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Shoppers Drug Mart

I'm really divided on this one. I mean, sure, a street full of Starbucks and Shoppers makes for a sterile strip. But how many mom and pop coffee shops and family pharmacies provide full time work and benefits - albeit, quite crappy packages - to their employees?
 
mjl08 said:
I'm really divided on this one. I mean, sure, a street full of Starbucks and Shoppers makes for a sterile strip. But how many mom and pop coffee shops and family pharmacies provide full time work and benefits - albeit, quite crappy packages - to their employees?
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I wouldn't even take that into consideration, since even chains have been cutting back on full-time hiring just to avoid paying benefits. It also allows them to be a lot more flexible with scheduling.
 
toaster29 said:
It is not the role of government to force a particular type of merchant onto its citizens. Let them decide, with their wallets, what kind of stores/ownership they want.
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If you think that the stores and companies that proliferate in certain areas do so strictly in response to consumer demand, you are fooling yourself.
 
modernizt said:
If you think that the stores and companies that proliferate in certain areas do so strictly in response to consumer demand, you are fooling yourself.
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Not strictly, but for the most part.

And how would this be policed? If a company began as a independent restaurant, and was so successful it opened up several other stores/franchises in Toronto/the GTA would they be forced to close the original store because it has become a 'chain' store? Again, not the job of the government here. Help consumers want to make good decisions about where they spend their money, sure, but don't force something on us.
 
toaster29 said:
Not strictly, but for the most part.

And how would this be policed? If a company began as a independent restaurant, and was so successful it opened up several other stores/franchises in Toronto/the GTA would they be forced to close the original store because it has become a 'chain' store? Again, not the job of the government here. Help consumers want to make good decisions about where they spend their money, sure, but don't force something on us.
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For example, hipster chains such as Hero Certified Burgers and Smoke's Poutinerie both originally had one location.

Even SDM was originally an independent pharmacy with two locations: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoppers_Drug_Mart#History

Note that the legal definition of independent retailer is one with three or fewer locations; chains have four or more locations.
 
Johnny Au said:
For example, hipster chains such as Hero Certified Burgers and Smoke's Poutinerie both originally had one location.

Even SDM was originally an independent pharmacy with two locations: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoppers_Drug_Mart#History

Note that the legal definition of independent retailer is one with three or fewer locations; chains have four or more locations.
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I don't think anyone is saying we have to go back and close a location once it becomes a chain. I don't even believe that would be legal, considering the outlet would essentially be grandfathered. I also don't think banning chains outright is a good idea. The request really simply centres around moderation. A Yonge Street full of Shoppers Drug Marts, Subway, and Starbucks adds nothing to the city, which limits innovation and tourism potential, which has a trickle down effect that causes more harm than good.

From a retailers perspective, oversaturating a market is more about squashing the competition... not about providing more choice or greater amenity to the community.
 
I noticed they're dismantling the billboards and videoscreen on top of the Hard Rock Cafe/future Shoppers Drug Mart flagship location.
 
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