CANADIAN TIRE TESTING NEW SPECIALTY STORE
By Adnews Staff
As part of its new automotive strategy, Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd. is testing a new specialty parts store called PartSource. Designed to appeal to do-it-yourselfers and professional automotive installers, the stores will offer parts and accessories, as well as motor oil, spark plugs and oil filters. The first test store opened in Guelph, Ont. on Aug. 2, and there are plans to open at least two more stores in one other Canadian city. Canadian Tire's senior marketing vice president Wayne Sales told Adnews this week that the retailer had not decided which city that would be. The stores will be open seven days a week and will even lend tools to customers. Advertising for the Guelph store is handled in-house and consists of signs at a local sports arena, racetrack and the transit system. There are also newspaper ads and inserts, as well as in-store flyers.