Since Mark Blumes founded the first Mark’s Work Wearhouse in Calgary in 1977, the brand has expanded to Edmonton, Red Deer, Vancouver, and Quebec. However, the company has had a difficult time integrating into car dealerships and navigating the Alberta consumer market. In this article, we’ll discuss the history of Mark’s and its struggles to integrate into the automotive industry. Read on for an inside look at the company’s growth and success in Alberta.
Mark Blumes founded Mark’s Work Wearhouse in Calgary in 1977
The Canadian tire company, which owns the retail arm of the company, has been in business since the 1970s, but Mark’s is a family-run company that still has its roots in the working class. Mark Blumes founded Mark’s in Calgary, Alberta, on Aug. 14, 1977, and has since grown the company to over 40 locations across Canada. But even with the growth of the business, Blumes maintains the same blue-collar values that made the store so popular. The retailer keeps the products affordable for the working class, while providing regular flyers with deals for customers.
After a year of testing in Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Edmonton, the company launched a new brand in Calgary. The company partnered with Watermark, a longtime advertising agency, to rebrand the brand. In October, the company merged with digital agency Suitcase Interactive. With these changes, the company hopes to regain its former success. The changes are aimed at achieving a greater customer base.
The Calgary-based company is the largest workwear retailer in Canada. With nearly 400 stores in Canada, Mark’s has become a staple in the workwear industry. In addition to providing work apparel, the company also supports Canadian charities, including the Canadian Tire Jumpstart program. The company also has a steadfast commitment to supporting the Canadian Football League. These are just some of the reasons Mark’s has achieved such a high level of success.
The company is the largest Canadian retail chain for work apparel and footwear. With over 380 stores across Canada, Mark’s is the number one choice for workwear and footwear. With such a wide variety of clothing available and an extensive customer base, Mark’s has become a staple in the Canadian clothing industry. So what are you waiting for? Become a member of Mark’s Rewards and enjoy a $10 gift card every time you buy $50! All you need is a computer or a laptop and an internet connection.
Mark’s has expanded to Edmonton, Red Deer, Vancouver and Quebec
The concept of Mark’s Work Warehouse was first tested in Edmonton, Winnipeg and Ottawa in 2017. In the fall of last year, the company expanded to Calgary and Edmonton’s West End. It also recently rebranded, signing a new creative agency. Watermark, an established advertising agency, merged with digital agency Suitcase Interactive in October. Founded in 1989, Watermark has an Edmonton outpost and national presence.
While the original concept was to sell work clothes for labour-oriented jobs, the brand has expanded to include men’s and women’s business casual apparel, children’s clothing, and even outdoor gear. The brand is mostly found in Alberta and British Columbia, with some franchise locations across Canada carrying other brands. Despite the expansion, the name is still synonymous with work clothes and remains a staple of the retail sector.
In addition to Montreal, the company is extending its reach into other Canadian cities. The Edmonton store will open a 22,000 square-foot ‘test store’ at West Edmonton Mall. The store will feature new brands and wall installations for popular footwear and apparel. Additionally, it will carry an Alfred Sung shop-in-store and a Levi’s brand. Eventually, the brand hopes to expand to more cities, including Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto.
The company’s success is based on a customer-focused merchandising strategy. The retailer specializes in working clothing, offering rugged, self-warming work boots, better undershirts with no neck tags and more. It has stores in Vancouver, Red Deer, and Edmonton. The business continues to grow as more locations open across Canada. But there are some hurdles, too.
Mark’s has struggled to integrate into car dealerships
Traditionally, electric vehicle start-ups have avoided integrating into traditional car dealerships because they don’t rely on a middleman. Instead, they sell directly to consumers. Legacy automakers have great incentive to adopt this model because it can cut out dealers and enjoy substantial profits. Former Tesla lawyer Jim Chen said the industry is ready to make this switch. “The automotive industry needs to be more customer-centric,” said Chen.
Mark’s brand in Alberta
The brand has undergone some major changes, but it will stay in Calgary. It has never left the province. In fact, Mark’s has always called Calgary home. It has changed its name but it will still work in Alberta. But the company will be changing its administrative style as well. Here’s what we know so far. Its name is the same, but it’s not the same as its original one. Regardless, you can’t expect the same old Mark’s in the city of Calgary.
The brand first opened its doors in Calgary, Alberta, on August 14, 1977. Today, the brand operates more than 380 stores across Canada, including 61 in Alberta. There are eleven stores in Calgary and four in the surrounding area. Mark’s is the largest apparel and footwear retailer in Canada. With over 380 locations, Mark’s is a trusted and popular brand among Canadians. Here’s a look at the company’s recent awards.
Blumes, the late founder of Work Wearhouse, was notoriously coarse. His flamboyant style often included a cigar in his mouth. But despite his outbursts, he left a lasting mark on the brand. Blumes opened the first store in Calgary in 1977, launching the first stop for rugged apparel during Alberta’s oil boom. His business expanded to 40 stores by 1981. He teamed up with Steve Bottoms, a fellow HBC student. The two were friends and partners for over two decades.
While Mark’s has long had a focus on physical stores, ecommerce has become a major driver of the brand. The Mark’s ecommerce site is growing 75% year over year. This isn’t a bottom-of-funnel channel, but a major drive-to-brick and mortar channel. Consumers use social media to research products before visiting a store. Mark’s ecommerce site offers more products and a broader assortment.
Cheung’s project will test the performance of current products from the Mark’s line. His project will help the retailer design better products in the future. Cheung is receiving funding for her project from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, a government agency designed to promote collaboration between academia and industry. These studies are just the beginning, but the results will help the brand to become a more recognizable brand across the country.
