Canadian Retail Thread - Page 327

MonctonRad · #**6521** Posted **Apr 8, 2022, 12:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

how many brands does CT own? they bought Helly Hanson, Paderno, Woods, and Noma, what else do they own?

Paderno is based in Charlottetown and has their manufacturing facility there.

Before they sold out to Canadian Tire, there was a chain of Paderno Factory Stores in the Maritimes and they were fantastic kitchen stores. Any fancy kitchen doodad that you could ever want was available there. It was my go to place to pick up stuff for the kitchen.

Sadly, the Paderno stores were all closed up after the sale to Canadian Tire. You can get all the Paderno cookware at Canadian Tire, but they don't have the wide selection of kitchen wares that you could get at the Paderno stores.

casper · #**6522** Posted **Apr 8, 2022, 1:13 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

how many brands does CT own? they bought Helly Hanson, Paderno, Woods, and Noma, what else do they own?

It is a long list.....

Marks Work Wear World
Part Source
Party City (very dollar store like)
Sports Check
National Sports
Nevada Bobs Golf
Intersport
Some hockey stores (Hockey Export and a few others)

Very much into sports.

Loco101 · #**6523** Posted **Apr 8, 2022, 3:45 AM**

Canadian Tire also owns the stores Sports Experts and Atmosphere.

MonctonRad · #**6524** Posted **Apr 8, 2022, 11:54 AM**

LL Bean has just confirmed a new store for CF Champlain Place in Dieppe (Moncton) NB.

Airboy · #**6525** Posted **Apr 8, 2022, 2:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by casper

It is a long list.....

Marks Work Wear World
Part Source
Party City (very dollar store like)
Sports Check
National Sports
Nevada Bobs Golf
Intersport
Some hockey stores (Hockey Export and a few others)

Very much into sports.

Didn't know about Woods and Paderno. Liked my woods gear. The old Resolute jacket was my best extreme weather coat for years. Long before Canada Goose had a similar jacket. And a hell of a lot cheaper. Lasted about 15 years before I had to replace it. And it was still relatively good. just not as effective in extreme cold.

Marks is probably my most regular store. I have noticed that they are very well geared to a community. Some store are heavier on Office and Healthcare clothing where in other communities they are very much Trades focused.

And as much as we malign CT, Its one of the few places I can usually find what I need in a hurry.

SpongeG · #**6526** Posted **Apr 9, 2022, 12:54 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by casper

It is a long list.....

Marks Work Wear World
Part Source
Party City (very dollar store like)
Sports Check
National Sports
Nevada Bobs Golf
Intersport
Some hockey stores (Hockey Export and a few others)

Very much into sports.

ah ok. quite the collection they have now.

Loco101 · #**6527** Posted **Apr 9, 2022, 4:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

LL Bean has just confirmed a new store for CF Champlain Place in Dieppe (Moncton) NB.

I didn't realize that they have store locations in Canada until I saw one in January in Barrie ON. I'm surprised that they haven't moved into the Quebec market being a Maine-based company. I know there's the whole language stuff but even then, Quebecers tend to be bigger on outdoor gear and clothing than much of the rest of North America.

Acajack · #**6528** Posted **Apr 9, 2022, 4:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loco101

I didn't realize that they have store locations in Canada until I saw one in January in Barrie ON. I'm surprised that they haven't moved into the Quebec market being a Maine-based company. I know there's the whole language stuff but even then, Quebecers tend to be bigger on outdoor gear and clothing than much of the rest of North America.

LL Bean and others like Columbia, Patagonia, North Face, etc. are popular here but a big chunk of the market is occupied by local brands: Louis Garneau, Chlorophylle, Orage, Kanuk, Lachasse, Lolë, etc.

Loco101 · #**6529** Posted **Apr 9, 2022, 5:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

LL Bean and others like Columbia, Patagonia, North Face, etc. are popular here but a big chunk of the market is occupied by local brands: Louis Garneau, Chlorophylle, Orage, Kanuk, Lachasse, Lolë, etc.

Oh yes, definitely lots of Quebec-based brands. I still use my 20 year old Louis Garneau showshoes. Chlorophylle has a store in Rouyn-Noranda but I find it to be too expensive.

But you'd think that LL Bean would at the very least open stores in the Montreal and Quebec regions. But then again, their Canadian website is only in English which is surprising. Often retailers don't properly study foreign markets and potential ones well. While Maine may border Quebec, I bet most of its population and business people don't know much about Quebec. Vermonters tend to know Quebec much better from my observations and travel but it's not easy to take a business across an international border in any case.

I remember seeing a number of Quebecers wearing LL Bean clothing during my last trip. But it's obvious that many of them are able to order in English on a website.

Acajack · #**6530** Posted **Apr 9, 2022, 5:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loco101

Oh yes, definitely lots of Quebec-based brands. I still use my 20 year old Louis Garneau showshoes. Chlorophylle has a store in Rouyn-Noranda but I find it to be too expensive.

But you'd think that LL Bean would at the very least open stores in the Montreal and Quebec regions. But then again, their Canadian website is only in English which is surprising. Often retailers don't properly study foreign markets and potential ones well. While Maine may border Quebec, I bet most of its population and business people don't know much about Quebec. Vermonters tend to know Quebec much better from my observations and travel but it's not easy to take a business across an international border in any case.

I remember seeing a number of Quebecers wearing LL Bean clothing during my last trip. But it's obvious that many of them are able to order in English on a website.

One of two LL Bean megalocations is in North Conway NH, and it's popular with Québécois who go to that area for ski or hiking trips. People from Gatineau even go there.

I think they also have a decent store in Burlington VT which is a lot closer to Montreal.

Other than that the closest location to Montreal is in Ottawa.

Acajack · #**6531** Posted **Apr 11, 2022, 9:10 PM**

SSP Canada will hate this but Shoppers Drug Mart is Canada's most popular retail brand!

https://twitter.com/leger360/status/1512110452934729749

(Jean Coutu, also a pharmacy chain, is number one in Quebec.)

WhipperSnapper · #**6532** Posted **Apr 11, 2022, 9:21 PM**

This isn't popularity contest.

A large medication dispensary better be on top.

MonctonRad · #**6533** Posted **Apr 20, 2022, 1:27 PM**

I guess Moncton should prepare for traffic chaos on Mountain Road in about 6-8 months (based on recent experiences in Halifax).

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is under construction on Mountain Road next to Arby's (there's a one two punch for you)...........

casper · #**6534** Posted **Apr 20, 2022, 1:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I guess Moncton should prepare for traffic chaos on Mountain Road in about 6-8 months (based on recent experiences in Halifax).

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is under construction on Mountain Road next to Arby's (there's a one two punch for you)...........

Second store to take pressure off the Halifax location. At a 2 1/2 hour drive, it may be faster going to Moncton than staying in line at the Halifax location.

That is all assuming the obsession with Popeyes is regional and isolated to Halifax. If Moncton is also obsessed with Louisiana flavors then all they are also in trouble.

As a side note is there any relationship between Acadian cuisine and Louisiana cuisine.

MonctonRad · #**6535** Posted **Apr 20, 2022, 2:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by casper

As a side note is there any relationship between Acadian cuisine and Louisiana cuisine.

A little, but traditionally Acadians did not have the easy access to spices that the Cajuns did, so the fair of the northern cousins is notably a lot more bland.

MolsonExport · #**6536** Posted **Apr 20, 2022, 2:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

SSP Canada will hate this but Shoppers Drug Mart is Canada's most popular retail brand!

https://twitter.com/leger360/status/1512110452934729749

(Jean Coutu, also a pharmacy chain, is number one in Quebec.)

Shoppers Dog Fart? Ugliest signage in Canada, save for Jean-Coutu (where you will find it all; even a friend!!).

Shoppers Dog Fart is incredibly overpriced. You can find the same shit at Walmart for half the price. I also hate the obligatory detour through the cosmetics department.Galen Weston (Mr. Bread collusion) lining his pockets.

I can't stand this guy. He brings out visceral feelings of intense dislike, similar to those evoked by Ben Mulroney and Michael Buble. (and back in the day, Alan Thicke).

Acajack · #**6537** Posted **Apr 20, 2022, 2:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

I also hate the obligatory detour through the cosmetics department.

It seems like every pharmacy chain does that now.

As you enter, you go through the cosmetics department where a pretty young female employee greets you with a warm "bonjour" and smile (when she didn't have to wear a mask).

esquire · #**6538** Posted **Apr 20, 2022, 2:41 PM**

OK, time to play catch-up with this thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustForTheHalibut

wow, that's half as many as the entire lower mainland, IF you include C'wack.
The smallest cities in Western Canada that have a Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is Lloydminster or Prince Albert, Sask. not sure which is smaller.

There is a Popeye's in Portage la Prairie, MB population 13,300, but I'm sure there's probably someplace smaller with one... it usually doesn't take long for fast food chains to start looking for growth in smaller towns.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vorkuta

I admit I rather like Cora's. Great place for a lot of varied breakfast stuff that doesn't make you feel (too) terrible. Downside is the price, but we don't do it often.

I went to Cora's in downtown Victoria last month. First time to that chain in many years and I remembered why. All the ambiance and charm of a hospital cafeteria, while paying $20 for a plate of fucking bacon and eggs to arrive at your table a half hour after you ordered it. It's horrendous. I would not go back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thewave46

I...what?

It's fucking Popeye's. Mass produced industrial food, this location which shall be around for years. It's not some limited-time thing.

Modern day consumer culture is both fascinating and morbidly depressing.

There seems to be a subset of the population that gets genuinely excited over the prospect of lining up for new fast food restaurants. It happened in Winnipeg in recent years when Popeyes and Jolibee opened. People lined up for hours. I don't get it at all since you could come back in a month and not have to wait in line, but whatever floats your boat, I guess.

Quote:

Originally Posted by theman23

Maybe because its the only restaurant chain you know in BC, because White Spot food is pretty mediocre and the overall dining experience pretty bad when you factor in the price, crappy service, and poor upkeep of most of the restaurants.

During my trip to BC last month I ate at White Spot twice (once in Nanaimo, once on West Broadway in Vancouver). My family loved it, the food was great and the locations we ate at were very nice, they looked more like upscale steakhouses than family restaurants. Very pleasant. The food is not the cheapest for what it is, but those burgers are just fantastic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by casper

For years the only Harvy's in Saskatoon was inside a Home Depot. Years later I think one opened up on the university campus. They are rare site in the west.

There is something that just does not fell right about their burgers. I just cant pin it down.

Agreed re: Harvey's burgers. It's just off.

Harvey's and Swiss Chalet keep constantly appearing and disappearing in Winnipeg on a 15 year cycle. Every so often they pop up again, struggle, close down and then a few years later it starts over. The last Harvey's and Swiss Chalets on the most recent cycle closed early in the pandemic... I'm sure in a few years they will try yet again... for a while there was a period where the only Harvey's in town were in Home Depot as well, which was weird. I have never had the inclination to eat while at Home Depot.

Acajack · #**6539** Posted **Apr 20, 2022, 2:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

A little, but traditionally Acadians did not have the easy access to spices that the Cajuns did, so the fair of the northern cousins is notably a lot more bland.

As someone who has spent time in Louisiana and was born of two Acadian parents with family scattered across the Maritimes (and exposed to different Acadian dishes) there is virtually nothing in common between traditional Acadian and Cajun cuisine.

Cajun cuisine is now somewhat popular in Acadian regions of the Maritimes, either through the Louisiana dishes themselves or Cajun-style flourishes added to Acadian stuff.

But this is a fairly recent thing as relations between them and us have been somewhat rekindled in the past couple of decades.

WhipperSnapper · #**6540** Posted **Apr 20, 2022, 3:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

It seems like every pharmacy chain does that now.

As you enter, you go through the cosmetics department where a pretty young female employee greets you with a warm "bonjour" and smile (when she didn't have to wear a mask).

Hasn't the cosmetic department always been on the main floor in front of the main entrance with well dressed pretty people?