Great Canadian Dollar Store

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, 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]

Great Canadian Dollar Store Ltd.
TypePrivate
IndustryVariety store
Founded1993 (1993) in Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
FoundersBud Walker
Vivian Walker Sold 2015 to Kevin & Jane Kane, Quispamsis, NB
Headquarters
Quispamsis, New Brunswick
,
Canada
Number of locations
126
Area served
Canada
Key people
Kevin Kane (Owner)
ProductsParty, Stationery, Housewares, Hardware, Confectionery, Toys, Crafts, Giftware, Cleaning and School Supplies
Websitewww.dollarstores.com
Great Canadian Dollar Store storefront

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
  1. "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.
  2. https://www.telegraphjournal.com/miramichi-leader/story/41983213/a-great-canadian-retail Telegraph Journal April 22, 2015
  3. Kloster, Darron. "On the Street: Great Canadian Dollar Store chain sold". timescolonist.com. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-09-03. Retrieved 2011-07-19.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. http://www.tradersforum.ca/retaileroftheyear/retailer2007/Retailer2007_KevinKane_webarticle.pdf
  6. "Dollar Store Makes Top 100 List". Canadian Grocer: 115. Aug 2003. ProQuest 222854508.
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