Eaton's: It Pays to Shop at Eaton's - oral history interview
https://collections.galtmuseum.com/link/descriptions98632
- Description Level
- Series
- Accession No.
- 20211092003
- Physical Description
- 1 transcript, 1 audio recording, 1 signed agreement
- Scope and Content
- Interview with Kelly Clampitt 1 hour 22 mins 32 seconds Born and raised in Lethbridge, went to work for Eaton's in the cosmetic industry. Worked at Eaton's for 21 years. Started working at Eaton's in high school, in the women's and junior clothing department. Moved into working in the jewellery dep…
- Description Level
- Series
- Creator
- Aimee Benoit
- Physical Description
- 1 transcript, 1 audio recording, 1 signed agreement
- History Biographical
- The interviews were created in connection with Galt Museum exhibit "It Pays to Shop at Eaton's". The exhibit was on display October 5, 2019 to February 2, 2020. Department stores were founded in the mid-1800s and soon spread throughout Europe and North America. They sold everything from bicycles to ginger beer, all inside one building. With novel technology such as escalators, electric lighting and air conditioning, these lavish retail establishments became hubs of activity. In Canada the industry was defined by three names: the Hudson’s Bay Company, Simpson’s and Eaton’s—once Canada’s largest department store. The T. Eaton Company was founded in 1869 when Timothy and Margaret Eaton purchased a small dry-goods store in Toronto. As the store grew, Eaton’s popularized several retail innovations such as cash-only sales and fixed prices instead of haggling, which was the previous norm. By 1896 Eaton’s was calling itself “Canada’s Greatest Store.” It became a retail and social institution in Canada with stores across the country, buying offices around the globe, 70,000 employees, and a mail-order catalogue selling everything from clothing to farming implements.
- Scope and Content
- Interview with Kelly Clampitt 1 hour 22 mins 32 seconds Born and raised in Lethbridge, went to work for Eaton's in the cosmetic industry. Worked at Eaton's for 21 years. Started working at Eaton's in high school, in the women's and junior clothing department. Moved into working in the jewellery department. Betty Maxwell, was Clampitt's first manager. Moved to working full time in the designer fashion department, and eventually the cosmetics department; Eaton's employees were personal shoppers for customers, knowing the products and satisfying customers with the service. Discussion of education for cosmetics and the beauty industry, Eaton's paid for classes. Changes in shopping, caused by big box stores coming to Canada. Eaton's family owned the company until the closure of the store in 1990s; transitions in ownership views and changes to marketing. The Eaton's family was very involved in the store. Male versus female roles in the department store. Discussion of the various products sold at Eaton's, and the grand opening in 1988 of the store in Park Place Mall. Discussion on the move toward a more fashion-oriented store. High priority on customer service. Spoke about Eaton's going into receivership in 1997, and re-branding of the store. Store closed in 1999, spoke on liquidators moving in and the process of closing Eaton's in Lethbridge, and Canada. Staff members at Eaton's had a reunion in 2012. Discussion of the staff procedures; like handling of personal items, dress codes, raises, etc. For 20th anniversary with Eaton's Clampitt was able to pick a gift from the store, she chose a pearl necklace; however, this was during the receivership time of the store, and therefore, Clampitt never received a 20th anniversary gift for her service to Eaton's. Discussion of her mother working at Eaton's and the changes to when Clampitt was working at the store; for example, women and pregnancy.
- Accession No.
- 20211092003
- Collection
- Archive
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