Major retailers are playing up their Canadian heritage as they mark big birthdays and prepare for the arrival of U.S. giant Target in 2013.
To mark Holt Renfrew's 175th anniversary, CEO Mark Derbyshire threw a birthday bash outside the Toronto flagship store on Sept. 6. The luxury retailer also put its birthday numbers on its signature hot pink shopping bags and other marketing materials.
To hone in on its 90th anniversary, Canadian Tire chose the new marketing slogan: "Canada's store." It also plans to publish a book later this year entitled: "Living the Canadian Dream: How Canadian Tire became Canada’s store."JONATHAN HAYWARD/The Canadian Press
Shoppers Drug Mart celebrated its 50th anniversary with a 16-day campaign - themed "Fabulous" - featuring in-store and online activities. The drugstore chain also published a a 70-page commemorative magazine that included coupons and Shoppers Optimum bonuses.
Although Sears is only 59 years old in Canada, the retailer will publish a 60th anniversary edition of its iconic holiday Wish Book this winter.
Even U.S.-based Wal-Mart, which established operations in Canada in 1994, marked its 18th anniversary with its annual anniversary sale celebration last month.