The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread - Page 84

officedweller · #**1661** Posted **Oct 26, 2009, 8:10 PM**

That makes sense - they can get the most rent for the big display windows on the corner and HMV can survive as a big box without windows. That's the best thing that HMV did when it took over from Virgin - opened up the display windows on the corner that Virgin had walled-off.

David · #**1662** Posted **Oct 26, 2009, 9:18 PM**

Weird... I went in to HMV on Saturday night, and I noticed that the main floor had been completely re-arranged with new displays and everything (the rows were no longer the long lived diagonal layout, but were a simpler horizontal layout), and they were in the process of re-stocking the re-arranged displays with CDs on the main floor. From what it sounds like SpongeG is saying, that arrangement has been completely abandoned since then... maybe they're just testing new layouts for the store rather than preparing for a new one to take over part of it?

LotusLand · #**1663** Posted **Oct 26, 2009, 9:20 PM**

Haven't been there in a while, thanks for the update sponge

Hmm perhaps we could see the much rumoured Apple store move in there

Shibuya · #**1664** Posted **Oct 26, 2009, 9:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LotusLand

Haven't been there in a while, thanks for the update sponge

Hmm perhaps we could see the much rumoured Apple store move in there

I'd love a flagship Apple store in Downtown Vancouver but if they have two smaller format locations already in Vancouver, I can't see them opening one without closing the Pacific Centre location... which is far too small for the amount of traffic it gets.

Fingers crossed that it happens at some point. Perhaps at Jameson now that it is back up and running?

Yume-sama · #**1665** Posted **Oct 26, 2009, 9:54 PM**

How high is foot traffic around the Jameson site? I wouldn't think high enough to be ideal.

Shibuya · #**1666** Posted **Oct 26, 2009, 10:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

How high is foot traffic around the Jameson site? I wouldn't think high enough to be ideal.

True, but I had heard they were looking there back when the project first started. Probably just a rumor, but I wouldn't think they would need to be directly on Robson or anything like that. Apple would bring people where ever they went. It certainly would be interesting if they did go there. Apple is so particular with their requirments that even if they find the area they want, they have to be sure they are able to create the "Apple look" in the space.

SpongeG · #**1667** Posted **Oct 27, 2009, 1:07 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Weird... I went in to HMV on Saturday night, and I noticed that the main floor had been completely re-arranged with new displays and everything (the rows were no longer the long lived diagonal layout, but were a simpler horizontal layout), and they were in the process of re-stocking the re-arranged displays with CDs on the main floor. From what it sounds like SpongeG is saying, that arrangement has been completely abandoned since then... maybe they're just testing new layouts for the store rather than preparing for a new one to take over part of it?

I was there on sunday - sounds the same as what you saw but its much more sparse and doesn't feel permanent - the window area is just books and the rest seems like filler which used to rotate around the store

anyway I'll try find what someone on here wrote about the main floor being divided up so a new retailer can move in unless the person who wrote it can update it

LeftCoaster · #**1668** Posted **Oct 27, 2009, 1:35 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

yes - but somewhere on the forum someone mentioned that HMV was downsizing the store and another store was going to take up a chunk of the space - i can see how they can divide it up...

wil be interesting to see what happens with the corner

That was me who mentioned that. The plans are still there, and related to the empty floors above (the old Planet Hollywood). When and if they are going to go ahead with it I do not know anymore though, but as of late summer it was still very much a project that was going to go ahead.

SpongeG · #**1669** Posted **Oct 27, 2009, 1:59 AM**

ic - seems like HMV is making way now for it to happen than - they have moved a lot of their stuff around in prep It seems

also - Murale opens this week in Oakridge Centre - first one for Vancouver

SpongeG · #**1670** Posted **Oct 27, 2009, 4:19 AM**

Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation to open first Murale store in Vancouver

New beauty destination offers access to global beauty brands and an
elevated level of beauty expertise

TORONTO, Oct. 26 /CNW/ - On Thursday, October 29th, 2009, Shoppers Drug Mart will unveil its innovative and exciting new retail beauty store, Murale, in Vancouver with a media preview and VIP customer event. The store opens to the public on Friday, October 30th, 2009 in Oakridge Centre. The beauty store will feature an unprecedented assortment of luxury, dermatological, fragrance and niche brands from around the world.

"We've brought the best in beauty brands and expertise together in this fantastic new beauty destination," said Jurgen Schreiber, President and CEO of Shoppers Drug Mart. "Murale is unlike any other beauty offering in North America with its unique combination of leading beauty and dermatological products and professional, expert services and consultation."

Upon entering the store, customers will be delighted by the assortment of leading global luxury prestige cosmetics brands including Bobbi Brown, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Estée Lauder, Lancome, Stila and Nars, among others, each with their own area for interactivity and application. The store's fragrance section includes over 75 men's and women's scents from fragrance houses and designers like Prada, Donna Karan, Chloé, Cartier and Etat Libre d'Orange. Offering personalized and unbiased beauty advice, Murale Beauty Masters will assist customers in finding cosmetics and fragrances suited to their needs and also provide expert makeup applications.

Murale's sophisticated dermatological area is equipped with professional assessment tools and the latest in topical treatments and nutra-cosmetics. With an assortment that delivers excellence in skin care, Murale will feature trusted and innovative brands like Natura Bissé, Vichy, Dr. Brandt, June Jacobs, and Darphin. Murale's professional skin care team, comprised of the store's Beauty Masters and an Aesthetician, is focused on personalized consultation.

"Murale is a truly unique experience that promises to delight, surprise and inspire everyone to find their own beautiful," says Shelley Rozenwald, President, Murale. "We've travelled the globe to create the finest assortment and we're thrilled to bring these beauty discoveries and treasures to the Vancouver market." In addition to leading products, expert consultation and advice, Murale will also offer unique services including a Benefit Brow Bar and professional beauty consultations.

Elegant and contemporary, Murale's design is inviting and allows customers the opportunity to touch, feel and discover the extensive range of beauty products, as well as interact with the store's experts. The first Murale stores opened in Ottawa and Montreal at the end of the 2008 followed by additional locations in Toronto and Calgary this fall. The Company plans to open one additional location this year in Ottawa. More information on Murale, and the brands and services within, can be found at www.murale.ca.

On October 29th, 2009, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, media will have the opportunity to preview the new Vancouver store located at Oakridge Centre, 650 West 41st Avenue.

Shelley Rozenwald, President of Murale, and Tammy Smitham, Director of Communications and Affairs, Shoppers Drug Mart, will be available for interviews. Following the media preview beginning at noon, invited VIP customers will have the opportunity to experience the new store. Tammy Smitham will be available for interviews at the store until 6pm.

http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/October2009/26/c9726.html

Blake · #**1671** Posted **Oct 28, 2009, 11:55 PM**

I have to say, Shoppers continues to impress me.

In only about 2 years they've gone from completely irrelevant (to me) to top of mind when I need the essentials.

Friendly staff, beautiful stores, great locations with convenient access and great prices.

Whoever runs this company should win Executive of the Year.

GeeCee · #**1672** Posted **Oct 29, 2009, 12:47 AM**

I wish they would split their fragrance department in SDMs into Murale on the whole.. walking into that gross mixture of smells grosses me out immediately upon walking in the door.

SpongeG · #**1673** Posted **Oct 29, 2009, 10:05 PM**

all the new stores are set up so you are forced to walk through it too

I must admit they have some good deals and my cupboard is full of their paper towel cause it goes on sale for 69 cents

Vancity · #**1674** Posted **Oct 30, 2009, 9:48 AM**

Shoppers has good prices.

There's one on No.5 and Cambie St, in Richmond

twoNeurons · #**1675** Posted **Oct 30, 2009, 2:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blake

I have to say, Shoppers continues to impress me.

In only about 2 years they've gone from completely irrelevant (to me) to top of mind when I need the essentials.

Friendly staff, beautiful stores, great locations with convenient access and great prices.

Whoever runs this company should win Executive of the Year.

Yeah, they're prices are MUCH better than what they used to be. They also easily have THE Best rewards program out there. If you're a careful shopper, there are great savings to be had, especially when you shop during their 30x or 40x points times.

twoNeurons · #**1676** Posted **Oct 30, 2009, 2:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by tGill

no frills and extra foods are both the discount chains for Loblaws, perhaps extra foods as a brand is being phased out, just like SuperValu (there are a few left) was phased out to extrafoods, and real canadian superstore was created as the loblaws megastore.

Extra Foods is their small format store. They're essentially the same as superstore. For some reason, I don't mind Extra Foods... but don't like Superstore.

There's one on Fraser Highway which was opened up a few years ago.

Friendly staff, they actually bad your groceries ( unlike self-service superstore ) and I don't think they charged for bags. Though that may have changed.

I can't stand ANY massive grocery stores, but I have a particular disdain for Superstore...

They tend to have bad produce and meat
They attract the budget asian shopper. I have seen some of these peel corn in the store, leaving the husks there... presumably to not have to pay for the extra weight.
According to a friend who's husband is a Loblaws exec, they targetted this demographic early on because they were less "brand" conscious ) They now have mindshare in the Asian community as the "cheapest" place to shop.
They never have enough tellers, creating line-ups
They're huge and force you to go through the whole store to get to basic things ( I realize that all grocery stores do this, by putting dairy, bread and meat on opposite corners of the store )
They're only open until 10PM, even though they're usually busy until 9:59. I can only imagine this is a cost cutting measure and a way to ensure the store is always busy.

trofirhen · #**1677** Posted **Oct 30, 2009, 3:07 PM**

Imagine if Vancouver had one VERY chic, high class shopping district (Yorkville in Toronto springs to mind) . . . where would it be?

Yorkville has things like Cumberland Terrace, Hazelton Lanes, and several complexes with courtyards, cappucino bars, and sleeker-than-sleek mini-malls with all the top names, like Gucci, Balmain, Givenchy and so forth.

Is Vancouver big enough, and wealthy enough, to support a truly ultra-elegant shopping district? We have some very smart stores, but they are sprinkled here and there, often next to a hamburger joint or video arcade (well.... almost)

Any thoughts on this? Maybe we're not big enough for it yet. Or are we?

wrenegade · #**1678** Posted **Oct 30, 2009, 4:48 PM**

I don't know that we're big enough yet, but there are sorta two groupings right now. One, down by Howe/Horbny & Hastings with Boss, Escada, Cartier (and more) and the other on Alberni, from the Hotel Van (Louis Vutton, Snowflake, and Fendi?) to the Shangri-La. Hermes, Coach, Betsy Johnson, Tiffany, Burberry, Agent Provocateur, Blubird and Brooks Brothers are all there. Urban Tea Merchant is moving into the old Canadian Forces recruiting space in the Grosvenor building. Obviously not all of those are really high end, but I could see that street moving that way. With the Ritz hopefully going in as well as a new office tower across from Shangri-La in the future, hopefully there is more of that draw. There is huge vacancy on the west end right now with at least 10,000 sq. ft. in the Carlyle unoccupied on the 2nd floor and underground (that one will be tough to fill), and ~4,000 sq. ft in the old Ritz presentation centre/Comor space. Alberni has the most potential, but the Carlyle building and the ugly parkade are definitely holding it back.

With the all the hotels down at the waterfront though, I still think there will be that draw around where Cartier is.

ozonemania · #**1679** Posted **Oct 30, 2009, 5:26 PM**

I see potential at Alberni and Thurlow, when they get rid of that concrete abomination. People have mentioned office tower there, which is an excellent use. But a multi-level upscale retail a la Ginza would be pretty cool too.

vanlaw · #**1680** Posted **Oct 30, 2009, 5:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Imagine if Vancouver had one VERY chic, high class shopping district (Yorkville in Toronto springs to mind) . . . where would it be?

Yorkville has things like Cumberland Terrace, Hazelton Lanes, and several complexes with courtyards, cappucino bars, and sleeker-than-sleek mini-malls with all the top names, like Gucci, Balmain, Givenchy and so forth.

Is Vancouver big enough, and wealthy enough, to support a truly ultra-elegant shopping district? We have some very smart stores, but they are sprinkled here and there, often next to a hamburger joint or video arcade (well.... almost)

Any thoughts on this? Maybe we're not big enough for it yet. Or are we?

If we were thinking outsode of the downtown core (as yorkville is outside of the main business core in TO) I would say south Granville 6th -16th.