Discussions

Closing out - I was in there today. One worker said they’re closing this week, Winnipeg stores are staying open (as of right now anyways).

Another empty spot, just want the mall needed. Yes i know this isn't on the mall...corporate decision from head office yada yada yada....any word on any new business (not Shopper's Drug Mart) coming into the mall. Not sure what the fate of the mall is going to be but that is a big loss.

Yes I was there also shop shop shop!! That’s to bad their closing though!

exist to make money. Period. The mall is also a business. If Le Chateau was making money here, they would be staying. If Costco could make money here, they would be opening a store. Complaining about retail in Brandon and then saying "I go to Winnipeg for better selection" is exactly the problem - shop in Brandon, and the stores will do better.

if there was selection in Brandon no one would have to go to Winnipeg. And if I want to shop "local" I will go to the small town stores in Virden and Neepawa. Great selection and not everyone is wearing it!! Cleo, Ricki's Reitman's is not shopping local. It is shopping corporate. Nothing wrong with it but it bugs me when people say it is shopping local. Is there one single store in the mall that is a "local business"? Maybe North Shore but I can't shop there as I am older and not size 2. Shopping in Brandon is frustrating so I don't do it.

It was a corporate decision.  
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-le-chateau-plans-more-store-closures-as-e-commerce-hits-business/

Via a mall spokesperson, Le Chateau is vacating at the end of their lease on Aug 31. Not long after that La Vie en Rose is taking over the space and will take some time to build out. It could be early in the new year when the new store opens.

and this is a prime example why most people travel to Winnipeg or the states ... there is no decent shopping here in Brandon!!

ronfay said "exist to make money. Period. The mall is also a business. If Le Chateau was making money here, they would be staying. If Costco could make money here, they would be opening a store. Complaining about retail in Brandon and then saying "I go to Winnipeg for better selection" is exactly the problem - shop in Brandon, and the stores will do better. "

When I'm on the hunt for a particular item, clothing, etc I ALWAYS look at what is available in Brandon first, before I head to Winnipeg or online, etc. I agree that we need to support Brandon businesses in order to keep them here: whether that be 'local" stores or the Brandon location of a chain. But in all honesty, more often then not, I do not find what I am looking for and am forced to go elsewhere. Unfortunately even the chain stores (Ricki's, Reitman's, etc) don't give us a very good selection in their Brandon stores. If you go the their stores in Winnipeg you find a much better selection with different items.

If the particular people that are not happy with the selection in the stores in the mall should be speaking to a manager. Let them know that Wpg stores have more selection and ask why? Let them know that you like to speak to corporate and let them know as well.  
 
With all stores seemingly becoming less important to online shopping, corporate may start to listen more to the in store shopper.

As much as people want to support their local retailers, the alternative to shop online is simply too enticing. Online retailers are the catalogue stores for today's shoppers. Want to compare prices? No need to drive across the city, just open another tab/window and see what vendor B's prices are like. Have the urge to browse merchandise at 2:30 a.m. Sunday? No problem. Looking for a black leather top hat or snakeskin cowboy boots or Confederate memorabilia or ? Just as facile as a Google search and within a few clicks you're bound to find what you desire. Even with the selection that Winnipeg offers, highly unlikely that places in Winnipeg could compete with online entities.

The business's of Brandon need better websites.  
 
example: Looking for furniture, you can look at all the furniture companies websites, but most of them don't have prices anyway. I know not many people are going to shop online for furniture items, but just an example.  
 
Make your website easy, what you have in stock and definitely prices.  
 
I know that I have bought online, as I didn't feel like running all over town looking first. When I did look at local websites, most of them did not have much information at all.