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Target Exits Canadian Retail Landscape

by Weeky Lee

Jan 15, 2015

Grim-faced Target employees huddled in a 10-minute staff meeting this morning inside Victoria’s Hillside Centre to get updated on the company’s plan to close 133 stores across Canada. Minneapolis-based Target is leaving Canada due to billions of dollars in losses after fewer than two years since a much-hyped launch. As of this morning, the comp...See MoreGrim-faced Target employees huddled in a 10-minute staff meeting this morning inside Victoria’s Hillside Centre to get updated on the company’s plan to close 133 stores across Canada. Minneapolis-based Target is leaving Canada due to billions of dollars in losses after fewer than two years since a much-hyped launch. As of this morning, the company is in creditor protection. Target Corp. said it will record about US$5.4 billion in pre-tax losses in its fourth quarter with most it related to the Canadian operation. Five stores on Vancouver Island will shut: Hillside Centre and Tillicum Shopping Centre in Greater Victoria, as well as locations in Nanaimo, Courtenay and Campbell River. The manager of the Hillside Target store would not comment this morning, referring reporters to a national media number. She did say, however, “we are business as usual and we are still going to run a great store.” Each Target store has about 150 employees. Mexx latest fashion retailer to file for bankruptcy protection in Canada, abroad Shawn O’Keefe of Saanich, who was at Target this morning to return a lamp, said, “I think about the employees first of all. All these people who are going to be out of work and looking for work.” Target stores never felt as though they had fully opened, he said. “It always felt kind of sparse in here. I always wondered if it could make a go of it.” The two-storey, 147,000-square-foot Hillside store was rebuilt in place of a previous Zellers store. “It is a big store, though. It almost seemed like Target couldn’t fill it. It seemed like the shelves were half-stocked,” O’Keefe said. Echoing others who have pointed to Target’s shelf-stocking problem, he said that it seemed to be a problem for the company since the start. The 122,000-square-foot Tillicum Target was the first of the two to open in Greater Victoria, on May 7, 2013, after an $11-million facelift. Close to 100 shoppers were at the doors, waiting to rush in for the opening. By mid- afternoon, traffic was gridlocked in the parking lot, where excited shoppers, many who knew the store from the U.S., filled shopping bags. Target stores also opened in Nanaimo and Campbell River the same day. The Hillside Target opened in March. Melissa Lane, one of the early Hillside Target shoppers today, is sorry to hear it is closing. She’s a neighbour and a regular shopper, buying baby supplies for one-year-old Owen. “It’s really too bad because the staff here are really helpful.” Staff range from high school students who work full-time to older employees close to retirement, she said. Lane is thinking of those people, saying it must be difficult for them, especially those who went through the closing of the Zellers store in 2012 and have worked to try to make Target a success. Closing all its Canadian stores will put 17,600 employees across most of the country out of work. “After a thorough review of our Canadian performance and careful consideration of the implications of all options, we were unable to find a realistic scenario that would get Target Canada to profitability until at least 2021,” said Brian Cornell, who became the U.S. company’s chairman and chief executive last year, in the announcement. While many retail analysts have anticipated Target’s exit for months, the move raises new questions about how the company’s absence will reshape the retail landscape. Before its launch, Target was once considered the biggest threat to Canadian businesses, partly because its reputation with consumers was unique. Many Canadian shoppers would trek south of the border to wander the aisles of U.S. Target stores in search of deals and products they couldn’t find at home. But when Target arrived in Canada, the story wasn’t the same and complaints flooded social media about empty shelves, high prices and a selection that fell short of expectations. Target waited until after the holiday shopping season to determine whether there was any hope of turning around its fumbled plan to become a national retailer that aspired to compete with the likes of Wal-Mart, Canadian Tire (TSX:CTC.A) and Hudson’s Bay Co. (TSX:HBC). “They have the holiday results by now and they know how much they lost for the year,” said Antony Karabus, chief executive of HRC Advisory, a firm that consults with retailers. “That’s the time to make a decision.” The company said it would provide US$175 million of credit to fund Target Canada’s operations while it winds down under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act, or CCAA, which is one of the Canadian equivalents to the U.S. Bankruptcy Act. RBC analyst Irene Nattel said it is unclear who would be in a position to take over Target’s 133 stores. “In our view, there is unlikely to be any single operator that takes over the leases, the location quality of which is mixed at best,” Nattel said in a note. “Rather, we could see existing retailers, including Wal-Mart Canada and Canadian Tire, perhaps picking up selected locations.” Target says the stores will remain open during a court- supervised liquidation period and it’s working to ensure employees are paid at least 16 weeks of severance. The company says it will also work with an adviser to sell its real estate and expects to spend between US$500 million and US$600 million in cash to end its Canadian operations.

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Case Of The Ex

by Shawnee

Jan 6, 2015

It's after midnight and she's on your phone, Saying come over cause she's all alone. I could tell it was your ex by your tone. Why is she calling now after so long?

Now what is it that she wants? Tell me what is it that she needs? Did she hear about the brand new Benz that you just bought for me? 'Cause y'all didn't have no kids, Didn't s...See MoreIt's after midnight and she's on your phone, Saying come over cause she's all alone. I could tell it was your ex by your tone. Why is she calling now after so long?

Now what is it that she wants? Tell me what is it that she needs? Did she hear about the brand new Benz that you just bought for me? 'Cause y'all didn't have no kids, Didn't share no mutual friends, And you told me that she turned trick When y'all broke up in 2006.

What you goin' do when you can't say no? When the feelings start to show Boy I really need to know, and How you gonna act? How you gonna handle that? What you goin' do when she wants you back? What you goin' do when you can't say no? When the feelings start to show Boy I really need to know, and How you gonna act? How you gonna handle that? What you goin' do when she wants you back?

There's no need to reminisce bout the past. Obviously because that thing did not last. I know how a woman will try to game you. Don't get caught up because baby you'll lose.

Now what is it that she wants? Tell me what is it that she needs? Did she hear about the brand new Benz that you just bought for me? Cause y'all didn't have no kids, Didn't share no mutual friends, And you told me that she turned trick When y'all broke up in 2006.

What you goin' do when you can't say no? When the feelings start to show Boy I really need to know, and How you gonna act? How you gonna handle that? What you goin' do when she wants you back? What you goin' do when you can't say no? When the feelings start to show Boy I really need to know, and How you gonna act? How you gonna handle that? What you goin' do when she wants you back?

What you goin' do when you can't say no? When the feelings start to show Boy I really need to know, and How you gonna act? How you gonna handle that? What you goin' do when she wants you back? What you goin' do when you can't say no? When the feelings start to show Boy I really need to know, and How you gonna act? How you gonna handle that? What you goin' do when she wants you back?

Tell me, why she on the phone in the middle of the night? Tell me, why she in yo life tryna get what's mine? She don't know me, she's about to know me Cause I'm in your life, and that's how it's goin' be. I saw a photo, she ain't even all that So if you want her back, then take her back. Cause game recognize game, I can do the same thing So get a right chance Or take back this ring!

What you goin' do when you can't say no? When the feelings start to show Boy I really need to know, and How you gonna act? How you gonna handle that? What you goin' do when she wants you back? What you goin' do when you can't say no? When the feelings start to show Boy I really need to know, and How you gonna act? How you gonna handle that? What you goin' do when she wants you back?

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VOC

by Fisher Dack

Dec 31, 2014

Bobby Shafto's gone to sea, no longer part of the VOC.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

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World Congress on Special Needs Education

by wcsne

Dec 22, 2014

WCSNE-2015 Call for Papers

Kindly email this call for papers to your colleagues, faculty members and postgraduate students.

Call for Papers, Extended Abstracts, Posters, Tutorials and Workshop

******************************************************************** World Congress on Special Needs Education (WCSNE-2015) August...See More

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About Cuba! K-12 lessons, resources

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Dec 17, 2014

With the breaking news about US relations with Cuba, teachers will be scrambling for lessons and other resources to supplement their social studies and current events classes. To help you get started, we've compiled some great links about Cuba's history, people, culture, government, economy, etc. There's even a short YouTube video about Cuba, its ...See More

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Canada International Conference on Education (CICE-2015)

by Galyna A

Nov 28, 2014

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS, EXTENDED ABSTRACTS, PAPERS, POSTERS AND WORKSHOPS!

============================================ Canada International Conference on Education (CICE-2015) June 22-25, 2015 Toronto, Canada [link removed] ============================================

The CICE is an international refereed conference dedicated to the ...See More

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Race: Are We So Different? Exhibit, website

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Nov 25, 2014

Developed by the American Anthropological Association in collaboration with the Science Museum of Minnesota, this is the first national exhibition to tell the stories of race from the biological, cultural, and historical points of view.

Click below to access information about the traveling exhibit and for a link the interactive website for...See More

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Current event-based lesson plans

by Warren

Oct 24, 2014

Free, engaging current event-based lesson plans!

listencurrent.com/lessons

href="listencurrent.com/lessons">listencurrent.com/lessons

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Take action to stop spread of ebola

by Kathleen

Oct 13, 2014

The Foundation for West Africa (FWA) is a nonprofit organization founded by a former Peace Corps volunteer. The FWA is working hard to keep radio stations on the air in West African nations in order to spread important, factual information about ebola to the citizens of those nations.

Virtually all citizens of the West African nations have...See More

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BC Ferries Circle Tour Gone

by Ferryfan

Mar 11, 2014

The province’s planned cuts to B.C. Ferries service are caus ing overseas tour operators financial losses, representative s of seven German tour companies say in an email sent to Tra nsportation Minister Todd Stone. Next month, B.C. Ferries wi ll cut the direct route between Port Hardy and Bella Coola. The smaller MV Nimpkish, which holds just 16...See MoreThe province’s planned cuts to B.C. Ferries service are caus ing overseas tour operators financial losses, representative s of seven German tour companies say in an email sent to Tra nsportation Minister Todd Stone. Next month, B.C. Ferries wi ll cut the direct route between Port Hardy and Bella Coola. The smaller MV Nimpkish, which holds just 16 vehicles, will replace the Queen of Chilliwack, which carries 115. “In view of all the bookings that were rejected in the past years be cause all space on the vessel was booked up, it is hard to b elieve that these day-sailings really had an occupancy probl em,” said the email sent by Rainer Schoof, managing director of SK Touristik. A representative of Jonview Canada, a majo r tourism wholesaler, said the cutbacks mean “we need to dis cuss our contingency planning for the reduced ferry service in B.C. rather than promote new products.” “We will not even contemplate subjecting our international visitors to the pr oposed new schedule,” said Bill Knowlton, Jonview’s vice-pre sident of marketing and sales. Jonview works with overseas o perators to bring to B.C. 100,000 tourists annually, with ea ch staying for two to 20 days. The short lead time for the c utbacks have cost operators money, Knowlton said. “Internati onal tourists typically begin to book their holiday in Canad a six to 12 months in advance of the travel date and thus th ousands of pre-booked passengers are already affected by the changes,” he said. Knowlton is urging the government to rei nstate the coastal routes for this year, saying “there is st ill time to minimize the damage to our reputation and one of the world’s great, welcoming destinations.” The government is working with B.C. Ferries, the tourism industry and commu nities to ensure the long-term success of the Discovery Coas t circle tour, Stone responded in an email. Under a new sche dule, travellers will go on a 5.5-hour trip to Bella Bella, layover for 90 minutes, before a 9.5-hour trip to Bella Cool a on the MV Nimpkish, Stone said. “The total trip time betwe en Port Hardy and Bella Coola will be about 16.5 hours, comp ared to last year’s direct sailing on the Queen of Chilliwac k which took approximately 13 hours.” The emails were releas ed by Petrus Rykes, chairman of Save the Discovery Coast Fer ry, ahead of a protest planned for today at the legislature. “It’s important for government to understand that this isn’ t about tourism in the north and central coast anymore,” he said. “The fallout from this ill-advised decision will cost the province a lot more than the paltry $14 million in savin gs B.C. Ferries is touting.

BC Ferries is crazy, why would I want to spend 16.5 hours on a dinky little ferry like that?

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Ferryfan "Don't say I didn't warn you BC Ferries!!!"

The reviews are in on the MV Nimpkish. If it were a play — Voyage of the Damned, say — maybe people would have appreciated it as a gripping study of the limits of human endurance. But it wasn’t a play. It was the B.C. government’s effort to cut costs by using a 16-car open- deck ferry —...See More"Don't say I didn't warn you BC Ferries!!!"

The reviews are in on the MV Nimpkish. If it were a play — Voyage of the Damned, say — maybe people would have appreciated it as a gripping study of the limits of human endurance. But it wasn’t a play. It was the B.C. government’s effort to cut costs by using a 16-car open- deck ferry — one of the smallest, oldest boats in the fleet — on the nine-hour run between Bella Bella and Bella Coola. Judging by the feedback collected by locals who desperately need the Discovery Coast Circle Tour to succeed, there are a few tourists from around the world suffering from post- traumatic stress disorder after making the trip. Eighty pages of responses were provided to me this week by tourist operators who distributed questionnaires to visitors. Apart from raves about the scenery and lavish praise for the friendly, helpful and efficient crew, the responses are overwhelmingly negative when it comes to the boat itself. “Really small, no comfortable seats, basic food, just one toilet.” “I was distressed … 10 hours with inadequate seating (six six-foot hard benches for 20 passengers) the constant noise of the engines … exhaust fumes and no way to escape. I spent most of the voyage on the car deck and was cold and exhausted upon arrival … Nowhere was I warned of the appalling lack of facilities. Shame on you …” “The Nimpkish is a ridiculous old boat. The staff were wonderful and did their best … The free food was unhealthy garbage.” But while world travellers were venting about being stuck on a “tub” for nine hours and contemplated “urinating over the side of a scow you call a ferry” because the toilet was inadequate, there was one reviewer who sounded positively enchanted by the whole experience. That would be Transportation Minister Todd Stone, the man responsible for putting the Nimpkish on the route. He and his young family made the trip last month and to hear him tell it, the ride was a highlight. “With ample viewing areas, free snacks and refreshments, and a comfortable and recently renovated seating area, the Nimpkish is much more than many critics have made it out to be,” he wrote on a vacation blog. “We quickly realized that the Nimpkish has a charm all unto itself. “Taking a quick read of the on-board guest book, we realized that many people have travelled on the Nimpkish this summer, and most people have really enjoyed it. Their experiences have been summed up by describing it as an adventure, an ‘up close and personal’ interaction with nature and an intimate and unforgettable rendezvous with the best that B.C. has to offer.” (The gap between the on-board guest book and what people wrote when they got off might be explained by the Stockholm syndrome, where hostages start identifying with their captors.) Stone endorsed the trip enthusiastically, but also handed off responsibility for making it work. “At the end of the day, my assessment is that the Nimpkish is a good tourism product if tourists are made fully aware as to the type of service it provides. If correct expectations are set, I believe the Nimpkish can be marketed as a valuable tourism component of the Discovery Coast Circle Tour,” he said. “The decision to do this rests squarely on the shoulders of the tourism industry and tourism operators who need to decide whether or not they want this service to work … .” Correcting expectations seems to mean downgrading them drastically. And “deciding whether or not they want this service to work” means “stop whining about it and get with the program.” Coast and Chilcotin tourism operators were aghast when the Nimpkish replaced a bigger ferry on the route this year. Their dismay only deepened as the replies to their questionnaire came in. While Stone wrote about Nimpkish’s “charm,” the paying customers he is responsible for serving sounded unmoved by the whole experience. B.C. municipal leaders condemned his overall ferry policy repeatedly at their convention this week. When Premier Christy Clark spoke there Friday about her commitment to helping rural B.C., some of them thought about the Nimpkish and just shook their heads.

Sep 27, 2014

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