Canadian Retail Thread - Page 189

MolsonExport · #**3761** Posted **Jan 16, 2015, 2:31 PM**

The Tiger is going to get more giant. I haven't set foot in one for 10 years (back when I did, it seemed like a distressed-goods outlet with brand-x cleaning products, 3-wolves howling at moon shirts, and crappy frozen Frisbees, err, pizzas, being sold for $2 apiece).

MolsonExport · #**3762** Posted **Jan 16, 2015, 2:38 PM**

• Video Link

TownGuy · #**3763** Posted **Jan 16, 2015, 2:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

The Tiger is going to get more giant. I haven't set foot in one for 10 years (back when I did, it seemed like a distressed-goods outlet with brand-x cleaning products, 3-wolves howling at moon shirts, and crappy frozen Frisbees, err, pizzas, being sold for $2 apiece).

Oh those dreaded wolf shirts

They are still like that to a certain extent but have come a long way. They have that Tim Hortons vibe going on which Canadians eat right up. I could see Giant Tiger becoming the Tim Hortons of Canadian retail.

esquire · #**3764** Posted **Jan 16, 2015, 2:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

The Tiger is going to get more giant. I haven't set foot in one for 10 years (back when I did, it seemed like a distressed-goods outlet with brand-x cleaning products, 3-wolves howling at moon shirts, and crappy frozen Frisbees, err, pizzas, being sold for $2 apiece).

Zellers got clobbered, Target got clobbered in the same locations, but suddenly GT is going to arrive on the scene with the magic formula? Unlikely.

OTSkyline · #**3765** Posted **Jan 16, 2015, 3:13 PM**

Yeah I think GT had this reputation for being shabby and a bit more rundown but like others have mentioned I think it has come a long way since then and their new stores or redevelopped ones (although not as big a Wal-Mart or Supercenters are much nicer, cleaner and good assortment, prices and customer service compares to Wal-Mart). I would put it superior to Wal-Mart in terms of quality but inferior to what Target was...

TownGuy · #**3766** Posted **Jan 16, 2015, 3:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

Zellers got clobbered, Target got clobbered in the same locations, but suddenly GT is going to arrive on the scene with the magic formula? Unlikely.

Yes but Giant Tiger is already thriving in the current marketplace.

They are different than both Zellers and Target, more discount, which is booming, and have some panache that Canadians seem to enjoy. Unlike Target there aren't massive expectations with a Giant Tiger. People already know what their deal is. Being an established retailer they have strong distribution networks and know the Canadian market well. Most importantly they are just different enough than Walmart to separate themselves.

1overcosc · #**3767** Posted **Jan 16, 2015, 3:35 PM**

There's an urban GT in Kingston in the Williamsville area that has some good sales now and then. I've popped in a couple times. The prices are generally good.

Taeolas · #**3768** Posted **Jan 16, 2015, 4:03 PM**

Giant Tiger is in the best position to flourish with Target's departure. And they do seem to be staying smart about it, by keeping their store sizes under control.

In Freddy, there's a GT around the other corner from Target, so I don't really see them moving to Uptown. They share a mall with Canadian Tire already and get decent traffic, so I doubt moving to Uptown Centre will be in the cards. (That said, I do hope the local GT's are on the list for a reno. Both of them are getting a bit long in the tooth looks-wise)

LFRENCH · #**3769** Posted **Jan 16, 2015, 4:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TownGuy

Yes but Giant Tiger is already thriving in the current marketplace.

They are different than both Zellers and Target, more discount, which is booming, and have some panache that Canadians seem to enjoy. Unlike Target there aren't massive expectations with a Giant Tiger. People already know what their deal is. Being an established retailer they have strong distribution networks and know the Canadian market well. Most importantly they are just different enough than Walmart to separate themselves.

What about western canada? there are many out here who have never been in one or seen one. I realize we have one here in Calgary but it is serious considered to be more akin to fields or damn near value village than to anything else.

I just don't see a retailer that is in Canada that can take up this space that Target will leave behind.

1overcosc · #**3770** Posted **Jan 16, 2015, 4:14 PM**

No single retailer likely will, but the spots will get eaten up gradually by a multitude of retailers, IMO.

esquire · #**3771** Posted **Jan 16, 2015, 4:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LFRENCH

What about western canada? there are many out here who have never been in one or seen one. I realize we have one here in Calgary but it is serious considered to be more akin to fields or damn near value village than to anything else.

That's certainly my impression. If Walmart is the supply depot for the working class, then GT is the equivalent for the working poor. Lots of one-off random items in there... I've even seen fake jerseys and fake designer-label stuff, like dead-on counterfeit Polo Ralph Lauren sweaters and whatnot in there.

I'm surprised at the positive image that GT has out east because in the west, it's a place you go to when you generally have no other choice.

Quote:

I just don't see a retailer that is in Canada that can take up this space that Target will leave behind.

Certainly not just one or two... way too much space for that. I think it'll be a bit like when Eaton's bit the dust... there will be a mishmash of retailers picking up the spaces that become vacant.

LFRENCH · #**3772** Posted **Jan 16, 2015, 4:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

That's certainly my impression. If Walmart is the supply depot for the working class, then GT is the equivalent for the working poor. Lots of one-off random items in there... I've even seen fake jerseys and fake designer-label stuff, like dead-on counterfeit Polo Ralph Lauren sweaters and whatnot in there.

I'm surprised at the positive image that GT has out east because in the west, it's a place you go to when you generally have no other choice.

I'm not wealthy by any means however I would consider myself somewhat brand savvy and quite frankly when places are making sub brands of sub brands that isn't a place that I'm likely to shop. Every time I'm in Walmart( not too often these days) i feel like I'm in a race to the bottom for price by the sheer creation of more brands of knock off goods (product substitution if you want to use technical economic terms).

overall i'm seeing a reduction of product differentiation if anything in Canadian(even US retailing) retail. This goes beyond just the target debate but into much of the offshore retailing that is done these days.

I build cars and here is the same thing, if xyz wheel costs $1200 a rim and there are some on ebay for $100 a wheel and they look the same why would I pay more?

This is concerning because the consumer is not able to differentiation product quality or the total costs that go into making that $1200 rim, instead it is represented as the same wheel when it is not.

manny_santos · #**3773** Posted **Jan 16, 2015, 6:46 PM**

Giant Tiger to me is a step above Dollarama and multiple steps below Walmart. I do occasionally set foot in the Kingston one that 1overcosc mentioned, but it's very much a working poor store. I would never buy groceries there, but I'd buy groceries at Walmart.

There's a huge one in London that is the size of a mid-sized Metro supermarket, in fact it used to be a Price Check Foods.

casper · #**3774** Posted **Jan 16, 2015, 8:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by manny_santos

Giant Tiger to me is a step above Dollarama and multiple steps below Walmart. I do occasionally set foot in the Kingston one that 1overcosc mentioned, but it's very much a working poor store. I would never buy groceries there, but I'd buy groceries at Walmart.

There's a huge one in London that is the size of a mid-sized Metro supermarket, in fact it used to be a Price Check Foods.

Does anyone have a feeling for what the differences are between Giant Tiger - Ontario/Quebec and Giant Tiger in Manitoba/Saskatchewan/Alberta.

I know the stores in eastern Canada are owned by Giant Tiger. The ones in the west are owned by the Northwest Company and operate under a franchise agreement. I know the product mix has some overlap with the Northern Stores (also owned by the Northwest Company) but I don't know have different they are to the ones in Ontario.

MolsonExport · #**3775** Posted **Jan 16, 2015, 10:47 PM**

Few stores are as depressing as SAAN was:

ensign

or depressing (and stinky) as Field's

boundarysentinal.com

And this wretched place:

dealcetera

Can't forget Stedman's V&S Dept. Store

vendreici

harls · #**3776** Posted **Jan 16, 2015, 11:16 PM**

Haha... Saan. Used to have one of those in my hometown. It became a Fields I think.

Remember those Zellers locations that included a gross cafeteria-style restaurant? Complete with glass-enclosed smoking area? The only people that would be there were senior citizens. I'm pretty sure the minimum age to enter was 70.