Target opening in Canada, why is this exciting? - Page 2 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

REDVAN · 03-05-2013, 01:03 PM

If the Targets are getting groceries then it'll be good for us... if they don't, then yeah it's just another Zellers.

psicodude · 03-05-2013, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

BEFORE

As if. More like this is the before (Large Image):

Spoiler!

Northendzone · 03-05-2013, 01:06 PM

as long as they sell slacks or trousers, it is all good

troutman · 03-05-2013, 01:13 PM

Call it Tar-zsay. Instant class.

I-Hate-Hulse · 03-05-2013, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psicodude

As if. More like this is the before (Large Image):

Spoiler!

Per that sign, that was probably during their liquidation sale. I don't expect employees to care much then.

Regardless, even if the stores are "tidier", it's still the same crap they sold before.

Now if Target had pricing that was 1/2 the price of Wal Mart with better cheap chic cred - that would be a game changer. Anyone who has been to a Primark in the UK knows what I mean. C'mon Galen Weston, bring that store over here - lay off the PC stuff for a while. If it's going to be cheap sweatshop chic, it might as well be actually cheap.... like $5 CAD for a shirt cheap (yes Primark can be that cheap - or cheaper....peter12's head just might explode with this influx of chav chic...)

CaramonLS · 03-05-2013, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REDVAN

If the Targets are getting groceries then it'll be good for us... if they don't, then yeah it's just another Zellers.

They will eventually be.

I think it is just dry goods / Pharma now with plans to expand next year.

Table 5 · 03-05-2013, 01:26 PM

Target is definitely a few steps above a Zellers or Walmart. They tend to carry a lot of similar household items, but Target sets itself apart by making sure those items have some style and design value. The Target consumer in the US is actually fairly well off....definitely the next level up from your Walmart shopper who only gives a crap about price and nothing else.

In a lot of ways they take the Ikea approach.....stuff that looks good but is still pretty cheap (price and quality). They bring in famous designers and launch a more budget-friendly line of housegoods or fashion. They still end up making profits off of selling toilet paper and cereal, but these speciality items are what brings people into the stores.

Don't expect to walk into a Bergdorf Goodman when you walk in, but it's definitely a much nicer approach to buying cheap disposable crap made in China.

CaramonLS · 03-05-2013, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

And now Target admits it will continue the practice of charging Canadians more for the same damn crap it sells to Americans, despite a dollar close to parity...

This is pretty much the reason why US companies are starting to expand into Canada. US sales are fairly flat and there seems to be some faux cartel pricing with certain segments of retail goods.

I know that with the retailer I work for, the Canadian Division is significantly outperforming the US one, in the realm of 3-6x profits per store. This is a fairly common narrative with a lot of companies with US wings.

KOgear · 03-05-2013, 01:35 PM

Primark is crazy cheap for the quality. When you go there they give you a big laundry bag to fill up with clothes. It's always packed too, but they have a billion cash registers so checkout out is pretty quick. Going to Primark is like boxing day everyday, cheap goods and crazy crowds.

valo403 · 03-05-2013, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KTrain

Why are people excited about anything? It's new to them. It's different.

Same reason people get excited about new phones. Video game consoles. Movies. etc.

The excitement will wear off when people realize it won't be as good as the American stores.

Except it's not. It's Zellers with a scrubbing and a #### version of some 'it' designer goods.

Maritime Q-Scout · 03-05-2013, 01:41 PM

I'm excited for Target as I'm anticipating them to be actual competition for Walmart.

Will it be the best shopping experience ever, but it will be better than Zellers.

Cowboy89 · 03-05-2013, 01:41 PM

Target will be superior to Zellers for a few reasons:

1. Their massive investment in the supply chain in Canada (Distribution centers built over the past couple of years while Zellers was winding down) will allow for greater price competition with Wal Mart and Superstore/Loblaws than Zellers was capable of. This won't only lower prices for Target shoppers, but also lower prices everywhere as they respond to Target's entry into the market. Maybe not Target USA prices, but still better prices than before they came to Canada.

2. That same distribution network they built will allow for greater product selection and inventory as well.

3. They didn't spend the kind of money they did for Zellers and subsequent capital investment to let their new Canadian stores rot into disrepair and neglect to the disguisting levels that many Zellers stores got to. (My last few visits to Zellers pre-Target acquisition reminded me of the grocery store scene from Zombieland).

Flamenspiel · 03-05-2013, 01:46 PM

I'd be more excited about Longs or Wallgreens coming over as they have 100 percent more stock and their prices are about 50 percent of shoppers drug mart!

FlamesAddiction · 03-05-2013, 01:50 PM

It seems like Canadians think anything that is only available in the U.S. is automatically better.

By the way, I heard Jack in the Box is looking for franchise opportunities in Canada now. I can't wait. I have never tried them before, but I bet they are amazing.

bizaro86 · 03-05-2013, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flamenspiel

I'd be more excited about Longs or Wallgreens coming over as they have 100 percent more stock and their prices are about 50 percent of shoppers drug mart!

I vote Walgreens, if only for the chocolate covered peanut brittle.

I buy 3-4 boxes every time I'm in the US to bring back.

KTrain · 03-05-2013, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valo403

Except it's not. It's Zellers with a scrubbing and a #### version of some 'it' designer goods.

If you've been to a Target, you know it's different than a Zellers. Night and day.

PIMking · 03-05-2013, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Target is slightly more upscale than Walmart/Zellers. The stores should be more walmart sized instead of Zellers sized, too. I believe that most former Zellers locations will be expanding a bit into Targets.

Plus Target has their own brand for household items that are generally pretty good. And money can be saved that way.

slightly?

I don't know about zellers but Target is tenfold better than walmart

Buff · 03-05-2013, 02:11 PM

In Lethbridge they are closing the Zellers and replacing it with.... empty space.

DownhillGoat · 03-05-2013, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flamenspiel

I'd be more excited about Longs or Wallgreens coming over as they have 100 percent more stock and their prices are about 50 percent of shoppers drug mart!

And do you honestly think if they opened a Walgreens in Canada they'd have the same prices as the US branch?

That's where I think a lot of this 'excitement' is being generated from. For whatever reason, people think they're going to see US pricing here, and I'm not sure why.

valo403 · 03-05-2013, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KTrain

If you've been to a Target, you know it's different than a Zellers. Night and day.

I've been to a dozen of them at least (a fact I'm ashamed of). New ones are a bit different than Zellers. Old ones are pretty much the same with slightly cleaner floors and a little less crap strewn about. Oh but they have some half assed effort from Missoni.

It's the same disposable crap with a little more shine on it.