Failure Of Target's Expansion In Canada

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Intrigued by Canada’s strong economy, more and more American retailers are coming to Canada. Entering the Canadian market strong, Target bought the 220 Zellers stores that Hudson’s Bay was looking to sell. Target will be converting these Zellers stores and opening its first stores in major cities such as Vancouver and Toronto. Canada is especially exciting to companies such as TJX, who have recently been struggling in the U.S. market. TJX is looking to open 100 new Marshall’s stores, as it starts its Canadian expansion. High-end retailer, Victoria Secret is finding that space is in high demand in big malls like Yorkdale Shopping center in Toronto, where the wait for a store opening can easily take up to 3 years. These foreign retailers seem …show more content…

Canada’s stable economic environment has reduced the threat for foreign companies to invest in the Canadian marketplace. Companies like TJX, who have been struggling in the U.S. economy have to come to Canada to find stability. Others, such as Target, have seen little growth in America and are expanding into Canada due to the economy. In addition, Canada’s culture and societal structure is extremely similar to America, thus reducing the risk of failure for retailers. Companies do not have to translate or change their brands to fit into the Canadian culture. Numerous brands are already known and embraced by Canadians like Target and Victoria Secret. Finally, entering the Canadian Marketplace is simple, as there are no tariff barriers due to NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement. Wal-Mart was the first American retailer to take advantage of NAFTA in 1994, when it opened its first stores in Canada. The same year that NAFTA was established. All of these factors make Canada very appealing to American retailers who want to test the international market for further expansion. Canada offers a much friendlier and more familiar market to American retailers, making it ideal for companies to start their expansions north of the border. Canada’s economic environment, culture and lack of barriers have significantly reduced the risk for American companies to venture into …show more content…

There are many companies in the current market that offer similar products and services, yet the products differ slightly from one another by brand, quality and price such as, Wal-Mart and Target. Wal-Mart offers the cheapest products in the market with a variety of brands and services, yet Target offers unique brands not available at Wal-Mart or other retailers. However, as it pertains to a monopolistic competition, it is relatively easy to enter the Canadian marketplace as demonstrated by the continuation of expansion from retailers, such as TJX and Victoria

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