Target shutting down in Canada

[Yappin Tappin]

Does anyone know when the liquidation sales will begin?

[Regular_John]

Originally Posted by Yappin Tappin

Does anyone know when the liquidation sales will begin?

Not really sure what's left to liquidate at this point. We were in target on the weekend and they were "cleaned right out from Christmas" they claimed. Can't imagine they'll bother restocking much at this point.

[REDVAN]

Maybe the Bay should buy the leases back, re-brand back to Zellers, and thank Target for repainting...

If the Bay does this, since they'll get things back at a huge discount, Target basically paid the Bay to paint their stores.

[Violator]

sucks for the people that are working at the DC up in Balzac.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Igster

This is not unexpected considering what has already been said here...no existent stock and staff, but it's unfortunate because it will most likely mean other U.S. chains might think twice before coming here and I personally always welcome more competition.

Target was already getting massacred when Nordstrom's decided to come here. And surprise, surprise, Nordstrom's Calgary store is killing it.

It has nothing to do with the market, it was a lazy, cheap attempt by Target and they paid for it dearly. If anything, American companies learned that they better come into this market properly and I'm absolutely fine if certain chains are prevented from expanding here because they have to actually put in effort.

[robaur]

Wal-Mart drives another brand out of business. Its the Wal-Mart way.

Why is Wal-Mart so damn successful? Back in university, I did a whole thesis on them.

2 words: Supply Chain.

Nothing can slow Wal-Mart down now. They just have way too much power in every aspect....but I've never really had a complaint with them.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

I'm curious -- everyone says Target never had stock on the shelves... what are you buying that they didn't have? Food? Clothing? Housewares?

There were many times in several locations I went to where there were literally empty shelves throughout the store. Or, in some cases, they would stock extras of stock they had, like cereal, around housewares or other areas. Basically whatever they had, they filled a shelf with, even if it didn't belong in that section.

Originally Posted by nik-

Target was already getting massacred when Nordstrom's decided to come here. And surprise, surprise, Nordstrom's Calgary store is killing it.

It has nothing to do with the market, it was a lazy, cheap attempt by Target and they paid for it dearly. If anything, American companies learned that they better come into this market properly and I'm absolutely fine if certain chains are prevented from expanding here because they have to actually put in effort.

Fact is, I welcome more competition. Canadians deal with a lack of competition compared to the U.S. in a number of ways IMO and I always welcome more options. Even if it is half-assed. Really is too bad that Target is going and won't be back.

[nik-]

Yeah, I welcome more competition too, but not if a company is just going to come in and assume they can get over on the Canadian consumer because of their logo. That's not competition, that's an insult. So good riddance.

[lazypucker]

Originally Posted by nik-

Target was already getting massacred when Nordstrom's decided to come here. And surprise, surprise, Nordstrom's Calgary store is killing it.

I don't think Target and Nordstrom's are direct competitors. Holt Renfrew and Norstrom's are. I don't think you can find $3,000 mink coats at Target...

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Sears is dying.

I use to work in the hardware department of Sears in Southcentre when I was going to school and I went in there over the holidays. It was a sorry state of affairs up there. It actually made me sad. It was mostly snowblowers and packs of tools on a couple racks. You couldn't buy a single tool, only a limited selection of packs of screwdrivers or pliers. Not worth anyone's time going there for that department.

[Hevishot]

Originally Posted by robaur

Nothing can slow Wal-Mart down now. They just have way too much power in every aspect....but I've never really had a complaint with them.

NSFW!

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/bud-light/

Enough Said.

[Jordan!]

LOL, RIP Zellers

[nik-]

Originally Posted by lazypucker

I don't think Target and Nordstrom's are direct competitors. Holt Renfrew and Norstrom's are. I don't think you can find $3,000 mink coats at Target...

Obviously not, but having stock as a retailer is a pretty universal concept.

[OzSome]

Not surprising they failed in Canada. When they announced they will open Target in Canada people were thinking yes popular American store that will sell their products cheaper. Same amount as their American store. Guess what?? Prices were not even close then they had supply problem. I only bought something there once last year and I actually don't mind the place. Management just messed up big time.

[InglewoodFan]

Dear Whole Foods and Trader Joes,

Lots of prime retail space suddenly available. We promise it'll be different this time.

Love,
Canada

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Yappin Tappin

Does anyone know when the liquidation sales will begin?

Originally Posted by jaydorn

Not really sure what's left to liquidate at this point. We were in target on the weekend and they were "cleaned right out from Christmas" they claimed. Can't imagine they'll bother restocking much at this point.

Rumour has it this decision was made before Christmas so they have not filled new orders since then. What you see is likely what you get

[RedMileDJ]

Good move on Glentel selling before this all went down.

[Flames_Gimp]

That was fast, wow!
Damn though, I liked shopping there, no crowds

[Erick Estrada]

Not a huge surprise to which I have to ask how these high paid executives couldn't have seen this as a big possibility in the first place. Competence vs pay scale in the US is so out of whack.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

Targets main issue was that they couldn't compete with wal marts rock bottom prices on most items

I don't really think that was the issue. First off, they bought a weak retailer in Zellers who generally did not have great locations with their stores, nor a particularly good reputation. So when you move into bad locations, you need to be somewhat of an attraction. Than people who did go, found empty stores, and were often not able to buy what they came there to get. Essentially it was just a bigger renamed Zellers. They also woefully underestimated the logistics in Canada. You are moving stuff a lot further to service fewer people.

I try to avoid shopping at Wal-Mart as much as I can. Brutal customer service, cramped stores, long lines to save a couple bucks....I happily go somewhere else where I'm not going to wait 15 minutes in a check out line and will pay for it. But if I have to get to an off the track location, and they don't have what I came there to get...I am not going back.