The customer service at Marks on Boxing Day was above and beyond. I was helped by multiple staff…read moremembers who were all calm, helpful and cheerful. A+

Back again sadly with no response from Homesense/Winners in Nanaimo to report; even after sending…read moreadditional emails directly to the CEO. In four years on this personal mission to have them accommodate the elderly & disabled; not one Homesense employee has had the common decency to reach out to me. So, if you're in the above category; best you stay home; or sit outside in your car while everyone else shops! Homesense does not give a damn if you can only peer through the front window.......Pathetic!

Need yourself some good threads without the jawdropping prices demanded by department stores?…read moreWinners, like its US counterpart TJ Maxx (or TK Maxx, in the UK), sells men's, women's, juniors and children's clothing, accessories, and shoes, and housewares at a substantial discount. Clothing brands range from little known to fairly upscale designers, like Michael Kors, and similarly for shoes and hosiery. While I've found plenty of brands I barely recognize, every now and then I luck out with a Tahari jacket or pants, BCBG dress (especially in juniors), or upscale pair of designer jeans. Don't come looking for True Religion, but you can luck out and net a few good deals. Winners is an anchor store in Woodgrove Centre, which makes an excellent stop when searching for a separate, jeans, or shirt. Note if you're on the ends of the size spectrum, you will have far fewer options, and this is especially true for bigger sizes rather than small. Small and medium (for ladies) and medium or large (for gentlemen) get the most representation. Petites for women have their own section without a corresponding tall area, though sometimes you luck out and find the rare pair of tall pants in the ladies careerwear area. Because many items are overstock, remainders from last season or the like, I buy on the "check it twice" and "get it now" principles. Check every seam, button, and the like for defects. Always try clothes on because sizes sometimes are irregular, even more than usual. Return policies with Winners are easy and generous, but it's buyer be wise in these types of places. Second, don't assume whatever you saw on the shelf will be there next time. Winners doesn't have a website where you can order the shirt or pants you saw last week, and you may not find them again. The store doesn't feel like a downscale department store, as so many Sears now do, thanks to wide aisles, bright overhead lighting, and a care about the merchandise. You won't see clothes strewn about like a teenager's bedroom thanks to associates who actually ensure things stay tidy. The clearance (red tag) areas, especially around cosmetics and hair care, does tend to be a jumble of products on the shelf, but these are limited. Downside: Children's section for 0 to 5 (toddlers) is woefully slim and entirely weighted towards girls. The boys racks have next to nothing, and no shoes or accessories. Protip:

I took my daughter to Ardene's and they had a big selection of shirts and pants. Good value for the…read moremoney. I didn't like the return policy but the staff were friendly and we didn't plan to return anything so I made the purchase.