INTRODUCTION

    British Columbia is internationally known for its abundance of pristine and protected environments, as well as a diversity of outdoor activities.  To accommodate these popular recreational activities there are a variety of outdoor gear retailers.  One of these retailers is unique in its structure and methodology and its name is Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC).  MEC is a Canadian outdoor equipment retail store that was established in 1971 by a group of students from the University of British Columbia (MEC Public Facts).  In contrast to the cost-benefit methodology of most other retailers, MEC is a "socially and environmentally responsible retail co-operative Canada's largest retail co-operative by membership" (MEC Public Facts). MEC's Vancouver Store boasts the highest sales nationally and services BC's 482,409 members.  This is in contrast to other provinces, such as Alberta, that have fewer members (330,000), yet are serviced by two locations.  Based on these figures, BC has a high demand for recreation equipment and supplies.  Therefore, this report will locate potential locations for a new MEC store in Kelowna, BC in order to serve the Interior's populations within a closer proximity to where they reside.

    In this project the City of Kelowna and its census data are analyzed in order to locate a potential site for a future Mountain Equipment Co-op store in Kelowna. Kelowna is the largest city in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley (figure 1) and liveliest population centre and one of Canada's most popular vacation destinations with a rapidly growing population. 

    The Okanagan Valley and surrounding areas cover a vast area of BC’s interior including cities such as Penticton, Kamloops, Vernon, and Salmon Arm. Kelowna is situated on the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake mid-way between Penticton in the south and Vernon in the north.  The lake offers wonderful opportunities for boating, swimming or fishing. Furthermore, the nearby mountains attracts hikers, skiers and outdoor enthusiasts of all descriptions. Three famous skil hills, Apex, Big White  and Silver Star are within one hour drive from the city of Kelowna.

    It is therefore expected that Kelowna is a centralized location that would service these areas for their outdoor equipment needs.  Presently all British Columbian MEC members are serviced solely by the Vancouver location, which maintains the highest sales for all of Canada.  Based on this information it could be argued that there is sufficient demand for another British Columbian store.

Tourism Kelowna states:

 

"Kelowna has a diversified economy with large industry employers such as Sun Rype Products and Riverside Forest Products, as well as many small and medium sized businesses.  There is also a growing high tech sector as entrepreneurs and employees are attracted to the lifestyle and accessibility of Kelowna."

 

The Economic Development Commission of the Regional District of the Central Okanagan adds, “retail sales in BC are forecast to rise by 6.4% in 2002 and 6.8% in 2003, following a 6% increase in 2001. Year-to-date retail sales in BC are up 6.1% over the same period in 2001.”  Perhaps an MEC location in Kelowna is most suitable because “there is so much to do, no matter what your interests are, from golfing to hiking, boating,camping ,skiing, fishing or swimming.”

WHAT IS MEC?

 
Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) is a retail consumer co-operative. In its simplest form a co-operative is a group of people who pool their resources together in order to achieve a common goal - this is what you are doing when you purchase your $5.00 membership.
 
MEC's operations are driven by its member's needs and values rather than the financial drive to maximize profit. Since our inception in 1971 its core purpose has always been to support people in achieving the benefit of self-propelled, wilderness-oriented recreation.

Today, MEC is Canada's largest supplier of quality outdoor equipment with nearly two million members.

MEC FACTS:

• Socially and environment responsible retail co-operative
  

• Governed by an elected nine-person Board of Director
  

• Founded in 1971 by a group of students from the University of British Columbia
  

• 0.4% of gross sales goes to environmental initiatives
  

• MEC is Canada's largest co-operative by memebership
  

EXISTING MEC STORE LOCATIONS AND RETAIL FLOOR SPACE (ft²):

-Vancouver (largest store in sales overall)-29,000

-Calgary (largest store in sales per capita)-29,000

-Edmonton-15,000

-Toronto-25,000

-Ottawa-17,000

-Halifax-10,000

-Winnipeg-15,000

-Montreal-20,000

HISTORY AND EVOLUTION

        Mountain Equipment Co-op was spawned by a lack of mountaineering stores in Vancouver in the late 1960s. At that time, most mountaineers in need of gear would make pilgrimages to the mecca o’ gear at the time, REI in Seattle, but sometimes "forgot" to declare their recent acquisitions.

        With time, this popular solution became more risky, as Canada Customs began to catch on and mysterious individuals were seen recording BC license plate numbers in the REI parking lot. Something had to be done. The irony of a Canadian national icon being hatched in the USA is reduced by the fact that the instigators of this plan were all Canadians, stormbound on Mt. Baker one weekend in the spring of 1970. By August 2, 1971, Mountain Equipment Co-op had incorporated with six original members.

        MEC came from a compromise between the originally suggested, but rather venal "Alpine Fastbuck" and the stultifying "Outdoor Equipment Co-operative". The decision was made at this time to restrict business to the selling of good quality equipment for mountaineering, rock climbing, ski mountaineering and touring, and hiking, which later expanded to include paddling and bicycle touring, but the emphasis is essentially the same as it was in 1973 when our Mission Statement was carved in stone.

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