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Excellence
CHILLIWACK PROFILES OF
Canadian Tire
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hen Marcel Nadeau talks about the products, people and the shopping experience at his Canadian Tire store, what emerges is a bubbling enthusiasm that’s hard to ignore.
“I’m having fun,” Marcel says from his office overlooking the 50,000-square-foot store. “I enjoy coming to work every day.”
Canadian Tire is an established, big-box store known across the country as the go-to shop for automotive, household, hardware, recreational and outdoor living products of all kinds.
But make no mistake, this is a family business with individualized, locally focused products. “This started as a family business and it still is today,” he says. The company was started by the Billes brothers in 1922. It started as a family business, and the brothers believed in that model even when they expanded.
“The brothers believed that an independent owner would have a lot more vested interest,” he says. “We know it is one of the reasons of this company’s success.” Canadian Tire is in Marcel’s blood.
“My grandfather shopped at Canadian Tire. My dad did. And my son does.”
The 51-year-old Marcel was born and raised in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. His first job as a 15-year-old was installing cross-country ski bindings at a Canadian Tire store in his home town. While going to school, he worked weekends and summers at Canadian Tire. His father became an owner in 1981, and for 14 years Marcel worked as a general manager of his stores in Quebec, New Brunswick and Ontario. “My first and only job has been with Canadian Tire.”
Marcel became an owner in 1995 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and arrived in Chilliwack in 1998 to build the local Canadian Tire, which opened its doors at 27,000 square feet in May 1999. In 2006, the store doubled in
size and in 2010 it grew yet again.
Next up, is an expansion and redesign of the store’s hunting and fishing department, an area where Marcel is seeing a resurgence. Independently operated Canadian Tire stores mean owners can tailor their products to the local market’s needs. “You won’t see another store like Chilliwack in the country,” he says. “It is merchandised to what we think our customers’ needs are.” Something else that is individualized with Canadian Tire stores is sponsorship of local sports organizations and other programs.The Chilliwack store is proud to sponsor many organizations in Chilliwack. “The fire department, the police, schools, sports, the Chilliwack Cultural Centre, it goes on and on,” he says. “You have to give back to the community. Chilliwack will be my home forever, so we just think it’s the right thing to do.”
“You won’t see another store like Chilliwack in the country. It is merchandised to what we think our customers’ needs are.”
One important nationwide program is Jumpstart, which provides the ability for kids to enrol in sports and activities who otherwise couldn’t afford it. “From karate to hockey to softball to gymnastics, JumpStart is still our major focus. We are fortunate to have the YMCA and the Big Brother and Sisters as the administrators of the program.” Marcel’s commitment to operating a quality Canadian Tire store was rewarded internally with the 2012 Award of Excellence, the highest honour an owner can receive. At the end of the day, Canadian Tire doesn’t just sell products, it creates memories and experiences. Marcel frequently hears stories from people of all ages who got their first bike or their first skates at a Canadian Tire. “It’s a family operated business looking out for the needs of families in our community,” he says.
Canadian Tire www.canadiantire.ca Dealer Store 433 7560 Vedder Road Chilliwack 604-858-9055
“Our staff is the true reason for our continued success. All our team has pride in our store and in our service department. We Care.”
PHOTO: Chilliwack Canadian Tire owner Marcel Nadeau knows tires and everything else his local community needs.
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