Sears Canada completes Eaton's conversions
By Michael J. Knell -- Furniture Today, August 26, 2002
| Weare |
TORONTO — Sears Canada has completed the conversion of its seven remaining Eaton's department stores to the Sears banner, bringing to an end the 133-year-old Eaton's retail dynasty.
The two downtown stores, here and in Vancouver, British Columbia, have a complete Whole Home Furniture & Appliances Store within the store, while the others have bedding aisles, something they didn't have in their Eaton's incarnation.
Both downtown stores also feature a 3,000-square-foot Gluckstein Home gallery and a 2,500-square-foot EQ3 gallery by Palliser.
The conversion from the upscale Eaton's format to the mass-market Sears Canada approach began in early March. No grand reopening events are planned.
"While we still have an upscale environment, we've dropped a lot of the higher-end case goods and upholstery that didn't fit in the mix, while adding some of our faster-turning items," said Dan Weare, national business manager/furniture for Sears Canada, this country's No. 1 furniture retailer.
Bedding sales at both downtown locations have doubled in recent weeks, he said, while bedding sales at the other converted units have been somewhat better than expected.
Created by Toronto-based interior designer Brian Gluckstein, Gluckstein Home is a collection of contemporary furniture and furnishings, including linens. A number of the furniture pieces will be rolled out to the 45 freestanding furniture and appliance stores over the coming months.
Weare said adding the EQ3 galleries to the downtown stores is a bit of a stretch for Sears. It's a slightly higher price profile than is typical for Sears and the presentations don't include upholstery. EQ3 targets young people, and a smaller version of the gallery has been added to Sears' Sherway Gardens store in the north end of Toronto.
"While initial EQ3 sales are a little slow, we're confident the consumer is going to see this as an upgrade from that offered by others," Weare said.
Sears Canada will open at least three freestanding furniture and appliance stores in the second half, in Toronto and in Calgary and Abbotsford, British Columbia. The F&A store in Whitby, Ontario, one of the first built, is being renovated and expanded and a grand reopening is set for September.
