[PinkLucy]

I 100% agree!

Crappy Tire always sold clothing and attire dedicated to the outdoorsman.

They are a sporting good and automotive store with a bit of housewares mixed in. I suspect putting HBC items in their stores will go over as well as the Debbie Travis collection.

Can you imagine full bedsets, watches and cosmetics being sold at Canadian Tire?

I often see sheets and towels at CT. Also, the housewares and home goods section is the majority of the store I go to. Seasonal (lawn and garden in summer, Christmas in winter) takes up a good chunk of real estate.

 

[Richard White]

I often see sheets and towels at CT. Also, the housewares and home goods section is the majority of the store I go to. Seasonal (lawn and garden in summer, Christmas in winter) takes up a good chunk of real estate.

Agreed but my point was that the primary focus of Canadian Tire is not the same as HBC.

Just because they sell housewares doesn't mean they can sell all the same products that the Bay did.

The people who shopped at the Bay never went to Canadian Tire to buy towels.

 

[PinkLucy]

Agreed but my point was that the primary focus of Canadian Tire is not the same as HBC.

Just because they sell housewares doesn't mean they can sell all the same products that the Bay did.

The people who shopped at the Bay never went to Canadian Tire to buy towels.

I’m just saying that CT has evolved and is no longer primarily an automotive or sporting goods store, or at least the two I frequent aren’t. The Bay also changed and was not the luxury goods purveyor of days gone by beyond the downtown TO store.

I don’t expect CT to be selling everything the Bay did, nor do I think anyone expects that.

CT struggled and made some successful changes. Perhaps the Bay should have done the same.

 

[Northern Light]

.CT struggled and made some successful changes. Perhaps the Bay should have done the same.

The Bay did, under CEO Bonnie Brooks, who was removed by ownership...........

I think that was the point at which Richard Baker decided he was more interested in liquidating the business (slowly extracting all its value) rather than reinvesting in it as a going concern.

 

[Richard White]

I’m just saying that CT has evolved and is no longer primarily an automotive or sporting goods store, or at least the two I frequent aren’t. The Bay also changed and was not the luxury goods purveyor of days gone by beyond the downtown TO store.

I don’t expect CT to be selling everything the Bay did, nor do I think anyone expects that.

CT struggled and made some successful changes. Perhaps the Bay should have done the same.

What may have worked is a Sears style store.

Prior to its demise, some Sears stores had small automotive and outdoors sections. Fairview for example sold lawnmowers, shovels, etc as part of the Craftsman line.

The Bay at STC was higher end. Not luxury in the same way as the Queen Street store but you weren't finding discount merchandise like some Bay stores.

 

[syn]

I always thought Hudson's Bay had a good selection of items that were not "luxury" (as least as far as clothing is concerned) and sales that brought them down to good prices.

That said, It's difficult to see how some of these Hudson's Bay brands will work at Canadian Tire. While they have a variety of items, I don't think anyone would have ever confused Hudson's Bay and Canadian Tire. They were in two entirely different markets.

 

[Blovertis]

That said, It's difficult to see how some of these Hudson's Bay brands will work at Canadian Tire. While they have a variety of items, I don't think anyone would have ever confused Hudson's Bay and Canadian Tire. They were in two entirely different markets.

I'm getting the feeling a lot of posters here haven't spent much time at CT lately

 

[Richard White]

I'm getting the feeling a lot of posters here haven't spent much time at CT lately

I was there last week buying lawn seed. It hasn't changed much since the days of Sandy McTire.

 

[syn]

I'm getting the feeling a lot of posters here haven't spent much time at CT lately

I was there a few weeks ago. I could see the comparison to Walmart, definitely not Hudson's Bay.

 

[lenaitch]

I was there a few weeks ago. I could see the comparison to Walmart, definitely not Hudson's Bay.

I was at CT yesterday. I must have missed the grocery section. Even a comparison to Walmart is tenuous.

 

[torontowest91]

I don't hate Canadian Tire but I don't love it. I find the stores are outdated looking. I also find there is too much everywhere in the store (it appears messy/disorganized).

Let's say I am buying cleaning product - the shelves are overwhelming and have so much on them. Every isle has cardboard stands with more product. There are just bins and stacks of product in the main isles everywhere.

I would be happy if they could eliminate 20-30% of their lowest sellers to clear up some space.

Then you wait in that long checkout lane and are presented with 100s of more items that are mostly junk. Don't even get me started on the downtown location..

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

I don't hate Canadian Tire but I don't love it. I find the stores are outdated looking. I also find there is too much everywhere in the store (it appears messy/disorganized).

Let's say I am buying cleaning product - the shelves are overwhelming and have so much on them. Every isle has cardboard stands with more product. There are just bins and stacks of product in the main isles everywhere.

I would be happy if they could eliminate 20-30% of their lowest sellers to clear up some space.

Then you wait in that long checkout lane and are presented with 100s of more items that are mostly junk. Don't even get me started on the downtown location..

The Eaton Centre location is a cross between a dungeon, a maze, and a fire hazard. Corporate really need to set a unified standard for their franchisees to keep them from looking like a dump.

AoD

 

[Richard White]

The Eaton Centre location is a cross between a dungeon, a maze, and a fire hazard. Corporate really need to set a unified standard for their franchisees to keep them from looking like a dump.

AoD

Agreed.

The lower level of that store is a hot mess. The upper level isn't much better but is packed so tight it's hard to move in spots.

I try to avoid the lower level there as it gives off Honest Eds Basement vibes.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Agreed.

The lower level of that store is a hot mess. The upper level isn't much better but is packed so tight it's hard to move in spots.

I try to avoid the lower level there as it gives off Honest Eds Basement vibes.

The most laughable part of the experience is the awful entrance/exit.

AoD

 

[Richard White]

The most laughable part of the experience is the awful entrance/exit.

AoD

The one upstairs is horrid!

I returned something at the store and was required to exit then re-enter just to get to customer service