I often travel down to the United States for vacations each year, and one of the biggest things i look forward to is shopping at all of the different stores they have. Although the stores are not too different than the ones we have here, the products can be completely different, and often quite exciting. It's almost as if a trip to the grocery store in the United States is a huge outing, as if you were going to the amusement park; there is never a lack of excitement, at least for me! The one item I seem to get most excited about is Vanilla Coke, as it was my favorite pop while it was here in Canada. I generally try to bring home as much as I can, and drink as much as I can while I am down there. Part of me has began to wonder though, with all this excitement of these new stores coming to Calgary, will they really be any different than what we already have? As it seems the only thing that does make them any different, is their products.
With Target taking over the previous places of Zellers, I really think that all we are going to see is a revamped version of the Canadian store. I'm sure it will be a lot more interesting for the first few months, until people come to a realization that it really is not that different. I hope this is not that case at all and that Target will be able to bring in lots of the products they offer within the United States, but I am currently trying not to get my hopes up too much. Unlike Target, I think Nordstrom will be an entirely different story, following more in the footsteps of its American stores. Being a clothing based department store, I think it would be a lot easier for the company to receive similar items such as the newest fashion trends. Being quite a "fancy" department store, I am intrigued to see what the Canadian versions will look like. I couldn't believe my eyes after I had stepped into a Nordstrom washroom in Arizona, as there was a full separate seating area for guests, lined with couches and coffee tables, as well as TVs throughout the entire bathroom. Many of you may think that we do have all those luxuries here, but they are nothing to the extent of the one I had seen in this store.
Now I have to ask, who else is excited for the arrival of these stores? And if you're not, why? Do you think there are any repercussions to bringing in American based stores, and should we focus more on supporting our local retailers. I think that yes, we should continue to support our locally owned businesses, but at the same time, these companies may end up being a huge benefit to our society in several different ways. Also, with rumors swirling, are there any other American businesses that you would like to see come into Canada?
Hey Megan,
ReplyDeleteI have never even heard of the clothing store Nordstrom, which is probably due to the fact that I have never gone shopping in the United States, but I am definitely excited for Target's arrival.
I heard a year or two ago that Zellers was turning into Target, so its about time that it's finally happening.
I don't see a problem with American stores coming to Canada but I would rather support a Canadian store than an American store.
I agree with you in that eventually people will realize that there isn't a huge difference between Zellers and Target. Do you know if the products offered will be cheaper or more expensive?
Hey Megan,
ReplyDeleteI've noticed a lack of Zellers lately, do you know why it was bought out? Was business poor or was there just an inevitable expansion of Target?
I feel like there won't be much of a difference between the stores, just the fact that the US is owning it rather than Canada. This changes nothing except where the foundation of the corporation is and I feel like it is taking away from the Canadian economy.
Over the last few decades we have seen some of the few true major Canadian companies (Hudson's Bay Company, Tim Hortons, Molson Canadian, CCM, etc) pass over their ownership either partially or fully to American Companies. (Visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_ownership_of_companies_of_Canada). I feel like in some cases this takes away from Canadian 'culture' and icons, and adds to our nation's reliance on non- local income. I know I was broken-hearted to find out that Tim Hortons (now privately owned) had sold out and branched with Wendy's (I was slow on the bandwagon because this happened in 1995) because I see 'Timmys' as a Canadian thing. Having this part of our culture being American owned sort of tainted the part it played in my life. This situation is a little different, because Zellers is completely gone now, however the idea of 'keeping Canadian Canadian' is important nonetheless. If we let it happen, I foresee few originally Canadian businesses completely Canadian down the road, and how will that help us stay different from the States?
Riley, I haven't read anything on the price of the products at Target, but I would imagine it will be cheaper. I think it would have to be, or the company may not be successful here in Canada. I know it is sych a bargain in the States, so hopefully it is here as well!
ReplyDeleteJohnena, while I was writing this blog I tried to find the exact reasons as to why Target bought out the comany, but I couldn't seem to find an exact answer. I think it was quite obvious that Zellers was struggling, and this may have been the best solution to their problem. I have to admit, I really only went to Zellers if I couldn't find what I was looking for anywhere else. A lot of the articles claim the creation of jobs was a huge factor in the decision, but then again Zellers employees were reportedly let go in order to make room for Target (http://www.therecord.com/news/business/article/782636--former-zellers-employees-bitter-over-target-takeover), so whether or not this was a legitimate reason is kind of a grey area.
Hopefully everything works out in a positive manner, and does boost our economy as is expected. Although there has been lots of controversy surrounding the arrival, I am still really excited!