National Sports stores to be closed by Canadian Tire

Meh. With locations in only one province, National Sports wasn't very national.

They were really one of only alternatives to SportChek. Often had cheaper prices too and some items sportchek didn't, so it'll suck seeing them go.

I wonder when their clearance sales will happen.

MrMom wrote: ↑
This is very disappointing. I bought most of my coaching equipment and most of our kids equipment from National. I've never felt that Sport Chek was an actual sports store. I always saw it as more a "let's be active, but not get dirty or sweat" when we play franchise.

Can you buy a batting tee from Sport Chek? IDK, but National carried them. I don't recall ever buying a hockey stick from Sport Chek either. Maybe some tape.

Yeah I agree. Store was literal garbage for gear compared to National Sports. Maybe 1 notch above Crappy Tire for gear.

This was inevitable since CT's SportChek's acquisition in 2011, i'm surprised National Sports has lasted this long. It doesn't make a lot of sense for CT to have 2 of their brands competing against each other especially when they also partially compete with Canadian Tire stores.

azorahai wrote: ↑ This was inevitable since CT's SportChek's acquisition in 2011, i'm surprised National Sports has lasted this long. It doesn't make a lot of sense for CT to have 2 of their brands competing against each other especially when they also partially compete with Canadian Tire stores.

That's not competition then...it's lack of consumer choice which only helps them profit more.

How about atmosphere then

smartie wrote: ↑ How about atmosphere then

Can I buy cleats in there?

If I want to look at an Apple watch, National Sports won't have it. That's the difference IMO.

azorahai wrote: ↑ This was inevitable since CT's SportChek's acquisition in 2011, i'm surprised National Sports has lasted this long. It doesn't make a lot of sense for CT to have 2 of their brands competing against each other especially when they also partially compete with Canadian Tire stores.

MrMom wrote: ↑ Can I buy cleats in there?

If I want to look at an Apple watch, National Sports won't have it. That's the difference IMO.

I mean if they close national sports, how about atmosphere ? Will they close them as well

I will miss their boxing week sales, shopped a lot there.

smartie wrote: ↑ I mean if they close national sports, how about atmosphere ? Will they close them as well

Oh, my mistake.

I wasn't aware that Canadian Tire owned both Sports Chek and National Sports. As my kids came through their minor sports history it was National Sports through and through, minus high end hockey or lacrosse gear for which a few specialty retailers were called upon.

I can see not having two interests splitting the market and competing against each other, I tend to have enjoyed National Sports far more over the years, will be sad to see an iconic retailer gone.

It's got nothing to do with overlapping.. majority of National Sports customers wont shop at Crappy Tire or SportsChek for their stuff.
Anther retailer will quickly fill in.. SVP sports, etc

kahunaverse could be an alternative

however I'm hoping to get some good deals during this liquidation.

unless they jsut have sportchek pick up all of the inventory...

Makes me wonder why CT closed National Sports rather than Atmosphere. There must be more cannibalization with Atmosphere than National Sports. Prob the rent costs are going to increase..

RunOrDie wrote: ↑ Makes me wonder why CT closed National Sports rather than Atmosphere.

Atmosphere is nationwide, while National Sports operated in only one province. If they're going to close something it makes sense to close one of the more obscure, localized stores that's competing with the big national chains.

A sad day,
Just an aside, I worked with the brother of the founder of National Sports Norm Clements https://www.durhamregion.com/community- ... niversary/

His brother had some very interesting stories of how his brother and him started selling athletic wear out of their car in the 60s to schools.

I didn't know CT owned both companies. I genuinely think National Sports prices tend to be crap. The selection is decent but not the best (but that's how it is in Canada compared to US stores that are similar)

FACT : Cdn Tire owns more brands than most folks realize.

There’s the ones everyone knows
* The flagship CDN TIRE Stores & Gas Stations / Gas Bars
* MARKS (formerly Marks Warehouse) ... acquired in 2001

But also all the banners from their purchase of the Forzani Group, in May 2011

* SPORTCHEK
* ATMOSPHERE
* INTERSPORT
* HOCKEY EXPERTS
* NATIONAL SPORTS
* NEVADA BOB’s GOLF
* S3
* SPORT MART
* SPORTS EXPERTS
* TECH SHOP
* PRO HOCKEY LIFE
* THE FITNESS SOURCE

Plus ...
* PARTY CITY (acquired 2019)

But Cdn Tire Group also owns ...
* PARTSOURCE
* and clothing brand HELLY HANSEN

They also own or have financial interests in other Cdn Brands like ... MOTOMASTER - NOMA - and PADERNO

Plus, their Banking enterprises ... CDN TIRE BANK & CDN TIRE FINANCIAL

Their entry on Wikipedia proves an interesting read for sure = https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Tire

PointsHubby wrote: ↑ There’s the ones everyone knows
* The flagship CDN TIRE Stores & Gas Stations / Gas Bars

I didn’t know CT had gas stations/bars until I started hanging out on RFD, and I’d guess most folks in BC don’t know either. There are only four in the whole province and none of them are on the coast; the closest one to Vancouver is 350km inland, in Kamloops.