[Saint John] Retail Thread - Page 17

kwajo · #**321** Posted **Nov 14, 2013, 1:34 PM**

Their inner-Starbucks will never be as good as the old Zellers Diner

thefishingnut · #**322** Posted **Nov 14, 2013, 8:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by RR Drummer

I was in last night. It looked good. Not sure if they sold lots of stock or waiting for more but plenty of shelves were bare. Overall a decent design and a good flow. I'm expecting them to do well.

Every review I've seen about Target in Canada refers to bare shelves.

hebertovich · #**323** Posted **Nov 15, 2013, 6:01 PM**

Looked like a big Zellers to me

CdnEh · #**324** Posted **Nov 20, 2013, 1:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by RR Drummer

I was in last night. It looked good. Not sure if they sold lots of stock or waiting for more but plenty of shelves were bare. Overall a decent design and a good flow. I'm expecting them to do well.

It's been reported in the media that Target is suffering from supply chain issues - they're simply being slammed with too much demand on their inventory.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on...an-problem-empty-shelves/article9936379/

Taeolas · #**325** Posted **Nov 20, 2013, 4:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CdnEh

It's been reported in the media that Target is suffering from supply chain issues - they're simply being slammed with too much demand on their inventory.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on...an-problem-empty-shelves/article9936379/

Makes sense. As far as I know, They only bought the Zellers buildings/leases, not the HBC supply chain contracts that supplied the stores, so they had to start those from scratch more or less. And even if they had some of the old Zeller chains, they would have been lapsed for almost a year.

Considering they're just making guesses on the demand, it's not too surprising to underestimate what is needed.

Is the chain up to full strength in Canada yet? (As in was the recent wave of 33 stores including the Maritime stores the last wave?) or will there be another wave of openings coming? Now that it's fully open, they can hopefully better estimate the demands and get their supply chains going appropriately.

cl812 · #**326** Posted **Nov 20, 2013, 6:03 PM**

Not to mention what a massive undetaking it would be to open 140 stores in about a year or so. I have heard quite a lot of negativity about the stores with respect to pricing and selection, but I don't know what people expect surely they don't think they would have the same product selection and pricing as in the US. I was actually quite surprised at the variety of products they have similar to the US stores Ive been in. Also it seems like they have more selection of grocery items than the stores in Maine (at least IIRC).

SpongeG · #**327** Posted **Nov 20, 2013, 6:35 PM**

i went to target in bc and 2 days to target near seattle, WA

I compared prices and selection. Clothes offered were the same in both US and Canada, prices varied no more than $5.

Home decor selection was about the same, prices were exactly the same as far as the candles, lamps, decor items that i looked at. Furniture stuff was priced either $10 higher in Canada or some items were the same price and some were actually cheaper in Canada... go figure

I don't get the whiners and complainers. Walmart canada 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 in comparison to Wlamart in the states, same goes for costco... why the hate on for target? weird lol

anyway i have been very pleased with target here in Canada. If it saves me having to wait in 2 hour lineups i'll gladly pay a few dollars more.

I wonder how much of tariffs/duties Canadians really understand. Clothes and shoes have always cost more here because of that.

I know a few months ago Canada dropped or lowered some tarriffs on hockey equipment, they were originally in place to protect Canadian manufacturers, and apparently prices on hockey equipment has come down here, not that i have looked...

anyway as for the zellers comparisons - similiar looking perhaps but zellers never sold mrs meyers, caldrea products or some of the great designer collabs that target gets ie nate berkus, phillip lim, orla keilly etc.

target also had a great super friends collection this past summer with a target exclusive DVD release which they often do

OUIR@random · #**328** Posted **Nov 20, 2013, 7:43 PM**

I love Target in the US and Canada. Me and my wife have been fans for years. Did not go to the SJ or Moncton stores yet, but visited the Dartmouth and Halifax locations last week. Both stores were very nice, clean and new! I can't even see the comparison with Zellers other than the ''red'' theme, Zellers were DUMPS, dirty and filthy, with no upkeep of anything!

Prices at Target were very good and we did some price match for toys (bring your flyers). The stores were well stocked and there was ample staff at checkout, no waiting whatsoever. I don't understand the complaints and whining, unhappy people can just go back to Walmart and let us enjoy Target.

philster · #**329** Posted **Nov 21, 2013, 4:03 AM**

I too agree with the above posts about comparison to the us stores, they are pretty similar, beautiful new stores, I was actually state side to see an NHL game a few weeks ago and knowing that the Target Store in SJ was opening soon, and hearing people who had been to the stores that opened in Canada earlier in the year complain about prices and stock, I checked out the store in Portland ME, and Bangor, took note of some prices and compared last week in SJ, like others have reported, either the same, or within a few dollars difference, I even noticed some things a bit cheaper, to each their own I guess, some like to find the negativity in everything these days. As for the groceries, I do recall an article last year saying that Sobeys was the supplier for the "Target" Brand stuff, so I'm guessing its identical to the "complements" brand with a different label.

michael_d40 · #**330** Posted **Nov 27, 2013, 12:59 AM**

Just a small update. It seems that Wicker Emporium will be leaving McAllister Drive in February and will be moving to much larger location on Fashion Drive once the seasonal Christmas Discounters store closes. It's not the most glamorous store - but still nice to see another long term retailer setting up shop at East Point.

Southpaw78 · #**331** Posted **Nov 27, 2013, 3:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by michael_d40

Just a small update. It seems that Wicker Emporium will be leaving McAllister Drive in February and will be moving to much larger location on Fashion Drive once the seasonal Christmas Discounters store closes. It's not the most glamorous store - but still nice to see another long term retailer setting up shop at East Point.

In Saint John, it hasn't always been the most glamorous store, but they sell some high end items. Here in Ottawa they are in a premier shopping district, so maybe not such a bad addition after all.

http://www.ottawatrainyards.com
http://wickeremporium.ca

michael_d40 · #**332** Posted **Nov 27, 2013, 4:01 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Southpaw78

In Saint John, it hasn't always been the most glamorous store, but they sell some high end items. Here in Ottawa they are in a premier shopping district, so maybe not such a bad addition after all.

http://www.ottawatrainyards.com
http://wickeremporium.ca

When I was in there the other night, I noticed they started offering financing for some of their furniture items that were pretty decent looking pieces. So I suspect they are aiming for a more upscale market with more disposable income. I think they will do quite well at East Point. A lot of people I know (Myself included) prefer to shop at EP. So more variety is definitely welcomed.

cl812 · #**333** Posted **Nov 27, 2013, 2:38 PM**

They moved from the Regent Mall to the Corbett Centre here a few years ago as well.

Whaler · #**334** Posted **Dec 12, 2013, 4:58 PM**

I was into McAlister mall yesterday. (I hate malls)
Parking lot was pretty full. Got inside and seemed pretty dead??
How does that work? Is everyone in the food hall??
I walked through Sears and I have to say........they will be closing. Everything looks temporary. I went to the NBLC also and the manager was speaking to a liquor rep and asked if the rush has started yet. Manager said not at all, very slow.
So.....it will be interesting to hear the numbers after the holidays.

kwajo · #**335** Posted **Dec 12, 2013, 6:57 PM**

With respect to the holiday rush, I think it depends on the retailer. I was speaking to a couple of Uptown shop owners who both reported having noticeably higher sales this season versus last year, so it's a matter of changing shopping patterns I think.

michael_d40 · #**336** Posted **Dec 12, 2013, 7:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwajo

With respect to the holiday rush, I think it depends on the retailer. I was speaking to a couple of Uptown shop owners who both reported having noticeably higher sales this season versus last year, so it's a matter of changing shopping patterns I think.

Completely agree with you here. I was at East Point Shopping a few nights ago and noticed how much busier than usual at group of stores by the Gap and Indigo. Even the Starbucks drive-thru was a painful wait due to the amount of cars lined up compared to usual. So it's definitely just a shift in shopping patterns. Out of 10 times of me shopping East 9 times it's at Smart Centres and East Point, the other 1 time would be McAllister Place.

Side note - It appears that Menchies Frozen Yogurt opened this week on the corner of McAllister/Westmoreland. Strange time to open a Frozen Yogurt store, but nonetheless wish them all the best. I've not even had a chance to try Yeh! Frozen Yogurt yet in McAllister Place. The couple times I've tried it was too busy and I didn't feel like waiting.

JHikka · #**337** Posted **Dec 13, 2013, 5:37 AM**

I'd imagine that frozen yogurt places would do better in areas with higher foot traffic rather than relying on customers with cars. Think Uptown during the summer with cruise ship passengers.

ErickMontreal · #**338** Posted **Dec 13, 2013, 11:46 PM**

Fairweather and International Clothier are closing down their Lancaster locations.

Dominos Pizza recently opened up a location in the nearly full Lancaster Plaza

RR Drummer · #**339** Posted **Dec 14, 2013, 12:08 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by michael_d40

Completely agree with you here. I was at East Point Shopping a few nights ago and noticed how much busier than usual at group of stores by the Gap and Indigo. Even the Starbucks drive-thru was a painful wait due to the amount of cars lined up compared to usual. So it's definitely just a shift in shopping patterns. Out of 10 times of me shopping East 9 times it's at Smart Centres and East Point, the other 1 time would be McAllister Place.

Side note - It appears that Menchies Frozen Yogurt opened this week on the corner of McAllister/Westmoreland. Strange time to open a Frozen Yogurt store, but nonetheless wish them all the best. I've not even had a chance to try Yeh! Frozen Yogurt yet in McAllister Place. The couple times I've tried it was too busy and I didn't feel like waiting.

It's all a matter of dollars consumers spend as well. For sure the more people in the store makes it look busy but it doesn't matter if they aren't spending or do not spend much. From someone with lots of experience I know it's the numbers at the end of the month that matters not just the amount of people in the store. That said let's hope all the retailers have a great season. I was in McAllister mall & East Point as well as Smart Centres last night and they all were busy.

Re: Menchies, they took forever to open but they have a great product. Would be better if they had more foot traffic for sure. I expect to see an Uptown location happening next year.

CdnEh · #**340** Posted **Dec 14, 2013, 11:53 AM**

What an awful location for a froyo place. That parking lot is a disaster, has zero foot traffic, and it isn't even along the route that most people take when they're going shopping in that area - most people turn right at that intersection and don't even bother with that plaza at all.

They'll be closed within a year.