Final Post

I'd like to use my final blog post to say that reviewing and learning about Canadian Tire has been eye opening, in more ways than one.  I didn't realize when I first started this assignment how much information I would find out and how much I would enjoy reading about Canadian Tire. 

This assignment has helped me learn about a company that was started in the country where I was born and raised and it has helped me get a more in depth look at the business itself.  I will admit I was never a "blogger" but this assignment  has helped me to learn new skills and to appreciate another form of communication that is becoming more popular.  I am glad I chose Canadian Tire and I hope that in the future I can make use of my new blogging skills.

I would like to thank all of you for reading my posts and would like to leave you with just a few final photos showing the truely Canadian community spirited Canadian Tire.

Slogans And Stores

Over the years, Canadian Tire has grown, expanded and changed.  They have grown from a single outlet store to almost 500 stores all over Canada.  Canadian Tire has grown from just an auto repair shop -  as the name suggests -  a tire company, to an overall one stop shop for most of the community's recreational activities.  From cars to kitchens and everything in between, Canadian Tire offers an array of products for every need.  As the company has changed and grown, so have the slogans that they've used to help brand the company.  These are the slogans used from as early as the 1970s, to today:

• 1970s: "It's for people like you"
• 1980s: "There is a lot more to Canadian Tire than tires"
• 1992: "There is a lot more for a lot less"
• 1997: "Canadian Tire, still the right place"
• Various Christmas seasons: "Give like Santa, save like Scrooge" or "Scrooge-Approved Prices"
• 2001: "Let's Get Started", which used the song "I'll Start With You" (released in 1992 by former Highway 101 lead singer Paulette Carlson)
• 2006: "______ Starts at Canadian Tire", with the blank filled with various seasons (such as "Summer" or "The Holidays") or situations ("Home Improvement", "Spring Cleaning", "Car Care").
• 2008: "For Days Like Today"
• 2011: "Bring it On"

These slogans have given Canadian Tire a real community feel and have helped build a brand and store that Canadians trust.

 

Canadian Tire Going Back To Its Roots

This is an interesting article that I found which outlines some of the major goals of Canadian Tire, one of which is to return back to its roots of vehicles and tires.  As the article states, "Canadian Tire’s auto store of the future, which launches in three cities within the next two weeks, is the iconic retailer’s latest attempt to return to its roots by pumping up its auto business with modern twists".  This along with many other implementations are one of the ways in which Canadian Tire are looking to get back to what they were known for, cars.  They believe, as any business should, it is important to stick with what the people know you for and for that reason they are trying to relaunch new Canadian Tire auto stores in order to increase sales as well as awareness.  The new auto stores, as the article states, "have drive-in service, which entails an employee greeting the driver and finding out about the car’s problems on the spot, rather than the driver having to park and walk into the store". 

Another great idea!  Do what you do best! 

This service will allow the customer to see what is wrong with their vehicle and what they are getting charged for rather then getting a bill for an amount that confuses them.  More info about can be found at:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/canadian-tire-gets-back-to-its-roots/article2207153/

Persistance is Key

 

This is just a short, funny video about a man who had a dream that involved Canadian Tire money.

Since he was 14 years old, Brian McPherson has had a dream to save enough Canadian Tire money to buy the most expensive item in the store.  After 15 years of saving and saving and saving, he accumulated just over $1050 .  With this money, Brian bought a lawn tractor and accomplished his goal.  Since purchasing the lawn tractor, Brian McPherson has already started to save more Canadian Tire Money.

I am now going to leave all of you with a little task. I would like you to search your house/wallet to see how much Canadian Tire money you can find.  Leave a comment on how much it was.  I've found just over $2.  Check junk drawers - I'm sure you'll find some in there.

Real Green Garage Program

Keeping with the theme of  "Going Green" from the last post, I just recently found out that Canadian Tire supports another organization to help reduce the disposal of oil pollution into our waters.  "Real Green Garage" and Canadian Tire work together to prevent the oils that are used in Canadian Tire garage auto repairs to be poured down the sewer drains. 

Canadian Tire uses an oil containment system invented by Oillift and Savetheoceans Inc.  This system was implemented around the sewer grates near the Canadian Tire garages and acts as a barricade/sponge which sucks up and blocks the oil from entering the sewer.  This is a great invention and just another way in which Canadian Tire looks out for and helps the community and world as a whole.  Way to GO GREEN!

This video helps to illustrate how and what products are being used in order to assist Canadian Tire in preventing oil pollution.  More on this issue and the organization in general can be found at:

http://www.greengarageblog.org/tag/canadian-tire/


http://www.oillift.net/The-real-Green-Garage-oil-recycling-and-composting-program.html

Going Green

As many of you may know, the hot new craze in every industry is to "go green".  This involves the way companies change the way their product is made or what is in the product in hopes to become more environmentally friendly.  This is relatively new concept for Canadian Tire.  They have recently introduced a "Green" department in some of their stores. 

This is a great step in the right direction for Canadian Tire, both financially and environmentally.  They are jumping on the bandwagon early in hopes to reduce emissions and earn money.  Some of the major areas that Canadian Tire is focusing on includes Energy Conservation, Healthy Home and Garden and Waste Reduction.  This is a great start for Canadian Tire and just one of the many amazing reasons to shop and support a Canadian store that is really looking out for our community and world.

More about the products Canadian Tire offers can be found here:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/Green.jsp

What They Offer

Canadian Tire is known for its big community focus by offering a wide range of products that the community needs.  Some of the helpful departments found within Canadian Tire are Automotive, Outdoor, Tools, House/Home, Kitchen and their newest addition... Green.  I think Green may be their best addition yet. 

These great departments allow everyone in the community to find what they need, whether it is repairing/painting their house or planning a camping trip with the family - Canadian Tire offers everything you need and more.  This is why Canadian Tire has grown from a small town shop into the large chain of stores that people need and rely on. 

More info about what Canadian Tire offers can be found at their main website.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/


I would like to leave a little challenge for my readers.  My task involves searching the Canadian Tire website to find one product you would use most often.  I have found my product - the luggage .  I like to travel, so the luggage would be used fairly often.
What would you buy?

Canadian Tire Financial Services

Since most of us are enrolled in some kind of business program at Sheridan, whether it be Banking and Wealth Management or General Business, we all have an interest in money.  Well, so does Canadian Tire.  They have introduced many financial services that their customers can use as a convenient way to pay for their products.  Canadian Tire offers  services/products as the Canadian Tire MasterCard, Gas Advantage MasterCard and "Identity Watch".  

The service I found most interesting is Identity Watch.  Canadian Tire will protect you against identity theft should your personal effects go missing or are stolen.  For as little as $8.50 a month, you will have access to the many services that Canadian Tire offers to assist you in protecting your wealth.  Some of the benefits from Identity Watch include:

• Card Protection – One call cancels all!
• Daily Fraud Monitoring – Minimize the damage – detect fraud quickly.
• Identity Hotline – Unlimited access to anti-fraud & credit specialists.
• Financial Assistance – The help you need…when you need it.
• Fraud Liability Protection – Once the fraud is reported, we assume the risk.
• Document Registration – Help safeguard your passport, birth certificates & insurance policies

This information and more can be found at:

https://www.ctfs.com/

   

 

Artist Funds Album With Canadian Tire Money

A Toronto-based singer/songwriter, Corin Raymond,  is planning to finance his next album using only Canadian Tire money.  The record label he's working with, West End Studio, has agreed to accept Canadian Tire money at par with the Canadian dollar.  This means that Corin will pay the entire cost to produce the album with only Canadian Tire money.  Amazing!  His goal is to raise about $10,000 in Canadian Tire money in order to finance his albums.

The links below include a YouTube video Corin made discussing his goals, his BLOG  describing his process and how close he is to his goal.  Also included is an article giving more detail about the artist.  Look at all that cash!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9lVyhraw-A

http://www.dontspendithoney.com/

http://www.insidetoronto.com/article/1277818--songwriter-has-novel-way-to-finance-recordings-canadian-tire-money

Rick Mercer Report

You know you're popular when one of the most famous Canadian comedians creates a skit about you.  Above is a video found on YouTube.com that was originally performed on the Rick Mercer Report on CBC.  I got this idea from Michael Gettler's blog, http://via-rail-mg.blogspot.com/.  It's about one minute in length and pokes fun at all things Canadian Tire.

Canadian Tire Commercials

These are just a few of the great commercials Canadian Tire has used over the years.  They  show how focused Canadian Tire is in helping the community and is focused on the things Canadians enjoy doing; everything from fixing their cars to going camping.  These commercials also show how Canadian Tire has evolved and expanded its product line. The first commercial was made about five years ago and the second commercial was recently made.  So go ahead - click and enjoy! 

I would like to hear which commercial you prefer, so leave a comment on whether you like the older commercial or the newer one and why!

Canadian Tire and Kids

As many of you may know, one of Canadian Tire's priorities is giving kids the chance to play the sports they love; from swimming to soccer, with HOCKEY - Canada's  FAVOURITE sport being their main focus! 

Canadian Tire's goal is to get kids actively involved in the sports that they love and allows kids to exercise and have fun!  The way Canadian Tire accomplished this is through the creation of their charitable organization, Jumpstart.  Jumpstart is aimed at financially assisting kids so that they can participate in any sport that they want to play.  Canadian Tire will pay for lessons, league fees and sports equipment.  More info on this charity and the great work that Canadian Tire does to help kids play the sports they love can be found at:

http://jumpstart.canadiantire.ca/

Show Me The Money

Canadian Tire is well known for many things, but one item they're known for in particular is their innovative use of their version of money.  I am sure a lot of you who have shopped at Canadian Tire are familiar with the colourful Canadian Tire Money that you receive as "change" after purchasing something at the store.  Well, Canadian Tire Money was first introduced in 1958 and was inspired by the wife of Canadian Tire's Co-founder, A.J. Billes.   It was only available at the Canadian Tire Gas Bars at first, but due to its popularity, it was introduced into the retail outlets in 1961. Some examples of the colourful money are shown below.

How It All Began

http://corp.canadiantire.ca/en/aboutus/pages/history.aspx

This link shows the historical timeline for Canadian Tire, from it's opening to today.  It shows how the  company got started, some of its biggest achievements and how it grew as a company over the years.  Some of these major accomplishments include the first Associate Store opening in 1934, the first gas station bar opening in 1958 and it's celebration of 50 years in business in 1972.