Canadian Tire puts $200 million into larger Mark's stores

BNN Bloomberg reported that Canadian Tire, which owns the apparel retailer Mark’s, will spend $200 million opening and refreshing stores. Larger Mark’s stores drove double-digit increases in sales per square foot, which Mark’s president PJ Czank had initially feared would fall.

The new format uses larger stores of roughly 25,000 square feet. Canadian Tire tested the concept in five former Bed Bath & Beyond locations. So far 21 stores in five provinces, including Ontario, use it, and the goal is at least 40 of Mark’s expected 387 stores by the end of 2028.

Mr Czank said the aim of the format is to draw women who do not usually shop at Mark’s, and younger customers. But he said it is not really suitable for downtown Toronto or Vancouver, where space is at a premium, though it works in metropolitan and suburban regions.

For context, Statistics Canada said sales at clothing retailers, a category that includes Mark’s, were about $3.2 billion in July 2026, up 5.5% from a year earlier, against 5.1% for all retail.

Mr Czank said the concept is “a scratching of the surface.”

Sources: BNN Bloomberg · Statistics Canada · Canadian Tire Corporation