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.