The Retail Thread - Page 3

Rusty van Reddick · #41 Posted **May 18, 2009, 10:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimby

he meant 11 st and 15 Ave SW

...and the new Good Earth renos look GREAT! I found out that this is now a franchised store; used to be the company flagship.

SpongeG · #42 Posted **May 20, 2009, 1:50 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plus15

Taking over the former "RnR" store on the 2nd floor, Aeropostale's first Calgary store opens in Chinook this summer. It will be packed until people realize the quality is equal to (or possibly worse) than Wal-Mart. Just like Old Navy duds were once status items. Meh.

i don't think anyone ever thinks aero is a "label" its akin to bluenotes

its not that common here - in the states it seems to cater to tweens and middle schoolers

frinkprof · #43 Posted **May 27, 2009, 4:05 PM**

Quote:

International fashion icon setting up shop in Calgary

By Mario Toneguzzi, Calgary Herald

May 27, 2009

International fashion retailer Hermes has announced plans to open its fourth location in Canada this fall in Calgary -- another signal the city has become a"player" on the national retail level.

Hermes Canada said it will open a new boutique in the city in October in the new Holt Renfrew store at 510 8th Ave. S. W.

The nearly 1,500-square-foot boutique, with a storefront on the main level, will be owned and operated by Hermes Canada.

The company has been planning for some time to move into the Calgary market and had been looking for the right location, said Jennifer Carter, president and CEO of Hermes Canada.

"Calgary is a great market," she said, adding that when Holt Renfrew decided to move and expand into the old Sears building downtown (part of the Core shopping centre) it was "perfect for us."

She said Holt Renfrew has good traffic through its downtown store and sales are strong.

Carter said Hermes Canada is confident with its decision to come into the Calgary market and" comfortable with being in the centre."

She said many of the retailer's current clients already shop in Toronto and Vancouver.

"We know we have a very good local clientele," said Carter.

In a news release, the retail giant said the boutique will be devoted to an assortment of jewelry, silk, leather, ready-to-wear clothes and accessories.

Other Hermes locations in Canada include Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

Hermes has more than 250 stores across the world including duty free.

The retail giant has picked an ideal location to bring its luxury brand to the Calgary market, said Michael Kehoe, an Alberta-based retail specialist with Fairfield Commercial Real Estate Inc.

"They will cater to those aspirational shoppers," he said.

According to Calgary Economic Development, Calgarians had the highest personal income per capita in Canada in 2008 at $54,327, the highest total five-year (2004-2008) growth in personal income per capita at 30.7 per cent and the highest average annual growth in personal income per capita over the past 10 years at 5.5 per cent (1999-2008).

The latest data in 2006 on the number of millionaires in Calgary showed they increased by 21.8 per cent from 1,905 in 2005 to 2,375.

Holt Renfrew will be opening its new downtown store in the fall of 2009 in the old Sears building, moving from between 30,000 and 40,000 square feet of space to about 90,000 square feet.

Hermes' entrance into the Calgary market enhances the city's profile as a"desirable re-tail market" and establishes the city as a"player"on the national level in the retail sector, said Maggie Schofield, executive director of the Calgary Down-town Association. It also speaks highly to what Holt Renfrew is doing with its expansion in showcasing Calgary to retailers of this calibre.

mtoneguzzi@theherald.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

Link

Doug_Cgy · #44 Posted **May 27, 2009, 6:26 PM**

To add to the Calgary Hermes story...Even though its going to be in the "Holt Building"...it sounds as though it will be a separate boutique, with streetfront presence from the Herald quote bolded below!!

The nearly 1,500-square-foot boutique, with a storefront on the main level, will be owned and operated by Hermes Canada.

You Need A Thneed · #45 Posted **May 28, 2009, 3:42 PM**

Last night, we stopped at Superstore on our way home (10:15 pm), shopped for a few things, had things in hand and went to the checkout, and every single line that was open had 5 people waiting to pay with jam-packed carts. The self checkout line was no better. We put the milk jug in a Coke fridge, set the other things down and walked out.

It absolutely rediculous that a place has that long lines at that time of night. I mean this is a place that never ever opens up more than about 40% of it's tills, even when its as busy as it gets. But still, open more tills! Reason number one why I don't shop at Superstore very often. When I go to Safeway or Co-op, there pretty much never a line, and especially at that time. I can't support businesses who treat their customers that way.

We went and picked up milk at 7-11 instead.

Yume-sama · #46 Posted **May 28, 2009, 5:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by You Need A Thneed

Last night, we stopped at Superstore on our way home (10:15 pm), shopped for a few things, had things in hand and went to the checkout, and every single line that was open had 5 people waiting to pay with jam-packed carts. The self checkout line was no better. We put the milk jug in a Coke fridge, set the other things down and walked out.

It absolutely rediculous that a place has that long lines at that time of night. I mean this is a place that never ever opens up more than about 40% of it's tills, even when its as busy as it gets. But still, open more tills! Reason number one why I don't shop at Superstore very often. When I go to Safeway or Co-op, there pretty much never a line, and especially at that time. I can't support businesses who treat their customers that way.

We went and picked up milk at 7-11 instead.

Superstore should be open 24 hours year round. During the holidays it was quite busy, even at 2AM!

And not just with Christmas shoppers, but the random weird family and their kids grocery shopping

Stang · #47 Posted **May 28, 2009, 5:27 PM**

And speaking of self-checkout lines:

- There should be a 15 item limit posted. Full carts in self-checkout lines is about as inefficient as it gets for everyone - the store, the person checking out, the people waiting to check out. Some stores are starting to do this.

- There should be a place to line up. Because the checkouts are often located close to the main aisle in the store, and because they don't go very deep because there is no conveyor belt thingy, the line-ups block the aisle and are confusing to know which one is which.

I know that this is a relatively new technology and people are just starting to get used to them, I think we need some rules to compensate for the lack of common sense from the customers and the stores alike.

OK - rant over.

And further to the 24-hour idea, I actually like the idea. In England this is common at some of the large Tesco and ASDA locations (and, of course, Wal Mart here). Essentially one or two checkout workers need to be present, and the rest of the employees would have been there anyway stocking shelves. The lights would have been on, etc. so there's no extra costs there.

I won't find myself picking up a few things at 4 AM, but midnight or 1 AM wouldn't be unreasonable on certain occasions. And a lot of people have much more nocturnal schedules than my own.

Plus15 · #48 Posted **May 28, 2009, 7:17 PM**

Despite the drop in consumer confidence and spending, the Core seems to have signed some pretty big names so far. Aside from the massive new Holts and Harry Rosen, they have secured a 3-level Brooks Brothers flagship and now a company owned Hermes boutique. And while not yet confirmed, H&M is hiring for a "Downtown Calgary" location opening in 2009. The website doesn't specify the exact location but I'm quite certain it will also be a Core co-anchor, possibly in one of the 2-level retail locations being built on the 3rd floor of the Holt Renfrew building. Also, Banana Republic is being relocated to the current Shoppers Drug Mart location on the +15, which will make it the largest BR store in town by far. And that skylight is going to blow minds. Really an exciting retail project, thats for sure.

Ramsayfarian · #49 Posted **May 29, 2009, 12:30 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by You Need A Thneed

Last night, we stopped at Superstore on our way home (10:15 pm), shopped for a few things, had things in hand and went to the checkout, and every single line that was open had 5 people waiting to pay with jam-packed carts. The self checkout line was no better. We put the milk jug in a Coke fridge, set the other things down and walked out.

It absolutely rediculous that a place has that long lines at that time of night. I mean this is a place that never ever opens up more than about 40% of it's tills, even when its as busy as it gets. But still, open more tills! Reason number one why I don't shop at Superstore very often. When I go to Safeway or Co-op, there pretty much never a line, and especially at that time. I can't support businesses who treat their customers that way.

We went and picked up milk at 7-11 instead.

Not sure why, but this is the first thing that popped into my head.

• Video Link

YYCguys · #50 Posted **May 29, 2009, 3:05 PM**

Man, do I ever hate Superstore! The aisles aren't well marked. Food products are not usually placed with like items. The checkouts are chronically busy and lined up. And people who shop there (regularly) are pretty aggressive and grumpy looking! Rant over!

I love shopping at Coop! They even have people to help you out to your car with your purchases (I only have one useable hand right now due to tendanitis in the other so this is a handy service!). Their gas bars have a full service island for those days that you don't want to be out in the cold. And you get a great cheque back at the end of the year!

Vascilli · #51 Posted **May 31, 2009, 7:52 PM**

The huge Linens-N-Things sign was being torn down on Friday, it's probably all gone. Best Buy might make it in time for Back to School season. (Unlikely)

srperrycgy · #52 Posted **Jun 4, 2009, 10:30 PM**

I'm assuming you're referring to the former location at WestHills. There was a crew ripping down the entrance "feature" this afternoon when I was walking through there. No sign that it's going to be a Best Buy, but the firm doing the reno is from BC where BB's Canadian corporate HQ is. Just a guess there.

Also, there is an RBC "Coming Soon" sign in front of the former TD Canada Trust location at Signal Hill. The other former TDCT branch (by the A&W) is being gutted and another retail bay is being built between it and the existing retail strip. No signs as to what is going into these units. A long, long time ago, there were both TD and Canada Trust branches at Signal Hill. When the two merged, there were two TD Canada Trust branches. Both operated separately, until a new, larger branch was built between them (across from Harvey's). Then both old branches were closed.

In other Bank news

, the new Scotiabank at 33rd St @ 17th Ave SW looks like it will be open by the end of the month. Then the old branch at 38th St @ 17th Ave SW can be demolished for West LRT construction.

YYCguys · #53 Posted **Jun 5, 2009, 12:15 AM**

Speaking of retail, how's the Chinook Centre expansion coming along? I never get down to that part of the city!

Yume-sama · #54 Posted **Jun 5, 2009, 2:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by srperrycgy

I'm assuming you're referring to the former location at WestHills. There was a crew ripping down the entrance "feature" this afternoon when I was walking through there. No sign that it's going to be a Best Buy, but the firm doing the reno is from BC where BB's Canadian corporate HQ is. Just a guess there.

The group who handles the leasing lists Best Buy as an anchor tenant in their new brochures.
http://www.taurusgroup.com/pdf/Brochure-WestHills.pdf

And the Tonko websites gives an opening date of November 2009

http://www.tonko.com/pdf/floor_plans...s248%20Web.pdf

Me&You · #55 Posted **Jun 5, 2009, 2:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

The group who handles the leasing lists Best Buy as an anchor tenant in their new brochures.
http://www.taurusgroup.com/pdf/Brochure-WestHills.pdf

And the Tonko websites gives an opening date of November 2009

http://www.tonko.com/pdf/floor_plans...s248%20Web.pdf

Great sleuthing!

Fuck I hate Westhills.

srperrycgy · #56 Posted **Jun 5, 2009, 2:58 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

The group who handles the leasing lists Best Buy as an anchor tenant in their new brochures.
http://www.taurusgroup.com/pdf/Brochure-WestHills.pdf

And the Tonko websites gives an opening date of November 2009

http://www.tonko.com/pdf/floor_plans...s248%20Web.pdf

Thanks for the links.

Outside of this site and the industry, who really knows what is happening?

Wigs · #57 Posted **Jun 5, 2009, 9:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by YYCguys

Man, do I ever hate Superstore! The aisles aren't well marked. Food products are not usually placed with like items. The checkouts are chronically busy and lined up. And people who shop there (regularly) are pretty aggressive and grumpy looking! Rant over!

I love shopping at Coop! They even have people to help you out to your car with your purchases (I only have one useable hand right now due to tendanitis in the other so this is a handy service!). Their gas bars have a full service island for those days that you don't want to be out in the cold. And you get a great cheque back at the end of the year!

Being from Southern Ontario and last living in Western NY until moving to Calgary in February I think that Calgary really needs a Wegmans. I've said it before and will say it again. CO-OP looks rundown and I'm not impressed with their produce, Safeway is OK albeit overpriced, Sobey's has good quality but is pricey as well. Superstore, yes the lines are a pain in the ass but they have decent produce, the PC line of products is usually good quality at reasonable prices not to mention their lines of housewares and even clothing and other items are usually (not always) cheaper than Safeway.

If Wegmans came to town, the grocery stores here would have to really work to keep customers or they would fail. Mind you Wegmans are better suited to suburban locations as they take up quite the large footprint. I think the one near me when I lived in the Buffalo suburbs was about 140,000sq. ft. but featured a huge Organics section (probably 10% of sq. footage), every prepared food you can think of, an upstairs seating area with free wi-fi for one to relax and enjoy a quick meal and even offered live music on Fridays. Now that's what I call a grocery store

my $0.02
back to lurking

You Need A Thneed · #58 Posted **Jun 5, 2009, 9:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WIGS

CO-OP looks rundown and I'm not impressed with their produce

You're probably going to the wrong Co-op. There are plenty of new Co-ops in town and Co-op probably has the best produce out of any of the large chains, IMO.

Frankly, there's not enough market share left for new grocery retailers in town. Other retailers that have lots of locations in other western Canadian cities either have no presence here or just 1 or 2 stores.

srperrycgy · #59 Posted **Jun 5, 2009, 10:33 PM**

Avoid the Richmond Rd Co-op for now. Under heavy renovations.

Yume-sama · #60 Posted **Jun 6, 2009, 12:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by srperrycgy

Avoid the Richmond Rd Co-op for now. Under heavy renovations.

For like the past 2 years, it seems.

Would probably be going faster if they ever had more than 1 guy working on it at a time.

My closest Co-Op is in Wentworth. Super nice