The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread - Page 472

SpongeG · #**9421** Posted **Oct 15, 2015, 10:02 PM**

simons - park royal

pics from the straight

source/more pice etc: https://www.straight.com/life/556976/simons-offers-sneak-peek-tomorrows-grand-opening-park-royal

officedweller · #**9422** Posted **Oct 15, 2015, 10:15 PM**

The "bow-tie" by Douglas Coupland is a copy of his communications "V-pole":

http://popupcity.net/meet-vancouvers-v-pole/

connect2source · #**9423** Posted **Oct 16, 2015, 4:11 PM**

Thanks for posting, gonna check it out later today! Ceiling and flooring remind me of Nordstrom. Simon's should do great, wonder what Hudson's Bay is going to do over on the lonely and empty north side?

connect2source · #**9424** Posted **Oct 19, 2015, 10:28 PM**

Checked out Simons today, must say I was super-impressed!! The entire 2nd floor is devoted to men, about as big as Hudson's Bay's downtown floor. Amazing depth of product, best sweater selection I've ever seen in Vancouver, great suits, dress shirts, amazing socks, underwear, pyjamas, very progressive selection for young men. Lot's of le31 ( their house brand ) mixed in with Diesel, Nudie, Naked and Famous. Suits were a mix of le31 and famous brands. Can't wait to spend longer and do some major wardrobe updates. Very surprised to see more space devoted for men than women, I hope they can maintain that.

photos by : connect2source

officedweller · #**9425** Posted **Oct 19, 2015, 10:36 PM**

Looks great.

Seems like a small entrance in the mall.

I hope they don't overstock on heavy "winter" clothing that isn't really necessary in Vancouver.

connect2source · #**9426** Posted **Oct 19, 2015, 10:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

Looks great.

Seems like a small entrance in the mall.

I hope they don't overstock on heavy "winter" clothing that isn't really necessary in Vancouver.

My thoughts exactly, mall entrance is tiny! ...and a very Montreal-esque winter mix, tons of heavy winter stuff, very stylish but don't think we'll see the same mix next year, guess they can transfer some of it back east if it doesn't sell.

officedweller · #**9427** Posted **Oct 19, 2015, 11:21 PM**

Is there a good sightline of the store signage from down the mall?

I looked at the mall map and is there a 2nd level to the mall in that area?
or is there a 2nd level entrance to a rooftop parking lot?

Capitol Hill · #**9428** Posted **Oct 19, 2015, 11:21 PM**

Comparing the opening of Simon's to Nordstrom, did Nordstrom do a better job of getting more appropriate product for the lower mainland market?

officedweller · #**9429** Posted **Oct 19, 2015, 11:39 PM**

Nordstrom, being from Seattle would be more familiar with Vancouver needs.
I didn't get a "wintery" vibe when I walked through Nordstrom men's department.

wrenegade · #**9430** Posted **Oct 19, 2015, 11:41 PM**

I would say so. Nordstrom in Vancouver definitely has a higher-end mix of offerings as compared to Seattle or Portland, so considering the market, they probably chose correctly.

It's a little unfortunate for middle-class consumers hoping for more choice as I find it's definitely closer to another Holts than it is an offering somewhere between it and the Bay.

Vin · #**9431** Posted **Oct 20, 2015, 12:07 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by connect2source

My thoughts exactly, mall entrance is tiny! ...and a very Montreal-esque winter mix, tons of heavy winter stuff, very stylish but don't think we'll see the same mix next year, guess they can transfer some of it back east if it doesn't sell.

Yup I haven't seen so many Canada Goose down jackets in my whole life. Those could suit up an entire expedition team to the North Pole, with spares.

Prices are way more reasonable in La Maison Simons, and they even have pretty good sales on opening week. Too bad the store is located at a less busy and accessible part of town.

connect2source · #**9432** Posted **Oct 20, 2015, 12:08 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

Is there a good sightline of the store signage from down the mall?

I looked at the mall map and is there a 2nd level to the mall in that area?
or is there a 2nd level entrance to a rooftop parking lot?

Didn't really notice great signage indicating where Simons is, they've added a huge sign in the new 'high-street' area at the mall entry between Anthropologie and J. Crew. No 2nd level access to mall but a huge set of glass doors leading the the roof parking.

connect2source · #**9433** Posted **Oct 20, 2015, 12:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capitol Hill

Comparing the opening of Simon's to Nordstrom, did Nordstrom do a better job of getting more appropriate product for the lower mainland market?

Nordstrom and Simons are quite different, Nordstrom: fashion-cosmetics-shoes, Simons : clothing and accessories, few shoes, no cosmetics. I think they both got it right with respect to their target audiences.

Although a bit wintry, Simons nailed the men's merchandise IMO, a huge array of merchandise , various young mens sections, an outdoors sections complete with Solomon ski pants, stock and variety never seen in Vancouver before. I hope they achieve good sell-throughs or I'm sure they'll taper the men's offerings.

Women's?.. no clue, but it was packed on a Monday morning so a good sign.

connect2source · #**9434** Posted **Oct 20, 2015, 12:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vin

Too bad the store is located at a less busy and accessible part of town.

If they're already planning a second Edmonton location I'm sure we're getting another one or two. It seems like a product mix that would do very well in most Metro Vancouver markets especially Richmond Centre or Metrotown.

Pinion · #**9435** Posted **Oct 20, 2015, 1:56 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by connect2source

My thoughts exactly, mall entrance is tiny!

Park Royal is very outward facing now, the interior is almost an afterthought. Like I go to the Village/new outdoor part almost every week but I haven't been inside the old mall, north or south, in maybe years.

Capitol Hill · #**9436** Posted **Oct 20, 2015, 3:36 AM**

I think Oakridge would be a good second location. And regarding Nordstrom having a higher quality of merchandise versus Seattle and Portland, I'm not too surprised. We dress like crap here in Seattle. I always bring much nicer clothes with me in Vancouver, and I fit in. In Seattle, people would think I was trying to put on airs.

SpongeG · #**9437** Posted **Oct 20, 2015, 6:01 AM**

wait till the sales start, i've been to end of season sales a couple times in edmonton, 299.99 designer sweater marked down to 59.99, 99.99 items marked down to 19.99

what other stores have opened in the redone area? geox and peoples look to be going in that area...

----

i read on BIV that meinhardt will be opening in burrard gateway

SpongeG · #**9438** Posted **Oct 20, 2015, 6:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by connect2source

If they're already planning a second Edmonton location I'm sure we're getting another one or two. It seems like a product mix that would do very well in most Metro Vancouver markets especially Richmond Centre or Metrotown.

they must have gotten a sweet deal to open in the mall they are opening in in edmonton - londonderry mall, its so bad, its kinda like lougheed town centre, it has hudsons bay, which was dead, looked nice though, simons neighbour in the mall is dollarama and some other very low end kind of stores, i wonder if they will shift stores around when it opens cause there isn't really much high end in the mall at all, perhaps they will do the simons store that doesn't carry designer as i have heard some of the quebec stores only carry their house brands, which are very nice

connect2source · #**9439** Posted **Oct 20, 2015, 1:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

what other stores have opened in the redone area? geox and peoples look to be going in that area...

I noticed American Eagle Outfitters, Sneakerbox, ALDO, (near opening), French Sole ( opened ) as well as Geox and Peoples as you mentioned.

s211 · #**9440** Posted **Oct 20, 2015, 3:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrenegade

I would say so. Nordstrom in Vancouver definitely has a higher-end mix of offerings as compared to Seattle or Portland, so considering the market, they probably chose correctly.

It's a little unfortunate for middle-class consumers hoping for more choice as I find it's definitely closer to another Holts than it is an offering somewhere between it and the Bay.

Your observations mirror mine. I was disappointed to see that Nordstrom Vancouver carries fewer traditional "business wear" clothes and shoes than the US stores.