Comments on: Canadian Tire Dodges Out of Ecommerce: Will It Bounce Back?

By: Reifen

Reifen — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 10:44:09 +0000

There are plenty of sites that have learnt that people like to buy items that are marginal profit when sold as an online product. Also when cash is tight, companies do strange things to keep the lights on.E-commerce being such a very low percentage of their sales, it makes sense to stop it if it’s costs don’t provide a good return on investment.

By: Jolie

Jolie — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 15:56:59 +0000

Wow- yes, retreat, while Overtock.com, Walmart-soon to launch .ca and just about every other major US brand encroaches as the ecomony south of the border moves them North.. sound business stratgey. Online is the highest growth area for almost every major retailer, and the most profitable… guess mobile is about a decade away… way to lead. Try capturing the next generation of buyers with this brillant move.

By: supra skytop

supra skytop — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:06:06 +0000

admit the mistakes is the first thing to be taken of.

By: Michael Straker

Michael Straker — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:08:06 +0000

Thanks for reminding me about those videos. They’re just great!

By: Linda Bustos

Linda Bustos — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:00:57 +0000

LOL the postal code splash page reminds me of this Crazy Messed Up World of Ecommerce video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAuwMGQCOCw

By: Jonathan Berube

Jonathan Berube — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 10:33:11 +0000

I am a marketing student and oddly enough we just had an online discussion regarding this very topic of shopping online. We compared 3 sites, Sony, Sears, and Canadian Tire. Many of the comments Im making on this are being pulled directly from my post on that discussion.

First off I have to say I think one of their biggest problems was the clutter on the site and the poor design and content. Look at the list that is shown above, it instantly turned me off, even as an avid internet user. Consumers who are shopping online do not want to read lists of products, they want to see those products! Just as if they were shopping in-store. A company has to plan their website to be as enganging to the consumer as possible.

Another note on the consumer perspective of this. Why would their first page be one blank page asking you to put in your postal code. I can see this as a way to differentiate based on geographics but think of it in another sense, how many of us like giving out personal information to a company before weve even developed any trust. Thats like having a worker outside a brick-and-mortar store asking to please “write down where you came and maybe even your address so we can better serve your needs.” I know I certainly wouldnt want to waste my time.

I have to agree with the posts regarding their channel and distribution choices and how they would probably profit more from store shipping rather than from a national centre but that is not my expertise. All in all i would have to say to the corporate kahunas that they have to start thinking in perspective and engage the consumer don’t annoy them and waste their time.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 04:42:40 +0000

Great post. Some strong points.

Definitely seems like a backwards, retreat move on their part. Considering the margins one can find in selling online (especially locally via by requiring a postal code up front), you’d thing the folks at Canadian Tire would be able to make this work.

I’ve never purchased from Canadian Tire online, but i can imagine it would be frustrating if i needed to, and found they had no online sales. For an organization this size, it will quickly seem odd that they do not offer online sales.

Stephen

By: E Chain

E Chain — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 11:39:11 +0000

In tough economic times many retailers will try to figure out how to cut costs where they can hurt the business and their customers less. E-commerce being such a very low percentage of their sales, it makes sense to stop it if it’s costs don’t provide a good return on investment. I applaud their decision. I rather see improvements in their in store support and customer service. That can do more to drive sales than an e-commerce shopping cart. Too bad they can’t please everyone.

By: Linda Bustos

Linda Bustos — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 04:33:46 +0000

@Mitch, are you willing to get paid in patio sets and/or Canadian Tire “Money”?

Joking aside, I do think that’s a good idea. If we could salvage this and turn it around, it would make an amazing story and set a precedent for other Canadian retailers who have the same frustrations that CT does or have reservations about selling online in the first place. We know that ecommerce needs more traction in this country (sorry for the tire pun). We need to prove it works, and get more online shopping options for us Canucks!

By: Mitch Joel - Twist Image

Mitch Joel - Twist Image — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 04:22:31 +0000

Why don’t a bunch of us rally together and offer to take it over for them? We’ll cut them in on the action. I believe a handful of us could turn this into a mighty profitable machine in 4-6 weeks.

Ok, ok, I know they won’t bite on that, but what if we took it over and only took a percentage – like an affiliate?

I guess I’m still dreaming.