Latest news with #BruceWinder
Hamilton Spectator
25-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Podcast: Lime Ridge Mall has been sold. Now what?
More than a few people in town were caught off guard by the sale of Lime Ridge Mall the other day. The fact it was sold was interesting, but it's more than that. The news got people thinking about the place and its future. There's the mall itself. What changes might come with today's commercial climate? There had been plans for a massive development with condos and other refreshes to the mall under the previous ownership that could've helped with the city's housing crisis. What happens to those ideas now? Of course, people can purchase stuff plenty of places, not just here. And there are condos elsewhere. So why does this really matter? The answer is that the sprawling property isn't just a bunch of stores. It's also Hamilton's largest taxpayer, which makes it rather important for the city. Retail analyst Bruce Winder and Ward 7 Coun. Esther Pauls chime in on what might be to come. This podcast explores issues about the city and stories of interest to those who call it home. Every week, Spectator columnist Scott Radley will dive into hot-button topics with newsmakers, explore stories with the reporters covering them, and chat with those who add to the fabric of this community. Whether it's serious or lighthearted, Placeline Hamilton will keep you informed and engaged. Listeners can expect new episodes every Wednesday. Follow or subscribe at Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Amazon Music or wherever your favourite podcasts are found.
CTV News
16-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
‘We're super sad': Bedford IHOP set to close its doors
The International House of Pancakes in Bedford, N.S., is pictured on June 16, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Vanessa Wright) After a three-and-a-half-year run, the International House of Pancakes in Bedford, N.S., will close its doors by the end of the month. 'It's a little bit surprising in some ways because IHOP is a big, internationally well-run, very successful breakfast place in the U.S. But sometimes companies make mistakes when they go international,' says retail analyst Bruce Winder. It wouldn't be the first time an American brand struggled in a Canadian market. Winder says it can be compared to when Target closed their doors nationwide, almost as quickly as they opened them. 'Canadians, you know, they're not dumb,' says Winder. 'They were able to shop at Target in the U.S. and look at the price differential and say, 'this doesn't make sense.'' I think the same thing happened with IHOP.' Although Winder finds its closure surprising, Janick Cormier, the Atlantic vice-president for Restaurants Canada, says she doesn't. 'Generally speaking, restaurants are having a hard time paying their bills right now, so it's not entirely surprising that we're seeing closures,' says Cormier. She says restaurant closures are going to be 'more common' in the coming months, especially as Canadians become pickier with their spending. 'Canadians are very price aware right now… and they are looking at the less expensive items on the menu. They're going to go without the glass of wine these days and stick to water, for example,' says Cormier. Toys"R"Us Toys"R"Us in Dartmouth Crossing is pictured on June 16, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Vanessa Wright) In the case of Dartmouth Crossing's Toys'R'Us, another store set to close, Dan Shaw, the MBA program director at Dalhousie University says they're not only competing with cheaper alternatives, but steady online competition. 'People are deciding category by category where they can sacrifice the drive and where they could sacrifice, whatever service. And I think we're looking here at a category that there's not a lot of service that comes with it,' says Shaw. 'So, we're seeing that people are wanting to buy more and more things online.' Still, Cormier says IHOP's closure came at a difficult time. 'I think it was very brave of them to open in that climate,' says Cormier. 'We were still in the height of COVID times. There were closures of restaurants across the board… we would be able to reopen, but under a lot of restrictions.' There's no word yet on what will replace the restaurant, but some are disappointed to see it go. 'We're really upset about it because this is a restaurant that we loved to come to together as a family and we love the pancakes here so we're super sad,' says Tanya MacAdam. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
16-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Walmart Canada says it has dropped prices on hundreds of items. This retail analyst says to do your homework
Walmart Canada says it has lowered prices for hundreds of items, but a retail analyst is warning consumers to do their homework. Bruce Winder said consumers should do their research and compare the deals with other items, because the retailer may be creating the perception of having the lowest price everywhere. 'When you lower a basket of items, it … is used to try to convince the consumer that everything else in the store is cheap or competitive, and it's not always the case,' Winder said in a video interview with in Toronto on Monday. Winder says the trade dispute and buy Canadian movement may be factors behind Walmart Canada's move. 'There's a lot of companies in Canada who are trying to sharpen their pencil from a price perspective, because they realize Canadians are hurting,' Winder said. 'Walmart might be hurting a little more than normal because of the pro-Canadian movement. I think a lot of Canadians have invested their shopping dollars in Canadian companies.' Canadians 'more financially stretched' The company announced Monday that since February, it has dropped the price on hundreds of major staple items to help consumers save money. The products include 'some fresh fruits and vegetables, bathroom tissue, water, cheese, ground beef and shampoo.' Walmart Canada said it will also keep a 'consistent stock' of these items. 'At a time when Canadians are feeling more financially stretched than ever, we've lowered the price of hundreds of key items across our stores and website,' Venessa Yates, president and CEO of Walmart Canada, said in a press release. 'We want Canadians to know we're working hard to help them save, especially at a time when many are struggling to make ends meet.' The company said more than 8,000 new rollbacks, which lower prices further, have been offered since early June in apparel, electronics, health and wellness and other items. Customers will see thousands of 'rollback' offers in-store and on each week, added Sam Wankowski, the retail giant's chief merchandising officer. reached out to Walmart Canada for comments as to how much prices will be lower for some products. This story will be updated with the company's response.
CTV News
03-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Ottawa jewelry store robbery latest in trend of ‘concerning' incidents, experts say
The boarded up window of an Ottawa jewelry store after a robbery on May 30, 2025. (CTV News Ottawa) A brazen daytime robbery at an Ottawa jewelry store is just the latest in series of similar concerning incidents in recent months. A video captures a stolen pickup truck ramming the front of Rafidain & Co. on Bank Street last week where four or five masked men broke through the store's front entrance before stealing items and driving off in a getaway silver SUV. Police are also investigating similar smash-and-grabs at jewellers in Place d'Orléans Shopping Centre, Bayshore Shopping Mall and Tanger Outlets. One person was arrested following the Bayshore Mall robbery but so far, few charges or arrests have been announced. 'These jewelry store robberies are getting more and more brazen and the risk to public safety is very concerning,' said CTV News public safety analyst Chris Lewis. It's something that isn't just happening in Ottawa, he says. Other similar robberies have been happening with an 'alarming frequency' across Canada, including Toronto and western provinces. 'They're concerning because the risk to public safety is increasing every time. These are happening because it's relatively low risk and relatively high gain. Jewelry is obviously worth a lot of money. These are largely controlled by organized crime,' he said. Retail analyst Bruce Winder agrees the issue has become increasingly problematic. 'This has become sort of an epidemic of crime against particularly jewelry stores,' Winder said. 'Some folks sort of run into a mall with hammers and smash and grab. Other folks are starting to use vehicles, to back into these stores.' He says stores can hire more protection through armed security guards during business hours, but admits those services are pricey. 'This isn't cheap, and you would have to build that into your prices of your jewelry,' he said. Winder also suggests using some form of parking blockades, such as bollards or posts, to keep a truck or vehicle from being able to smash through. The store manager of Raidain & Co. did not want to appear on camera but told CTV News Tuesday that the suspects were in his store for less than 30 seconds. He says after crashing the vehicle through the front, the suspects used hammers to smash through a display case. The owner of the Bank Street jeweller says that just last month, he placed large cement flower planters directly in front of the store, but it appears the suspects rammed the window at an angle. The business re-opened at noon on Tuesday. The store owner also says that customers' merchandise left for repair or appraisal is safe from the incident. The Ottawa Police Service is investigating the incident. With files from CTV News Ottawa's William Eltherington
CTV News
25-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Can the sale of 28 store leases make Hudson's Bay more viable?
Watch Retail expert Bruce Winder provides his insight on Hudson's Bay to sell 28 store leases to B.C. mall owner.
