Winnipeg Retail

[trebor204]

In might be June, but Spirit of Halloween is taking the old Buy Buy Baby space on St James.

[drew]

^ yay...?

[cslusarc]

Re: Aldi

I doubt that Aldi or Trader Joe's will come to Canada, but we could see more No Frills or Freshco locations.

Are there anymore Safeway/Sobeys to Freshco conversions coming soon to Winipeg

[horrorbro123]

I Was at Polo Park I See Aura New Location Is Now Getting Closer To Opening New Location Next To Hudson Bay

[horrorbro123]

I Heard Zara Is Coming To Polo Park Which Location Formers Sears Location What About Sunrise Records Will Open Third Location In Winnipeg After Polo Park Location Closed Down Back In March

[esquire]

^ Is Zara taking the second floor Sears space?

[trueviking]

^ yes.

I’m conflicted about ZARA finally coming. Half my clothes are from there but bought in other cities. It is unique here but won’t be when it’s available here.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by trueviking

^ yes.

I’m conflicted about ZARA finally coming. Half my clothes are from there but bought in other cities. It is unique here but won’t be when it’s available here.

I think you said the same thing about Mexx when it came to town years ago, haha.

I am more of a Banana Republic guy but as someone who liked to buy the stuff in other cities I did not feel like everyone started wearing it when they came to Winnipeg, if that is any consolation. There is enough variety every season that you don't often see people wearing the same thing as you!

So when Zara opens up, what will be the most glaring missing clothing brand in Winnipeg? Maybe Uniqlo?

[trueviking]

Originally Posted by esquire

I think you said the same thing about Mexx when it came to town years ago, haha.

I am more of a Banana Republic guy but as someone who liked to buy the stuff in other cities I did not feel like everyone started wearing it when they came to Winnipeg, if that is any consolation. There is enough variety every season that you don't often see people wearing the same thing as you!

So when Zara opens up, what will be the most glaring missing clothing brand in Winnipeg? Maybe Uniqlo?

Ha! You have a good memory! That’s unbelievable. Also. We’ve been on this forum too long.

I also kind of thought that about Banana but never bought anything from it when it arrived. They sold completely different clothes in Winnipeg. I have a feeling ZARA will be the same. Winnipeg gets the more basic merchandise.

[borkborkbork]

Originally Posted by esquire

So when Zara opens up, what will be the most glaring missing clothing brand in Winnipeg? Maybe Uniqlo?

I'd love a Uniqlo and a J.Crew.

[Jeff]

their men's scent selection is amazing. I'm surprised they didn't try to do a two-level concept like they usually do. women's on one floor, men's above.

[esquire]

^ I agree that Banana Republic at Polo Park wasn't the same here as it was in other cities. The variety was nowhere near what you'd see at a store in big American cities, for instance. (I still find it weird that they closed their only mainline store in a city this big, but that's another story) The outlet store is a little more typical but those generally have less variety to begin with.

I guess you could add Simons as another brand that is conspicuous by its absence here.

...and yes, I have been here way too long

[BAKGUY]

Originally Posted by esquire

^ I agree that Banana Republic at Polo Park wasn't the same here as it was in other cities. The variety was nowhere near what you'd see at a store in big American cities, for instance. (I still find it weird that they closed their only mainline store in a city this big, but that's another story) The outlet store is a little more typical but those generally have less variety to begin with.

I guess you could add Simons as another brand that is conspicuous by its absence here.

...and yes, I have been here way too long

Simons not represented here is absurd.'
But, we have a reputation of being Cheap..also fashion forward does not work well here.. many retailers think twice and 3 times to open here plus theft here is horrendous as well.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by BAKGUY

Simons not represented here is absurd.'
But, we have a reputation of being Cheap..also fashion forward does not work well here.. many retailers think twice and 3 times to open here plus theft here is horrendous as well.

Simons is not really out of line with other existing stores in Winnipeg when it comes to price, though. I always thought the issue there was lack of a suitable location... the former Sears at Polo Park seemed like a logical spot for them but that obviously didn't happen. I wonder if they kicked the tires on it at all?

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by esquire

Simons is not really out of line with other existing stores in Winnipeg when it comes to price, though. I always thought the issue there was lack of a suitable location... the former Sears at Polo Park seemed like a logical spot for them but that obviously didn't happen. I wonder if they kicked the tires on it at all?

I think what happened with Simons is when The Elms development failed they moved on to next on their list. By the time Sears at Polo Park freed up the space, Simons was fairly committed elsewhere for expansions and lacked the access to quickly pivot for a Winnipeg store. Then as they were getting close to giving serious consideration to the Sears at Polo space the pandemic hit. Simons nearly went bankrupt in the pandemic and struggled for a few years but did recover. In that time CF moved on with finding a tenant for the space.

I sort of wonder if the reported struggles of Off 5th might end up swinging in such a way that their space at Outlets becomes available and could be renovated to house Simons, perhaps with a renovation to add a second floor.

[BAKGUY]

Originally Posted by CoryB

I think what happened with Simons is when The Elms development failed they moved on to next on their list. By the time Sears at Polo Park freed up the space, Simons was fairly committed elsewhere for expansions and lacked the access to quickly pivot for a Winnipeg store. Then as they were getting close to giving serious consideration to the Sears at Polo space the pandemic hit. Simons nearly went bankrupt in the pandemic and struggled for a few years but did recover. In that time CF moved on with finding a tenant for the space.

I sort of wonder if the reported struggles of Off 5th might end up swinging in such a way that their space at Outlets becomes available and could be renovated to house Simons, perhaps with a renovation to add a second floor.

Personally, I hope Saks Off 5the can make it as we see brands and offerings we do not otherwise have.But, your idea is bang on. Unless, Simons can get Polo Park to build them something with a slight expansion. I hear ST Vital mall is chugging along but no longer the mecca for retail it once was. If downtown was healthy, they would have put it there but we know the sad reality.

[wags_in_the_peg]

my $5.99 (USD) tshirts from Target in Minnesota are awesome, no idea how it didnt survive here. (kidding, but not really)

[esquire]

^ That is another head scratcher. Target was so good. And they were finally getting things figured out, the empty shelves of the first few months had been mostly figured out by the end. I thought they had a much nicer selection of merchandise than what you find at Walmart... I miss it.

It still blows me away that their purpose-built, and no doubt extremely expensive store on St. James was only in operation as a Target for a few months before they pulled the plug on the whole thing.

[BAKGUY]

Originally Posted by esquire

^ That is another head scratcher. Target was so good. And they were finally getting things figured out, the empty shelves of the first few months had been mostly figured out by the end. I thought they had a much nicer selection of merchandise than what you find at Walmart... I miss it.

It still blows me away that their purpose-built, and no doubt extremely expensive store on St. James was only in operation as a Target for a few months before they pulled the plug on the whole thing.

For me Target kind of replaced Zellers.I never went to Walmart while they were open.
Their clothes I purchased are all still in good repair.
And same for almost all my Zellers apparel.
Their housewares, linens and food offerings were better than W Mart.
People have short memories.When Walmart arrived they had empty spaces for products for a couple of years as well.
I recall how frustrated it made me.
So, Zellers was a great alternative.
The closest option other than Costco, is Giant Tiger.

[thurmas]

It seems this page has just become the whatever is moving around polo park page? Is there ever any non polo park news?