The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread

[ryanmaccdn]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

I don't think turning a car upside down to try and attract attention to your falling business is that innovative or different

And CHEAP cars, too! Sheesh.

I've worked in the retail Visual world for years and must say this is by far one of the most expensive visual displays I've ever seen.

Congrats on GAP for such a great idea... unfortunately there are way larger problems at hand to fix the GAP... but still nice to see some effort.

Also check out OLD NAVY..... they have completely changed their stores concepts, its a total 360.

I was surprised they did this type of thing on Robson... Vancouver in terms of retail is pretty low on the list of importance.

[nova9]

Originally Posted by ryanmaccdn

I was surprised they did this type of thing on Robson... Vancouver in terms of retail is pretty low on the list of importance.

Well it must be important enough because this campaign is for Sprize which they are testing using the Vancouver market. Sprize's tagline is "shopping turned on its head."

If y'all wanna know, it's actually kinda neat. You sign-up for Sprize (it's free I think) and you register all your Gap purchases everytime you buy something there (I imagine you get a card or number) and if the item you bought goes down in price within a certain amount of time, they will pay you the difference (in store credit). So you're always guaranteed the lower price.

It's only available at the 10 Metro Vancouver stored right now.

[sacrifice333]

^so kind of the concept they've always had EXCEPT that they seek you out and turn it into a credit instead of cash/credit back.

good theory... since people will generally spend more than their credit, etc. and you get them back into the store.

[djh]

Originally Posted by nova9

Well it must be important enough because this campaign is for Sprize which they are testing using the Vancouver market. Sprize's tagline is "shopping turned on its head."

If y'all wanna know, it's actually kinda neat. You sign-up for Sprize (it's free I think) and you register all your Gap purchases everytime you buy something there (I imagine you get a card or number) and if the item you bought goes down in price within a certain amount of time, they will pay you the difference (in store credit). So you're always guaranteed the lower price.

It's only available at the 10 Metro Vancouver stored right now.

How do you kow so much about the concept?

[LotusLand]

Originally Posted by ryanmaccdn

I've worked in the retail Visual world for years and must say this is by far one of the most expensive visual displays I've ever seen.

Congrats on GAP for such a great idea... unfortunately there are way larger problems at hand to fix the GAP... but still nice to see some effort.

Also check out OLD NAVY..... they have completely changed their stores concepts, its a total 360.

I was surprised they did this type of thing on Robson... Vancouver in terms of retail is pretty low on the list of importance.

Actually Vancouver is pretty high on the list of Retail destinations. Many in this city don't realize how we are viewed by others and I don't expect forumers to check their facts before the chime in with an opinion, just look at the nightlife thread lol. Many forumers didn't even know about all the new clubs and bars that have sprung up over the course of the last few years yet they complain that nightlife here sucks I'm not saying our nightlife can't improve or our retail scene can't improve. Both can and we should constantly want to see improvement in those realms, just check your facts before you say something argumentative.

Note: I used to work for a marketing firm and Vancouver is in the top 5 North American retail cities list or something like that. Behind NY, LA, Chicago, SF and T.O. and Vancouver is only growing in important as all those metros are atleast twice the size of Vancouver.

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by djh

How do you kow so much about the concept?

there were cards in the mail to pretty much everyone who gets mail at least I got one and everyone in my building got one plus there are posters in the store window

its a good idea, the gap is doing better apparently, not as good as they used to - I haven't noticed any old navy changes other than the metrotown store

Is todd oldham still the creative director for old navy? he took over a couple of years ago and the clothes certainly changed

[ryanmaccdn]

Originally Posted by LotusLand

Actually Vancouver is pretty high on the list of Retail destinations. Many in this city don't realize how we are viewed by others and I don't expect forumers to check their facts before the chime in with an opinion, just look at the nightlife thread lol. Many forumers didn't even know about all the new clubs and bars that have sprung up over the course of the last few years yet they complain that nightlife here sucks I'm not saying our nightlife can't improve or our retail scene can't improve. Both can and we should constantly want to see improvement in those realms, just check your facts before you say something argumentative.

Note: I used to work for a marketing firm and Vancouver is in the top 5 North American retail cities list or something like that. Behind NY, LA, Chicago, SF and T.O. and Vancouver is only growing in important as all those metros are atleast twice the size of Vancouver.

I've worked in the retail industry for 10 years..... from store to head office level. So I have some understanding of the industry.

Trust me.... Toronto or Calgary has 3x the priority then Vancouver will ever be. Last I checked Vancouver has always been last to get American brands heading up north....

A&F... Toronto/Edmonton/Calgary then Vancouver.
Sephora (pretty much everywhere but Vancouver until recently)
Forever 21
H&M
Urban Outfitters
the list goes on..

I'm guessing the Sprize demo was just due to some type of demographic they have here... it was shocking since the store they did all this hupla at is like 5 years out of date. Robson never received the full upgrade package to new concept which was why its kinda shocking to see higher ups in that sorta store.

[SpongeG]

^^^

Vancouver used to be the first
first gap, first old navy, first restoration hardware, first IKEA, a few other things

[phesto]

^First McDonald's in Canada (well, Richmond).

Originally Posted by Vancity

Oooh. I didn't know the IKEA in Richmond was being redeveloped/expanded. That's nice to hear. When are the details for redevelopment/expansion for IKEA Richmond to be released?

They've got an application in now to consolidate their land along Knight Street, so it's likely they'll go for rezoning/development applications next year.

They went through this process in 2002 and then put it on hold. At that time the plan was to demolish the existing store and build a new 300,000 sq ft store.

Someone mentioned it earlier, but they will likely build a new structure to the East and keep the existing store in operation until the new one is ready. It will be the same type as Coquitlam with some surface/ some covered parking, and around the same size.

[LotusLand]

To add to the list:

First Burberry, Brooks Brothers, Agent Provacateur (I think) etc...The reason Vancouver doesn't get all these firsts like they used to is because of the lack of great retail space in the city, at least that is what I keep hearing. Everyone of those major retailers want lots of space in a great setting i.e. Robson, now Alberni, but it takes time.

Trust me when I say this, you say Vancouver and people want to be in there, it's just a matter of finding the right retail location in this city as there are only a few good locations as most have been taken already.

[wrenegade]

I've worked in the retail real estate industry for 3+ years. We are definitely below Toronto and Montreal, but that should be a given. Almost everything goes to eastern Canada first. Edmonton can be a bit of an anomaly because of WEM. Forever 21 has been there for years. But it isn't always the case. In the past few year when big retail companies start to make their move out west, Calgary has been an easy choice for number 1 because of two things. Insane disposable income and tons of opportunities. Vancouver is close behind because we are twice the size of Calgary, but it is hard for many of these companies to open up a physical space. This is why the first H&M was in Coquitlam, the first Forever 21 in Metrotown, etc. Apple would have been here years ago if they could have set up on Robson street. They've looked at over a half dozen different locations but couldn't make anything work (for a flagship store that is). It was getting to a point where they just needed to be in the market which is why they did the deal at Pacific Centre. Our rents are also quite a bit higher than pretty much anywhere else. Robson street can equal Bloor in some areas (Bebe recently renewed at $290+ psf).

All that being said, it's pretty neat to see that Gap chose Vancouver for this marketing plan. Unfortunately it is still the Gap.

edit: Lotusland has got it right. Beaten by a couple minutes.

[trofirhen]

All this is testimonial to original question some days ago, why don't we have a chic shopping district, "THE District," such as Yorkville in Toronto, Crescent Street in Montreal, or Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills?

Of course, these cities are much larger than Vancouver. Perhaps Vancouver hasn't reached the size to support such a district.

But, if as one contributor said, Calgary is consistently ahead us when they are half the size, then surely we could develop something, instead of having our "chic" stores diffused throughout the city, with no really centralized, high-fashion area.

[SpongeG]

we have alberni/burrard street - someone just needs to come up with a trendy name for it

[nova9]

Yeah but you know what? There's a reason why we have the Western Flagship for Holt Renfrew and not Calgary. In terms of fashion, I would rank us way above Calgary but way below Montreal and Toronto.

Just because they have a store doesn't mean they're better - it's where they WANT to be in terms of their store's image as opposed to where they HAVE to be (if that makes sense). Calgary has the disposable income but I'm pretty sure everyone wants to be able to open up a storefront in Vancouver.

If it matters, there are only 4 hermes in Canada and we have 2 of them.

I might have to add that perhaps we have also shot ourselves in the foot by relying on Washington State since it's so close. Perhaps they saw us as part of the Washington State market and didn't see a need to open a store up here until now? I mean, Calgary can't exactly just drive south - and even if they did, they'd run into the cosmopolitan.....state of Montana.....

[nova9]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

All this is testimonial to original question some days ago, why don't we have a chic shopping district, "THE District," such as Yorkville in Toronto, Crescent Street in Montreal, or Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills?

Of course, these cities are much larger than Vancouver. Perhaps Vancouver hasn't reached the size to support such a district.

But, if as one contributor said, Calgary is consistently ahead us when they are half the size, then surely we could develop something, instead of having our "chic" stores diffused throughout the city, with no really centralized, high-fashion area.

I completely disagree. There's a reason why Main St. and Gastown is awesome, because of the independent/trendy/chic boutiques. Those places can get expensive as some are couture as well.

And the high-end luxury stores aren't exactly on one boulevard but they are concentrated along Alberni and the northern part of downtown towards coal harbour bounded by Burrard and Gastown.

[Yume-sama]

Actually, Calgary's new Holt Renfrew which just opened has been called the "flagship" and is bigger than the Vancouver store by nearly 15,000 square feet, carrying more brands, and etc.



It also carries more ridiculously priced items, such as a $198,000 Hermes hand bag, in the largest Hermes boutique in Canada.

[nova9]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

Actually, Calgary's new Holt Renfrew which just opened has been called the "flagship" and is bigger than the Vancouver store by nearly 15,000 square feet, carrying more brands, and etc.

It also carries more ridiculously priced items, such as a $198,000 Hermes hand bag, in the largest Hermes boutique in Canada.

Hmmm......judging from many releases over the year, they seem to be calling all the stores flagships which totally diminishes the term.

Still, it's not going to change my perceptions/biases.

Once again, they have a bigger store but my point is....who cares? I still think Vancouver market is more representative of the type of consumer they want. In terms of international reputation, I hope that stands but feel free to find evidence against my view. I would like to see just how much Vancouver sucks compared to Calgary as we all seem to love pointing out ad nauseum here.

[Yume-sama]

The retail scene in Vancouver is undoubtedly better, and I say that as someone who has lived in Calgary my whole life.

I was just pointing out that, in fact, Calgary does have the larger, and better, Holt Renfrew

But that's not much of a victory unless you can afford $500 jeans.

Keeping in mind, Holt Renfrew was able to take over the 3 level Downtown Sears in Calgary, and renovated it completely (inside and out, obviously) for a couple of years, so they had more space.

Now if only they had taken over the Downtown Sears in Vancouver

[nova9]

Right. So my completely biased assessment is that they get everything because you cannot ignore Calgary because of its wealth whereas in Vancouver 'deserves' it more. Haha. But let's mover this thread out of the city comparison track which I apologize for.

When was the last big name to move into Robson, I feel like it's been kinda stagnant. It needs a few new stores.

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by nova9

Right. So my completely biased assessment is that they get everything because you cannot ignore Calgary because of its wealth whereas in Vancouver 'deserves' it more. Haha. But let's mover this thread out of the city comparison track which I apologize for.

When was the last big name to move into Robson, I feel like it's been kinda stagnant. It needs a few new stores.

Someone would have to move out first. Or the city would have to allow them to build up, but shadow restrictions don't allow that.