Canadian Retail Thread

[manny_santos]

Originally Posted by esquire

I remember 20 years ago that store seemed kind of forlorn and neglected. There are a few of those zombie-like suburban Bay locations that opened in the 70s and 80s mall retailing boom that never really took off but aren't really dead... I'm sure HBC will be anxious to ditch some of those leases. Part of me wonders if HBC would be wise to come up with a sub-brand for those types of less than full range locations...save Hudson's Bay for the full-line locations. The half-assed stores should get a different identity... the rinky dink ones like Londonderry, St. Vital, or downtown Regina probably just drag down the entire brand.

Winnipeg lost two such locations years ago (Unicity and Kildonan Place) and I wouldn't be shocked to see St. Vital eventually disappear too leaving Winnipeg with just one location at Polo Park.

As for bringing back Zellers, it seems like a doomed move driven by sheer desperation. I get the impression that things aren't great at HBC.

I wonder how long The Bay will last at Lougheed Town Centre in Burnaby. It's a smaller store dating from the late 60s (and still looks it from the outside), and whenever I've walked by it looks dead inside, certainly compared to the Guildford location in Surrey.

[kwoldtimer]

Nestle Canada is ending the sale in Canada of the Delissio, Stouffer, LeanCuisine, and Life Cuisine frozen foods brands over the coming six months. Can't say I'll miss cardboard tasting pizza.

[manny_santos]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Nestle Canada is ending the sale in Canada of the Delissio, Stouffer, LeanCuisine, and Life Cuisine frozen foods brands over the coming six months. Can't say I'll miss cardboard tasting pizza.

It’s not delivery, it’s Delissio!

It wasn’t bad pizza back in the early 2000s, compared to some of the truly awful frozen pizzas on the market back then - looking at Aloro. But Dr. Oetker is now the dominant good frozen pizza in Canada.

[WarrenC12]

Domino's is a low bar for quality, but they are cheap and dependable, probably even cost competitive with that frozen crap.

[casper]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Domino's is a low bar for quality, but they are cheap and dependable, probably even cost competitive with that frozen crap.

For cheap pizza of marginal quality it has to be Little Ceasers.

My experience with Domino's was from 30 years ago. I was so disappointed that I never considered going near anything associated with them again.

As long as Nestle is still in ice cream we are all good.

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by manny_santos

But Dr. Oetker is now the dominant good frozen pizza in Canada.

And made in London lol

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by casper

For cheap pizza of marginal quality it has to be Little Ceasers.

My experience with Domino's was from 30 years ago. I was so disappointed that I never considered going near anything associated with them again.

As long as Nestle is still in ice cream we are all good.

I did indulge in a few "$5 Hot n Ready" pizzes when LC was close to me, but they aren't anymore. Domino's is my go to.

Pizza Pizza opened close by, pretty much identical pricing, but just not as good IMO.

[Loco101]

Originally Posted by manny_santos

It’s not delivery, it’s Delissio!

It wasn’t bad pizza back in the early 2000s, compared to some of the truly awful frozen pizzas on the market back then - looking at Aloro. But Dr. Oetker is now the dominant good frozen pizza in Canada.

Delissio is the exact same pizza as DiGiorno is the U.S.. It has a different name in Canada because in French "Giorno" sounds like "journaux" which is the French word for newspapers.

All of the Delissio products in Canada are made in the USA within the exception of the stuffed crust and mini pizzas which are made in Quebec.

I'm am very surprised that Nestlé will no longer be selling those pizzas along with Lean Cuisine as those items make up a lot of shelf space in so many grocery stores. My guess is that those products aren't very profitable anymore in Canada. Food costs in the U.S. have risen more sharply than in Canada and I'm sure that it is cheaper to produce the products in Canada so competitors have a big advantage.

[Wigs]

Stouffer's French bread pizza was an okay item in the States particularly when it was on sale for cheap.

I haven't had either in ages, but if one is getting Domino's or Little Caesar's get the handmade pan style for Domino's or for LC the deep dish.
Trust me, It's worth the extra cost imho.

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by manny_santos

I wonder how long The Bay will last at Lougheed Town Centre in Burnaby. It's a smaller store dating from the late 60s (and still looks it from the outside), and whenever I've walked by it looks dead inside, certainly compared to the Guildford location in Surrey.

I wonder too but I think it's not until phase 3 or later that the store is supposed to get demolished and rebuilt into a different configuration that will house a moved London Drugs, a Nordstrom Rack, and a Saks Off Fifth, at least that was what was on a floor plan seen quite a while back.

But overall I often find the stuff I want at that store as it usually as items in stock that are sold out at other locations so it's handy for that. That store does have a newish off-price section that is in the former kid's section which was moved downstairs. It's basically like winners, most of the clothes don't seem to be sold at Bay stores. They really should promote it better. But overall the store is pretty quiet despite having a decent selection and stock in store.

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

I did indulge in a few "$5 Hot n Ready" pizzes when LC was close to me, but they aren't anymore. Domino's is my go to.

Pizza Pizza opened close by, pretty much identical pricing, but just not as good IMO.

My 20 year old son loves the LC hot and ready pizzas, I can't stand them, and usually feel terrible the next day. Pizza Pizza used to be the late night go to for a snack on the way home from a night out but that was for a slice. Honestly, I preferred McDonalds pizza way back as the late night snack. We have a local pizza joint we like to order from but if we get chain pizza, it's always Dominos as well. Part of it I will admit is goodwill towards the local franchisee who was really good to many of the "essential workplaces" during the early days of the pandemic, including my own, by bringing pizza in for the workforce. But that would only go so far if I though the pizza was crap, which it isn't.

[SteelTown]

First you took away my Ragu and now Delissio?! Ugh

[MonctonRad]

I've always had a couple of Delissio pizzas in the freezer for when I needed a quite mealtime solution, but they have been getting smaller and more expensive recently, so it is no longer an option for three mouths.

Lately I have been stocking up on "Motor City" Detroit style double pepperoni deep dish pizzas from Costco. They are quite tasty.



There is of course no guarantee that Costco will keep stocking this pizza into the long term future.

[casper]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

First you took away my Ragu and now Delissio?! Ugh

Well there are alternatives. Here is a Canadian in Belgium suffering from Dominos withdrawal with iffy cooking skills trying to recreate dominos. You could try creating your own version of Delissio....

• Video Link

[SpongeG]

this has become one of my faves in recent years, I used to really like Delissio but I find the crust can be too doughy and heavy.


hastycart.ca

[Nashe]

Originally Posted by casper

For cheap pizza of marginal quality it has to be Little Ceasers.

[SteelTown]

Hamilton green-lights Tesla takeover of vacant CF Lime Ridge Mall space

https://www.insauga.com/hamilton-gre...AgJJvdcay2mEoE

Hamilton will officially be home to Tesla’s largest Canadian retail and service location.

The city’s adjustment committee voted unanimously on Thursday in favour of a by-law variance, allowing for a 60,000-square-foot Tesla Centre at CF Lime Ridge Mall, in the space previously occupied by The Bay’s Home Outfitters.

Tesla had already signed a non-binding letter of intent with Cadillac Fairview, Lime Ridge Mall’s parent company.

Tesla Canada’s Sr. Real Estate Manager, Kyle Mazzone, sent a letter to Michael Peiser, Cadillac Fairview’s Senior Director of Development, on Dec. 2, 2022, stating that the company was willing to invest in Hamilton, but that it required the variance sooner rather than later.

“Time is of the essence, which is why CF Lime Ridge is strategically positioned, given that it already has ‘Motor Vehicle Show Room as a permitted use,” added Mazzon. “As we will be servicing and repairing electric vehicles, in addition to the sale of electric vehicles, we want to ensure that this is a permitted use.”

“The timing of the minor variance will be a major deciding factor of Tesla investment in Hamilton.”

The famous Hamilton Mountain mall is already home to a 20-stall Supercharger on its west side — opposite the impending Tesla Centre. The nearest existing centre is in Oakville.



According to Tesla, the new centre will employ 50 people and operate Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

[jonny24]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I've always had a couple of Delissio pizzas in the freezer for when I needed a quite mealtime solution, but they have been getting smaller and more expensive recently, so it is no longer an option for three mouths.

I do the same thing, always a couple frozen pizzas for when we just can't be bothered to cook. Not always Delissio, but probably half the time it is. Even with two people we usually end up eating something else too.

My wife seems incapable ordering just one thing, so if we were to look to delivery pizza like others are suggesting, it's almost guaranteed to be pizza + wings + garlic bread, and now it's $25 instead of $4 so it's just not the same option.

But, Dr. Oetker is made in London and makes some good stuff, and I think the Irresistible store brand has some decent options too. Much like burgers, I can appreciate pizza of all tiers. I particularly like Delissio's sauce.

[esquire]

I seldom ever do frozen pizza, maybe just a couple times a year. Generally I will pick up Little Caesars instead. It's about the same price as frozen, and pretty convenient. Usually if my wife and I are doing a take-out meal that the kids won't eat (i.e. any kind of Asian food other than basic Canadian-Chinese) I will stop at Little Caesar's and pick up a pepperoni pizza or two for them

Their pizza is OK when it's fresh (similar to frozen pizza), but the leftovers are not that great. It doesn't reheat well.

[Nashe]

This is our take-out pizza of choice:



One of the few remaining "mom and pop" places that has been operating since 1969.

Otherwise, if in a hurry, it's an app-ordered pickup at Papa John's, usually, as it is only a few blocks from my house, and on the way home from work.