3-3.5*. Just this past week, DSW opened its Heartland location in Mississauga. Here's what I…read morethought:
PROS
- huge store with rows upon rows of shoes organised into casual, dressy, heels, boots, etc.
- tons of staff - perhaps too much - but all well-trained to ask customers if they needed any help
- clearance section already in half-swing (it exists, although selection depends on your size)
- same self-serve approach as per their U.S. locations
- staff was friendly and helpful, if they didn't know the answer they would ask their manager
- convenient place to shop for shoes as it's one giant warehouse full of men's/women's shoes + accessories
- they also sell accessories, but personally, I NEVER look in this section for purses, scarves, wallets, sunglasses, etc.
- FREE WI-FI for the men with a coupla couches, although I personally couldn't get it to work while I shopped!
- washrooms available as well
CONS
- prices are about comparable to Winners/Marshalls, so definitely not "cheap". Women's heels averaged $50-80
- NO high-end brands. Best brands were Frye, Ugg, some Cole Haan/Coach, then Nine West, Steve Madden, Ivanka Trump, & cheaper, made in China shoes. Do NOT expect to see the brands as per their Manhattan location, re: Stuart Weitzman, Dior, Casadei, Miu Miu, Chloe, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Louboutin
- online store is not set-up yet
- I don't think they had any children's shoes, but I could be wrong
I found the shoes that I've been looking for for months. They were half a size too large, so one salesgirl told the other that they offered free insoles and I was provided with 2 1/2 insoles. I thought that was good service 'cause it enticed me to buy the shoes.
Tip: If you buy shoes often, sign up for their loyalty card. Various sales staff were canvassing the store asking people to sign up.