Gordon reid giant tiger

He will be greatly missed.

This article was published more than 6 months ago. Some information may no longer be current. Frugality was at the core of Gordon Reid's business. The Giant Tiger founder died on July 8 at the age of When Gordon Reid set up his first discount store in downtown Ottawa in , he named it Giant Tiger after a small chain he admired in Cleveland, Ohio.

Gordon reid giant tiger

Gordon Reid — July 8, was a Canadian businessman. Reid was born in in Vancouver , British Columbia , and as a boy moved to the working-class Montreal suburb of Verdun. Reid's mother worked in the retail industry, behind the lunch counter at the Woolworth's in downtown Montreal. In , Reid was hired by Frank Hacking, a Toronto -based importer, to sell Japanese-made sporting goods to retailers in Quebec. In , he moved to Windsor and set up an office for Hacking across the river in Detroit , to sell to American retailers. He was particularly impressed by Uncle Bill's , a chain headquartered in Cleveland , Ohio. Reid was so short of cash that he was unable to afford proper store fixtures, and had to build his own display tables. According to Reid, he made this discovery when he spotted the name on the side of the carton from which he was pouring milk into his breakfast cereal. Reid chose Ottawa as the location for his first store because he believed that public service paycheques would ensure a customer base with a stable income. As well, the city still had a relatively uncompetitive retail environment, and in particular, no shopping centres. Reid credits Giant Tiger's rapid growth in subsequent years to several changes in the company's business philosophy. First, the chain altered its merchandise mix from its original focus on male-oriented merchandise such as hardware and sporting goods to an inventory emphasizing clothing and housewares, designed to attract a primarily female clientele. Second, Reid made the key head office personnel into co-owners of the chain. By , ownership was shared with ten other individuals.

He was particularly impressed by Uncle Bill'sa chain headquartered in ClevelandOhio.

Reid, who opened his first Giant Tiger outlet in the ByWard Market in and ran the company until he retired in , died on Saturday, the company announced. He was Reid was born in Vancouver but moved to Montreal with his family as a boy. Later he worked as an importer, based in Windsor, Ont. The site was an old printing plant for the newspaper Le Droit. Money was so tight, Reid built his own display tables. Originally, he wanted to call it Top Value, but found that name was already trademarked.

Gordon Reid, a Canadian businessman and founder of the popular discount chain Giant Tiger, has died. A statement from the company said he passed away at his home in Ottawa after a brief illness. He was Reid worked in the retail industry since he was 13 years old. The store remains in operation today.

Gordon reid giant tiger

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But not every new venture succeeded. A article describes Giant Tiger's franchise system this way:. Clothing retailer Kit and Ace bought by Joe Mimran company. If you would like to write a letter to the editor, please forward it to letters globeandmail. Montreal's Parc-Ex residents frustrated at growing problem. Now I come in when I feel like it and leave when I feel like it. Ottawa Citizen , November 29, , p. Gordon Reid, the Canadian businessman who founded discount store chain Giant Tiger, has died at Contents move to sidebar hide. In , Reid resigned the presidency of Giant Tiger in favour of Jeff York , an executive with ten years' experience at the company. Canadian businessperson — Click here to subscribe. RCMP on the scene of a serious collision.

This article was published more than 6 months ago. Some information may no longer be current. Frugality was at the core of Gordon Reid's business.

Special to The Globe and Mail. Ottawa Valley Farm Show highlights latest technology and techniques in Canadian farming. When it comes to shopping, class-action lawyers say they'd be careful when buying these items. Returning to Canada, he moved to Ottawa and decided to become a discounter. And he made sure his stores always respected their customers and their community. Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. In , even after handing over the reins as CEO, "Reid still goes to work six days a week. The company remains family-owned. Reid was born in Vancouver but moved to Montreal with his family as a boy. The company says no change in ownership or management is expected to result from Reid's death.