I went to Canadian Tire for the first time as a newcomer and here's what blew my mind

The ​mind-blowing range​

You learn this pretty quickly the moment you step into a Canadian Tire — it's definitely not just about tires.

According to The Canadian Encyclopedia, the company in 1922 by brothers John W. and Alfred J. Billes, who pooled together $1,800 to buy the Hamilton Tire and Garage Ltd. at the corner of Gerrard and Hamilton Streets in Toronto.

At the time, they stood out by offering one-year, no-questions-asked guarantees on tires, which was a huge deal when tire blowouts were a regular problem.

But over the years, Canadian Tire has evolved far beyond its name. Today, it's one of the country's most iconic retailers, with shelves stocked full of automotive gear, power tools, kitchen appliances, sports equipment, camping gear, cleaning supplies and yes, tires too.

So, the name is misleading! It doesn't just sell tires. But Canadian Everything wouldn't have the same ring to it, would it?

The prices

Canadian Tire is surprisingly affordable, as far as I'm concerned, and any price tag with a red label feels like manna from heaven for a bargain hunter like me.

It was a great place to shop when I first moved into my unfurnished condo in Toronto. I picked up a toaster, kettle, coffee pot, and a blender — all at really reasonable prices.

Just last week, I bought a four-pack of Scrub Mommies for $14.88, which was a great deal since one usually costs $5.99 at Canadian Tire.

I also got a coffee maker last year for around $25, and honestly, it's the best money I've ever spent. I use it every single day to make a big pot that powers me through the morning.

Canadian Tire is also super handy for household cleaning products. I always stop in to grab things like all-purpose cleaner or dishwasher tablets.

Pro tip: always check the shelf tag for the per-weight price to make sure you're getting the best bang for your buck when buying in bulk.

The interactive screens

One of the first things that blew my mind about Canadian Tire? Just how massive the stores are.

As a newcomer walking in for the first time, I was totally overwhelmed. There are so many aisles, shelves, stands, and baskets everywhere, so it's so easy to lose track of what you came in for.

But here's the part that really impressed me: Canadian Tire has those super helpful interactive screens you can use to search for whatever you need. Just type in what you're looking for — like "kitchen knives" — and it'll tell you exactly which aisle it's in.

Every aisle is clearly numbered, so once you've got your info, it's actually really easy to track things down. Once I figured that out, the place went from chaotic to amazing!

The random impulse buys

One thing I wasn't prepared for as a Canadian Tire newbie? Just how easy it is to get totally sidetracked.

They sell everything so you'll find yourself wandering into aisles you have absolutely no business being in. It's like stepping into an alternate retail universe where every second item makes you go, "That'd be handy for the apartment!"

You might walk in planning to buy a kettle, but somehow you leave with an air fryer, a brand new set of pots and pans, a bicycle, and a paddling pool. It's that kind of place.

And then there’s the downstairs section — which, for me, was truly wild. You'll find barbecues, tents, outdoor gear, hockey sticks, skates, basketballs, and stuff you didn't even know you needed until it was in your cart.

Honestly, Canadian Tire feels a bit like the title of the movie Everything Everywhere All at Once — but in store form. Total sensory overload… in the best way (I think, anyway).

The self-checkout machines

One of the biggest shocks during my first Canadian Tire visit? The checkout situation.

In my local store, there weren't any traditional tills with a cashier, just a long row of self-checkouts. And while that might sound efficient, it felt anything but, especially when you're buying big, bulky items that don't fit on those tiny bagging areas.

Sometimes the machine would freeze because it thought there were "unexpected items" in the bagging zone, and then you'd have to wait for someone to come over, enter their code, and set it right. It slows everything down.

And once you finally get to the payment part? That's another mini adventure. There are so many payment options that it's way too easy to click the wrong one. Then comes the barrage of yes/no questions: Do you have coupons? Do you want to donate to charity? Want to donate again via your card?

It's a lot.

Honestly, I'd have preferred the option of a regular checkout with an actual human. Self-checkout makes more sense at places like Dollarama, where your basket's full of small, easy-to-scan stuff. But here? Not so much.

I prefer the human touch, but maybe I'm just old school!