Many were shocked this week when PETA announced that Canadian Tire and its affiliates would no longer sell fur products “after being shown how animals were mistreated”.Those who contact Canadian Tire for an explanation are receiving the following carefully-worded statement:
Over a year ago two of our banners, Sport Chek and Atmosphere, made a decision that reflects the preferences of their customers. We continuously evaluate the types of products we carry in our stores and from time to time we make shifts in our assortment. We are aware of communications that indicated this decision reflects all of our banners but this is not the case.
Of course, by removing fur from their stores, Canadian Tire is not respecting “the preferences of their customers”, but denying them the right to choose for themselves.
Many people are shocked and disappointed that Canadian Tire would let animal extremists dictate their merchandising policies. Canadian Tire is one of Canada’s most important retailers of hunting, trapping and fishing equipment – a $4 BILLION business in this country. Don’t they understand that these same activists also oppose hunting and fishing? Don’t they know that the activist websites are already asking when Atmosphere and Sport Chek will also get rid of their down-filled apparel and leather products?
Some have already said they won’t be doing their Christmas – or Boxing Day! – shopping at Canadian Tire “banners” this year. One person who usually buys $5,000 in Canadian Tire gift certificates for his employees at Christmas has decided to look elsewhere. We have even been contacted by a leader of the medical research community who will boycott Canadian Tire because of the danger that extremists like PETA pose to vital medical research.
What Can You Do?
Maybe it’s time to ask Canadian Tire to let their customers – their real customers – decide for themselves which products they want to buy?
Maybe it’s time for Canadian Tire to state clearly whether they support PETA, or the tens of thousands of hunters, trappers and fishers who support their business?
And maybe it’s time to visit your local Atmosphere or Sport Chek to see their fur-trimmed parkas? And if they don’t have any, ask why not?! (After all, they claim to respect “customers’ preferences”.)
If you want to let Canadian Tire and its affiliates know what you think, you can use the following toll-free numbers and email addresses:
Canadian Tire – Customer Relations:
1-800-387-8803 (English); 1-800-565-3356 (Francais)
On-line contact form
Twitter (@canadiantire)
Facebook
Atmosphere:
1-855-496-ATMO (2866)
On-line contact form
Facebook
Sport Chek:
1 (877) 977-2435
On-line contact form
Facebook
Twitter
Mark’s:
1-866-339-1626
Customer service:
[email protected]
Media inquiries:
[email protected]
Twitter
Facebook