CANADIAN TIRE PLANS TO BE THE SOURCE FOR PARTS
By Adnews Staff
Toronto-based Canadian Tire Corp., Ltd. is launching PartSource, a national retail chain that will target "do-it-yourself" customers and professional automotive installers. The national launch plan includes the opening of 200 stores and a total investment of $400 million within the next 4 to 5 years Scott Bonikowsky, senior director, corporate communications, Canadian Tire Corp told Adnews. Seven test stores were built and fully operational in the Calgary and Ontario markets for the last three years testing the PartSource concept. "Our roll-out plans reflect the success of the concept in our test markets and we look forward to getting to work on building a strong new force in Canadian retailing," said Stephen Bachand, president and chief executive officer of Canadian Tire. Advertising for PartSource will be handled by Doner Canada Inc. of Toronto which also handles advertising for Canadian Tire. As each store opens, marketing and advertising plans will include billboard, radio and print advertising in the makert in which the store opens. PartSource will be headed up by president Bruce Allen, formerly vice-president of automotive for Canadian Tire. The new retail chain will operate as a business unit within Canadian Tire Corporation and will be based in Toronto.