Monarch Butterfly
Superstar
Even Canadian Tire delivered their own catalogue to homes. Now they are online.
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Richard White
Senior Member
Some things you can order online and hardware supplies are one of those things.
There is very little difference between drills, what you see is what you get in that regard. Other times, with things like clothes you cannot go off the picture alone. You need to see what you are buying because online returns are a pain in the ass.
I have no issues ordering things like a Drill, Sand Paper, Cleaning Supplies or a Charging Cord off Amazon but clothes, shoes, towels and small appliances not so much.
SubHuman
Active Member
The online descriptions, sizing details, and photos of shoes and clothes have generally improved over time. I have never returned anything.
I initially held off buying things like that online, but eventually started doing it out of frustration after repeatedly being told the particular item (or size) I wanted was "not in stock, but we can order it for you", even at brand-specific type of outlets (Adidas, The North Face, etc.).
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Richard White
Senior Member
What I usually do is go to the store, try on the same size in a different color to see if the fit works. If it does, I order online.
Socks and Underwear are an easy buy online but things like shirts can be a pain with regular, modern, slim and athletic cuts.
Admiral Beez
Superstar
Eaton’s definitely could have been the Wayfair of the early internet.
lenaitch
Senior Member
The early Eaton's mail order catalogue was just that; you mailed in an order. Delivery options were company delivery if you lived in an area where it was offered, via Canada Post if it was within their parcel size, or express rail freight (the usual if you bought a house 
). There were no couriers back then. I don't how returns were handled back in those days, but during the heydays of Toronto-area delivery, returns were easily done via the truck. It was common, and tacitly accepted by the Company, that people would order several sizes, styles, etc. of something and simply return what they didn't want.
Canadian Tire had a catalogue for years but it was just that - a catalogue.
To try and set up an online-only business model would be extremely challenging. You are breaking into a market that already has established players.
). There were no couriers back then. I don't how returns were handled back in those days, but during the heydays of Toronto-area delivery, returns were easily done via the truck. It was common, and tacitly accepted by the Company, that people would order several sizes, styles, etc. of something and simply return what they didn't want.Canadian Tire had a catalogue for years but it was just that - a catalogue.
To try and set up an online-only business model would be extremely challenging. You are breaking into a market that already has established players.
I agree, and think that segment is not insignificant. With so much off-shore clothing production, I find sizing is inconsistent. I wonder how many people, particularly those who have Amazon Prime, do like the olden days and order several versions of something and simply return what they don't want.
Monarch Butterfly
Superstar
With Eaton's, they had size charts in the catalogue, and most of the clothes matched the sizes listed. Eaton's buyers told their supplies to match the sizes they listed. Supplies matched sizes of other suppliers.
Today's online size charts tend to be all over, with many not matching other suppliers.
Today's online size charts tend to be all over, with many not matching other suppliers.
Natika33
Active Member
Given what my co-workers & the vloggers I follow say - a lot. I hate returning things though, so I'm in the camp of preferring real stores. For me, it's not just about cut & size, it's also about texture & drape of the fabric.The early Eaton's mail order catalogue was just that; you mailed in an order. Delivery options were company delivery if you lived in an area where it was offered, via Canada Post if it was within their parcel size, or express rail freight (the usual if you bought a house
Canadian Tire had a catalogue for years but it was just that - a catalogue.
To try and set up an online-only business model would be extremely challenging. You are breaking into a market that already has established players.
I agree, and think that segment is not insignificant. With so much off-shore clothing production, I find sizing is inconsistent. I wonder how many people, particularly those who have Amazon Prime, do like the olden days and order several versions of something and simply return what they don't want.
lenaitch
Senior Member
Makes sense. Back in the day, Eaton's, Simpsons and HBC were massive buyers in an era where there were very, very few. Also, lot of clothing manufacturing was domestic.
Midtown Urbanist
Superstar
You've convinced me there is a potential here. Canadian Tire stores have become dated, messy, unfocused, and unfashionable. CT branding contains some gaps in the retail landscape. At the same time, they've witnessed hardware stores and dollar stores retailers have an absolute renaissance in the retail world, and they are half-assing it with their unfocused store. Grocery stores also emerged in post-covid world as a defensive play in retail.
The HBC acquisition does present an exciting opportunity to reorient, redesign, and reorganize the various brands under CT ownership. HBC takes over all the housewares and appliances from Canadian Tire, while being able to compete in beauty and high-end products. The freed up space at Canadian Tire allows them to compete more directly with Lowes and Home Depot. Zellers returns as a direct competitor to Winners and (this time) Walmart, allowing CT to convert their properties to being grocery anchored destinations.
Imagine the scenario where you drive into an CT REIT owned shopping plaza and you have Canadian Tire, HBC, Mark's, and Zellers anchoring the plaza. This would be CT REIT's answer to Choice REIT's version of Loblaws, Joe Fresh, and Shoppers Drug Mart.
Whether this is actually their intentions or whether they can execute on this, is an entirely different story. It would be great though. The HBC brand refocused on fashion and housewares, beauty, appliances, and Sport Check section would probably be strong enough to carry itself on a smaller footprint in regional malls and a few flagship locations as well, should they choose to.
RGB_11
Active Member
People still want to try on clothing & stuff. Bad idea. Have at least ONE store, maybe two in major markets.
Remember, this is CTC now, so there is no need to be a huge bay store. Dedicate some of the space to other stores CTC owns, problem solved.
Unlike Sears, which gave up Eaton floor space just to have Old Navy & Others to compete with, CTC has the benefit of not actually giving up space, and controlling what business goes where...
Monarch Butterfly
Superstar
Does Walmart have change rooms?
Richard White
Senior Member
They are Schrödinger's changing rooms.
Sometimes they exist, sometimes they don't. It depends on the location as it appears every Walmart follows a different policy relating to shrink.
RGB_11
Active Member
YES! I tried on a ten dollar belt there recently.
nightstreak
Active Member
I went over during lunch time and bought a shirt. The deals are finally worth it. Spent $17 on a shirt that had originally been $70, even found my size!
The Bay Queen Street is closing on June 1st instead of the originally announced June 15th date. I can see why, liquidation is going well, there were empty shelves as far as the eye can see. The Men's department is being moved down to the third floor and women's is being consolidated on the second.
I chatted with a couple of the sales staff in the men's department. One has been there for 25 years! They told me that the staff aren't "allowed" to leave until June 1st. I don't know how that works, what are they gonna do fire them?
The Bay Queen Street is closing on June 1st instead of the originally announced June 15th date. I can see why, liquidation is going well, there were empty shelves as far as the eye can see. The Men's department is being moved down to the third floor and women's is being consolidated on the second.
I chatted with a couple of the sales staff in the men's department. One has been there for 25 years! They told me that the staff aren't "allowed" to leave until June 1st. I don't know how that works, what are they gonna do fire them?