[torontowest91]

As a male shopper, I really enjoyed the Sherway Hudson’s bay. The men’s section had some decent brands and wasn’t overwhelming.

The queen street men’s section is massive and not the easiest to get to. It’s too many things to look at and look through.

 

[officedweller]

Maybe that's why Winners does well?
Among those "mission" shopping, (i.e. for pants) you have maybe 2 racks to look at (regular (maybe dress and casual?)
and clearance) which are sorted by size, too, and if there's nothing there, you are done!

 

[Northern Light]

I suppose that's true if you're someone who doesn't care about clothing beyond the basic need for it. But I found it convenient to have it separated by brand, since it let you go straight to the brands you knew.

I think we need to differentiate certain things........

If you bought socks, in the past........all the the socks were/are in the same section, but each brand got its own set of shelves generally..

Its not like it wasn't sorted at all.............

I think those balking at full separation by designer are conveying....I don't want to have go 12 different brands to look at their socks, I want to look at all the socks, sorted by brand and size.

Same difference with many other products.

if you're into a very limited group of items that I will call 'rare purchases'.......separation by brand is less of an issue.

It make sense in certain categories.........Canada Goose getting its own spot vs generic winter wear makes some sense.

But in general, I'd prefer all the winter coat beside each other so I can compare quality, fit and price.........

That IS (was?) the advantage of a department store......if you completely separate by brand.........there's a word for that........its Mall.

 

[matrix]

Maybe that's why Winners does well?
Among those "mission" shopping, (i.e. for pants) you have maybe 2 racks to look at (regular (maybe dress and casual?)
and clearance) which are sorted by size, too, and if there's nothing there, you are done!

As someone who works for the company, Winners does well because of the prices and their "hunting" business model, although pricing can be questionable at times. You don't go to Winners to buy a cheap shirt, you go to Winners to buy a shirt that says "Tommy Hilfiger" on it for $29.99. But that shirt will probably be ugly or outlet-quality- and if it isn't, it's pretty much your lucky day, because 80% of the stuff is cheap tricks. But I've found some pretty amazing deals, you just need the eye for it.

There are also a lot more than 2 racks to look at depending on the department or store, and it depends on the season as well. There's usually four sections for each kind of article of clothing... Activewear, Contemporary ("higher-end" brands like Calvin Klein and funnily enough, Hudson's Bay-branded jeans), Regular and Clearance. If it's on clearance, it's for a reason (out of season or damaged). But like I said, you need to know what to look for.

Funny thing is, if there's nothing on the rack you like, there are customers who will end up finding something they didn't plan on anyway and buy it, and then drive to the next-closest Winners to keep hunting. Or they go and return it and find something they didn't know they wanted. That's what keeps Winners afloat. The "Thrill of the Find" as we say. But I agree, Winners is far more easier to browse in than an old-time department store. That helps things too I bet. But it's also the disorganization that lends to the success. If we had everything divided by brand like The Bay does (for the most part), well, we would have a lot of markdowns to do...

 

[T.E.C.II]

The queen street men’s section is massive and not the easiest to get to. It’s too many things to look at and look through.

It didn't help that the escalators often didn't work once you got up to the men's floor.

 

[torontowest91]

It didn't help that the escalators often didn't work once you got up to the men's floor.

Going up 5 floors to shop men’s doesn’t help either.

 

[lenaitch]

I think we need to differentiate certain things........

If you bought socks, in the past........all the the socks were/are in the same section, but each brand got its own set of shelves generally..

Its not like it wasn't sorted at all.............

I think those balking at full separation by designer are conveying....I don't want to have go 12 different brands to look at their socks, I want to look at all the socks, sorted by brand and size.

Same difference with many other products.

if you're into a very limited group of items that I will call 'rare purchases'.......separation by brand is less of an issue.

It make sense in certain categories.........Canada Goose getting its own spot vs generic winter wear makes some sense.

But in general, I'd prefer all the winter coat beside each other so I can compare quality, fit and price.........

That IS (was?) the advantage of a department store......if you completely separate by brand.........there's a word for that........its Mall.

That was my problem when I went the The Bay. If you are not 'brand driven', you needed to check multiple locations to browse the same type of product.

Not a dedicated shopper but I've never understood Winners. I'm not a 'thrill of the hunt' type of shopper. Neither is my wife; she tried it a couple of times and gave up. Our daughter is and is willing to root through racks looking for bargoons.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

As someone who works for the company, Winners does well because of the prices and their "hunting" business model, although pricing can be questionable at times. You don't go to Winners to buy a cheap shirt, you go to Winners to buy a shirt that says "Tommy Hilfiger" on it for $29.99. But that shirt will probably be ugly or outlet-quality- and if it isn't, it's pretty much your lucky day, because 80% of the stuff is cheap tricks. But I've found some pretty amazing deals, you just need the eye for it.

There are also a lot more than 2 racks to look at depending on the department or store, and it depends on the season as well. There's usually four sections for each kind of article of clothing... Activewear, Contemporary ("higher-end" brands like Calvin Klein and funnily enough, Hudson's Bay-branded jeans), Regular and Clearance. If it's on clearance, it's for a reason (out of season or damaged). But like I said, you need to know what to look for.

Funny thing is, if there's nothing on the rack you like, there are customers who will end up finding something they didn't plan on anyway and buy it, and then drive to the next-closest Winners to keep hunting. Or they go and return it and find something they didn't know they wanted. That's what keeps Winners afloat. The "Thrill of the Find" as we say. But I agree, Winners is far more easier to browse in than an old-time department store. That helps things too I bet. But it's also the disorganization that lends to the success. If we had everything divided by brand like The Bay does (for the most part), well, we would have a lot of markdowns to do...

Which is why I find Winners kind of exhausting - I'd rather pay more for certainty, and I generally prefer to shop less but shop well for things that will last.

AoD

 

[T.E.C.II]

I almost never find anything in Winners that I want to buy, but I also often check if I'm near one. Always hoping to find something. I feel like the College location is also the only good Winners.

 

[torontowest91]

I almost never find anything in Winners that I want to buy, but I also often check if I'm near one. Always hoping to find something. I feel like the College location is also the only good Winners.

I went to the eaton centre winners when they first opened and they had great mens brands like scotch soda, theory & tiger of sweden - i went a few weeks ago and nothing... very hit or miss.

 

[DSCToronto]

I went to the eaton centre winners when they first opened and they had great mens brands like scotch soda, theory & tiger of sweden - i went a few weeks ago and nothing... very hit or miss.

That's how Winners works - a high % of what they sell is 'overstock' and 'odds and ends' - if you see something you like in Winners, best buy it before it's gone!

 

[Towered]

That's how Winners works - a high % of what they sell is 'overstock' and 'odds and ends' - if you see something you like in Winners, best buy it before it's gone!

About 10 years ago I saw a stunning neon pink DKNY biker jacket at Winners, but hesitated. I returned a week later and it was gone and I never saw it again

 

[gabe]

Which is why I find Winners kind of exhausting - I'd rather pay more for certainty, and I generally prefer to shop less but shop well for things that will last.

AoD

Same here. I buy quality clothing that I wear for years. I hate these fast fashion Winners/Marshals type stores. The majority of it is cheap polyester crap that doesn't last, that crap will still be in the landfill in 1000s of years! Plastic doesn't break down like cotton and other natural fibers.

 

[thettctransitfanatic]

Hudson’s Bay liquidating all but 6 stores in Canada

The retailer's decision affects hundreds of jobs. Learn more about your rights in Canada and potential legal options.

stlawyers.ca

''Hudson’s Bay gets court extension, liquidation decision expected by March 21''

''Hudson’s Bay has been granted another extension by the Ontario Superior Court as it faces the possibility of full liquidation. A final decision is now expected by Friday, March 21, which could determine the future of more than 9,000 employees across Canada. CBC News reports that during a court appearance today, Hudson’s Bay lawyer Ashley Taylor confirmed that the company is still in “good, constructive discussions” with stakeholders, but needs more time before a final decision is made''.

 

[T.E.C.II]

About 10 years ago I saw a stunning neon pink DKNY biker jacket at Winners, but hesitated. I returned a week later and it was gone and I never saw it again

Winners used to have a week where they would get real luxury brands, and they were all in this one section. The items would still be way more expensive than anything in the store, but drastically reduced from their original price. I don't know if they do that anymore. The craziest thing I saw was a pair of Lanvin sneakers, which retailed for about $600, on sale for $90. I saw a Mackage parka for around $450 a few years back, but the zipper was wonky.