The pandemic has, unfortunately, impacted so many businesses this past year, with some barely making it by and others having to close for good. This year, we’ve seen larger retailers like Victoria’s Secret and Gap struggle, as well as smaller retailers like Henry’s.
And now, a retail expert is saying that two prominent Canadian retailers could be the next retailers negatively impacted by COVID-related restrictions and a change in shopping behaviour.
Doug Stephens, a retail expert, told CTV News that Canadian Tire and Hudson’s Bay could be next on the list to face major and potentially detrimental financial issues.
He explains that these two brands haven’t been able to adapt to the changing retail environment these last months, or even before the pandemic.
As two of Canada’s largest department chains, Canadian Tire and Hudson’s Bay, these types of companies can have a difficult time adapting to the online world of shopping. The majority of retail sales within the past months have been digital, and with major online competitors like Amazon, Canadian Tire and Hudson’s Bay haven’t been able to keep up.
However, a spokesperson for Hudson’s Bay says it’s actually the opposite. “Most recently, Hudson’s Bay re-platformed its e-commerce site to an industry-leading technology, with a fully redesigned customer journey including a live chat directly with customer service or an in-store associate.”
The company also says that it is expecting to recover strongly from the pandemic. Just recently it introduced a Hudson’s Bay app, which has almost 400,000 downloads.
When it comes to Canadian Tire, Stephens has his concern for the company due to its lack of home delivery for certain products and a COVID-related second-quarter loss. Canadian Tire also reached out to CTV News and said that its e-commerce sales have been up 500%. The company has no plans in leaving as it stated, “we have been meeting the needs of our customers for nearly 100 years and are more confident than ever in our ability to continue to serve out customers in the future.”
Of course, there’s no for sure way of saying whether stores will permanently close in the foreseeable future. Only time will tell in this case.
Let’s have hope that companies have begun to implement a digital plan to embrace all of its customers on all platforms, so that we can keep shopping at these places for years to come!
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In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, it’s always uplifting to see companies step up and offer assistance in combating the virus. We’ve seen Canadian retailers like Knix, Canada Goose, Ellie Mae, and more step up with initiatives to provide medical gear and mental health assistance, and the latest Canadian company aiding during the crisis is Canadian Tire.
On April 9, Canadian Tire launched a $5 million COVID-19 Response Fund.
The fund will help Canadians and communities during the pandemic. Canadian Tire will donate $1 million to the Canadian Red Cross, $1 million to United Way Centraide Canada, and $3 million in personal protective equipment (PPE) and essential products.
In addition to the PPE, Canadian Tire has offered to provide cleaning supplies, scrubs, and running and safety shoes to frontline medical workers and community organizations in need of these essential products. The company is currently taking requests through its website.
“Working through the networks of the Canadian Red Cross and United Way Centraide Canada will help us quickly reach the communities who need our help the most.”
– Greg Hicks, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Tire Corporation
“With such a large national footprint in communities across Canada, and the backing of our family of companies, we are in a unique position to provide frontline and community workers with products that will help keep them safe and effective on the job,” Greg Hicks, Canadian Tire Corporation’s President and Chief Executive Officer said.
In addition to the fund, the retailer’s Associate Dealers have lent support to local communities in need.
To date, Associate Dealers have independently donated 160K masks, 164K gloves, and 20K litres of hand sanitizer to nursing homes, community organizations, and hospitals. The sale of N95 and ASTM certified masks have halted online and in-store, and the remaining supply will be donated to frontline healthcare workers.
This is the support we love to see from the retail community and the efforts are much appreciated. If you want to get involved, you can donate through the websites of the Canadian Red Cross and United Way Centraide Canada.
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This year, we saw a plethora of retailers shutter amidst the retail apocalypse. But where there are failures, there are always champions to look to in every industry — and in Canadian fashion, it’s Lululemon.
BrandZ, the world’s largest brand equity database, recently released its inaugural list of the top 40 most valuable brands in Canada.
Overall, the brands on the list are worth a total of $144 billion in 2019. But aside from financials, the study also took criteria like consumer trust into consideration, which helped break down the list into six different categories: Brand Contribution, Best Purpose, Most Meaningful, Most Different, Most Innovative, and Best Brand Experience.
Of the 40 most valuable Canadian brands, Lululemon ranked as the top fashion brand.
Despite recent brand closures, sixth on the overall list and first in the apparel category, BrandZ has Lululemon’s 2019 brand value at $7,578 million USD.
Coming in as 17th on the top most valuable Canadian brands list and second in the apparel category is Canada Goose with a brand value of $2,199 million USD. Aritzia came in third for the apparel category and 31st overall with a brand value of $684 million USD.
In terms of shopping, the retail category has 12 familiar names on the list.
Metro, Dollarama, Shoppers Drug Mart, Real Canadian Superstore, WINNERS, RONA, Foodland, President’s Choice, Sobeys, and Food Basics were all ranked in the top 40 most valuable Canadian brands of 2019.
Retail was actually one of the top most valuable categories, falling third after banks and telecom providers.
While many countries and businesses face uncertainty, BrandZ’s study just goes to show that Canada is holding up strong. And while some of our favourite retailers may be shuttering stores, at the very least, we have the top 40 to rely on.
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Canadian Tire has been a staple in households across Canada for decades. But like all long-standing retailers, the company has to make changes in order keep up with the ever-evolving landscape. And they recently made a very interesting acquisition.
Today Canadian Tire Corporation announced that it will be purchasing Party City‘s Canadian business.
The $174.4 million acquisition includes 65 Canadian retail stores across seven provinces. With this move, Canadian Tire is hoping to win over the hearts of families and millennials across the nation and become “Canada’s fun store.”
Instagram/@daria.veduta
For those unfamiliar, Party City is a destination for all things party related, with everything you need for major events like Christmas, Halloween, birthdays, and more, all under one roof.
“Strengthening our marketplace is at the heart of our growth strategy and we are excited to welcome Party City into the Canadian Tire family of companies,” Canadian Tire Corporation’s EVP of Retail, Allan MacDonald said in a press release. Party City will be joining retailers like SportChek, Mark’s, Helly Hansen, and more under the company umbrella.
Flickr/fw_gadget
The iconic Canadian retailer has big plans for Party City.
And it includes bringing Party City’s exclusive and unique roster of merchandise — which includes notable brands like Disney — into Canadian Tire stores through store-in-stores, pop-ups, and “in-line” aisles. Canadian Tire Corporation believes that, with decades of experience and its extensive store network, party store’s sales could double by in just three year’s time.
Not only that, but Canadian Tire Corporation’s beloved Triangle Rewards will be expanding into Party City, giving shoppers more opportunity to earn rewards.
Feature Image: Instagram/@renouv.to
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At StyleDemocracy, we know shopping! We deliver the scoop on all things retail related including how to get the best value at your favourite stores. Hidden offerings, insider secrets, and the ultimate savings.
We’ve rounded up the 10 things every Canadian Tire shopper needs to know. Keep reading for the top tips for shopping at Canadian Tire.
Canadian Tire Money Has Gone Digital
Instagram/@daddio630820
Canadian Tire money has been around for ages. But in an effort to be more environmentally friendly, in 2018 they announced that they will be expanding their reward-program to a loyalty card called Triangle Rewards. This expansion means that you can redeem points at not just Canadian Tire locations but also at stores like Sport Chek and Mark’s.
They Sell More Than Just Tires
Instagram/@canadiantire
I’m not going to lie, for a long time, I assumed that Canadian Tire was nothing more than a big-box store that sold car-related products, cleaning, camping supplies, and gardening supplies. I was shocked to find out how much they’ve expanded their horizons. Nowadays you can find appliances, snacks, outdoor furniture, home decor, pet food, and more.
They Will Price Match
Instagram/@aurora.lighting
As long as you have proof that another local retailer is selling the exact same item for a lower price, Canadian Tire will price match it for you.
They Will Accept Returns And Exchanges For 90 Days To Any Canadian Tire Location
Instagram/@canadiantire
So long as the item is still in perfect condition, and you still have your receipt, you can bring it back and return it. However, if you ordered the item online, you will not be refunded the shipping cost.
You Can Check In-Store Availability Online Before Heading Into The Store
Instagram/@jessicasaramorris
If you’ve found the item you’re looking for online, but you aren’t sure if it’s available at your nearest Canadian Tire store, you can easily find the answers you’re looking for without having to call the store. Instead, you can fill out the “Please select a pickup location to check inventory”, select your preferred store location and presto, you’ll not only know if it’s available there, but you can find out if it’s available at any other Canadian Tire location near you.
They Offer Home Delivery Service
Instagram/@westriverdesign
If you are unable to make it into the store and physically transport your purchase, don’t fret. For a small fee of $4.99, you can have most Canadian Tire products delivered straight to your front door. It doesn’t get much more convenient than that!
You Can Sign Up To Be Notified Whenever They’re Having A Sale
Instagram/@autoglym_dave
Constantly having to check online if a store is having a sale, or having to wait for the weekly flyer to show up in the mail can be a hassle. Instead, you can create an account on the Canadian Tire website and request to be notified whenever a sale is going to occur.
They Offer ‘As Seen On Tv’ Products
Photo via Canadian Tire
In the era of commercial-free TV, it isn’t so easy to stumble upon an infomercial, call in, and order an item anymore. But you’re in luck because Canadian Tire offers all the obscure, As Seen On TV home gadgets and cooking supplies that you’ve probably been curious about trying!
You Can Order Items Online That Are Out Of Stock, And They Will Ship It To You As Soon As It Becomes Available
Instagram/@canadiantire
If you’ve tried to buy an item in-store and it wasn’t available, and it doesn’t seem to be available online either, you still have a final option. You can order the item online, and have the item shipped to you as soon as possible — eliminating the possibility of it going out of stock again before you can get to it.
There Are Certain Items Online That Are Not Available In-Store
Instagram/@miatastreet
There are quite a few perks to online shopping — the main one being that you don’t have to leave your house. But Canadian Tire offers one more perk, and it’s a major one: online exclusive items. I know the name speaks for itself, but this essentially means that if the item indicates it’s an online exclusive, you cannot find it in any Canadian Tire store.
Featured Image: Instagram/@canadiantire
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With news of store closures popping up all of the time, it’s nice to hear a company’s successes every once in a while.
Recently, the Centre for the Study of Commercial Activity (CSCA) at Ryerson University conducted a study on the top 100 retail conglomerates in Canada to find out which retailer ranked best. Using the estimated retail sales from the 2017 fiscal year, the CSCA was able to determine which conglomerates have the most influence over shoppers.
Interestingly enough, the 100 top Canadian retailers retailers who made the list account for 75.5% of non-automotive sales in Canada.
The top three retailers accounting for 28% of non-automotive sales. All together, the 100 retailers drove $276 billion dollars in retail sales. The top 33 retailers all had at least $1 billion in sales.
Other companies that made the list but didn’t rank in the top 10 include Bass Pro Inc., Ashley Industries Inc., Fabricland, Footlocker Inc., and Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, the latter of which recently acquired Toys “R” Us. While some retailers who topped the list surprised us, others are no-brainers.
Here are the 10 top Canadian retailers:
1. Weston Group
You’ve definitely heard this name before. The conglomerate owns establishments that Canadians visit every day. The company’s roster of 35 retailers includes Shoppers Drug Mart, Real Canadian Superstore, and No Frills. In 2017, Weston group was estimated to bring in over $46.2 billion in retail sales.
2. Walmart Stores Inc.
Was there any doubt that Walmart would make this list? The big box store, which has over 400 locations across Canada, was estimated to make just over $32.4 billion USD in retail sales at the end of 2017’s fiscal year. Between just two chains, Walmart and Walmart Superstores, that’s a whole lot of money.
3. Costco Wholesale Corp.
Another store that Canadians frequently visit is Costco. Although the retailer has a significantly smaller location number than other retailers on this list — 94 compared to Weston Group’s 2797 and Walmart Stores Inc.’s 410 — Costco is able to bring in the big bucks. At the end of 2017’s fiscal year, they had estimated retail sales of $24.6 billion.
4. Empire Company Limited
For those unfamiliar with the name, more recognizable retailers that fall under the conglomerate’s roster include Sobeys, Safeway, and IGA. While the company ranked lower than Costco, retail sales were close, with Empire Company Limited pulling in an estimated $24.2 billion.
5. Metro Inc.
Unsurprisingly, another grocery conglomerate tops the list of Canada’s top 10 retailers. Under the Metro Inc. umbrella, shoppers will find Metro, Food Basics, and Metro PLUS. With 866 stores across Canada, the company had retail sales estimated at $13.1 billion — a big jump down from the four company’s that topped the list.
6. McKesson Corp.
The company behind Rexall, IDA Pharmacy, and Uniprix comes in sixth on the list. With 11 chains underneath the brand’s umbrella and 2234 locations across Canada (the second largest store count after Weston Group), McKesson Corp. was able to pull in an estimated $10.9 billion USD in retail sales.
7. Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd.
Number seven needs no introduction! In addition to Canadian Tire, the conglomerate also has retailers like Mark’s Work Wearhouse and Sport Chek on its roster, with 12 chains and 1321 store locations in total. At the end of the 2017 fiscal year, Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd. brought in a whopping $10.2 billion in retail sales.
8. Lowe’s Companies Inc.
Despite an announcement of store closures across North America, Lowe’s Companies Inc. seems to be doing quite well, ranking as the eight most successful retailer on this list. The company brought in an estimated $8.6 billion USD with just 878 retail locations. In addition to Lowe’s, the company also has Rona under its brand umbrella.
9. The Home Depot Inc.
Coming in ninth on the top Canadian retailers list is The Home Depot. With only one chain and 182 stores across Canada, the retailer was able to bring in estimated sales of $8.1 billion USD. That’s a whole lot of home improvement supplies!
10. Home Hardware Stores Ltd.
With an estimated $6.1 billion in retail sales, 10th on the list of top Canadian retailers is Home Hardware Stores Ltd. The home improvement conglomerate has a total of 4 chains including Home Hardware and Home Building Centre, and has 1069 locations across Canada.
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Summertime is in full swing in Toronto, which means it’s time to revamp your outdoor space and make it your own. Spruce up your balcony or backyard for sunset cocktails and mid-summer dinner parties. If you’re looking for cute accessories, furniture pieces, lighting, planters and more, these are the top ten spots to check out:
1. Homesense
2. West Elm
3. Ikea
4. Winners
5. CB2
6. Canvas (Canadian Tire)
7. Lowe’s
8. The Brick
9. Hauser
10. Ebay.ca
Featured Image: Instagram/@homesensecanada
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Recognizing the importance of social responsibility, a growing number of companies in our home and native land are giving back this holiday season.
In fact, we’ve pretty much come to the point that if your organization isn’t involved in some sort of charitable, community or other do-good cause, you may want to reconsider what “business as usual” means to your brand.
Here’s how 9 Canadian companies are giving back this season.
Frank and Oak
Just in time for gift-giving season, Frank and Oak has launched the And Capsule Collection, featuring three unisex pieces that could easily become closet staples. The clothing is manufactured in Canada, and $5 from each sale goes to Equitas, an organization that works to eradicate the causes of poverty and promote human rights for all. (Read more about the initiative here.)
Roots
https://www.instagram.com/p/BclDLQCHDNO/?hl=en&taken-by=rootscanada
A perfect stocking stuffer (and one that comes with an important talking point), the “NICE” pin from Roots not only spreads positive vibes, it gives back as well. All proceeds will support WE programming for youth in indigenous communities, empowering them to become strong leaders in their communities.
Klick Inc.
Klick Inc. has once again released a hugely successful video to celebrate the holidays – this time with YouTube star Andrew Huang. Their “You Make Winter Warm” video stars hundreds of employees and has already broken 1 million views. For every free song download, the company will donate $1 to non-profit organization Operation Warm to buy new winter coats for children in need.
Ink & Water Tattoos
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcYWZaGDzzU/?taken-by=inkandwatertattoo
On December 15, popular Toronto contemporary tattoo shop Ink & Water Tattoos held a flash sale, whereby 50 per cent of the proceeds from all holiday-themed tattoos (and, apparently, there are more than you’d think) were donated to Nellie’s Shelter for women and children.
RL Solutions
Toronto-based healthcare software company RL Solutions has powered the SickKids Milk & Cookies food truck this holiday season. From December 4 to 23, the goodness-packed food truck visits local events and neighbourhoods, offering a delicious Le Gourmand chocolate chip cookie accompanied with a refreshing glass of milk for a suggested donation of $10 to benefit the SickKids Foundation.
Poppys Collection
Canadian online baby shop Poppys Collection has created their custom Poppys Over baby cover for the new moms on your list this holiday season. The multi-functional gift works as a stroller cover, breastfeeding cover and a blanket. For every cover sold this holiday season, Poppys Collection will donate an item from their collection to the New Mom Project, a Toronto charity focused on providing basic baby necessities to families in need.
Canadian Tire
Last month, Canadian Tire introduced a program that makes life a little less nerve-racking for new families this holiday season and throughout the snowy months. To mark the launch of the MotoMaster Winter Edge tire, Canadian Tire partnered with Sault Ste. Marie’s Sault Area Hospital to award winter tires to expectant families with babies due this winter, making their drive home from the hospital less worrisome.
Miik
Toronto-based women’s fashion brand Miik has partnered with the Nanny Angel Network to create this infinity scarf this holiday season, with 50 per cent of the proceeds going to the local charity that provides free childcare for women diagnosed with cancer. Not only does this gift support a local Canadian designer, it supports local women facing one of the most challenging times of their lives.
Izzy Camilleri
Image: Instagram/@IzzysEatingPlan
For the health-conscious foodies on your list, beloved local fashion designer, Izzy Camilleri, shares her personal healthy eating and lifestyle guidelines in her easy-to-read book, Izzy’s Eating Plan (available at select Indigo, Barnes & Nobles stores and online). You can feel even better about gifting the book knowing that a portion of proceeds from e-book sales are donated to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.
Featured image: Instagram/ @roots
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Still on the hunt for the perfect summer job? You’re in luck! Tons of retailers are hiring for the season, and it’s not too late to score a new gig.
On Monday, July 17th from 1-4pm, LEC Employment Services will be hosting a Retail & Customer Service Hiring Event at 15 Gervais Drive (Suite 100) in Toronto on behalf of Marshalls, Canadian Tire, and more yet-to-be-revealed employers. They are looking to fill numerous positions in the Don Valley/Golden Mile area.
The best part about these events is that there will be LEC Employment Services staff on-site to help you prep for any interviews you might have, making it even simpler to score a position with the company of your dreams.
If you’re interested in attending, all you have to do is fill out the registration form on their website with your preferred time slot. Make sure to dress to impress and to bring multiple copies of your resume day of.
Get full details about the retail job fair here.
Featured Image: Flickr/itupictures
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Canadian Tire. While it’s the go-to store for many handymen and DIY-enthusiasts, it’s not necessarily a brand name that evokes jaw-dropping excitement. Well, that is, until now. Canadian Tire recently did something crazy and cool, and yes, my jaw did drop.
You’re probably staring at the feature image of this post, feeling very confused. When I was invited to see their latest project for the launch of Premier Paint, I myself didn’t even really know what to expect because you see, this wasn’t any plain old trip to a Canadian Tire store. It was a trip that took me 1,000 feet up in the air!
So what do Premier Paint, Canadian Tire, and helicopters have in common? Watch the video below to find out:
Pretty cool, right? The world’s largest paint swatch spans 35,000 feet and has 185 different colours. Needless to say, I was pretty excited and totally forgot to pick a paint colour, but hey, not many can say they saw the world’s largest paint swatch from 1,000 feet up!
The new Premier Paint collection can be found at Canadian Tire stores and includes over 1,000 colours, helpful tips and tricks, and exclusive Premier Paint tools to help you achieve the best results.
Happy painting!
Would you get in a helicopter to see the world’s largest paint swatch from 1000 ft up?
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