Every summer (sometimes more frequently) my family enjoys travelling into the U.S. to perform the ritual that Canadian retailers just love to hate and consumers absolutely love — cross-border shopping at those renowned outlet malls.
I won’t get started on the rather horrid amount of consumption that takes place. That will be for another blog. What I did find interesting was the conversation surrounding Canadian vs. American outlet malls. My mom’s a pretty savvy shopper (in fact, she’s the only shopper in my immediate family) and I asked why not just go to the Canadian outlet mall? Her answer was simple and concise: The stuff they sell there [the Canadian ones] is substandard in quality and typically older in style.
Off topic: Ever wonder?
Just a random thought that came across my mind while I was dragging my heels during my typically painful journey across what is referred to as an outlet mall. Are you ever in the situation where you don’t know where the deals are? Well after observing people at two outlet malls this past weekend, I’ve noticed that surrounding particular stores are groups of men standing or sitting around with blank looks on their faces. After waiting between 30 minutes to an hour, there is a small family reunion. I have a feeling that those stores may just be the ones with the deals
What surprises me is that no one has thought of doing something for the many men and women who are standing or sitting around waiting for the avid shopper to return.
Wow. Way to go Canadian retailers. People cross states or countries and great distances to arrive at these American outlet malls — my mom won’t even bother going to a Canadian retailer anymore and it’s only a 15 minute drive away. I won’t even bother going to a retailer anymore, I order online (internationally thank you … thank you).
After conversing with my dad about Canadian retailers (quite the relevant topic) while waiting for my mom to finish her shopping expedition, I’ve arrived at two thoughts:
- With cross-border competition and the Internet, Canadian retailers still rely enormously and depend on impulse and lazy consumers who don’t bother or want to compare prices with other places.
- Canadians must love paying for convenience. What’s wrong with us?
While you may think I’m taking this opportunity to bash Canadian retailers, you’re right — I am because I think both consumers and businesses need to smarten up. On the other hand, I also wanted to show a small long-time family-run business has continued to thrive in a pure competition environment.
Almost a little more than a decade ago (I’d be 17 at the time) my family was on the road and in Niagara Falls, New York to perform the cross-border ritual when we ran across a pizza and wing place. Sure, we had plenty of places to choose from but com’on, Pizza Hut? Pizza Nova? So many other chains and pizza places – lame…
Instead my parents decided on a place called Buzzy’s. It was a very tiny place at the time but not too recently they’ve been renovating and slowly growing their business. All I have to say is that I have never ever seen that place empty before. They have some of the best “Buffalo style” chicken wings and pizza I’ve tasted in the U.S. In fact, my family makes it part of the cross-border ritual to stop off and join the mob that’s waiting in line to enjoy Buzzy’s pizza and wings. After 10+ years, I know that when I’m going to Buzzy’s, I’m going to get long lineups and awesome food. It’s part of the experience when I travel through the Buffalo, NY area. Same with so many other people who are travelling through.
Not the best looking building, but the food is good!
Is there any business you know of that creates that sort of impact and is thriving? Repeat (and ecstastic) customers from other countries and provinces/states for years?
What makes them different from the rest?
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