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 territory and all nine provinces. 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.
- Doreen Samways, responsible for five Newfoundland stores, was recognized by Trader's Forum as 2010's "Retailer of the Year".[4]
- Kevin Kane, a franchise member with 50 stores across Atlantic Canada, had been recognized by Trader's Forum as 2007's "Retailer of the Year".[5]
- In 2003 Great Canadian Dollar Store Ltd. made it on the list of Profit magazine’s annual Profit 100, which ranks companies based on five-year revenue growth.[6]
References
- ^ "Interview with Kevin Walker CEO of Great Canadian Dollar Store". BeTheBoss.ca. MFV Expositions/ FranTech Media, Inc. Archived from the original on 2014-12-22. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
- ^ https://www.telegraphjournal.com/miramichi-leader/story/41983213/a-great-canadian-retail Telegraph Journal April 22, 2015
- ^ Kloster, Darron (10 April 2015). "On the Street: Great Canadian Dollar Store chain sold". timescolonist.com. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-09-03. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-06-26.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Dollar Store Makes Top 100 List". Canadian Grocer: 115. Aug 2003. ProQuest 222854508.[dead link]