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Home > All Pacific Northwest & BC Stuff! > Shopping > Bricks-and-Mortar Retail Shopping




Primary Sites:
* Découvert à Paris moins cher -- Shopping Paris on a budget 2004 *
Paris is no longer just for the super riche. Non, cherie, il y a quelque chose a bon marché -- vraiment! [More]

* Best-Bargains-in-the-World dot com: self-service promo sign-up *
Sellers: Sign up here for the best (and most affordable) self-promotion vehicle online. [More]

Auction Shopping: A gift off the old block *
Auction season opens up a world of one-of-a-kind presents for the holiday shopper, says JESSICA JOHNSON. [More]

Bay adds more U.S. brands *
Hudson's Bay Co. is bolstering its brand selection by adding four more exclusive labels from Federated Department Stores Inc., the U.S.-based company that owns the high-profile Bloomingdale's and Macy's. [More]

Bellingham crafter turns love of knitting into purse-making business **** 1/2
Rebecca Senechal creates Naugahyde vinyl purses with bold, graphic appliqués and attention-getting colours. [More]

Best Buy sees benefit in dual banners *
Wes Skitch, an executive at Future Shop, was nervous when Best Buy, the U.S. electronics giant, announced 2½ years ago that it was coming to Canada. [More]

Big retailers go to court to resolve turf battles *
Some of Canada's largest retailers are battling each other in court over accusations that their increasingly overlapping lines of business are stealing away sales from a shopping mall rival. [More]

Buck or Two parent files for protection *
The parent of the Buck or Two chain will shutter the bulk of its corporate-owned stores, lay off hundreds of workers and try to sell its franchising arm as the dollar store operator -- buckling under the weight of "accelerating losses" and rising expenses at its corporate stores -- filed for court protection from its creditors yesterday. [More]

Dream Designs celebrates 20 years *
Creative Savvy and Passion for Healthy Living translate into Success for Vancouver Entrepreneur [More]

Food stores cater to Vancouver city centre *
Vancouver's growth in downtown core sparks big demand [More]

Garber on Small Business: How to be SEEN on the internet *
Only last week, a definitive study was released that basically concluded that advertisers should be moving their budgets to the internet. [More]

Hook, 'LINE' and Sinker for Cambie businesses *
Sue Heyes, local merchant: "It's obvious that we were misled. We were always told it was to be a bored-tunnel and clearly that's not true. . . When I call it 'The Perfect Storm for retail,' I'm not exaggerating." [More]

Hottest Holiday Toys, 2007 *
We checked out the "Hot Dozen" list of Toy Wishes magazine, which showcases and reviews the latest toys. Here's where to find 'em -- at the best prices. [More]

In defence of the shopaholic *
There is no 12-step program for people like me. We just pay the piper by struggling to pay the Visa bill. And we take a lot of unwarranted abuse. [More]

Joe Who? *
The good news for Canadian consumers is that the quality of these garments far surpasses the previous Weston-Loblaws-Superstore offering in terms of clothing -- although we do wish there were more items available in 100 per cent cotton. [More]

Joe-Jobs *
Send your résumé via e-mail to: jobs@joe.ca if you're interested in a Joe-job! [More]

Jools Clothing summer clear-out sale *
Another of our favourite shops offers deep discounts at its once-a-year sales event. Through July 15, 2007. Vancouver, BC. [More]

Loblaws (Superstore) is striking back. Here's how *
While a strike brews in their BC and Alberta stores, Canada's largest grocer is launching superstores to outrun Wal-Mart, MARINA STRAUSS writes. [More]

Martha and Sears tie the knot *
Stewart moves past legal problems in United States, break with Zellers [More]

MIT to uncork futuristic bar code *
A group of academics and business executives is planning to introduce next month a next-generation bar code system, which could someday replace with a microchip the series of black vertical lines found on most merchandise. [More]

Noah's Pet Ark, Kits (Garber review) **** 1/2
A neighbourhood favourite also offers reasonable prices and great staff attitude. Vancouver, BC [More]

Outlet mall trying to sell its makeover *
The 47-year-old Mississauga mainstay is sprucing itself up to compete in a world of big boxes and power centres [More]

Ready to Shop for NEXT year? *
For those of us who can't stand the crowds, there is a shopping lull between Boxing Day and New Year's Eve that is still worth scavenging through for bargains. [More]

Shopping: Checkout time *
As I glance down at my watch, I realize that my allocated time parcel for grocery shopping has long since expired. Desperate to escape the crowded Loblaws as fast as possible, I glance back and forth, sizing up the various checkout lines. Should I slide in behind the six single customers with half-full buggies, or take a chance behind two ladies with screaming children and mountainous cartloads? Wait a minute. What's that? Self-scan checkout? I hurry toward the unoccupied machine and excitedly begin to unpack my loot. [More]

Sobeys buys Thrifty Foods, gains foothold in BC *
A Vancouver Island supermarket icon known for its organic produce and fresh prepared fare was scooped up by Sobeys Inc., in a move observers predict will be the first in an aggressive West Coast expansion. [More]

SofaSoGood? SofaBed NOT so Good! *
A disgruntled consumer does the right thing: She spreads the word on a creepy salesman who treated her rudely and tried to rip her off! It's a BOMB!
star ratings [More]

Stewart line seen bringing 'unbelievable' sales to Sears *
Brand snatched away from rival Zellers [More]

Superstore could be struck this week *
At approximately 1:30 a.m. Sunday, the United Food and Commercial Workers' Negotiating Committee rejected what the Company had presented as their "final offer" to reach a negotiated settlement. [More]

Target flush with cash, and cachet *
The chain with a cult-like following has the funds to pay for an HBC acquisition.
{evalu8.org Editor's note: I once got a huge laugh from news anchor Deb Hope, when I referred to it years ago by its shopaholics' name of "tar-JÉE." It's common parlance now, but in those days, the cult of Tar-JÉE was new to all of us! ~AG} [More]

Target-HBC deal could slam competitors *
Liquidation sales may hurt, analyst says. [More]

The Best Time to Buy Everything *
Bargain-lovers know that there's a smart time to buy just about anything. [More]

The hidden treasures of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland *
Why not take the worry and wear-and-tear out of gift shopping by making a fun outing of the day? I've chosen a few areas where you're not only guaranteed to find something perfect for everyone on your list, but you're also sure to enjoy new sights, sounds, scents and flavours in a neighbourhood not far from home. [More]

The most popular Gift cards, 2007 *
Can the Gift Card be our shopping salvation? [More]

Toronto's Fashionista secrets *
"Great sunglasses," said the woman behind the counter at my neighbourhood French patisserie. It was a recent Saturday morning and I was wearing my new shades. [More]

Trader Joe's comes to Bellingham area *
Yes, the rumours are true: Trader Joe's is coming to Bellingham. [More]

Vancouver: Peaks and alleys *
While nature may breathe inspiration into much of its culture and identity, Vancouver, writes The Globe's ALEXANDRA GILL, is more than just a pretty picture. In its innovative cuisine, fashion, architecture and urban planning, the seaside city has grown into a sophisticated metropolis of trendsetters [More]

Wal-Mart charged with racketeering *
Workers recently arrested in federal raids filed a racketeering lawsuit accusing Wal-Mart of conspiring with contractors in a criminal enterprise that violated the civil rights and wage protections of immigrants who cleaned its stores. [More]

Wal-Mart steps up Canadian expansion plans *
Expects to open about 30 stores next year. [More]

Watch OUT for Kim's Jewellers & Watchmakers -- it's a rip-off *
Perhaps this has happened to you: You take your item to a trusted service outlet -- a drycleaners, a repair shop, a car service place for an oil change -- and when you pick up your item, it is not working as expected. Or worse, it was working before, and now, something is definitely wrong with it! It's a BOMB!
star ratings [More]

We're not losing a cultural icon, we're gaining the cult of Target *
Two years after I left Los Angeles, a friend e-mailed to tell me that there had been a retailing earthquake in our otherwise grotty Hollywood neighbourhood: "There's a Target at the corner of La Brea and Santa Monica now," she wrote. "I bet you wish you'd never left." [More]

Secondary Sites:
*Christmas countdown 2006: The Perfect Gift *
A special seasonal feature from the editors of evalu8.org. Everything for everybody: The hard-to-buy-for, in-laws, outlaws and more. [More]

Andie Chan: Discerning International Shopping *
Shopping internationally and you don't know whom to trust? Andie Chan is there as your guide. [More]

Hot Mexican bean toy gets retailers jumping for more *
A new spinoff of a Mexican jumping bean is becoming the hot toy of the season, so popular that retailers are already having trouble keeping it in stock -- prompting Wal-Mart to have its own shipments flown in from the overseas supplier. [More]

Joe Fresh Style 'Pop-Up' Shop Arrives in Vancouver *
Thursday, October 4 to Saturday, October 6, 2007: Thursday/Friday/Saturday: 10:00 – 8:00 p.m.; Sunday: 10:00 – 5:00 p.m., Vancouver, BC. [More]

Photo processors focus on digital age *
Upheaval forces industry to invest [More]

Retailers begin slashing prices for CDs *
Action allied with Universal move hits at downloading... [More]

The Salvation Army opens Toy Shop to help families ring in the Christmas season *
The Salvation Army officially opened its Toy Shop, aimed at providing toys for less fortunate families this holiday season. [More]

Vancouver Public Library's annual book sale underway *
Much as it pains me to share this info (as I plan to brave the line-ups tomorrow and attend myself), I am honour-bound to divulge that the Vancouver Public Library's annual book purge is underway today. [More]

Wilkinson’s Automobilia Gears Up For 15th Anniversary *
Wilkinson’s Automobilia is celebrating 15 years of business in Vancouver's car-crazed memorabilia industry. [More]