Canadian Retail Thread - Page 117

Wigs · #**2321** Posted **Nov 25, 2011, 12:39 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by eternallyme

The retail attacks and awareness make me wonder...is it Thanksgiving again in Canada too today? They seem to have gone on the bandwagon like crazy with Black Friday...

It makes sense since in provinces like BC and Ontario retailers lose out on a ton of money in sales from Canadians crossing the border for deals on electronics and clothing, etc. one day of the year

haligonia · #**2322** Posted **Nov 29, 2011, 12:56 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cormiermax

Yeah an Apple Store in Halifax would do very well, there definitely overlooking a great market.

Exciting news! Apple may be coming to Halifax after all:

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Harlington-

Halifax Shopping Centre prepares space for mystery tenant

November 28, 2011 - 5:43pm By COLLEEN COSGROVE Business Reporter

Swinging hammers at the Halifax Shopping Centre have rumours flying about which retailer will soon inhabit the 7,000-square-foot-space being prepped.

Renovations are underway near Sears to make way for the new tenant. But with negotiations still in progress, mall marketing director Linda Townsend said her lips are sealed.

She would not divulge the genre of the company, whether it’s American or Canadian, or if it already has a presence in Halifax.

“We think it’s pretty exciting, absolutely,” Townsend told The Chronicle Herald on Monday.

“We’re constantly evolving our retail mix to meet the demands of our customers.”

Gap occupies a 12,000-square-foot space, while Sephora lays claim to 5,200 square feet.

Structural renovations of the space have begun and an announcement will be made as soon as negotiations wrap up, Townsend said. She expects the new store to be fully operational next fall.

When renovations began, the local Twitter-sphere buzzed about Apple joining the ranks and setting up its first official store in the city.

“Rumour about an Apple store: Heard elevator near Sears at Halifax Shopping Centre to be removed & store with big electrical needs coming in,” a local Tweeter said.

Townsend said removing the elevator “possibly could be part of (the renovation), yes,” but noted that it’s not currently the focus of the renovations.

Employees at local authorized Apple resellers like the HalifaxMac Store and PCPC said the rumours have little credibility.

“We haven’t heard anyone talking about this in the store at all,” a PCPC employee said Monday.

Another employee at the Halifax Mac Store said he’s grown tired of the rumour that he said has been circulating regularly for “the past 10 years.”

Apple did not respond to an interview request, and a search of the Apple corporate website shows no indication of any action in Atlantic Canada.

Apple has eight stores in the Toronto area, four in Quebec, two each in Calgary and Edmonton, and one each in Ottawa and Winnipeg.

([email protected])

Obviously nothing is set in stone, but I can't think of another retailer that has big electrical needs that would be shrouded in so much mystery. Especially after the shipbuilding contract, it would seem logical that large retailers would be attracted to the city.

SpongeG · #**2323** Posted **Nov 29, 2011, 6:41 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by haligonia

Exciting news! Apple may be coming to Halifax after all:

Obviously nothing is set in stone, but I can't think of another retailer that has big electrical needs that would be shrouded in so much mystery. Especially after the shipbuilding contract, it would seem logical that large retailers would be attracted to the city.

they left out the 4 stores in Vancouver in their list

haligonia · #**2324** Posted **Nov 29, 2011, 7:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

they left out the 4 stores in Vancouver in their list

This was noted in the Halifax forum too. But you can't expect anything better from the Herald.

SpongeG · #**2325** Posted **Nov 29, 2011, 10:29 PM**

apple stores are fun - good way to a break from shopping at least

toaster · #**2326** Posted **Nov 30, 2011, 2:26 PM**

Wow. Im surprised they got an Apple already. Ottawa only got one a few years ago, and has a metro well over a million. But that's great news!!

haligonia · #**2327** Posted **Nov 30, 2011, 7:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by toaster

Wow. Im surprised they got an Apple already. Ottawa only got one a few years ago, and has a metro well over a million. But that's great news!!

This is all just speculation... There's a HUGE chance that it's not Apple.

eemy · #**2328** Posted **Dec 1, 2011, 5:33 PM**

The date is fast approaching, move over Vaughn:

Quote:

Ikea doing its own home reno. It’s making over its Ottawa outlet into the biggest store in Canada

OTTAWA—Isabelle Auclair’s home renovations are unfolding on a grand scale.

She has less than a month to finish up the installation of dozens of kitchens and bathrooms and to decorate 55 rooms. She has bed frames to set up, mattresses to lay on them, dozens of chairs and sofas to arrange.

That is the deadline faced by Auclair as she gets the country’s largest Ikea store ready for its grand opening on Dec. 7.

“I’ve never been this busy. But it’s coming together,” said Auclair, the store’s manager, as she toured a reporter through the new store this week as it evolves from a construction zone into a retail space.

When it opens its doors next month (set in the same mall as the existing store), Ottawa will go from having Canada’s smallest Ikea store to its largest. It will ring in at 36,998 square metres — the size of five Canadian football fields and four times the size of the current store here. It will rank 30th out of Ikea’s 320 stores worldwide for size.

[more...]

Biff · #**2329** Posted **Dec 1, 2011, 5:42 PM**

Winnipeg's will ring in at 36,696 m2.

MolsonExport · #**2330** Posted **Dec 1, 2011, 7:09 PM**

What amazes me is the vast volume and assortment of shitty furniture you can cram into 36,998 square metres . IKEA: Swedish, for shitty furniture.

By the way, here is the latest IKEA commmercial, featuring the lousy swedish meatballs served up in their "restaurant":

• Video Link

Ying gur de skor dede hoo gedishgadoo yay born ger stare born der mm BORK BORK BORK!

SpongeG · #**2331** Posted **Dec 2, 2011, 12:50 AM**

have you stepped inside the brick? you wanna talk about crappy furniture...

Wigs · #**2332** Posted **Dec 2, 2011, 6:07 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

have you stepped inside the brick? you wanna talk about crappy furniture...

but how else can I get my (offbrand) 26 inch LCD TV for "free"!

caltrane74 · #**2333** Posted **Dec 2, 2011, 2:02 PM**

There is some speculation that the $350 million dollar Atrium on Bay complex at Yonge in Dundas will soon be at the centre of a major renovation project that will also include the construction of 4 additional floors on top of the existing structure. I would also believe that the corner of the building at Yonge and Dundas will also be redeveloped, into something more befitting the most important commercial district in the city outside of Yorkville.

MolsonExport · #**2334** Posted **Dec 2, 2011, 2:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

have you stepped inside the brick? you wanna talk about crappy furniture...

No argument there. and plus, you get the slimiest, cheesiest douchebaggiest salesmen at the Brick. Only Leon's (and maybe WKRP's Herb Tarlek) gives the Brick a run for its money in the fast-talking-bullshit-artist category.

Gerrard · #**2335** Posted **Dec 2, 2011, 2:45 PM**

Shop EQ3 for furniture if you want to support Canadian made (modern) at a reasonable price point.

osirisboy · #**2336** Posted **Dec 2, 2011, 3:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerrard

Shop EQ3 for furniture if you want to support Canadian made (modern) at a reasonable price point.

really, I know the stuff is designed here, specifically winnipeg but i believe its made in china not canada

Gerrard · #**2337** Posted **Dec 2, 2011, 6:44 PM**

Erm that used to be their claim anyway (it's not on the website anymore though). But it's a Canadian company that offers pretty nice furniture at an affordable price point.

Speaking of customer service, I've noticed that furniture salespeople in general have to be the most unengaged laissez faire bunch ever. They work on commission so I don't get it all. I know was when I was furnishing my new apt. trying to find a helpful salesperson anywhere was a rarity.

I suppose it's part of that "great" customer service tradition in Canada.

ue · #**2338** Posted **Dec 2, 2011, 7:55 PM**

Still amazing how EQ3 has ignored the Edmonton market since pulling the plug on their West Edmonton Mall location over 5 years ago. Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, London, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Brossard, and Quebec City. Seriously, how do you ignore this large a market when you have locations in QC, Brossard, and London? That being said, they do have some wicked pieces of furniture and decor.

SpongeG · #**2339** Posted **Dec 3, 2011, 5:07 AM**

its probably franchised locations - if the franchisee can't make a go they just close up or license another brand i imagine

we only have one EQ3 here, there used to be about 2 - but the bay downtown carries EQ3 furniture as well

i like some of their stuff

we really need a DWR though - love that store - even though its out of my price range

SpongeG · #**2340** Posted **Dec 5, 2011, 7:30 AM**

first location in north america (richmond - aberdeen centre) for this china based store with stores in asia and europe

pic by me