Remember Consumers Distribution, K-Mart, Eaton’s, and now Zellers? Well, if not, don’t even worry about it ’cause they’re all closed OR soon-to-be as in the case of Zellers. So what caused these stores to shut their doors, while places like Sears (barely breathing btw!), The Bay, and Walmart seem to thrive? Pause for a moment of reflection.

(Frankly, I’ve shocked that Zellers died such a long death. Secondly, I predict Sears will be the next victim  that place is always d-e-a-d, DEAD whenever I pass through!)

Lately, whenever I do walk through a department store, to get to the rest of the mall, it’s always a sad, depressing sight: Seniors rifling through already-picked-over clearance racks, Perfume Ladies with no one to spray :(, Beauty Counter Reps who turn their noses at you if you ask for help at another counter…where there isn’t anyone working, and the list goes on.

In terms of The Bay, it’s still ’round ’cause they’ve responded to what consumers want by bringing in better labels, including some exclusive to the States (Material Girl), promoting their Canadiana/Hudson’s Bay stripes come the Olympics, and bringing stores-within-stores like the UK’s Topshop/Topman.

So with news of US stores like Target and Nordstrom landing on Canadian soil, what will make them succeed here where others have failed? After all, isn’t Target kinda-sorta like Walmart with the occasional designer-collabo clothing and Nordstrom kinda-sorta like The Bay…with a better shoe department? What will Target and Nordstrom have to offer that we don’t already have? <– Lower prices, hopefully! 🙂

YES, Canadians embrace American novelty, think: Bath & Body Works, but after the initial months of business, don’t things take a nose-dive? Canadians also like and want the variety that America has to offer, yet we’re unwilling or simply unable to spend like our American counterparts, re: luxury market.

A friend of mine who recently went shopping in NYC was called “cheap” by a retailer who said, “You Canadians are CHEAP!”. So whether or not that’s a good thing, Canadians aren’t the biggest spenders. (Financially speaking, being cheap is probably a GOOD thing!) The luxury market just isn’t here, at least not yet. So Nordstrom, prepare to have lots of sales!

So going back to my original question, are department stores just a thing of the past?

The Bay is offering a great freebie right now. Visit the Clinique counter now thru July 31st for your free 14 day sample of Long Wear Lip Gloss.

You must present this offer to receive your free trial.

While Supplies Last. Picture does not represent free product.

Wanna try out Depends for free? Now is your opportunity to.  Simply fill out the form and wait for your free Depends in the mail.

Jean Machine is offering an extra 50% off select clearance in-store and online.

I had a hard time figuring how much shipping is.  The site states it’s free then a few lines down that its free after $150.

Click here to view the deals online.

As we heard earlier this year, Zellers will be closing their doors and will be replaced by the US retail giant – Target. Target or Tar -Zhay as Oprah calls it, has announced their first 24 locations in Canada.

Zellers has started offering massive blowout sales both in their liquidation stores as well as all their other stores. To see all the liquidation stores, visit Zeller’s liquidation site.

Liquidation stores have a new store policies in place so be sure to ask about them before making your final purchase.

Anne D has done it again! Shes working on the best grocery round up in Canada!

Click here to find all your go to deals for the week.

On now, Bootlegger is having a Buy One Get One 50% off on all regular-priced men’s and women’s shirts. Offer is available both in-store and online and the discount will apply to the lowest priced item.

Ground shipping is $4 when you enter promo code B4SHIP at checkout (minimum order of $40).

Click here to shop Bootlegger now!

$4 SHIPPING: Enter promo code B4SHIP at checkout. Minimum order of $40. Ground shipments only.

Dealfrenzy is offering a special deal on The Beer Connoisseur Magazine – only $28 for a 2 year subscription.

Enjoy the world’s premier beer magazine featuring articles on beer culture around the world and information on beer tasting events, dinners and special events hosted by Beer Connoisseur. Also you get access to their online membership for 2 years.

Here are the details:

• You can buy one voucher for yourself and unlimited vouchers as gifts
• Issues are published quarterly so you get 4 issues per year
• Taxes and shipping are included
• Subscriptions are redeemed online and automatically ship to your billing address

Until August 31st, BudgetAir.ca has a great contest to get you away to San Diego!

The prize consists of a $500 travel voucher towards a flight to San Diego, plus three nights at the four-star Westgate Hotel; dinner and tickets for the San Diego Zoo.

Click here to enter this contest

Become the around-the-yard-hauling-machine you always wanted to be! Enter to win yourself a 2012 Dodge Ram!

This truck, valued at $32,000, is up for grabs in Lowe’s “Haul in a Ram” contest.

Contest is open until September 30, 2012 and one entry is permitted per person. Click here for full contest rules.

Click here to enter to win!

Until July 26th, enter for your chance to win a $100 Rexall gift card! The contest is free to enter and requires you to fill out a basic survey.

Click here to enter now!

Bhlombardy has posted the Costco flyer in advance for our wonderful readers.

Click here to view his post on the forum.

Porter Airlines is offering 50% off select flights. Use the coupon THRILL to view your discount.

Book by July 27th 2012. Travel thru December 14th 2012.

Click here to book.

Buy this awesome Kitchen Aid mixer for only $199.99 thru July 26th. Comes with a few great accessories.  Unfortunately they are only offering the black on sale.

Shipping on this item will be free.

Click here to view this on TheBay.com