On April 20, 1970 in Rexdale, Ontario, the first Canadian Radio Shack store opened, signalling the start of a new era in Canadian consumer electronics. Twenty years later, more than 900 Radio Shack outlets are a part of the everyday lives of Canadians coast to coast.

Radio Shack’s unique retail success is rooted in its philosophy of offering Canadians leading-edge electronic products at affordable prices. This offering, combined with the company’s commitment to put the customer first with superior service and support, has established Radio Shack as Canada’s largest electronics chain.
 

Radio Shack Canada's head office, located in Barrie, Ontario.

It was that same philosophy of exceeding consumer needs and expectations, that proved successful for Radio Shack U.S.A. Starting in Boston in 1921, Radio Shack grew from a fledgling local retail operation to a nationwide multi-billion dollar retail giant.

Expanding Radio Shack U.S.A.’s retailing principles to the Canadian market soon brought the company exciting growth. Today Radio Shack is as visible in small rural communities as it is in large urban centres. Some 400 of its 900 Canadian locations are authorized dealer outlets conveniently located in Canada’s smaller but vital centres.

Radio Shack stores have been firmly established all over the country from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland and from the 49th parallel in the south up to the Yukon and Northwest Territories.

The Canadian head office, located in Barrie, Ontario, was also constructed in 1970. It originally covered 43,000 square feet and was expected to contain growth for five years. However, two years later, as a result of unprecedented growth, the original building was expanded to cover 123,750 square feet. In 1975 the Canadian division had to rent additional space, adding another 102,000 square feet.

In 1978 Radio Shack Canada’s newly constructed head office was completed. It covered 300,000 square feet which included a large warehouse, a fully equipped garage, a spacious truck yard and extensive office space. In 1987 the warehouse expanded another 100,000 square feet.

Radio Shack employs more than 3,000 Canadians and carries a diverse range of products from stereo equipment, multitesters, cellular phones and computers to the world’s foremost stock of electronic parts and accessories. Almost one in two Canadian households call Radio Shack home for their electronic needs.

Radio Shack Canada is a wholly owned subsidiary of InterTAN Inc., an international company which looks after retail operations for more than 2,500 stores and associated dealers globally outside the United States. InterTAN’s operational headquarters are also located in Barrie, Ontario, just minutes away from Radio Shack Canada’s head office.

Robert Keto, a 28-year veteran of Radio Shack, is president and chief executive officer of InterTAN Inc. He began his career in 1963 with the original U.S.A. head office. Having been a part of Radio Shack’s incredible growth for almost three decades, Mr. Keto believes continued application of the company’s founding philosophy, combined with aggressive marketing strategies, will keep Radio Shack in the forefront of its industry as the future unfolds.
 

1. Robert Keto, President & CEO of InterTAN, began his career with Radio Shack in 1963. 2. Radio Shack stores are a familiar sight in cities and towns across Canada.