Canadian Retail Thread - Page 294

wave46 · #**5861** Posted **May 19, 2020, 2:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Btw, am I correct in thinking that most people pronounce Reitmans as "REET-mans"? Growing up in K-W, it was always "RIGHT-mans".

The former is the way I pronounce it.

• Video Link

If it's good enough for Meghan Markle, I guess...

kwoldtimer · #**5862** Posted **May 19, 2020, 2:27 PM**

That's what I thought. I suspect that "RIGHT-mans" is just a K-W thing.

MonctonRad · #**5863** Posted **May 19, 2020, 2:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

That's what I thought. I suspect that "RIGHT-mans" is just a K-W thing.

Nope, it's Right-mans in the Maritimes too.

kwoldtimer · #**5864** Posted **May 19, 2020, 2:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Nope, it's Right-mans in the Maritimes too.

Good to know we're not alone!

Acajack · #**5865** Posted **May 19, 2020, 2:46 PM**

It's always REET-mans in French.

Now, the RIGHT-mans thing isn't related to any local roots in KW. (Though probably related more generally to the presence of German in the area.)

Reitmans was founded by a Mr. and Mrs. Reitman who were immigrants from Romania living in Montreal. (I think we can assume they were Ashkenazi Jews.)

Anyway, pretty sure they pronounced their surname RIGHT-man, though they may have switched to REET-man upon arriving in Canada.

Truenorth00 · #**5866** Posted **May 19, 2020, 2:47 PM**

What's Canada's version of JC Penny? That's the question.

kwoldtimer · #**5867** Posted **May 19, 2020, 2:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

It's always REET-mans in French.

Now, the RIGHT-mans thing isn't related to any local roots in KW. (Though probably related more generally to the presence of German in the area.)

Reitmans was founded by a Mr. and Mrs. Reitman who were immigrants from Romania living in Montreal. (I think we can assume they were Ashkenazi Jews.)

Anyway, pretty sure they pronounced their surname RIGHT-man, though they may have switched to REET-man upon arriving in Canada.

I assume the K-W pronunciation is related to the German tendencies. It does seem more logical to me that REET-mans. Reimer, for example, is always RYE-mer, never (thank goodness) REEM-er.

Although I'm straying way off-topic ...

Acajack · #**5868** Posted **May 19, 2020, 2:55 PM**

I wonder how far you have to get from the Quebec border for Corbeil (appliances) to transition from COR-BAYY(E) to COR-BEEL.

In the Ottawa market, they basically run the same ads they run on Montreal anglo stations, which say Corbeil the French way.

wave46 · #**5869** Posted **May 19, 2020, 3:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

I wonder how far you have to get from the Quebec border for Corbeil (appliances) to transition from COR-BAYY(E) to COR-BEEL.

In the Ottawa market, they basically run the same ads they run on Montreal anglo stations, which say Corbeil the French way.

When I first moved to North Bay, I pronounced the town of Corbeil as "Cor-bay" and got many confused looks from the locals. They called it "Cor-beel".

So, that's 80km, maybe?

begratto · #**5870** Posted **May 19, 2020, 3:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

It's always REET-mans in French.

I have always heard RIGHT-man or REYT-man here in Montreal and not REET-man

Innsertnamehere · #**5871** Posted **May 19, 2020, 3:04 PM**

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/rei...ring-1.5575036

Goodbye Reitmans.

I actually quite liked RW&CO, hopefully they can restructure and keep some stores open.

MonctonRad · #**5872** Posted **May 19, 2020, 3:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

I wonder how far you have to get from the Quebec border for Corbeil (appliances) to transition from COR-BAYY(E) to COR-BEEL.

In the Ottawa market, they basically run the same ads they run on Montreal anglo stations, which say Corbeil the French way.

They aren't around here, but I naturally would have used the French pronunciation.

On the other hand, I am from PEI, and we tend to pronounce the surname "Gaudet" as "Goody"..............

Electric Lady · #**5873** Posted **May 19, 2020, 3:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

What's Canada's version of JC Penny? That's the question.

Best equivalent was probably Sears.

Acajack · #**5874** Posted **May 19, 2020, 3:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by begratto

I have always heard RIGHT-man or REYT-man here in Montreal and not REET-man

I stand corrected. I guess I was wrong about that. Please disregard what I said about Reitmans' pronunciation in French.

An ad that proves begratto is right:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i08sDXARVU

Acajack · #**5875** Posted **May 19, 2020, 3:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wave46

When I first moved to North Bay, I pronounced the town of Corbeil as "Cor-bay" and got many confused looks from the locals. They called it "Cor-beel".

So, that's 80km, maybe?

Pretty much the home town of the Dionne quintuplets.

whatnext · #**5876** Posted **May 19, 2020, 9:07 PM**

Pier 1 had already left Canada a few months ago, now the whole company is shutting down:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/pie...ptcy-1.5575801

csbvan · #**5877** Posted **May 19, 2020, 9:45 PM**

I would not be surprised if Coronavirus is the impetus for the permanent closure of a lot of big-box/large-format retail chains. I think that they were already in a death spiral, Amazon doesn't always replace the experience of small independent shops and boutiques, but it completely nullifies the need for big box stores. I am guessing that the Coronavirus shutdown will simply accelerate their demise.

Truenorth00 · #**5878** Posted **May 19, 2020, 10:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by csbvan

I would not be surprised if Coronavirus is the impetus for the permanent closure of a lot of big-box/large-format retail chains. I think that they were already in a death spiral, Amazon doesn't always replace the experience of small independent shops and boutiques, but it completely nullifies the need for big box stores. I am guessing that the Coronavirus shutdown will simply accelerate their demise.

It's not just the rise of ecommerce. The increasing income inequality is killing off these stores. Everyone who makes less than six figures is shopping at fast fashion retailers (Zara, H&M) and furniture stores (Ikea). And everyone who has two six figure incomes shops at exclusive boutique stores (Harry Rosen, Bombay Co.). There's less and less room for aspirational brands and entry level luxury.

manny_santos · #**5879** Posted **May 19, 2020, 10:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by csbvan

I would not be surprised if Coronavirus is the impetus for the permanent closure of a lot of big-box/large-format retail chains. I think that they were already in a death spiral, Amazon doesn't always replace the experience of small independent shops and boutiques, but it completely nullifies the need for big box stores. I am guessing that the Coronavirus shutdown will simply accelerate their demise.

It’s hard to say. Large cities with vibrant downtowns like Vancouver and Toronto have a lot of these independent boutiques, but big box chain retail is pretty much all we have in smaller cities and in suburban areas. There are exceptions, of course.

Coffee shops are an example of this. People in big cities love to support the plethora of independent coffee shops that these cities have (as do I). These simply don’t exist in smaller communities and in suburban areas; Tim Hortons is often the only coffee shop around. Sometimes Starbucks, McDonald’s, or more rarely, Second Cup will show up.

Of course on the flip side, this could create new opportunities for local independent businesses in smaller cities and suburbs. But it may not be economical for an independent clothing store to open in a power centre in London. And I can’t see an independent coffee shop succeeding in London outside of a couple specific neighbourhoods.

MolsonExport · #**5880** Posted **May 19, 2020, 11:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

I wonder how far you have to get from the Quebec border for Corbeil (appliances) to transition from COR-BAYY(E) to COR-BEEL.

In the Ottawa market, they basically run the same ads they run on Montreal anglo stations, which say Corbeil the French way.

wow, they don't say Cor-bayy?

I recall being in New Orleans, and talking to a local about Baton Rouge. I never thought to pronounce it anything other than the French way.

The guy looked at me like I was speaking Cambodian. It took us a while to figure things out (I then said, the capital city of Louisiana).

Batten Ruje. Looseeanna.