TORONTO — Canadian retailers will have tough choices to make in the New Year, as increasing competition from e-merchants and new arrivals from the U.S. force them to size up their operations.
Sears’ downward trajectory doesn’t seem to be ending soon, while Target is facing calls from investors and pundits alike to withdraw its Canadian operation. The string of retailers downsizing—like Reitmans, which is closing all 150 of its Smart Set stores—or filing for bankruptcy, including Mexx and Jacob, is expected to continue, casualties of low-cost international retailers like H&M and Zara.
