Canadian Retail Thread

[Pinion]

Originally Posted by Twinkies

The big box stores now offer everything I need with out the hassle of pushy sales people. Plus returning things if need be is a lot easier.

Best Buy is a big box store, their employees are non-commission (i.e. not pushy) and their return policy is hassle-free.

[MalcolmTucker]

I liked being able to bargain even if just for a 'free' cable or a free case/accessory package when I bought at Future Shop. Different strokes for different folks.

[Nouvellecosse]

Strange but Zellers closing seems to bother me more than Future Shop, but I've probably spent a lot more at Future Shop than at Zellers. At FS I've bought a washer and dryer, TV, netbook, several MP3 players and headphones, USB thumb drives, Mice, full size external HD, CDs/DVDs, cameras...

Probably just because I grew up with Zellers but didn't interact with FS until adulthood.

I don't think i've ever bought anything at Best Buy. Just gone in to browse.

[caltrane74]

I just remembered this as I posted in another thread.

The Eaton Centre renovation is moving into overdrive, large holes the entire height of the mall have now been punched out on the Yonge Street side, and will likely incorporate massive windows flooding interior light onto Yonge Street. Also the renovation in the newly acquired Hudson Bay Queen Street Store(Eaton Centre) are ongoing, with several floors blocked off to make way for the new Saks Fifth Ave, and new Skywalk to the rest of the Eaton Centre. Also another LED Screen application is in for the North Side of the Eaton Centre, I'm guessing it will wrap the H & M store or will demarcate the new Nordstrom Store on the same pillar the Sears Sign use to be on.

[SpongeG]

Jacob retail line to go on with 5 stores in Quebec

Five locations owned by founding Basmaji family have remained open and will continue to

By Ross Marowits, The Canadian Press Posted: Apr 09, 2015 10:15 AM ET Last Updated: Apr 09, 2015 3:22 PM ET

Womenswear retailer Boutique Jacob is resuming operations, although on a much smaller scale.

Family owners are developing a plan to relaunch the business with five stores in Quebec along with online operations after exiting seven months of creditor protection under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.

Jacob has no hope of rebuilding a national brand after closing 91 stores last year and shedding some 990 employees.

DON PITTIS: Middle-class retailers dying a long, slow death in Canada
Future Shop's demise a symptom of Canada's changing retail picture
Instead, it will focus on locations in Montreal, Quebec City and Sorel-Tracy where the company started 35 years ago. The stores, located in buildings owned by founder Joey Basmaji, have remained opened through the liquidation process.

"The nature of the business is still unclear in the sense that the strategic plan is still being developed but the important part for now is that bankruptcy has been avoided, we're retaining five stores for the moment and we're relaunching our e-commerce website," said Cristelle Basmaji, daughter of the company founder.

More products coming

The company's website just reopened with its only product being the popular Jacob perfume. But clothing collections will be added that are made mainly in Quebec and possibly elsewhere in Canada.

...

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/jaco...ebec-1.3026274

[miketoronto]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

Jacob retail line to go on with 5 stores in Quebec

Five locations owned by founding Basmaji family have remained open and will continue to

Thats good. The problem with retail today, is that stores want to open too many branches. There simple is just not that many people to maintain so many stores in one market, and it just ends up hurting the stores in the long run.

That is why success stories like Simons really need to watch out. Because if they continue on with rapid expansion, they are going to kill what has made them a success.

[eternallyme]

Originally Posted by miketoronto

Thats good. The problem with retail today, is that stores want to open too many branches. There simple is just not that many people to maintain so many stores in one market, and it just ends up hurting the stores in the long run.

That is why success stories like Simons really need to watch out. Because if they continue on with rapid expansion, they are going to kill what has made them a success.

If that is the case, why is Walmart so successful with locations in every community it seems?

[caltrane74]

I just remembered this as I posted in another thread.

The Eaton Centre renovation is moving into overdrive, large holes the entire height of the mall have now been punched out on the Yonge Street side, and will likely incorporate massive windows flooding interior light onto Yonge Street. Also the renovation in the newly acquired Hudson Bay Queen Street Store(Eaton Centre) are ongoing, with several floors blocked off to make way for the new Saks Fifth Ave, and new Skywalk to the rest of the Eaton Centre. Also another LED Screen application is in for the North Side of the Eaton Centre, I'm guessing it will wrap the H & M store or will demarcate the new Nordstrom Store on the same pillar the Sears Sign use to be on.

Photo from Friday Night

[manny_santos]

Originally Posted by eternallyme

If that is the case, why is Walmart so successful with locations in every community it seems?

Walmart has had many factors at play that have played to their advantage:

1. Shortly after moving into Canada and taking over Woolco, they enjoyed almost 20 years with no formidable competition. Zellers was flailing even in the 90s.

2. Their inventory and logistics management is one of the best in the world

3. Prices

[SpongeG]

speaking of walmart, the walmart in peace river, ab, is awful, the shelves are usually fairly empty, the aisles are blocked because of stock sitting on the pallets and if you need assistance it takes forever

some pics of the pretty sad stock levels

[esquire]

^ Everything about that Wal-Mart looks drab, including the warehouse-style unpainted ceiling. They do not appear to be trying too hard in Peace River.

[SpongeG]

yeah its pretty awful but they are really the only store to shop at in town so they get away with whatever

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

yeah its pretty awful but they are really the only store to shop at in town so they get away with whatever

Did they lose their TFW staff or is it always like that?

[MolsonExport]

Looks like Target. They need to update the signage, and add: "low selection, everyday!"

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Did they lose their TFW staff or is it always like that?

it's been like this at least 3 years i've been going to the store, some days the mobile shop is shut down cause there is no staff, that may change now that people are more desperate for work perhaps

[SpongeG]

H&M-sister brand COS to launch in Toronto, Montreal

TORONTO – A contemporary clothing brand owned by the same group that operates H&M is coming to Canada.

COS – short for Collection Of Style – has announced plans to open its first Canadian stores in the coming fall and winter.

The first COS store will be a three-floor location at 85 Bloor St. in Toronto.

Its Montreal store will be housed at 1310 Ste.-Catherine W.

The clothing label, with products for men, women and children, launched in London in 2007 and has opened stores in 26 countries.

...

http://globalnews.ca/news/1949378/hm...onto-montreal/


red-luxury.com

[DizzyEdge]

"Retail Insider" released their top 20 most productive shopping malls list yesterday

http://www.retail-insider.com/retail...ost-productive

1) Pacific Centre, Vancouver, BC: $1,498

2) Toronto Eaton Centre, Toronto, ON: $1,420

3) Oakridge Shopping Centre, Vancouver, BC: $1,395

4) Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto, ON: $1,356

5) Southgate Shopping Centre, Edmonton, AB: $1,157

6) Chinook Centre, Calgary, AB: $1,125

7) Rideau Centre, Ottawa, ON: $1,008

8) Holt Renfrew Centre, Toronto, ON: "over $1,000" says landlord.

9) Market Mall, Calgary, AB: $942

10) Sherway Gardens, Toronto, ON: $935

For more info and 10-20 go to: http://www.retail-insider.com/retail...ost-productive

[GreatTallNorth2]

Looks like Ikea is launching the first of it's smaller format stores in London. It's 37,000 square feet and more of a pickup location.

Ikea has a press conference today so maybe they will talk about how many locations they will have as it has been reported they will have up to 10 Express Stores in Canada.

http://www.lfpress.com/2015/05/13/ikea-coming-to-london

[big W]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

"Retail Insider" released their top 20 most productive shopping malls list yesterday

http://www.retail-insider.com/retail...ost-productive

1) Pacific Centre, Vancouver, BC: $1,498

2) Toronto Eaton Centre, Toronto, ON: $1,420

3) Oakridge Shopping Centre, Vancouver, BC: $1,395

4) Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto, ON: $1,356

5) Southgate Shopping Centre, Edmonton, AB: $1,157

6) Chinook Centre, Calgary, AB: $1,125

7) Rideau Centre, Ottawa, ON: $1,008

8) Holt Renfrew Centre, Toronto, ON: "over $1,000" says landlord.

9) Market Mall, Calgary, AB: $942

10) Sherway Gardens, Toronto, ON: $935

For more info and 10-20 go to: http://www.retail-insider.com/retail...ost-productive

The interesting part for me was West Edmonton Mall. How much of a drag are the Target and Sears locations. I wonder with the demise of Target in Canada when Nordstrom will move in, that alone will significantly boost sales.

[niwell]

Doesn't West Edmonton Mall have a fair amount of lower-end retail due to its sheer size? I remember one portion that was a bit grim - not sure if it's been renovated. I'd also imagine it has more non-retail space compared to most of these malls. Simply due to the design as a landmark / amusement centre.