SAAN Stores Ltd. was a Canadian chain of discount department stores founded in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
SAAN is short for Surplus Army, Air Force, Navy. The chain's head office was in Mississauga, Ontario, and its main distribution center and Stores Support Office complex were located in Winnipeg, with an additional distribution outlet in Montreal. SAAN also operated a small chain of clearance stores called Red Apple Clearance Centres.
SAAN had more than 350 stores in the late 1990s; however, by May 2005, after it emerged from bankruptcy protection, this was reduced to 142 outlets in a number of communities (mostly smaller towns and cities) across Canada.[1]
History
SAAN was established in 1947 by founders Albert and Sam Cohen, who opened their first store on Main Street in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Surplus items from the Canadian armed forces (hence the store's name) were the company's first supply source until its sales grew and more SAAN stores opened.[1] From there, the number of stores grew to over 200 in Western Canada and