The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread

[connect2source]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

Just another story on the transformation of Alberni Street. At least three more luxury retailers will be moving to Alberni, one of which will occupy retail space at 745 Thurlow when complete:

I remember back in the 80's they were calling Robson Street, Vancouver's Rodeo Drive, I always was a little embarrassed by that reference. Then it seemed 'luxury row' gave Hastings a try, now it's back up the hill to Alberni. There should be some sticking power this time around with all the new high end infrastructure built since.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

Just another story on the transformation of Alberni Street. At least three more luxury retailers will be moving to Alberni, one of which will occupy retail space at 745 Thurlow when complete:

I saw that on the news last night - how about those mistaken references:

"with 400,000 sq ft of retail below [the 745 Thurlow office tower]" - UGH
and Robson boasting "the highest retail rents in Canada". UGH again.

http://renx.ca/luxury-retail-surge-pushing-up-big-city-rents-in-canada-colliers/

[Vin]

Seems that Chanel is really coming in to take the corner unit of the Carlyle, including the existing Dollar Tree space. Looks like it will be quite a big store.

Dollar Tree is rumoured to open a new store within 4 blocks of the current store, but location not announced yet due to potential competition by Dollarama.

[officedweller]

Say goodbye to Safeway Club Cards

The cards will be discontinued tomorrow

http://www.news1130.com/2014/04/03/say-goodbye-to-safeway-club-cards/

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2014/04/safeway-terminate-club-card-loyalty-program/

[zahav]

All of the signage at the Keg at 742 Thurlow was removed yesterday... these are my photos

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by connect2source

Interesting that they mentioned ambiance. Vancouver is so far behind on this project, Robson has never seen any improvements to sidewalks, lighting or street furniture which is unacceptable and desperately needed ...and long overdue. The condition of the sidewalks on the 1100 block, north-side is appalling and the overall street lacks any sort of ambiance, charm or appeal, hope this will change soon.

It's no worse than Alberni, which seems to have no problem attracting the pretentious label-slaves.

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by whatnext

It's no worse than Alberni, which seems to have no problem attracting the pretentious label-slaves.

You can't accuse others of being pretentious and call them label-slaves at the same time.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by GlassCity

You can't accuse others of being pretentious and call them label-slaves at the same time.

I just did.

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by whatnext

I just did.

And I respect your ability to do that!

[connect2source]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Say goodbye to Safeway Club Cards

The cards will be discontinued tomorrow

http://www.news1130.com/2014/04/03/say-goodbye-to-safeway-club-cards/

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2014/04/safeway-terminate-club-card-loyalty-program/

This will no-doubt be replaced by some sort of Sobey's loyalty program while the entire Safeway identity is likely to change in Canada as well.

This is likely the gradual beginning of the disappearance of the Safeway name in Canada.

[theKB]

Is there any inkling on who is taking the keg's space? Would be nice if the city could attract a big name but as seen with the others that have tried and failed it's not likely. I don't get this city's insatiable love with these "haute-casual" chains.

I can't stand the comparison to Rodeo Drive that people do with Alberni.

[Vin]

Is Keg moving to the Shangri-la space previously used by Ki Japanese restaurant?

And regarding a handful of brand boutiques opening up at Alberni: Give it a rest about being too critical. It is not like many are rushing in with new retail centres built. They are merely taking up existing retail spaces. In fact, Vancouver's boutiques pale in comparison to those in many other cities, by sheer number, size and ambiance. Also, a number of new stores opening up locally can help keep shoppers here, hopefully reducing money bleeding out to our southern neighbour.

[spm2013]

....

[SFUVancouver]

Originally Posted by officedweller

I saw that on the news last night - how about those mistaken references:

"with 400,000 sq ft of retail below [the 745 Thurlow office tower]" - UGH
and Robson boasting "the highest retail rents in Canada". UGH again.

http://renx.ca/luxury-retail-surge-pushing-up-big-city-rents-in-canada-colliers/

It's a reoccurring observation of mine that journalists or their editors frequently make numerical errors, especially relating to orders of magnitude. A Globe and Mail reporter did a piece a few weeks back about subsidies to auto manufacturers and he said that the City of Chattanooga offered $577 Billion in subsidies to Volkswagen to secure a $1 billion investment. Nobody in the editorial process caught on to the fact that as-written the subsidy deal would have been probably the most lopsided in history. I did a quick Google search and confirmed that the City gave a $577 million subsidy and tweeted the journalist since I couldn't find their email address anywhere. Billion, million; what difference does it make, right, especially when your whole article is about the perverse size of subsidies?

(Globe and Mail link; the 'B' is now an 'M' and there's a mention at the bottom of the article about the correction)

[EdinVan]

Originally Posted by Vin

Is Keg moving to the Shangri-la space previously used by Ki Japanese restaurant?

Yes, although I wonder how much foot traffic they will get there. Ki wasn't successful.

[Vin]

Thanks guys. I have a feeling that Keg will do very well up there. Only challenge is for those heavy-set steak eaters to negotiate the flights of bamboo-lined stairs to reach their nirvana and Shangri-la.

[osirisboy]

Originally Posted by EdinVan

Yes, although I wonder how much foot traffic they will get there. Ki wasn't successful.

Bc no one knew what the frig ki was. People know the keg. I think it'll do we'll there

[sacrifice333]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

Bc no one knew what the frig ki was. People know the keg. I think it'll do we'll there

It's too bad. Both Shore Club & Ki have done quite well in Toronto, from what I gather.

Guess we're not so world-class afterall... friggin' Keg.

[connect2source]

Originally Posted by sacrifice333

It's too bad. Both Shore Club & Ki have done quite well in Toronto, from what I gather.

Guess we're not so world-class afterall... friggin' Keg.

It has nothing to do with 'world class' but everything to do with that we're 'authentic 'Asian' here in Vancouver and have very sophisticated tastes for Asian food.

North American Asian-Fusion type restaurants typically fail here, Red-Door, Chinois all attempted to bring a P.F.Chang style menu to Vancouver but closed soon after. KI was seen as similar, North American concept and very pricey compared to what we're used to paying for top-notch Japanese Cuisine.

[casper]

Originally Posted by connect2source

This will no-doubt be replaced by some sort of Sobey's loyalty program while the entire Safeway identity is likely to change in Canada as well.

This is likely the gradual beginning of the disappearance of the Safeway name in Canada.

Sobeys has a loyalty program in the prairies that is tied into Aeroplan. Club Sobeys https://www.clubsobeys.com It also includes BMO MasterCards and all of that.

They also own Thrifty which has its own loyalty program. http://www.thriftyfoods.com/ Called Club Thrifty

What is missing in the lower mainline is home delivery. Thrifty has a nice home delivery system https://www.thriftyfoodsonline.com system run out of its stores. It is developed by a local BC software company http://www.mightyoaks.com. As the density in Vancouver keeps going up and it becomes more and more viable to live in the city without a car, home delivery will become more important.