Canadian Tire rolls out new auto store

Montreal -- A Thursday report in the Montreal Gazette said that Canadian Tire Corp. unveiled a new prototype on Wednesday in Bowmanville, Ontario, east of Toronto.



The new store is 40% larger than a typical in-store automotive department and features a service area with a drive-in reception, a new auto detailing bay and a sound booth for customers to test in-car audio entertainment systems, GPS and car safety electronics.



The test store is one of three opening in Ontario this year.



Canadian Tire, which recently closed its purchase acquired sporting goods chain Forzani Group Ltd., is prepping for Target's arrival into Canada in 2013, which stands to give competition in categories such as small appliances, home decor and accessories, according to the report.