The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread - Page 285

officedweller · #**5681** Posted **Oct 19, 2012, 7:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

they had the stuff instore for more than a year, no mad rush - did they do giveaways? when H&M opened they gave away loads of gift cards some as much as $250 or so, hence the madness for the opening

Metro had an article today about how "dead" the opening was.
But I agree that it's not really an "opening" but a "renovation" or "reopening" as the merchandise has been carried at the store for a while now.

dreambrother808 · #**5682** Posted **Oct 20, 2012, 1:33 AM**

I imagine it was dead at 930 in the morning when they opened with little incentive to draw people at that time. By the afternoon it was a whole other story.

That rundown space above Lush and Danier in Robson is finally being renovated. A sign in the window says "House of Vintage". Sounds like a good addition to the Robson retail mix.

officedweller · #**5683** Posted **Oct 21, 2012, 8:27 AM**

Baskin Robbins pulling out of BC...

http://www.richmondreview.com/business/175016511.html

Valley_Refugee · #**5684** Posted **Oct 21, 2012, 9:12 PM**

Quote:

Metro had an article today about how "dead" the opening was.
But I agree that it's not really an "opening" but a "renovation" or "reopening" as the merchandise has been carried at the store for a while now.

It was completely jam-packed on Saturday when I went in.

Conrad Yablonski · #**5685** Posted **Oct 22, 2012, 3:33 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

Baskin Robbins pulling out of BC...

http://www.richmondreview.com/business/175016511.html

I had no idea they were still here-would have bet a double they had left long ago.

officedweller · #**5686** Posted **Oct 22, 2012, 5:59 AM**

I think it was more as a supplier role - the ice cream counter in the article was in the Banners restaurant chain (I think there is one at Horsehsoe Bay too).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valley_Refugee

It was completely jam-packed on Saturday when I went in.

Had a look today - busy today too. Decently sized TopMan store it seems. Just a bit odd that there's a lot of unused space on that level of The Bay. Nice that they have massive TopShop/TopMan signs so you know which one you are in and the store boundaries are.
I think it's too hectic to buy suits down there, although they have them.

Up on 6th (and the dedicated elevator is a must (stops only at SB, B, M and 6th)), they only have 3 change rooms for men's suits (regular suits, not White Space, Boss, etc.) and there was a line up to use them given the 40% off Bay Days sale (off DKNY, Perry Ellis, Jones New York, Kenneth Cole Reaction, Ralph Lauren, etc.) The ability to see the colour of the fabric at the windows is awesome!

mr.x · #**5687** Posted **Oct 22, 2012, 6:39 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

I think it was more as a supplier role - the ice cream counter in the article was in the Banners restaurant chain (I think there is one at Horsehsoe Bay too).

Had a look today - busy today too. Decently sized TopMan store it seems. Just a bit odd that there's a lot of unused space on that level of The Bay. Nice that they have massive TopShop/TopMan signs so you know which one you are in and the store boundaries are.
I think it's too hectic to buy suits down there, although they have them.

Up on 6th (and the dedicated elevator is a must (stops only at SB, B, M and 6th)), they only have 3 change rooms for men's suits (regular suits, not White Space, Boss, etc.) and there was a line up to use them given the 40% off Bay Days sale (off DKNY, Perry Ellis, Jones New York, Kenneth Cole Reaction, Ralph Lauren, etc.) The ability to see the colour of the fabric at the windows is awesome!

I hope Topshop/Topman expands into the rest of that Bay level, it only makes sense. I believe there's about 14,000 square feet left on that level? Hardly much for another different brand/chain/use.

It was definitely extremely busy over the weekend. I think the main difference between the Topshop/Topman Vancouver opening and those elsewhere (or even the H&M across the street) is that they opened early in the morning. On the other hand, the other Topshop/man stores in other cities and our H&M across the street opened at noon...therefore, the crowds.

officedweller · #**5688** Posted **Oct 22, 2012, 7:05 AM**

Probably depends on whether that area is required for the SB level tenant to have street access from Georgia.

daveraver · #**5689** Posted **Oct 22, 2012, 8:23 PM**

I think this space may be reserved for the unknown retailer that's supposed to take over the entire sub-basement. I guess time will tell!

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

I think it was more as a supplier role - the ice cream counter in the article was in the Banners restaurant chain (I think there is one at Horsehsoe Bay too).

Had a look today - busy today too. Decently sized TopMan store it seems. Just a bit odd that there's a lot of unused space on that level of The Bay. Nice that they have massive TopShop/TopMan signs so you know which one you are in and the store boundaries are.
I think it's too hectic to buy suits down there, although they have them.

Up on 6th (and the dedicated elevator is a must (stops only at SB, B, M and 6th)), they only have 3 change rooms for men's suits (regular suits, not White Space, Boss, etc.) and there was a line up to use them given the 40% off Bay Days sale (off DKNY, Perry Ellis, Jones New York, Kenneth Cole Reaction, Ralph Lauren, etc.) The ability to see the colour of the fabric at the windows is awesome!

officedweller · #**5690** Posted **Oct 22, 2012, 11:30 PM**

Yeah, the question is whether that's Bloomingdales - and why would such a high end retailer take basement space?

But it would be nice to have a retailer that creates a synergy with the TopShop/TopMan store. i.e. having Target (white and red with fluorescent lights) across the corridor from them does not make sense unless it is fully walled off.

McPaul · #**5691** Posted **Oct 23, 2012, 2:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valley_Refugee

It was completely jam-packed on Saturday when I went in.

SO disorienting. Even to get to the mall escalator.

Young children could possibly get seizures there.

officedweller · #**5692** Posted **Oct 24, 2012, 7:58 PM**

It doesn't help that the escalators on the basement levels of The Bay did not allign with those above - it was always confusing because of that.
They should have reconfigured the escalators (maybe even added a small atrium to the main level to help with wayfinding) when they built the TopShop/TopMan.

SpongeG · #**5693** Posted **Oct 28, 2012, 4:23 AM**

was at Richmond Centre today, wow it was crazy busy, starbucks had at least 30 people waiting - they really could use another location there, everytime i go there there is a long line up

jack and jones is opening up next to sephora - i believe its the first location in BC
kiehls has opened
forever new has opened
journeys - US shoe store chain has opened - first one in BC
a few other new stores

the new dining terrace opens November 1st

David · #**5694** Posted **Oct 29, 2012, 10:41 PM**

More changes coming to the Canadian retail landscape... Holt Renfrew to launch new concept stores aimed at mid-market

officedweller · #**5695** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 7:08 AM**

Came across this article on Seattle's CityTarget.
It's still 96,000 sq ft (on 3 levels).
You won't be finding that much sq footage in a typical Vancouver condo podium.

http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2018729175_target22.html

officedweller · #**5696** Posted **Nov 1, 2012, 8:45 PM**

Retail Insider posted this article that "Hudson's Bay" will be retiring the yellow "the Bay" logo.

http://o.canada.com/2012/10/31/the-bay-d...-ready-to-rebrand-itself-as-hudsons-bay/

SpongeG · #**5697** Posted **Nov 1, 2012, 8:48 PM**

walked past forever 21 on robson - it still looks like a long way to opening - i had heard nov 3 but there is no stock in store or racks yet

why is it taking so long - maybe they should sue the construction company for taking their time

dreambrother808 · #**5698** Posted **Nov 1, 2012, 11:50 PM**

I would not say it was a long way. Everything looks relatively finished other than racks and clothing. That will not take long.

Pinion · #**5699** Posted **Nov 2, 2012, 7:29 PM**

North Vancouver's Future Shop re-opened after a massive gutting, but it's not a regular Future Shop, it's a "futureshop.ca" store. Do these exist elsewhere? How do they differ? I'd guess it's a way to just run a skeleton crew and keep costs down.

It's a smaller store than many other Future Shops but not so small that it can just be a pick up joint for online orders. Seems like a strange re-branding. They were getting killed by the much bigger Park Royal location down the street, but I dunno if this will save them.

Ad:

The map icon is in the wrong place. Oopsy

s211 · #**5700** Posted **Nov 2, 2012, 9:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinion

North Vancouver's Future Shop re-opened after a massive gutting, but it's not a regular Future Shop, it's a "futureshop.ca" store. Do these exist elsewhere? How do they differ? I'd guess it's a way to just run a skeleton crew and keep costs down.

Almost has hints of that warehouse retail place that used to be around in the 70s. You'd browse catalogues in the customer area out front, fill out your order, and the goods would be brought to you from the warehouse in the back.

Consumer Distributing, or something like that...