Great Canadian Dollar Store
Canadian discount store franchise
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 other than Quebec. In 2015, Great Canadian Dollar Store was purchased by Kevin & Jane Kane of Quispamsis, New Brunswick.[2]
Vivian Walker Sold 2015 to Kevin & Jane Kane, Quispamsis, NB
| |
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Variety store |
| Founded | 1993 in Vancouver Island, BC, Canada |
| Founders | Bud Walker Vivian Walker Sold 2015 to Kevin & Jane Kane, Quispamsis, NB |
| Headquarters | , |
Number of locations | 126 |
Area served | Canada |
Key people | Kevin Kane (Owner) |
| Products | Party, Stationery, Housewares, Hardware, Confectionery, Toys, Crafts, Giftware, Cleaning and School Supplies |
| Website | www |
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]