General Retail News

[kevinbottawa]

La Maison Simons Confirms Canada-Wide Store Search

Retail Insider

Peter Simons confirms he is actively seeking space for La Maison Simons stores in Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa-Gatineau.

"These markets are in our plans. We are working hard on it to open more stores in the rest of the country, "said Peter Simons to Lapresse.

According to Mr. Simons, sales at the new Edmonton Simons store are stellar and "beyond our expectations. Our business is profitable, "he said.

Simons sunk about $35million into the 118,000 square foot Edmonton store. We previously reported on its opening and its beautiful interior design.

Peter Simons, again, expressed his disappointment at the falling-through of negotiations to open a Simons store at Ottawa's Rideau Shopping Centre. Nordstrom's securing space at Rideau hampered Simons' ongoing negotiations. Negotiations for a store at Ottawa's St. Laurent Shopping Centre also fell through. As we previously reported, Simons may therefore open its first Ottawa location in Gatineau.

In Fall 2013, La Maison Simons will open its eighth store in suburban Montreal at the Galeries d'Anjou. Simons will have sunk about $25million into the two-level, 100,000 square foot store when completed.

Retail Insider was also informed by a commercial real estate broker that Simons wants stores in Calgary and Winnipeg.

http://www.retail-insider.com/#!/2013/02/la-maison-simons-confirms-canada-wide.html