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Call me devil's advocate but as much as I wasnt a fan at first either I've actually kind of gotten used to it. Definitely more difficult to navigate a cart through (especially one of the Car carts that the little guy likes) but the trade off seems to be more stock in the store. Means I can walk out of a store in town with more stuff rather than having to order online and wait (as long as price is reasonable of course).  
 
Sorry to hear you couldnt find a set. Hopefully over the next few weeks as the weather (is supposed to?) warm up we'll see stores improve their offerings of this sort of thing!  
 
Edited by Adam, 2016-03-31 15:27:45

I couldn't agree more!! I understand the constant need to change displays along with the retail seasons, but what a horrendous store now!! It's completely disorganized and frustrating to navigate. I am definitely avoiding it at all costs.

I would completely agree with you.  
 
I actually asked an employee, about a year ago, what was going on and why the shelves were towering over people and why the aisles were 2 feet wide. She explained to me, quite bluntly, that the store had changed owners, and that this was his 'vision' for the store.  
 
I haven't shopped there for more than a year! I hate it, and I don't hate much. Over-stocked, no visibility, no room for more than one wagon in an aisle, and now the seasonal furniture, as you said, cannot even be accessed???! You've got to be kidding me!!  
 
It used to be one of our favorite stores, but it is a totally uncomfortable place to be now.

It's an adjustment for sure. The aisles are closing in and becoming narrower and everything is becoming vertical, but I too am getting used to it.  
 
Yesterday while there, I noticed there are outdoor chair cushions hanging from the ceiling rafters and a gazebo was displayed above the aisle racks rather than the seasonal floor displays they usually have.  
 
I take this as a good sign that the store is doing well and they want to stock as much as possible. Using vertical space that was before unused is not unusual.  
 
It's just an adjustment for the consumer, but I'm ok with change.  
 
If the store is strong, which keeps the local economy pumping, they have to utilize the space they have efficiently.  
 

The store is now a complete nightmare. I avoid going at all costs - don't care if I pay a few dollars extra somewhere else! If we are caught and absolutely need to go, I wait in the car! Awful awful awful!

We live closer to Plap, and noticed even that store has more stock with higher shelves and more shelving in the center isle. Wonder if it's the same owner or something they discussed at a meeting what works for other stores?

With higher stacks and narrow aisles, this "vision" might end up costing money. Either people will leave frustrated without buying anything (as other commenters have noted), or someone will fall over trying to reach something over their head, or they will have to hire more clerks to assist the frustrated people trying to reach items they want to take a closer look at. The first time someone reaches over their head, falls over, and launches an insurance claim, the store's insurance company will take a look around and raise their premiums. Maybe it will be worth it, maybe not. Of course, it's unlikely that anyone would ever reach for an item over their head...  
...or that anything would fall from the ceiling.  
 
 
 
Edited by DivaAgingGracelessly, 2016-03-31 16:06:30

Yep find myself going to home depot or home hardware before canadian tire....  
 
 
Have to wonder if these big chain stores even seen all the people not walking in to doors  
 
Im starting to see it with walmart as well...prefer to go to superstore: they always are stocked. Gaurantee every lane open on weekend and now price match.....

Despite your complaints or shopping else where Canadian Tire are doing well.  
Never came to your mind that the management and staffs are doing hard work for those changes and you do not hear them whining or moaning in the aisles

I think everytime i go in there, there are ppl swearing at the store. Used to go in there all the time. Haven't been in there for months now.  
 
Hopefully it affects their sales.

I just want to find out who is going to buy the gigantic bear, lizard, giraffe, etc

the Canadian Tire staff do work hard however they will also be the ones who have to listen to disgruntled and frustrated customers who cannot access/reach items they may be interested in purchasing. It's difficult to get the feel for the spaciousness and height of a gazebo when it's set up 10 feet above your head; it's difficult to visualize the space a patio table will take in your gazebo or on your deck when it's shelved on a slant at eye level rather than set up on the floor; it's difficult to determine which patio chair will be most suitable and comfortable when they too are displayed out of reach. Next thing will be barbecues hanging from the rafters along with the cushions!! I too will be looking elsewhere for my patio needs, businesses where I can walk in the gazebo and sit on a chair at a table before I make my purchase(s).

Getty said "I think everytime i go in there, there are ppl swearing at the store. Used to go in there all the time. Haven't been in there for months now.     Hopefully it affects their sales. "

constructive criticism isnt complaining, if the costumers arnt happy they will shop there less, theres not much competition in brandon but i know i did like the feel and layout of the store so i will choose other places if i can

The owner is taking advantage of the high ceiling however I agree with most of the complaints

is their internet site. Find what you are looking for, it tells you how many they have in stock and what isle it is in.  
 
Kind of hard for something from the ceiling, I would make them take it down to try it.

You can't even compare microwaves or coffee pots, etc. They are all in their boxes. We only go into the store if it is absolutely necessary (which isn't very often).

Not much choice for individual owners. Corporate headquarters will dictate layout which is set by professional planners. I'm not impressed with the way things are packed in and stacked up but CT pretty well put most smaller hardware stores out of business.

my desire to go there as well. I tried to get used to the tunnels but it just didn't happen. Now when I HAVE To go there, I find a staff member to help me as soon as I can find one.

Hate to say it but, with the high shelves it's an accident waiting to happen. The last few times I was in there, people were climbing on the shelves to get items down that they couldn't reach and I even seen a couple employees do some questionable things to get stuff down. It's only a matter of time before something goes wrong. I'm also surprised workplace health and safety haven't ordered them to put chain-link fencing or railings up on the high shelves like there is in Home Depot.

No company can sell from a empty cart. This Store has the stock. You can see it Being able to get it can be problematic.  
 
The last I looked all most stock beyond reach is simple overstock. Best to store it up and in sight than in the back warehouse where amazingly the customer count is low.  
 
Less man power needed for overnight fill crews.  
 
The key is to have stock reachable or staff available but mostly the stock you want with in reach. Obviously large items are a issue.  
 
Where I think and this is a guess because I have not been there for a while is displays.  
 
I think this dealer may nay be a fan of full scale fancy displays. Let the box sell the product?  
 
I did the tire retail for a while. The high aisles at first drove me nuts when they when from 54 to 60 then 72 inches then back to 60.  
 
I Hated when they tried top cap shelves. The new height made me go ballistic. Yet after walking through some months ago it made sense. Did not like it. Time for a visit to see the new reset. My bet is they are in the middle of a spring reset.  
 
 
Over all they are almost the only game in town if you hate heading to the Hill or Wal-Mart palettes block the aisles. I presently lean on Home building centre and other locals. I like smallish local stores.  

I was very disappointed to see the changes. I used to go there quite often, but started now going more to TSC and Princess Auto rather than CT.  
Ways to crowded. I wonder even if it meets all kind of fire escape regulations ( no idea if there are any).  
Started hating that store now. Unfortunately

Because they leave things in boxes, I will compare on the internet, read reviews, get the aisle number of what I want. In and out in five minutes. I know others like to look around and others won't have a computer.

its so claustrophobic, I feel the walls closing in on me...not a great feeling when you are trying to shop. Expansion is the what is needed, unless they start supplying mountain climbing gear to see the merch that is up so high. lol  

have to agree, used to be one of my favorite places to shop but now we're avid Home Hardware shoppers, with the occasional trip to Home depot or Walmart for specific things. I avoid Canadian Tire like the plague.

Cash in hand to buy a treadmill.  
 
They are ALL on the very top shelf now of the sports department. I am NOT spending that kind of money on sports equipment without being able to try it first.  
 
So judging from the above comment... they state will get one down for you to try in the case of patio furniture... are they really going to do that for a treadmill?? I think this takes away from the great customer service they used to provide. I sure as heck wouldn't even have thought of asking to have it taken down to try it.  
 
There are just certain items... sports equipment, patio furniture etc. that you need to try before you buy. I don't think many people will ask to have something brought down.  
 
They will instead choose to go elsewhere in my opinion.

Isn't the majority of items low enough to reach and the excess stock, which would normally be packed away in the back on the higher (need staff assistance) shelves? Although as some have stated, patio furniture is hanging from the rafters now, so that is one exception!

I haven't seen the new store layout but I didn't like the last big move. Every time I go into this store, I need help finding something or help getting something off a high shelf. (And now they're hanging things from the rafters!?)Then try to track down an employee IN THAT SECTION for help. It's beyond frustrating waiting and finding help and since I leave empty-handed on most visits, I started going elsewhere. Unfortunately, Canadian Tire is my last resort.  
 
Edited by Hackeda, 2016-04-01 11:23:08

http://www.complaintsboard.com/canadian-tire-b105659  
 
this should help for sure

It's interesting to see how many people can't handle change. Oh well.  
 
Don't like the look of the store now. Talk to the owner it's his choice. He is bringing in more stock for ......... You the consumer, not for him. He was dealt with a store of the size it is and is trying to deal with it. Rumour has it, that he is expanding the store for...... You guessed it, you the consumer to have more of a selection of things.  
 
Give it time you will get used to it just like the staff had to.  
 
As for Portage and Brandon having the same owner, nope not at all and that is fact. Check it out for yourself.