Has anyone seen stores with reduced "winter hours"? Noticed it at The Bay

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Feb 4th, 2023 12:50 am

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Jan 2nd, 2023 5:42 pm

maldahleh [OP]: Newbie; Jun 19, 2019; 59 posts; 38 upvotes; Mississauga, ON

Jan 2nd, 2023 5:42 pm

Has anyone seen stores with reduced "winter hours"? Noticed it at The Bay

Was out shopping today at STC, and noticed The Bay had a flyer up saying they have new "winter hours" (whatever that means) effective January 2 (today) of M-F from 11-7, Saturday from 10-6 and Sunday from 11-6 despite the mall hours being Monday to Saturday from 10 to 9 and Sunday from 11 to 7. I thought it might have been just STC but I was at Yorkdale after and they had the same notice up there as well so it seems pretty universal, at least across the GTA.

Has anyone noticed other retailers reducing hours from mall hours? I wonder if this will become a trend, it made sense during the start of COVID. Still, I was surprised when I saw the paper today since, in my opinion, it's trashy for the mall for each retailer to just set their hours (and I don't recall that happening at all before COVID).

16 replies

Jan 2nd, 2023 5:51 pm

smartie: Deal Guru; Dec 5, 2006; 13454 posts; 8835 upvotes; Markham

Jan 2nd, 2023 5:51 pm

walmart-changing-hours-close-10-pm-2023 ... e-2589923/

Jan 2nd, 2023 5:53 pm

kindred_99: Deal Fanatic; Dec 6, 2006; 5494 posts; 900 upvotes; Toronto

Jan 2nd, 2023 5:53 pm

Years ago when I worked in a major mall they had rules requiring stores to be open during regular mall hours. Anchor stores often did not have to abide by certain rules as they often owned their spaces and did not rent them from the malls.

It could be different now but from a customer service perspective it is best if all stores have the same hours.

I am guessing we will see reduced hours at many places as they try to cut costs and work around having fewer staff available or willing to work.

Jan 2nd, 2023 11:28 pm

Catenary: Sr. Member; Nov 5, 2018; 621 posts; 720 upvotes

Jan 2nd, 2023 11:28 pm

Not a mall retailer, but my local Home Depot always closes earlier in January, February and part of March. Place was pretty dead after 7pm.

Jan 3rd, 2023 12:28 am

ml88888888: Deal Fanatic; Jan 19, 2017; 7746 posts; 4516 upvotes

Jan 3rd, 2023 12:28 am

maldahleh wrote: ↑ Was out shopping today at STC, and noticed The Bay had a flyer up saying they have new "winter hours" (whatever that means) effective January 2 (today) of M-F from 11-7, Saturday from 10-6 and Sunday from 11-6 despite the mall hours being Monday to Saturday from 10 to 9 and Sunday from 11 to 7. I thought it might have been just STC but I was at Yorkdale after and they had the same notice up there as well so it seems pretty universal, at least across the GTA.

Has anyone noticed other retailers reducing hours from mall hours? I wonder if this will become a trend, it made sense during the start of COVID. Still, I was surprised when I saw the paper today since, in my opinion, it's trashy for the mall for each retailer to just set their hours (and I don't recall that happening at all before COVID).

That is normal for retail businesses after the big spendings Xmas season which is the slowest months of the year.

+2

Jan 3rd, 2023 12:33 am

PointsHubby: Deal Expert; Feb 7, 2017; 23600 posts; 22548 upvotes; Eastern Ontario

Jan 3rd, 2023 12:33 am

ml88888888 wrote: ↑ That is normal for retail businesses after the big spendings Xmas season which is the slowest months of the year.

This

It’s been going on for years / decades …
Guess everyone forgot cuz of Covid the last 3 years
Malls / Stores often have shorter opening hours during January on into February *
Which are their slowest months of the year
(And highest costs for utilities = heat + hydro )

* Things tend to pick up just prior to Valentines Day
And it’s also when new stock … esp clothing starts to appear
And there’s a big push towards Spring / Summer merchandising

+2

Jan 3rd, 2023 4:19 pm

apnayloags: Deal Fanatic; Nov 13, 2010; 7808 posts; 1822 upvotes; Scarborough

Jan 3rd, 2023 4:19 pm

Yep

Noticed a SUBWAY that has now posted winter hrs notice where like they close at 4am and reopen around 6 or 7 am……..used to be 24/7.

Sally’s beauty supply store right nextdoor has closed its location.

Not a good indication of things to come, they really trying hard to bring in a recession

Jan 3rd, 2023 5:53 pm

mrweather: Deal Fanatic; Aug 29, 2011; 8636 posts; 5592 upvotes; Mississauga

Jan 3rd, 2023 5:53 pm

Some economists think we’re already in a recession. The reducing of hours is a natural offshoot.

Jan 4th, 2023 8:35 am

TravellingChris: Sr. Member; Jul 7, 2019; 783 posts; 1004 upvotes; Oilers Country

Jan 4th, 2023 8:35 am

Our local Bay reduced its hours a few years back, being open late two days a week only now. This always made little sense to me as we are in a "suburban" commuter area where most people don't get home until 5:30 or 6 weekdays, so not much time to shop at the end of the day if you need something. But obviously the company makes its decision based on traffic levels and clearly they decided that the extra expense wasn't justified in terms of staffing costs.

Jan 4th, 2023 5:26 pm

djeffery: Deal Addict; Dec 18, 2017; 1427 posts; 986 upvotes; London, On

Jan 4th, 2023 5:26 pm

Noticed our local former 24/7 McDonalds will now be closed midnight to 5 or 6am.

Jan 4th, 2023 7:51 pm

TorontoWest91: Deal Addict; Jul 6, 2008; 1821 posts; 812 upvotes; GTA

Jan 4th, 2023 7:51 pm

Makes more sense to be 12-9 or 11-8 vs 10-7 right? Time most people finish work around 5... not always easiest to get to mall by 7. I always avoid malls on weekends.

Or maybe enough people work remotely/from home they can sneak out during the day? LOL

Jan 5th, 2023 4:21 am

bluebellrose: Deal Addict; Feb 10, 2013; 4546 posts; 1096 upvotes; Richmond

Jan 5th, 2023 4:21 am

TorontoWest91 wrote: ↑ Makes more sense to be 12-9 or 11-8 vs 10-7 right? Time most people finish work around 5... not always easiest to get to mall by 7. I always avoid malls on weekends.

Or maybe enough people work remotely/from home they can sneak out during the day? LOL

They not Asian. That's why lol.

+1

Jan 8th, 2023 11:19 am

cslusarc: Deal Addict; Mar 26, 2005; 2633 posts; 3644 upvotes; St Clements, MB

Jan 8th, 2023 11:19 am

An earlier 11am open is condusive to receiving stock distributions delivered by Canada Post, Fedex UPS and Purolator. Most small box mid-mall retailers don't have any of their staff arrive more than 30 minutes before opening.

Jan 28th, 2023 6:34 pm

bluebellrose: Deal Addict; Feb 10, 2013; 4546 posts; 1096 upvotes; Richmond

Jan 28th, 2023 6:34 pm

maldahleh wrote: ↑ Was out shopping today at STC, and noticed The Bay had a flyer up saying they have new "winter hours" (whatever that means) effective January 2 (today) of M-F from 11-7, Saturday from 10-6 and Sunday from 11-6 despite the mall hours being Monday to Saturday from 10 to 9 and Sunday from 11 to 7. I thought it might have been just STC but I was at Yorkdale after and they had the same notice up there as well so it seems pretty universal, at least across the GTA.

Has anyone noticed other retailers reducing hours from mall hours? I wonder if this will become a trend, it made sense during the start of COVID. Still, I was surprised when I saw the paper today since, in my opinion, it's trashy for the mall for each retailer to just set their hours (and I don't recall that happening at all before COVID).

Mall owners don't have a choice if they are hard up for tenants. Plus the Bay is a anchor tenant so they can do whatever.