Winnipeg Retail

[Mininari]

Originally Posted by Cyro

Interesting, I still think, imo, Canadian stores anyway, are on the decline. But I do hope the old "Mom and Pop", stores as you mention do survive in Canada, maybe even provide some competition for the Big Box boys. Although the way things are going, taking Winnipeg for example, it seems like a difficult obstacle to over come.

Here's hoping the small independent can survive in todays market.

Are your finding any difference on the Canadian West Coast with what you've heard happening in the US?

Well, I can report from Victoria / Saanich Peninsula that the Ma n Pa local bookstores are still doing VERY well, some of which are tourist attactions even. Of course, there is a very strong 'buy local' mentality here too, and there is only one Chapters in town, along with big box retail construction restrictions in many of the municipalities that make up the Victoria Capital Region.

[Cyro]

Originally Posted by Mininari

Well, I can report from Victoria / Saanich Peninsula that the Ma n Pa local bookstores are still doing VERY well, some of which are tourist attactions even. Of course, there is a very strong 'buy local' mentality here too, and there is only one Chapters in town, along with big box retail construction restrictions in many of the municipalities that make up the Victoria Capital Region.

That's good to hear their is still a large interest in the smaller stores in your area.

But again, some excellent reason for their success in your market.

Buy local mentality, tourist destination, 1 Big Box and restrictions on further construction.

Hope their are more success stories out their, bucking the internet based trend.

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by Cyro

Interesting, I still think, imo, Canadian stores anyway, are on the decline. But I do hope the old "Mom and Pop", stores as you mention do survive in Canada, maybe even provide some competition for the Big Box boys. Although the way things are going, taking Winnipeg for example, it seems like a difficult obstacle to over come.

Here's hoping the small independent can survive in todays market.

Are your finding any difference on the Canadian West Coast with what you've heard happening in the US?

not really, a lot of local book chains have closed down in the last few years, there are a number of smaller ones that seem to do wel, most of them are very specialized like a sci-fi store or a mystery store etc.

the chapters in vancouver downtown is getting more and more floor space to things other than books, like the tech section and home decor, food etc.

i guess if a bookstore can find a good niche they can still do pretty well

[esquire]

Virtually every city has their (depending on size) one, two or five McNally's-type local landmark bookstores. That still doesn't change the fact that most people are buying their books through faceless entities like Amazon, iTunes or big-box stores.

[Cyro]

Originally Posted by esquire

Virtually every city has their (depending on size) one, two or five McNally's-type local landmark bookstores. That still doesn't change the fact that most people are buying their books through faceless entities like Amazon, iTunes or big-box stores.

I don't think many posters, myself included as I have alluded to in earlier posts would disagree with your assessment of how the small independent bookstore/music store?, can compete with online e-publications, music downloads etc.

I just found it interesting that a previous poster was alluding to the fact that their seems to be a resurgence in smaller niche stores in the US and was wondering why it is the case. Be it small locals, tourist locations, etc.

Even Big Box Stores are suffering from the impact of the internet at his time, I personally have changed my reading/music habits with the use of the web and still have quite the collection of Hard Copies in both music/books and would still support the independent, although I know I'll be paying more to do so. Others will go for the "Best Buy".

[trebor204]

Polo Park announced on their Facebook page that H&M will be located on the Main level just off central court.


On the lower level they relocated and boarded up 4 stores. They kept the stairs going down to Lenscrafter. Polo Park Dental (next to Pearle Vision, Customer Service) also moved. It looks like H&M will take over these 4 stores, Polo Park Dental and a room located to the North of the dental office.


On the upper level Polo Park is still working on the former Zellers store, and has boarded up about 4 stores as well.

There also working on the roof, it looks like their adding a couple of skylights.


http://www.cfretail.com/FloorPlans/P..._floorplan.pdf

[CoryB]

Before Zeller's expanded to take over the Bretton's space there was a second mall entrance near what is listed as Eddie Baurer on the floor plan. I had heard the Zeller's space reno will basically turn the space into a U space that connects back to the Bay-Sears run around where the original access point was.

The other interesting observation is that Polo Park Dental is clearly shown as being relocated to the old CTV building complex just north of the Bay but outside the mall proper.

[wags_in_the_peg]

Originally Posted by CoryB

Before Zeller's expanded to take over the Bretton's space there was a second mall entrance near what is listed as Eddie Baurer on the floor plan. I had heard the Zeller's space reno will basically turn the space into a U space that connects back to the Bay-Sears run around where the original access point was.

The other interesting observation is that Polo Park Dental is clearly shown as being relocated to the old CTV building complex just north of the Bay but outside the mall proper.

Dental has moved and is up and running across street in CTV building

[Cyro]

Adapting to the current retail climate seems to be a prudent move. Niche stores catering to a particular demographic or personal interest/topic/theme, seem to have a higher survival rate than going after the masses, which clearly are not working in today's internet based market. Adaptation to the current business climate is a chance to succeed. I do it monthly with the web related en-devours I pursue. If I didn't change my marketing strategies I'd be in some serious financial difficulties at this point.

Thx for the insight.

[h0twired]

Red River Co-op Buys 4 Safeway Locations

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/bus...245469731.html

Will be nice to see dividends on groceries as well as gas soon.

[Jack1983]

Originally Posted by h0twired

Red River Co-op Buys 4 Safeway Locations

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/bus...245469731.html

Will be nice to see dividends on groceries as well as gas soon.

If the prices are anything similar to the Beausejour Co-op Grocery, The dividend would have to be very significant to entice me to shop there.

[Danny D Oh]

Originally Posted by Jack1983

If the prices are anything similar to the Beausejour Co-op Grocery, The dividend would have to be very significant to entice me to shop there.

The prices at the Co-Op's in Oakbank and on Henderson in Winnipeg are both noncompetitive. They've tried grocery stores in Winnipeg before and failed. I see that happening again with even more competition, I think their niche is in small towns that won't get Superstores and Wal-Marts with full grocery.

Interesting that Sobey's held onto the Crossroads Safeway. They have two mega grocery stores across the street from each other.

[rypinion]

Originally Posted by Danny D Oh

Interesting that Sobey's held onto the Crossroads Safeway. They have two mega grocery stores across the street from each other.

I don't think when dealing with the competition bureau that you'd get much choice in which stores you keep and which you divest. I'd assume there's some back and forth though.

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by rypinion

I don't think when dealing with the competition bureau that you'd get much choice in which stores you keep and which you divest. I'd assume there's some back and forth though.

The Competition Bureau prepares a minimum list of stores that must be divested, there is nothing preventing the divestment or closure of stores to merged company does not need such as the two Crossroad stores. Matter of fact the mandated divestment of Safeway included locations that were not on the minimum list however those locations were not in Manitoba.

[rypinion]

Originally Posted by Danny D Oh

The prices at the Co-Op's in Oakbank and on Henderson in Winnipeg are both noncompetitive. They've tried grocery stores in Winnipeg before and failed.

With Federated Co-op adding 14 stores total, it should help them in getting better prices from suppliers. And all the other efficiencies that come from scale.

[StNorberter]

Originally Posted by Danny D Oh

The prices at the Co-Op's in Oakbank and on Henderson in Winnipeg are both noncompetitive. They've tried grocery stores in Winnipeg before and failed. I see that happening again with even more competition, I think their niche is in small towns that won't get Superstores and Wal-Marts with full grocery.

Interesting that Sobey's held onto the Crossroads Safeway. They have two mega grocery stores across the street from each other.

Competitive with whom? The Marketplace in St. Norbert is competitive and I'm surprised that the prices would be that drastically different.

Now, to be clear when I say competitive, they slot kind of in between Superstore and Sobey's and actually closer to Sobey's.

[wags_in_the_peg]

Originally Posted by h0twired

Red River Co-op Buys 4 Safeway Locations

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/bus...245469731.html

Will be nice to see dividends on groceries as well as gas soon.

fantastic news, they will do great! co-ops are a fantastic business model. they have a history in groceries, gas bars is the new business to them. in Calgary I shopped co-op grocery stores all the time.

[Riverman]

Where is there a Co-op grocery on Henderson? The last one closed decades ago.

[h0twired]

Originally Posted by Riverman

Where is there a Co-op grocery on Henderson? The last one closed decades ago.

Henderson @ McIvor

[rypinion]

Originally Posted by h0twired

Henderson @ McIvor

'The Marketplace', to be clear.