The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread

[memememe76]

what the demand is for anything down there these days.

No Frills is a big draw. They're busy enough, but I'm surprised they wouldn't want to expand or have an entrance on the street.

[Rusty Gull]

Originally Posted by theKB

I am actually surprised that MEC hasn't considered breaking apart their Vancouver store into a few smaller "urban" locations much like REI is doing. Maybe a downtown location (i could see that major space in gas town behind the steam clock being an interesting location for an "urban" store)...

Speaking of which, is there a reason why REI has not considered the Vancouver or BC market beyond the fact that it may only be focusing on the US market?
Perhaps there's a "gentleman's agreement" in place between REI and MEC that they wouldn't move into one another's national turf?

The reason I ask is because REI stores, in my opinion, are far more attractive shopping environments, with IMHO superior product and prices (and more perks to membership).

MEC stores have always felt bleak and warehouse-like to me, even the newer stores, and the customer service has been known to range from snooty to non-existent, although they have improved in this regard in recent years.

[theKB]

Originally Posted by Rusty Gull

Speaking of which, is there a reason why REI has not considered the Vancouver or BC market beyond the fact that it may only be focusing on the US market?
Perhaps there's a "gentleman's agreement" in place between REI and MEC that they wouldn't move into one another's national turf?

The reason I ask is because REI stores, in my opinion, are far more attractive shopping environments, with IMHO superior product and prices (and more perks to membership).

MEC stores have always felt bleak and warehouse-like to me, even the newer stores, and the customer service has been known to range from snooty to non-existent, although they have improved in this regard in recent years.

MEC does not operate as a proper retailer and frankly that shows. REI will not compete. They operate as a normal retailer who issues a patronage refund to it's members every year. If you are a member you will get roughly 10% back on every purchase at REI, also you aren't required to be a member to shop there. REI is superior to MEC in almost every possible way. From service to selection to the overall store experience.

The other thing with MEC you will notice is the decline of their selection of brands and the increase of their house brand. Either brands pull out because they are tired of being knocked off OR MEC drops them because they have decided to make their own version.

From an industry perspective a small retailer essentially has to lose money to match MEC's prices if they carry the same product unless the supplier decides to not offer MEC any discounts.

If anyone is interested in looking at the differences between MEC and REI just have a look at their financial statements and that should tell you enough why REI doesn't want to play that game. I would also guess that the cost of doing business in Canada is just too high for a company like REI.

Originally Posted by Porfiry

Is that an informed comment about MEC moving or just speculation?

Fairly informed

Originally Posted by officedweller

Sporting Life is apparently wanting to expand nationwide...

http://www.retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2014/6/sporting-life

Plus there are stores like Bass Pro Shops and Cabella's opening up in the suburbs.

Will be interesting to see if Sporting Life makes it this far west, I don't think it will be overly successful and even so they will have to completely re-tool their offerings for BC.

Bass Pro will be interesting as well whenever they open in Tsawassen. I guess cabelas is opening soon in Nanaimo in an old Canadian Tire location but no word on whether or not they will hit the lower mainland. If they do it will be Chilliwhack/Abbotsford if anything. I think the land costs are just too high for them to really consider things here although there may be people out there who are better versed than I on this topic. Cabela's typically gets very sweet deals from wherever they locate because they become a tourist attraction and one can assume Bass Pro and Cabelas were both interested in the Tsawassen project. Will be interesting to see what sort of effect this has on Wholesale sport's Langley location.

[osirisboy]

Kb, how do you know all this info? I mean appreciate the info though

It's just like with sourcing images. Ppl should give the source to info when it's presented as fact.

[djh]

Originally Posted by theKB

Since the Canadaline construction that area has seen a dramatic drop in traffic and it doesn't help that the land owners could give a — about their properties as they all sit and wait to buy each other out. I also know there was a movement to expand one of the BIA's to cover it to keep up the street and make it more pleasant but I think that died on the vine.

@theKB, is that really true?
In your opinion, why would having a transit station nearby lead to less street traffic, rather than more street traffic - specifically to MEC, and also more generally?

[WarrenC12]

I agree REI is better, but the US retailer experience in Canada is never the same. So you can't simply assume REI would have the same pricing/selection as their US stores...

[theKB]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

Kb, how do you know all this info? I mean appreciate the info though

It's just like with sourcing images. Ppl should give the source to info when it's presented as fact.

I am involved in the industry

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by theKB

Fairly informed

Interesting. There's already one midrise condo going up in the block west of MEC. But the new buildings will have streetfront retail - probably at lease rates too high for the outdoor retailers(?) and without a space big enough for an MEC big box. If they do relocate, hopefully it would be next to a SkyTrain Station (i.e. Grandview Highway area or SW Marine Drive)

Will be interesting to see if Sporting Life makes it this far west, I don't think it will be overly successful and even so they will have to completely re-tool their offerings for BC.

Haven't been to one before when I lived in TO, but I always got the impression it was a superficial high-end store - not real outdoor stuff.

[spm2013]

....

[SpongeG]

i always forget that sport chek/atmosphere is next to holt renfrew there

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by djh

@theKB, is that really true?
In your opinion, why would having a transit station nearby lead to less street traffic, rather than more street traffic - specifically to MEC, and also more generally?

What type of street traffic are we discussing? cars? or pedestrians?

I can't see Broadway east of Cambie having been a big pedestrian thoroughfare, but I could see it having been a big destination shopping area for drivers.

More transit use (versus car trips) could mean fewer discretionary stops along the way (especially along a bus route).

[djh]

Originally Posted by officedweller

What type of street traffic are we discussing? cars? or pedestrians?

I can't see Broadway east of Cambie having been a big pedestrian thoroughfare, but I could see it having been a big destination shopping area for drivers.

More transit use (versus car trips) could mean fewer discretionary stops along the way (especially along a bus route).

Aah, oh I see. I thought theKB meant less foot traffic.

Totally understand less car traffic near a subway station. Thanks for the clarification, OD.

[jozero]

"Chewy Junior" (yup) finally opened up near Waterfont station, Seymour and Hastings. A new franchise that apparently is from New Zealand.

I ventured in and tried one, and it is not bad ! Try it out for something different. Weird location though.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by djh

Aah, oh I see. I thought theKB meant less foot traffic.

Totally understand less car traffic near a subway station. Thanks for the clarification, OD.

Just my suggestion for an explanation.
That's the only interpretation that seems to make sense to me.
If it were foot traffic, you'd think there would be more walkers passing by enroute to the station.

[Conrad Yablonski]

Originally Posted by djh

@theKB, is that really true?
In your opinion, why would having a transit station nearby lead to less street traffic, rather than more street traffic - specifically to MEC, and also more generally?

I lunch regularly @ Menya and it's true-the only people one sees headed east are local office workers there aren't a lot of people marching from Broadway/City Hall station to MEC & beyond even with No Frills right there.

[Conrad Yablonski]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Plus there are stores like Bass Pro Shops and Cabella's (sic) opening up in the suburbs.

Canadians still tend to think of those operations as Hook 'n Bullet shops but they're much more sophisticated than that and Cabelas has been de-empathising fishing for years now.

I knew there was change in the wind when a friend of mine's wife quizzed me closely about my fleece vest from Cabelas.

Looking @ it closer it is a nice cut good fabric and unique colour and if Cabelas can attract shoppers like her they'll be in the money.

[officedweller]

Never been in one - though I see Cabela's on I-5. It'll be interesting to check out once they open locally.

**
Interesting "Grab & Go" concept from WalMart.

Order online - and pick up at a secure in-store locker within 3 days:

Walmart Canada rolls out Grab&Go in 10 southern Ontario Supercentres
Thursday, September 04, 2014

Walmart Canada began rolling out its Grab&Go service late last week, with 10 Supercentres in southern Ontario, ...

Grab&Go is Walmart’s click-and-collect service, which allows shoppers to place an order on Walmart.ca and pick it up at any location equipped with Grab&Go lockers. Each locker unit includes 40 doors.

... When the order is ready, an email confirmation is sent along with a six-digit code so that the shopper can access a designated Grab&Go locker. When the code is punched into a keypad at the in-store locker, the door to one of the compartments will open. Customers are given three days to pick up their orders.

...

http://www.sartech.ca/content/templates/...=email&utm_campaign=eNews%3A+Sept+4+2014

+++++++

[bjan]

Sporting Life has already announced plans to open in Vancouver and are currently looking for space, as reported by Retail Insider.

[SpongeG]

cabelas has a lot of camping gear, bbq stuff, outdoor gear for hiking, they carry merrel, columbia etc shoes which are pretty much typical vancouver shoes.

the clothes are quite cheap and seem good quality. they have a fudge shop, carry some home decor if you are into tacky bear or wildlife themed stuff

i think they will do well here, was not what i expected when i went to the edmonton store, was muc more encompassing than i thought it would be

[theKB]

Originally Posted by bjan

Sporting Life has already announced plans to open in Vancouver and are currently looking for space, as reported by Retail Insider.

I have a feeling they will not go through with it in the end but you never know.

Originally Posted by SpongeG

cabelas has a lot of camping gear, bbq stuff, outdoor gear for hiking, they carry merrel, columbia etc shoes which are pretty much typical vancouver shoes.

the clothes are quite cheap and seem good quality. they have a fudge shop, carry some home decor if you are into tacky bear or wildlife themed stuff

i think they will do well here, was not what i expected when i went to the edmonton store, was muc more encompassing than i thought it would be

From a small trinket key chain to a fully outfitted truck they sell it all. If you go to the Tulalip store, they have boats and ATV's, obviously a full selection of — and ammunition and many other products. It is a tourist attraction and in some of the more remote stores they actually offer RV parking and have places to go and try — and hunt.

Cabelas is essentially the Walmart of the outdoor/hunting world. The biggest reason why I think we won't see them in the lower mainland is because the real estate is too expensive and no government will play ball with them. Maybe chilliwhack or abbotsford. I could see them even going to a merrit or kamloops and making it more destination like their US stores.