Markus Alexander Cody Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Best Buy Canada plans to close seven of its big box locations across Canada and close eight Future Shop stores across the country. As part of a restructuring plan, the B.C.-based retailer announced the plan to "optimize the company’s retail footprint" in a statement Thursday. The company says the following locations are affected:New Westminster, B.C. (Queensborough)Nanaimo, B.C.Victoria, B.C.Langford, B.C (Westshore Town Centre)Surrey, B.C.Lachenaie, Que.Sherbrooke, Que. (SmartCentres Sherbrooke). The Future Shop locations set to close are:West Kelowna, B.C.Montreal (Forum Entertainment Center)Laval, Que. (First Pro Ste-Dorothee)Winnipeg, Man. (Regent Ave.)Calgary, Alta. (Macleod Trail)Ancaster, Ont.Barrie South, Ont.Mississauga, Ont. (Erin Mills) As many as 900 jobs could be affected, or roughly five per cent of the company's Canadian work force. The company told CBC News employees affected by the closures will receive severance support as well as access to employee assistance programs and career transition support. A company spokesperson said all gift cards and repair contracts from closed stores will be honoured at other locations. Best Buy said the store closures are part of an ongoing restructuring plan that will see the chain re-open a number of small-concept web stores and mobile kiosks over the next three years. Changing retail landscape Best Buy said the plan will allow it "to better serve its customers in both more locations and smaller markets across the country" while eliminating costs and consolidating real estate. The chain has been hit hard by tough competition from discounters and online retailers and has become a victim of what's known as "showrooming" — when people browse in stores and then buy the products more cheaply online from competitors such as Amazon. Employees arrived for their shift at the Sherbrooke, Que., location this morning and were met by security guards and closed doors. They said they did not receive advance notice of the closure. Best Buy had announced last March, that it was closing 50 stores in the U.S. The company posted mediocre holiday sales. Best Buy Canada Ltd. operates 139 Future Shop stores and 58 Best Buy Canada stores across the country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Money Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Online shopping will eventually all but destroy large-scale discount electronics retailers. Best Buy and Future Shop will be the new Blockbuster and Rogers Video. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heretic Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Online shopping will eventually all but destroy large-scale discount electronics retailers. Best Buy and Future Shop will be the new Blockbuster and Rogers Video. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wetcoaster Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 http://www.cbc.ca/ne...uy-closure.html What a way to treat their former employees... Used to work here and I liked the working environment, but they let me go without any notification, much like this one except my former store is still operating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wetcoaster Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Online shopping will eventually all but destroy large-scale discount electronics retailers. Best Buy and Future Shop will be the new Blockbuster and Rogers Video. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wetcoaster Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 I agree, I buy most of my computer related stuff online. I also get some specialty items online as well...like my Carhartt jacket, motorcycle parts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyledude Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Good riddance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hudson bay rules Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Can they still claim FS is BC based? I thought BB bought them out and I would be surprised if they kept the Headquarters. I'm currently in TO so what do I know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Money Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 If I find a better price online I use that to get a price match (which includes a furhter reduction of 10% of the difference) at Future Shop (or Best Buy) for higher price goods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Money Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Can they still claim FS is BC based? I thought BB bought them out and I would be surprised if they kept the Headquarters. I'm currently in TO so what do I know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiCHC3 Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Best Buy is getting rocked in the US, but they're facing the juggernaut Amazon.com. I'm glad about a few Future Shop are being closed because I can't stand their vulture-esque commission based employees, but it's too bad about Best Buy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jovocop55 Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 surprise they opened one in south vancouver... that one looks dead everytime i go there (and i go there alot)... only time busy was boxing day.. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NuxFan4Life Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Can they still claim FS is BC based? I thought BB bought them out and I would be surprised if they kept the Headquarters. I'm currently in TO so what do I know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMapleLaughs Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Surprised it took so long. Always found having two of these stores to be redundant in 'big box' city areas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wetcoaster Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Oh, for sure, I do that too. However, the discounted price may still turn a profit for the online retailer, whereas a brick and mortar store selling at the same price may suffer a loss, due to higher overhead. Sometimes getting the sale is worse than letting people buy it elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Five For Fighting Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 In 10-20 years there will be almost no retail brick and mortar stores. Everything will be done online with the exception of groceries. If you have a job in retail I suggest finding something new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trek Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 In 10-20 years there will be almost no retail brick and mortar stores. Everything will be done online with the exception of groceries. If you have a job in retail I suggest finding something new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlayStation Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 I prefer buying in store, I can get the item right away, plus I can see it in store, and see if I like it or if theres another similar product which catches my eye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markus Alexander Cody Posted February 2, 2013 Author Share Posted February 2, 2013 surprise they opened one in south vancouver... that one looks dead everytime i go there (and i go there alot)... only time busy was boxing day.. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
:D Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 closing down some Future Shops? Those families with one uncle and fifteen family members in one store are going to have to find other jobs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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