Great Canadian Dollar Store Explained

Great Canadian Dollar Store Ltd.
Type:Private
Industry:Variety store
Foundation: in Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Founders:Bud Walker
Vivian Walker Sold 2015 to Kevin & Jane Kane, Quispamsis, NB
Location City:Quispamsis, New Brunswick
Locations:126
Area Served:Canada
Key People:Kevin Kane (Owner)
Products:Party, Stationery, Housewares, Hardware, Confectionery, Toys, Crafts, Giftware, Cleaning and School Supplies

Great Canadian Dollar Store Ltd. (GCDS) is a privately owned Canadian franchise dollar store. The discount merchandiser was founded in 1993 by Bud and Vivian Walker, with the set-up of a head office in Victoria, British Columbia and opening of the first BC store in Kamloops.[1] 126 franchised stores are located across Canada, including the Yukon, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. In 2015, Great Canadian Dollar Store was purchased by Kevin & Jane Kane of Quispamsis, NB.[2]

History

Founded in 1993 by Bud & Vivian Walker, Great Canadian Dollar Store sold products with a retail price of $1.00. As the company grew and product lines expanded, the maximum retail price moved between $1 to $3. Now with the greater access to product, Great Canadian Dollar Store has moved their to retail prices from between $1 to $20 for the majority of the product. With the purchase of Great Canadian Dollar Store by Kevin Kane,[3] the emphasis is to grow the brand in smaller rural communities.

Awards and recognition

Individual franchise members and the company have gained awards and recognition throughout the years.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Interview with Kevin Walker CEO of Great Canadian Dollar Store. BeTheBoss.ca. MFV Expositions/ FranTech Media, Inc.. 22 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141222094731/http://www.betheboss.ca/franchise-interviews-october-2009/great_canadian_dollar_store_franchise22.cfm. 2014-12-22. dead.
  2. https://www.telegraphjournal.com/miramichi-leader/story/41983213/a-great-canadian-retail Telegraph Journal April 22, 2015
  3. Web site: On the Street: Great Canadian Dollar Store chain sold. Darron. Kloster. timescolonist.com. 10 April 2015 . 18 May 2017.
  4. Web site: Archived copy . 2011-07-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110903140744/http://www.tradersforum.ca/retaileroftheyear.php . 2011-09-03 . dead .
  5. Web site: Archived copy . 2015-06-26 . 2016-03-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045734/http://www.tradersforum.ca/retaileroftheyear/retailer2007/Retailer2007_KevinKane_webarticle.pdf . dead .
  6. Dollar Store Makes Top 100 List. Canadian Grocer. Aug 2003. 115. .