square complex.
Retail could fill the lower floors of the old SEARS. Put in a huge grand atrium, connecting all the things together.

These ideas that should be floated around. But I can guarantee are probably not even being thought of.

But such a bold redevelopment like that could help the Eaton Centre compete with Yorkdale again, as Yorkdale has really been sealing the thunder lately, and is undermining our downtown.

Even within downtown, Bloor-Yorkville seems more prominent than the Eaton Centre these days.

[craneSpotter]

Anybody going to try Amazon.ca for grocery items...??

http://www.timescolonist.com/busines...asion-1.680728

Victoria grocers ready for Amazon delivery invasion

Online retailing giant Amazon’s foray into the grocery market in Canada doesn’t seem to be fazing the Victoria-based veterans of the grocery-delivery game.

Thrifty Foods, which has offered an online delivery service since 2004, is taking the news Amazon will now be delivering food directly to Canadians’ doorsteps very much in stride.

“We’re not too concerned. Our online shopping program has been growing in popularity, especially in the last few years,” said Christian Arbez, Thrifty Foods’ manager of web, online and customer service. “We’ve been doing it since 2004 and we focus on fresh — the same quality and freshness customers have come to expect from us at Thrifty Foods is the same experience customers receive online.”

Amazon launched its grocery service Thursday with an initial selection of 15,000 non-perishable products such as coffee, cereal and baby food from Campbell, Nestle, Pepsi and Kellogg.

The launch doesn’t include perishables such as milk, fruits or vegetables.

[caltrane74]

Sears lays the smackkdown on Canada Goose. Says the company can't lay claim to putting a logo in a circle.

Personally, I think spending $1000 dollars on a parka is ridiculous. Now spending $1000 dollars on a leather jacket or some nice boots, thats another thing...


http://www.ctvnews.ca/mobile/busines...rkas-1.1534238

[casper]

Originally Posted by craneSpotter

Anybody going to try Amazon.ca for grocery items...??

http://www.timescolonist.com/busines...asion-1.680728

I am sticking to the Thrifty Foods online system....

https://www.thriftyfoodsonline.com//Online/Default.aspx

The product is high quality and sourced locally to the extent possible. Even the software that runs the online system comes form a local company in the Victoria area.

[Nouvellecosse]

So buying groceries online is a thing now? This is something that people really do?

[casper]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

So buying groceries online is a thing now? This is something that people really do?

The Thrifty (part of Sobeys) on-line system has been doing its thing for ten years now. A local company (www.mightyoaks.com) wrote the software.

Thrifty's have a fleet of delivery trucks you see them all over the Island. They are also in parts of the lower mainland now. The system is pretty easy to use. Given it actually comes out of your local grocery store the product is pretty fresh and good quality. Looks like it is something people are actually doing.

[GreatTallNorth2]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

So buying groceries online is a thing now? This is something that people really do?

MOST people in the United Kingdom do the majority of their food shopping online. Because there is so much competition for the business, the companies do it right. You don't pay more to shop online apart for about. £2-3 delivery charge, but often there are discounts so you actually get the food for less than buying in store. Let's be honest, how many people like driving to the grocery store, parking, spending an hour in the store, queuing up to pay and then loading your car and taking it in the house? I'd rather have a nice tesco truck pull up and have a guy carry it in for me at the time I select. The big shops including Tescos, asda, sainsburys and a new online shop called ocado all have every item they sell online. This has brought a resurgence of the smaller local shops where after you do a big order, you rely on the smaller neighbourhood shop for the smaller stuff you might need. It will come to canada eventually.

[Nouvellecosse]

I've always walked to the grocery store and only drive if I want to go to a store that carries something a nearby store doesn't. Going to the store in person gives access to specials that aren't advertised but I can also see advantages to the online option. Hopefully it will be available locally at some point.

[casper]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

I've always walked to the grocery store and only drive if I want to go to a store that carries something a nearby store doesn't. Going to the store in person gives access to specials that aren't advertised but I can also see advantages to the online option. Hopefully it will be available locally at some point.

One of the nice things I find with the Thrifty system is it has the same specials as the local store. I have never compared the prices but I think they are very close to if not the same as the local store.

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by GreatTallNorth2

It will come to canada eventually.

Canada has had Grocery Gateway for about a decade at least. Even if it were the same price as the grocery store, I'd rather go to the store.

[WhipperSnapper]

My ideal for the Eaton Centre Sears is to see it torn down with an extension of the mall built with dozens of new spaces for stores. I prefer to buy from a boutique than a department store.

[casper]

Originally Posted by isaidso

Canada has had Grocery Gateway for about a decade at least. Even if it were the same price as the grocery store, I'd rather go to the store.

In addition to Thrifty on Vancouver Island there is also Stong's in the Vancouver Areas.

Is Grocery Gateway a national service or just in the east?

[Rusty van Reddick]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

So buying groceries online is a thing now? This is something that people really do?

Seriously? I had delivery from Calgary Co-op in 2002, though that service ended. Ordering groceries online (with home delivery) has been around for many years- and before that, ordering groceries on the phone was an urban thing since the 1960s.

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by casper

In addition to Thrifty on Vancouver Island there is also Stong's in the Vancouver Areas.

Is Grocery Gateway a national service or just in the east?

It might just be GTA, but it's been around for a long time. They must be doing ok as I see their trucks driving around on a regular basis.

[Denscity]

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper

My ideal for the Eaton Centre Sears is to see it torn down with an extension of the mall built with dozens of new spaces for stores. I prefer to buy from a boutique than a department store.

Not a teardown but one floor of Sears in Downtown Vancouver is being divided up into a bunch more retail spaces for a mall expansion.

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by caltrane74

Personally, I think spending $1000 dollars on a parka is ridiculous. Now spending $1000 dollars on a leather jacket or some nice boots, thats another thing...

You're paying for quality and expensive labour. Part of the appeal of buying a Bulova is that the time piece is Swiss. The appeal of Canada Goose is that it's made in a country that knows something about making winter gear. It's not made in Bangladesh by people making $1/day.

Canadian labour is expensive. I'm sure you don't work for $1/day. Are your rates ridiculous?