Canadian Retail Thread

[someone123]

Originally Posted by ue

If Halifax is getting an IKEA, I can't see why Victoria wouldn't be able to support one with the large expansion IKEA is planning. It doesn't have that many less people than Halifax and many more within access on the Island further north.

To your other point, it seems as though if anything, Victoria is underretailed, if such a thing exists.

There's no IKEA in Atlantic Canada but Victoria already has 2 within daytrip distance. Vancouver Island only has around 750,000 people and an IKEA there wouldn't get much business from the mainland since it's easier and cheaper for just about everybody there to get to Richmond or Coquitlam.

[isaidso]

It bears mentioning that if IKEA sets up in Halifax it will be a return to the city. Halifax was their first store in north America. It's too bad it closed in the first place.

[ue]

Wasn't there also an IKEA in Victoria in the '90s?

I realize there is a wider region for Halifax to play with than Victoria, but with 12 new stores planned, they can't all be going in existing markets, and there are only so many new markets available and Victoria is sizable with decent catchment area.

[casper]

Originally Posted by ue

Wasn't there also an IKEA in Victoria in the '90s?

I realize there is a wider region for Halifax to play with than Victoria, but with 12 new stores planned, they can't all be going in existing markets, and there are only so many new markets available and Victoria is sizable with decent catchment area.

Yes, but it was a "limited selection" smaller type store.

[1overcosc]

Here in Kingston it would make sense for IKEA to open a seasonal pop-up store every year around Labour Day for all the students who move in. Have it be a small store where the most popular/basic items for students (like dressers, desks, etc.) would be in stock and everything else could be ordered for pickup from Ottawa or Toronto. It would make a killing, and there's usually enough vacant retail space around the city at any given time that they wouldn't have too much trouble finding a home for it every year.

[Innsertnamehere]

Originally Posted by isaidso

It bears mentioning that if IKEA sets up in Halifax it will be a return to the city. Halifax was their first store in north America. It's too bad it closed in the first place.

It is returning. The store is already under construction.

[north 42]

With a full sized store already in Metro Detroit, a pick up store already in Windsor and a possible full size store in London in the future, the Windsor region will be well served!

[LeftCoaster]

What does a store in Detroit do for Windsor residents? Do you guys not pay duty on items purchased in the US or something?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

What does a store in Detroit do for Windsor residents? Do you guys not pay duty on items purchased in the US or something?

I think Windsorites are so used to paying duty they don't give it a second thought. A lot of border towns are like that.......

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I think Windsorites are so used to paying duty they don't give it a second thought. A lot of border towns are like that.......

There is a lot of "wave-through" at the border these days. Not in the sense that you can drive through without stopping, but if you give the officer a reasonable amount for your purchases, and don't raise any suspicions, they'll just tell you to have a good day.

The last time I was sent to the counter to pay GST or duty was more than five years ago. I've crossed many times since then, sometimes with hundreds of dollars in purchases declared.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Acajack

There is a lot of "wave-through" at the border these days. Not in the sense that you can drive through without stopping, but if you give the officer a reasonable amount for your purchases, and don't raise any suspicions, they'll just tell you to have a good day.

The last time I was sent to the counter to pay GST or duty was more than five years ago. I've crossed many times since then, sometimes with hundreds of dollars in purchases declared.

I'm sure that you're right. It depends somewhat on which border crossing that you use. For example the I-95/NB-95 border crossing at Woodstock is pretty notorious for making you empty your car. There is also a new mega border crossing in Saint Stephen where the divided NB Highway 1 connects to US Highway 1. None of the locals use this crossing (it's on a bypass around town), and there are many bored customs agents on hand in vastly over engineered and over constructed buildings on both sides of the border. Both times that I've used this crossing recently, I've had to exit my vehicle and had the car searched (both coming and going). The last time I went through a couple of weeks ago returning from Campobello Island, I went to the old border crossing in downtown Saint Stephen/Calais and it was a matter of a few casual questions and a quick wave of the hand and I was through.

[Innsertnamehere]

I've gone through the new st Stephen crossing several times with no issue myself.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I'm sure that you're right. It depends somewhat on which border crossing that you use. For example the I-95/NB-95 border crossing at Woodstock is pretty notorious for making you empty your car. There is also a new mega border crossing in Saint Stephen where the divided NB Highway 1 connects to US Highway 1. None of the locals use this crossing (it's on a bypass around town), and there are many bored customs agents on hand in vastly over engineered and over constructed buildings on both sides of the border. Both times that I've used this crossing recently, I've had to exit my vehicle and had the car searched (both coming and going). The last time I went through a couple of weeks ago returning from Campobello Island, I went to the old border crossing in downtown Saint Stephen/Calais and it was a matter of a few casual questions and a quick wave of the hand and I was through.

I presume they ask you what you do for a living... I'm surprised they still want to search your car once they know. Do they think you're going to be smuggling car parts under the upholstery to save $200 in HST?

Emerson MB/Pembina ND can be pretty bad for this but fortunately I've never been subjected to a search. My cross-border shopping has declined dramatically over the past couple years but I certainly noticed that the last few times when I presented my fistful of tallied receipts with over-limit purchases, the CBSA guys would just wave me through anyway. That made my day.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

I've gone through the new st Stephen crossing several times with no issue myself.

Well, to be honest, the second time that I went through the new Saint Stephen crossing, the US border agent was visibly upset. apparently they have an automated system telling them which cars (randomly) they were supposed to check. On this particular day, she said that the system was telling them to check about every second car. She apologized for the inconvenience.

Originally Posted by esquire

I presume they ask you what you do for a living... I'm surprised they still want to search your car once they know. Do they think you're going to be smuggling car parts under the upholstery to save $200 in HST?

I don't think you're any further ahead if you tell the border agent you're a medical doctor (at least entering the states). That seems to get them interested in what types of drugs or medical appliances that you might be bringing with you......

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I'm sure that you're right. It depends somewhat on which border crossing that you use. For example the I-95/NB-95 border crossing at Woodstock is pretty notorious for making you empty your car. There is also a new mega border crossing in Saint Stephen where the divided NB Highway 1 connects to US Highway 1. None of the locals use this crossing (it's on a bypass around town), and there are many bored customs agents on hand in vastly over engineered and over constructed buildings on both sides of the border. Both times that I've used this crossing recently, I've had to exit my vehicle and had the car searched (both coming and going). The last time I went through a couple of weeks ago returning from Campobello Island, I went to the old border crossing in downtown Saint Stephen/Calais and it was a matter of a few casual questions and a quick wave of the hand and I was through.

Maybe they're just afraid that I might make a fuss or a complaint if I don't get actively offered service in French. (Which I am legally entitled to.)

The land crossing I use most often is in the decidley un-bilingual Thousand Islands region of Ontario.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Maybe they're just afraid that I might make a fuss or a complaint if I don't get actively offered service in French. (Which I am legally entitled to.)

The land crossing I use most often is in the decidley un-bilingual Thousand Islands region of Ontario.

Don't they have a sign to show which queue(s) offer service in French?

[niwell]

I go to Niagara Falls, NY occasionally with a female friend of mine - partly for shopping but mostly for just an interesting day trip and to check out American craft beer. Always been waved right through, even when I have said I brought a bit more craft beer back than is the allowed limit. However this friend almost always gets searched when she is with another female friend and they claim less than the limit, or she is with her family.

I guess they assume two women or a family could only be there for the purpose of shopping? And will try and bring back more than they are allowed?

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by someone123

There's no IKEA in Atlantic Canada but Victoria already has 2 within daytrip distance. Vancouver Island only has around 750,000 people and an IKEA there wouldn't get much business from the mainland since it's easier and cheaper for just about everybody there to get to Richmond or Coquitlam.

its not an easy day trip, you spend up to an hour in the lineup, 90 or so minutes on the ferry plus travel time etc. plus the cost of the ferry

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Don't they have a sign to show which queue(s) offer service in French?

Yes, but it's hit and miss even if you go to the designated booth. They will say "hi/bonjour" but are often a bit lost once you go beyond the simple greeting.

It's even somewhat problematic at Ottawa airport believe it or not.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Don't they have a sign to show which queue(s) offer service in French?

Originally Posted by niwell

I go to Niagara Falls, NY occasionally with a female friend of mine - partly for shopping but mostly for just an interesting day trip and to check out American craft beer. Always been waved right through, even when I have said I brought a bit more craft beer back than is the allowed limit. However this friend almost always gets searched when she is with another female friend and they claim less than the limit, or she is with her family.

I guess they assume two women or a family could only be there for the purpose of shopping? And will try and bring back more than they are allowed?

This is a horrible question but... are they visible minority?

EVERY SINGLE friend or acquaintance I know (regardless of appearance, profession, etc.) who is a visible minority reports getting searched disproportionately more often at the border than I do.