So how many of you like buying Canadian-made goods from Canadian-owned stores?

If something is available for the same price at Wal-mart and at Zellers, which one would you choose and why?

Do you have any favorite Canadian brands?


Enquiring readers want to know...

Made this into a poll -- I've been curious about this myself.



(love your sig BTW)

Between Zeller's and Wal Mart I go to Zeller's, gotta have my points.

Mostly, I go Canadian, I figure everything goes on sale sooner or later.

Most US based stores are not near me anyway.

I go where I can get things cheaper,usually that's Zellers
but theres times where walmart is a whole lot cheaper

I try to buy Canadian when I can sometimes it's not easy to buy canadian of the price is out of reach

I usually don't care whether the store is Canadian or not. I shop at the store which has the best selection, and usually carries most of the items that I need without having to go from store to store. So currently most of the business goes to US based stores (walmart/costco).

but then again, maybe I'm a bit biased, as I happen to hold shares of both of those companies

Good idea, Costa. And thanks.

I voted for "I buy Canadian even if it's a little more expensive."...my emphasis is on the "little" part. For most small items, there's little difference between the major stores... but for other things, the price is sometimes significantly lower at a place like Costco.

Anyone have an idea of (or links for) how much of a difference it makes on the national economy if we buy Canadian goods instead of imported goods?


I try to avoid Wal-mart whenever possible... There's more to Wal-mart than just low prices!
http://www.walmartyrs.com/
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580082319/

I have to say that I go to shop where I can get
all or most of my shopping done all in one place,
and that is usually WalMart. I hate that it's an
American company, but I have to pinch the pennies
where I can. And anyone with kids knows what
it's like dragging them around from store to store!
But I do get excited when something I buy is
Canadian made.

Hmmm... a couple of interesting articles from our neighbors to the south about buying local goods:

Buying American is back in style

“Buy American” is UN-American
*shrug*

I prefer Walmart to Zellers. I find they have a bigger selection at a lower price.

I usually try and buy Canadian even though prices are sometimes a little higher. I try and avoid Walmart, there's something about the store that drives me a little . Its usually packed, the shelves are a mess and it just seems dumpy to me. I won't even get into the cleanliness of the bathrooms there, !

I would prefer to buy Canadian, but it seems many popular chains are American owned (Futureshop, Walmart, and others I can't seem to think of right now )

I really dislike Walmart. They DO have good deals, but I don't like their store, its a mess. Some people there are really pushy and rude too. On the other hand they have great prices, as well as incredible return policies. Someone I know brought in an insulated coffee thermos that was almost a year old, and used, and told them he was looking for something similar to that since it was broken. They exchanged it for one of their own!

I avoid WalMart - I've seen one too many show on how evil the company is. But I'm not a big Zellers shopper either. What kind of things do you all buy at WalMart and Zellers?? Grocery store items? Clothes? Maybe i'm missing out . .

I am afraid that most of the places I shop probably are American based. Winners, (I spend way too much there), and Safeway (groceries) - but I do head to the Bay for scratch and save & Bay days!

Originally posted by sockboy What kind of things do you all buy at WalMart and Zellers??

I will only go to one WalMart here in Calgary,
the others are how everyone described--dirty,
rude people etc., but this one I go to
is not too bad.

I buy as much as I can there. Kid and baby clothes,
shoes, diapers etc,.cleaners, household products
are usually less expensive there. Even coffee,
cereal, snacks.

We need to save where we can. I am lucky enough
to be able to stay home with my kids, so we are
working on one income here.

I avoid Walmart as much as I can. I have yet to be convinced that once you average out the regular price items and sale items, that they are significantly cheaper than other stores. They also sell a lot of cheaply made c**p, like clothes made by children in third world sweatshops.

I've been able to find most of our baby supplies cheaper at Zellers and the local grocery store.

Originally posted by brash They also sell a lot of cheaply made c**p, like clothes made by children in third world sweatshops.

Well make me feel like crap! I had no idea!
Guess I'll have to do some label checking from
now on.