Canadian Retail Thread

[ue]

^ I think the Downtown Calgary one just maintained itself better over the years. It may have polished up in recent years with the rest of the brand, though I do know it isn't like in Toronto or Vancouver. Not sure if they renovated it any in conjunction with the Core renos a few years ago. Either way, it looks a lot more polished than Downtown Edmonton or Winnipeg's Bay stores. In the case of Edmonton, the original Bay Store on Jasper Ave and 103rd St now holds the UofA's Enterprise Square and a few other businesses. The Bay left its former historic location for a block north in City Centre Mall after the demise of Eatons. But that location was a lot smaller, so they moved the city flagship to Southgate in the suburbs. I think Edmonton is the only city in this situation, though I could be wrong.

[niwell]

Originally Posted by miketoronto

Was just at The Bay Queen Street today. I have to say, The Bay is doing a great job with their downtown stores. It is looking great, edgy, nice modern merchandise. And something you almost never say before, young people including teens with Hudson's Bay bags at Queen Station.

Yep - the Bay at Yonge/Queen is actually amazing these days. I requested Bay gift certificates from my parents this Xmas just so I could shop there. They now have many of the same things you can find further west on Queen just maybe not quite as current. I've gotten a ton of Ben Sherman stuff there on sale that is barely off-season.

[miketoronto]

Originally Posted by ue

^ Downtown Stores? Edmonton and Winnipeg would beg to differ.

Edmonton and Winnipeg have not gotten as much love in their downtown stores, because I don't think The Bay finds those two downtowns as prosperous or the main shopping areas of the city, as in other big Canadian cities.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by ue

The Bay left its former historic location for a block north in City Centre Mall after the demise of Eatons. But that location was a lot smaller, so they moved the city flagship to Southgate in the suburbs. I think Edmonton is the only city in this situation, though I could be wrong.

Winnipeg's de facto main Bay store is at Polo Park Shopping Centre, which is a few kms west of downtown. It has been this way ever since The Bay opened their Polo Park store in the early 2000s after the Eaton's (and Sears-owned "eatons") store on that site finally went under.

Since then the downtown Bay store has been in a state of slow but terminal decline. Only 3 of the 7 levels are still open - they were all open as recently as a few years ago.

[connect2source]

The Hudson's Bay in downtown Vancouver is outstanding now! Hadn't shopped there in many years but it's, by far, the best full-line dept. store Vancouver's ever seen, beginning with the largest Topshop / Topman outside the UK taking up the entire basement, it has a totally happening London vibe, the staff, music and merchandise are all great. The main floor has been 90% refurbished with a super-slick cosmetic section, a huge free-standing Coach store, the second level has top-end women's and The Room, the 6th floor all-new men's floor is outstanding with a full range of lines like Diesel, G-Star, Ben Sherman, J Lindberg, Denim and Supply, Strellson, Boss and many many more, all housed in a decor that mixes historic and hip, complete with an espresso bar!

Many of the men's fashions lines are more complete than neighbouring Holt's and the place is filled with hipsters and fashion-forward clients. It's seems to get better all the time and I believe they're fully positioned to take on Canada's largest Nordstrom coming next year just across Granville St. in the former Eaton's / Sears building.

It's truly a destination store and a reason why downtown Vancouver remains very vibrant, these types of stores can't be duplicated in the burbs and give people a reason to visit and shop downtown. The new Nordstrom, renovated Hudson's Bay and the recently re-built Holts create a huge draw for shoppers from all parts of Greater Vancouver, a lesson to other centres looking to make their city-centres a draw once again.

[SignalHillHiker]

Now I wish we had The Bay instead of Sears.

So far they're only in seven provinces:

Alberta, B.C., Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.

They've had centuries to get to N.B., PEI, and N.L. if they wanted to... so I don't imagine it's any good to wait.

[Nouvellecosse]

Now that The Bay doesn't suck, there should be a prominent new location in central Halifax since I've always hated that we lack a downtown department store. Where would be the big question of course. Perhaps they could renovate part of Scotia Square.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

Now that The Bay doesn't suck, there should be a prominent new location in central Halifax since I've always hated that we lack a downtown department store. Where would be the big question of course. Perhaps they could renovate part of Scotia Square.

There's Mills, although it's pretty small.

This seems pretty unlikely to me, but who knows? There actually never was a Bay location in downtown Halifax, and I don't think they came to the city until the 60's or so. Department stores were never quite as big there as they were in Western cities, presumably because there were already lots of established retailers by the time the railways were built. The railway hotels were similar; they were the biggest in town but they always had lots of competition.

I think there would have to be a significantly larger downtown population and much better transit in Halifax for a company to consider building a medium-sized department store downtown.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

Now I wish we had The Bay instead of Sears.

So far they're only in seven provinces:

Alberta, B.C., Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.

They've had centuries to get to N.B., PEI, and N.L. if they wanted to... so I don't imagine it's any good to wait.

There actually was a Bay in downtown Moncton. They were in Highfield Square (they moved in when Eaton's went bankrupt). The Bay in Moncton closed when Highfield became one of the "dead malls of Canada".

Highfield Square will be torn down this year as this is the preferred location for the proposed new downtown arena and events centre in Moncton.

The Bay actually didn't want to leave. One of my sons worked there for a bit, and he said the managers were telling the staff that the chain has every intention of returning to Moncton at some point in the future. Where and when is up in the air. There is only one traditional mall left in Moncton (Champlain Place), and the way that the Sears Canada chain is going, I could see the Bay taking over the Sears leasehold in Champlain in a couple of years…...

[SignalHillHiker]

Excellent, I hope it works out.

I used to work in Champlain Place. I'll always remember it because that's where I was on 9/11.

*****

I'd say downtown Halifax can support a Bay already. In the area around Scotia Square/the casino. It could probably be 3-4 floors and do well.

[SpongeG]

a look at some of what the bay can do... for those who havent seen the redone vancouver store...

• Video Link

• Video Link

• Video Link

mens:








pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/darrellinyvr/

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by ue

Edmonton and Winnipeg would beg to differ.

Add Ottawa to the list. I don't think HBC has done any work on our downtown flagship since the Rideau Centre was built across the street in 1983. Even now with the Rideau expansion u/c and both Simon's and Nordstrom coming across the street in 2015-2016, nothing seems to be happening.

[Nouvellecosse]

Originally Posted by someone123

There's Mills, although it's pretty small.

This seems pretty unlikely to me, but who knows? There actually never was a Bay location in downtown Halifax, and I don't think they came to the city until the 60's or so. Department stores were never quite as big there as they were in Western cities, presumably because there were already lots of established retailers by the time the railways were built. The railway hotels were similar; they were the biggest in town but they always had lots of competition.

I think there would have to be a significantly larger downtown population and much better transit in Halifax for a company to consider building a medium-sized department store downtown.

I've never been in Mills. Is it actually a department store? I always thought it was just (mainly women's) clothing.

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

I'd say downtown Halifax can support a Bay already. In the area around Scotia Square/the casino. It could probably be 3-4 floors and do well.

Well similar cities like London and Victoria have downtown Bay stores and as mentioned there had long been one in Moncton (first Eatons, then the Bay). But of course every city is different.

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Add Ottawa to the list. I don't think HBC has done any work on our downtown flagship since the Rideau Centre was built across the street in 1983. Even now with the Rideau expansion u/c and both Simon's and Nordstrom coming across the street in 2015-2016, nothing seems to be happening.

Calgary's is getting reno'd but not the full todo. They are removing the health club and putting in an events centre (don't think it will have a hall like Carlu, but think that minus the hall), and a couple restaurants. Otherwise it is getting a refresh but no 'the room' or top shop. I believe Top Shop is going into Chinook Mall. It wasn't considered connected enough to Calgary's downtown mall, the Core (560k sqft, $609 sale/sqft, as there is a mall that feels more like a 70s suburban failing mall connecting the two.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

Calgary's is getting reno'd but not the full todo. They are removing the health club and putting in an events centre (don't think it will have a hall like Carlu, but think that minus the hall), and a couple restaurants. Otherwise it is getting a refresh but no 'the room' or top shop. I believe Top Shop is going into Chinook Mall. It wasn't considered connected enough to Calgary's downtown mall, the Core (560k sqft, $609 sale/sqft, as there is a mall that feels more like a 70s suburban failing mall connecting the two.

Considering the continued boom of Calgary's downtown (both offices and condos), I'm surprised they didn't go all out like Vancouver and TO.

I must say I'm a little surprised by the $/sqft of Core, it seems a little low. The Rideau Centre's revenue is 1020$/sqft according to retail insider, a little lower than Chinook's 1055$/sqft.

While I'm at it, the list of the 15 most successful malls in North America; from August 2012;

1. Pacific Centre, Vancouver BC Canada: $1580/sq ft

2. Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas NV USA: $1470/sq ft

3. Toronto Eaton Centre, Toronto ON Canada: $1320/sq ft

4. Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto ON Canada: $1300/sq ft

5. Ala Moana Shopping Centre, Honolulu HI USA: $1250/sq ft

6. Oakridge Shopping Centre, Vancouver BC Canada: $1200/sq ft

7. Chinook Centre, Calgary AB Canada: $1055/sq ft

8. Mall at Short Hills, Short Hills NJ USA: $1050/sq ft

9. Mall at Millenia, Orlando FL USA: $1040/sq ft

10. Rideau Centre, Ottawa ON Canada: $1020/sq ft

11: Sherway Gardens, Toronto ON Canada: $950

12: Fairview Mall, Toronto ON Canada: $880/sq ft

13: Fashion Valley Shopping Centre, San Diego CA USA: $875/sq ft

14: Peter Pond Mall, Ft. McMurray AB Canada: $850/sq ft (we're not joking about this one)

15: Garden State Plaza, Paramus NJ USA: $750/sq ft

http://www.retail-insider.com/2012/0...roductive.html

[J.OT13]

I don't know if this was posted, but Nordstrom to replace Sears at Eaton Centre. With Sears offices staying on the top 4 floors and Nordstrom taking up 213,000 sqft, that leaves 140,000 sqft. Simons maybe?

Nordstrom to replace Sears at the Toronto Eaton Centre

As many of us expected, Nordstrom has announced that it will replace Sears at the Toronto Eaton Centre. It will open a 213,000 square foot, three-level store. Construction begins in March and the store is scheduled to open in the fall of 2016, around the same time as its Yorkdale Shopping Centre location.

Although Sears will vacate the Toronto Eaton Centre space next month, it will continue to occupy approximately 460,000 square feet of office space over four floors above Nordstrom for Sears Canada's headquarters. The office space was formerly retail space.

In total, the Toronto Eaton Centre Sears is about 816,000 square feet. Besides the square footage to be occupied by Nordstrom and Sears Canada's office space, an additional 140,000 square feet of retail space will become available for other retailers. Tenant(s) are expected to be announced in the near future.

Despite the fact that it will be the company's Canadian flagship, the Toronto Eaton Centre Nordstrom will be its second-largest Canadian store location. Its Vancouver store will be larger at almost 230,000 square feet.

Sears sold its Toronto Eaton Centre lease back to landlord Cadillac Fairview in October. Sears' Canadian entry was made possible after it sold back store leases in Vancouver, Ottawa and Calgary. It subsequently sold two other leases, paving the way for a Nordstrom store at Toronto's Yorkdale Shopping Centre.


“Our properties were the first to welcome Nordstrom to Canada, and we're thrilled to continue our partnership with Nordstrom in the opening of five of six of its locations in Canada,” said John Sullivan, President and Chief Executive Officer, Cadillac Fairview.


Wayne Barwise, Executive Vice President of Development at Cadillac Fairview said that over the past three years the corporation has spent $120 million in enhancements to Toronto Eaton Centre.


“This second phase of redevelopment will include an additional $400 million. We are delighted to have Nordstrom be part of this exciting venture as we continue to bring a premier urban retail shopping experience to the city,” he said in a release.


Nordstrom Toronto Eaton Centre joins five previously announced Canadian stores. Nordstrom plans to open additional full-line stores and Nordstrom Rack stores as the company continues to expand into the Canadian market.

http://www.retail-insider.com/2014/0...-sears-at.html

[someone123]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

I've never been in Mills. Is it actually a department store? I always thought it was just (mainly women's) clothing.

I've only been in there once and it was years ago but at that time it was a department store with 2 (or maybe 3?) floors.

Gottingen also used to have one or two small department stores back in the 50's but they are long gone.

Well similar cities like London and Victoria have downtown Bay stores and as mentioned there had long been one in Moncton (first Eatons, then the Bay). But of course every city is different.

I think a lot of these are open today more because of inertia than anything else. The Bay seems to have done a little better than Eaton's because it is higher-end and competes less directly with Wal-Mart type businesses.

[Nouvellecosse]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Considering the continued boom of Calgary's downtown (both offices and condos), I'm surprised they didn't go all out like Vancouver and TO.

I must say I'm a little surprised by the $/sqft of Core, it seems a little low. The Rideau Centre's revenue is 1020$/sqft according to retail insider, a little lower than Chinook's 1055$/sqft.

While I'm at it, the list of the 15 most successful malls in North America; from August 2012;

1. Pacific Centre, Vancouver BC Canada: $1580/sq ft

2. Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas NV USA: $1470/sq ft

3. Toronto Eaton Centre, Toronto ON Canada: $1320/sq ft

4. Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto ON Canada: $1300/sq ft

5. Ala Moana Shopping Centre, Honolulu HI USA: $1250/sq ft

6. Oakridge Shopping Centre, Vancouver BC Canada: $1200/sq ft

7. Chinook Centre, Calgary AB Canada: $1055/sq ft

8. Mall at Short Hills, Short Hills NJ USA: $1050/sq ft

9. Mall at Millenia, Orlando FL USA: $1040/sq ft

10. Rideau Centre, Ottawa ON Canada: $1020/sq ft

11: Sherway Gardens, Toronto ON Canada: $950

12: Fairview Mall, Toronto ON Canada: $880/sq ft

13: Fashion Valley Shopping Centre, San Diego CA USA: $875/sq ft

14: Peter Pond Mall, Ft. McMurray AB Canada: $850/sq ft (we're not joking about this one)

15: Garden State Plaza, Paramus NJ USA: $750/sq ft

http://www.retail-insider.com/2012/0...roductive.html

Surprised that the Pacific Centre has higher rents than the Eaton Centre and that Toronto has 2 in the top 10 and 4 in the top 15. And that Ft. McMurray one is completely out of the blue.

[VIce]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

Calgary's is getting reno'd but not the full todo. They are removing the health club and putting in an events centre (don't think it will have a hall like Carlu, but think that minus the hall), and a couple restaurants. Otherwise it is getting a refresh but no 'the room' or top shop. I believe Top Shop is going into Chinook Mall. It wasn't considered connected enough to Calgary's downtown mall, the Core (560k sqft, $609 sale/sqft, as there is a mall that feels more like a 70s suburban failing mall connecting the two.

The Chinook additions are already complete, as far as I know. Scotiacentre (that connected the Bay to the Core) has recently done some serious renos of its own, although I still don't think its as nice a space as the Core.

[Policy Wonk]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Considering the continued boom of Calgary's downtown (both offices and condos), I'm surprised they didn't go all out like Vancouver and TO.

There are architectural and engineering issues, that building should have been torn down sixty years ago.

I saw some market research done by a US chain on downtown Calgary last summer that did not put the Core in a very positive light, it basically boiled down to " - The "downtown retail corridor" is not a recognized shopping destination. People don't have a positive or negative opinion, they have no opinion what so ever."