Canadian Retail Thread

[J.OT13]

There is a trend of suburban malls dying, or at least suffering in Ottawa. Place d'Orleans is limping somewhat, even rented a large part of the second floor, originally retail, as office space to the RCMP. The Heron Gate Mall built in 1981 has recently been torn down. The Hazeldean Mall is also pretty pathetic but I imagine the new Target store might rejuvenate the place. Other smaller suburban malls might also be suffering.

On the other hand, the big regional malls such as St. Laurent and Bayshore (currently expanding and will see a few new to Ottawa stores such as H&M) are thriving.

The Rideau Centre downtown is rolling in dough and will also be revamped and expanded soon. Confirmed stores, new to the market, are Simons and of course Nordstrom. Hudson's bay across the street, which is connected to the Rideau by two skywalks, should start renovations soon (hopefully) and could potentially hold a small Saks to complement the expanded Rideau Centre. Both the Rideau will have a few direct connections to the subway station of the same name.

Holt has been wanting out of its current location; the current store is only 36,000 square feet and situated in a corner of the business district that is totally dead on evenings and weekends.

[SpongeG]

a lot of malls die because they can't get the retailers they want or that would help them, because so many malls in one area are owned by one company such as ivanhoe-cambridge or whatever company and when they sign lease deals they often put in clauses that that particualr retailer if they plan to open another location open in one of their other properties hence why some malls thrive and expand and other smaller ones or ones not able to make such retailer deals die a slow death

[caltrane74]

Stores in the Eaton Centre will be open till 9:30pm on Saturdays. They use to only be open till 7pm on Saturdays. This will help those that want to shop and then go clubbing or dining on a late Saturday night.

[armorand93]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

a lot of malls die because they can't get the retailers they want or that would help them, because so many malls in one area are owned by one company such as-

If Cadillac-Fairview owns Chinook Mall in Calgary and pumped a ton of shit into it, they should do the same for Polo Park in Winnipeg. All of the same stores are starting to annoy me...

[kwoldtimer]

Shopping malls in Canada are proof that someday all the restaurants will be Taco Bell!

[Chadillaccc]

haha demolition man! Awesome movie!

[eternallyme]

Originally Posted by armorand93

If Cadillac-Fairview owns Chinook Mall in Calgary and pumped a ton of shit into it, they should do the same for Polo Park in Winnipeg. All of the same stores are starting to annoy me...

How many openings are there in that mall though? Are they just going to force retailers out otherwise?

[vid]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Shopping malls in Canada are proof that someday all the restaurants will be Taco Bell!

You obviously haven't been to a mall that has Taco Time. Far superior. I have never met anyone who has tried both and prefers Taco Bell. They always say Taco Time is better.

[miketoronto]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Shopping malls in Canada are proof that someday all the restaurants will be Taco Bell!

Joking a side this is what makes malls and sadly many of our inner city retail districts boring now, because it is all the same stuff.

I remember growing up that yes regional malls had chain stores. But they also had an interesting little collection of unique mom and pop restaurants and stuff.
The big regional mall near my house had this amazing family run restaurant that was a local institution to go to. Sadly it closed when the family retired.

But now the malls don't have that anymore. Its all Milestones, Jack Astors, etc. Nothing unique.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by miketoronto

Joking a side this is what makes malls and sadly many of our inner city retail districts boring now, because it is all the same stuff.

I remember growing up that yes regional malls had chain stores. But they also had an interesting little collection of unique mom and pop restaurants and stuff.
The big regional mall near my house had this amazing family run restaurant that was a local institution to go to. Sadly it closed when the family retired.

But now the malls don't have that anymore. Its all Milestones, Jack Astors, etc. Nothing unique.

Mainstream shopping in Canada today overwhelmingly consists of spending significant amounts of time purchasing foreign crap that is not really needed from mass chain merchants who sell much the same foreign crap (distinguished only by marketing and "image"). I'm convinced that the only reason many people still go to malls and big box outlets rather than buying on-line is that they really don't have any worthwhile activities to occupy their rather mind-numbing lives. It's sad and even rather disturbing, actually, especially as the economy would probably collapse if people stopped doing it.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by miketoronto

Joking a side this is what makes malls and sadly many of our inner city retail districts boring now, because it is all the same stuff.

I remember growing up that yes regional malls had chain stores. But they also had an interesting little collection of unique mom and pop restaurants and stuff.
The big regional mall near my house had this amazing family run restaurant that was a local institution to go to. Sadly it closed when the family retired.

But now the malls don't have that anymore. Its all Milestones, Jack Astors, etc. Nothing unique.

Sounds like Champlain Place here in Moncton.

a couple of years ago, Cadillac Fairview spent something like $15M to completely renovate the interior of the mall and push it upscale. At the same time, a conscious decision was made to not renew the leases of locally owned businesses in the mall. Instead, higher end national retailers like Sephora, Swarovski, H&M, Coach and Fossil were brought in to complement existing established national chains like Eddie Bauer, Gap, Tommy Hilfiger etc.

The mall is very nice, but it seems to be a clone of other "fashion malls" I have visited in other Canadian cities. I appreciate the vote of confidence that Cadillac Fairview has given Moncton, but at the same time, I find it a little sad to see the local retailers pushed out. I think the only local business left in the mall (out of about 150 tenants) is a mens hairstylist called Cuts 2000......

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Mainstream shopping in Canada today overwhelmingly consists of spending significant amounts of time purchasing foreign crap that is not really needed from mass chain merchants who sell much the same foreign crap (distinguished only by marketing and "image"). I'm convinced that the only reason many people still go to malls and big box outlets rather than buying on-line is that they really don't have any worthwhile activities to occupy their rather mind-numbing lives. It's sad and even rather disturbing, actually, especially as the economy would probably collapse if people stopped doing it.

Is shopping not the number one recreational activity in North America now?

Housework is done, it's 1 pm on Saturday, whaddaya do? Go to the mall and see if there's ''anything there''. Not based on a real need or anything like that.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Is shopping not the number one recreational activity in North America now?

Housework is done, it's 1 pm on Saturday, whaddaya do? Go to the mall and see if there's ''anything there''. Not based on a real need or anything like that.

I believe that to be the case and I find it somewhat frightening. Consumption for consumption's sake has become such a huge part of our economy. I suppose you could argue that we have collectively grown so wealthy that it doesn't matter, but I tend to see it as part of the "dumbing down" of society.

[manny_santos]

Shopping is an experience, that's why people spend so much time on it. I almost never buy anything online because I prefer getting out, sometimes with friends, and actually looking at products before buying them. Then again, I live near a vibrant downtown area and I do also avoid big box shopping where possible.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by manny_santos

Shopping is an experience, that's why people spend so much time on it. I almost never buy anything online because I prefer getting out, sometimes with friends, and actually looking at products before buying them. Then again, I live near a vibrant downtown area and I do also avoid big box shopping where possible.

Yes, the kind of mall shopping we were referring to is an experience. A mundane one, but an experience. I think that's why it has become a form of recreation, faute de mieux.

[toaster]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Mainstream shopping in Canada today overwhelmingly consists of spending significant amounts of time purchasing foreign crap that is not really needed from mass chain merchants who sell much the same foreign crap (distinguished only by marketing and "image"). I'm convinced that the only reason many people still go to malls and big box outlets rather than buying on-line is that they really don't have any worthwhile activities to occupy their rather mind-numbing lives. It's sad and even rather disturbing, actually, especially as the economy would probably collapse if people stopped doing it.

Who are we to judge if someone gets pleasure from seeking out merchants, getting deals, and just simply shopping. This holier than thou attitude is rather annoying. Who made you in charge of determining what activities are worthwhile. If someone gets the same pleasure out of shopping that you get out of, ohh, let me take a wild guess, classical music, or, err.. going to watch broadway (I get the sense that your nose is high in the air), what makes it less worthwhile? In fact, your attitude is quite ego-centric, this idea that others engagements are below your own.

[isaidso]

'kwoldtimer' is hardly saying anything that's not common knowledge already. Many people shop to make themselves feel better or they value their self worth based on how expensive their stuff is/how much stuff they have. It's a trap, delusional, and highly unhealthy behaviour. Don't tell me this is the first time someone has pointed this out? Brand association is one of the most important concepts in marketing and corporations take advantage of that weakness in the human condition.

They're exploiting emotionally empty people. That's why it's frowned upon. Wearing Prada shoes doesn't make one a high quality person, it just means you're wearing high quality shoes. That's a point lost on most people. People who obsessively drape themselves in luxury brands are just buying into a lie, others just view them as sad people chasing something that will never make them happy.

Originally Posted by manny_santos

Shopping is an experience, that's why people spend so much time on it.

For some people that's true. For me, shopping is a chore/job that needs doing. The one exception is food shopping. I enjoy that and can spend 3-4 hours in one store. Objects like clothes, furniture, or consumer products? Despite liking design, I'll put off buying objects as long as possible and only go when I can't put it off any longer.

[toaster]

Originally Posted by isaidso

'kwoldtimer' is hardly saying anything that's not common knowledge already. Many people shop to make themselves feel better or they value their self worth based on how expensive their stuff is/how much stuff they have. It's a trap, delusional, and highly unhealthy behaviour. Don't tell me this is the first time someone has pointed this out? Brand association is one of the most important concepts in marketing and corporations take advantage of that weakness in the human condition.

They're exploiting emotionally empty people. That's why it's frowned upon. Wearing Prada shoes doesn't make one a high quality person, it just means you're wearing high quality shoes. That's a point lost on most people. People who obsessively drape themselves in luxury brands are just buying into a lie, others just view them as sad people chasing something that will never make them happy.



For some people that's true. For me, shopping is a chore/job that needs doing. The one exception is food shopping. I enjoy that and can spend 3-4 hours in one store. Objects like clothes, furniture, or consumer products? Despite liking design, I'll put off buying objects as long as possible and only go when I can't put it off any longer.

My point was that there are many shoppers who are consciously and purposely spending their time shopping because they enjoy it. Whether they enjoy it because it fills a void, or any other reason, is rather irrelevant. You can say the same about any activity. I disagreed with "kwoldtimer" because he was classifying it as less worthwhile than most activities. Also, this idea that anyone who buys luxury brands is "buying into a lie". How is it that you are able to know what these shoppers are thinking when they are shopping. I like to give shoppers some credit. People are buying different brands to put forth an image. I'm sure most people who buy a Lacoste polo know there are many at Sears that are of the same quality for much less. Basically, I'm arguing that it isn't that they are not aware, which is what the argument basically seems to be. They aren't "buying into the lie", they know this "lie" exists, but that doesn't mean they don't want to take part in it, or that it can't make them happy.

[miketoronto]

Originally Posted by toaster

Who are we to judge if someone gets pleasure from seeking out merchants, getting deals, and just simply shopping. This holier than thou attitude is rather annoying. Who made you in charge of determining what activities are worthwhile. If someone gets the same pleasure out of shopping that you get out of, ohh, let me take a wild guess, classical music, or, err.. going to watch broadway (I get the sense that your nose is high in the air), what makes it less worthwhile? In fact, your attitude is quite ego-centric, this idea that others engagements are below your own.

I think as city lovers we can appreciate that shopping does create a lot of vibrancy in our cities.
The truth is most of the iconic streets in our world cities would be nothing without the shops, restaurants, and entertainment that make them interesting places to visit.

That is the fun thing I found about my recent visit in Europe. Families just descend on the city centres on a Saturday and hang out. Does it include shopping, you bet.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Mainstream shopping in Canada today overwhelmingly consists of spending significant amounts of time purchasing foreign crap that is not really needed from mass chain merchants who sell much the same foreign crap (distinguished only by marketing and "image"). I'm convinced that the only reason many people still go to malls and big box outlets rather than buying on-line is that they really don't have any worthwhile activities to occupy their rather mind-numbing lives. It's sad and even rather disturbing, actually, especially as the economy would probably collapse if people stopped doing it.

Just thinking about this and though I share the reticences about shopping, it is true that people who bought useless stuff for ages. I mean, how long has jewellery been around? Unless it"s a watch, is there anything more useless than jewellery?

Although of course today the sheer amount of useless stuff people acquire is completely off the charts.