General Retail News - Page 70

Capital Shaun · #**1381** Posted **Jan 27, 2015, 6:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

They were different companies once upon a time, right?

If I remember correctly the FutureShop moved across the street to its current spot around the same time the chain got bought by Best Buy. That was over 10 years ago. I always assumed one would have been closed down by now.

Capital Shaun · #**1382** Posted **Jan 27, 2015, 6:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocketphish

Yup, until November 2001.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_Shop
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/best-buy-snaps-up-future-shop-for-580-million-1.285215

I stand corrected. That's a year or two before the Future Shop on Merivale moved right next to BestBuy.

Capital Shaun · #**1383** Posted **Jan 27, 2015, 6:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocketphish

They are counting on the fact that many consumers will comparison shop at a couple of stores before buying something, without knowing that these stores are essentially the same store. In this way, Best Buy (the company) gets your money either way, as long as the customer doesn't expand their search radius.

That might have worked at first when the brands carried by both chains were somewhat different but looking at their websites now and it's a lot of the same stuff. Same laptops. Same TVs. Same stereos. There's the odd model only available at one of them but it's the same brands at both. The prices are the same too.

Schattenjager · #**1384** Posted **Jan 27, 2015, 8:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capital Shaun

That might have worked at first when the brands carried by both chains were somewhat different but looking at their websites now and it's a lot of the same stuff. Same laptops. Same TVs. Same stereos. There's the odd model only available at one of them but it's the same brands at both. The prices are the same too.

Isn't it Geek Squad at both as well?

wingman · #**1385** Posted **Jan 27, 2015, 9:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

People have talked about stores near them being deserted but FS and BB near me are both quite busy. I was actually there last Sunday. Maybe that puts the survival odds in their favour. We'll see. The chain closed a bunch of stores in Quebec in recent years, but the Gatineau ones were spared.

The stores in Gatineau (1 BB and 1 FS) are the only stores to serve over 225000 people. I could see the FS closing and a new one (BB or FS) opening in Plateau. That being said, I find both FS and BB to be fairly busy whenever I go there (once a month or so).

As others have said, the stores that are in sight of each other would seem to be the prime targets for closure/merger.

Acajack · #**1386** Posted **Jan 27, 2015, 9:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingman

The stores in Gatineau (1 BB and 1 FS) are the only stores to serve over 225000 people. I could see the FS closing and a new one (BB or FS) opening in Plateau. That being said, I find both FS and BB to be fairly busy whenever I go there (once a month or so).

As others have said, the stores that are in sight of each other would seem to be the prime targets for closure/merger.

For what it's worth, the Future Shop in Gatineau seems to attract more people from Ottawa than the Best Buy just down the road. It kind of makes sense as it's right off the 50 and is the closest Future Shop to downtown Ottawa.

Capital Shaun · #**1387** Posted **Jan 27, 2015, 9:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schattenjager

Isn't it Geek Squad at both as well?

Yes.

Capital Shaun · #**1388** Posted **Jan 27, 2015, 9:26 PM**

There's not much of a sale at the Future Shop. The open box items are almost all sold out, the big stuff that's new in box has been removed from the store, and the pegs & shelves are still stuffed with mostly full priced media, toys, cables, gadgets, ect. Walked out empty handed. I presume the merchandise will be moved to other stores instead of being liquidated.

YOWetal · #**1389** Posted **Jan 27, 2015, 9:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

For what it's worth, the Future Shop in Gatineau seems to attract more people from Ottawa than the Best Buy just down the road. It kind of makes sense as it's right off the 50 and is the closest Future Shop to downtown Ottawa.

Yes I live in the Market and it is generally my go to Future Shop. The Best Buy is also probably closer to me than Coventry, but with the sales tax differential now I generally stick to the Ottawa store and probably wouldn't buy anything expensive on the Quebec side anymore.

1overcosc · #**1390** Posted **Jan 27, 2015, 9:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by YOWetal

Yes I live in the Market and it is generally my go to Future Shop. The Best Buy is also probably closer to me than Coventry, but with the sales tax differential now I generally stick to the Ottawa store and probably wouldn't buy anything expensive on the Quebec side anymore.

I wonder how much the higher Quebec sales tax changes the retail landscape in the metro. I imagine for people planning high-cost shopping trips for expensive items (like electronics!) it would create a strong disincentive for Ottawans to shop in Gatineau, and probably cause some Gatinois to shop in Ottawa.

TheGoods · #**1391** Posted **Jan 27, 2015, 9:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capital Shaun

No!!! Plus, The Source in Gloucester mall is also closed and Loblaws paired back their electronics offerings leaving only Walmart selling electronics around here.

Guess I'm stopping there on the way home to check out the sales.

The sales has been on for 2 days now, they had all open boxes and floor models at 50%, a friend went at lunch and he told me it felt like the store was robbed, nothing left.

Acajack · #**1392** Posted **Jan 27, 2015, 11:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

I wonder how much the higher Quebec sales tax changes the retail landscape in the metro. I imagine for people planning high-cost shopping trips for expensive items (like electronics!) it would create a strong disincentive for Ottawans to shop in Gatineau, and probably cause some Gatinois to shop in Ottawa.

My observation at least is that few Gatinois shop in Ottawa for electronics for this reason. All of my family's electronics have been bought in Gatineau for example. I've never heard anyone say they bought TVs or computers in Ottawa to save on tax.

manny_santos · #**1393** Posted **Jan 28, 2015, 12:15 AM**

Someone on CFRA's Facebook page claims the Kingston store was supposed to stay open until Thursday but has already closed and never had any sales. Ottawa got lucky.

TheGoods · #**1394** Posted **Jan 30, 2015, 5:38 PM**

Another bites the dust:
http://www.obj.ca/Local/Retail/2015-01-2...-Kanata%2C-Nepean%2C-Orleans-locations/1

Jones New York is closing all its stores, not a huge impact to Ottawa, 3 stores will close.

YOWflier · #**1395** Posted **Jan 30, 2015, 6:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

My observation at least is that few Gatinois shop in Ottawa for electronics for this reason. All of my family's electronics have been bought in Gatineau for example. I've never heard anyone say they bought TVs or computers in Ottawa to save on tax.

It's probably not within most peoples' awareness. If it was some might alter their behaviour.

But I know of some who are aware, including myself (when I lived in Qc). Obviously if you're buying the odd component here or there the difference is marginal. However, if you're outfitting an entire room or home, the difference can be substantial. Add in some furniture and appliances, and you're talking about hundreds of dollars or more.

1overcosc · #**1396** Posted **Jan 30, 2015, 6:42 PM**

I've heard that the Quebec government actually charges a lower gas tax in the Gatineau area to keep prices competitive with Ottawa gas stations. Don't know if its true or not.

Acajack · #**1397** Posted **Jan 30, 2015, 6:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

I've heard that the Quebec government actually charges a lower gas tax in the Gatineau area to keep prices competitive with Ottawa gas stations. Don't know if its true or not.

It is definitely true.

Acajack · #**1398** Posted **Jan 30, 2015, 6:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ac888yow

It's probably not within most peoples' awareness. If it was some might alter their behaviour.

But I know of some who are aware, including myself (when I lived in Qc). Obviously if you're buying the odd component here or there the difference is marginal. However, if you're outfitting an entire room or home, the difference can be substantial. Add in some furniture and appliances, and you're talking about hundreds of dollars or more.

Good points.

I wonder if retailers in Gatineau take this into account in their pricing.

Places like Brault et Martineau have ''we pay the taxes'' promotions on all the time, but I believe these promotions might usually be province-wide.

eternallyme · #**1399** Posted **Jan 30, 2015, 7:40 PM**

I think it is true. Gas prices in Gatineau are pretty much on par with (or slightly over) those in Ottawa, while Montreal tends to be much higher (as much as 15-20 cents/litre).

Acajack · #**1400** Posted **Jan 30, 2015, 8:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by eternallyme

I think it is true. Gas prices in Gatineau are pretty much on par with (or slightly over) those in Ottawa, while Montreal tends to be much higher (as much as 15-20 cents/litre).

I checked and it seems to apply to any stations in Quebec that are within 20 km of a border with a Canadian province or the U.S.