The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread

[LeftCoaster]

Seems to make sense, good news for the Burrard Gateway project indeed and a smart temp use of a very unique space.

[officedweller]

Of interest - video preview of Calgary Nordstrom:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/Nordstrom+prepares+Calgary+opening/10158001/story.html

[Rusty Gull]

Originally Posted by connect2source

As per Retail-Insider Muji will be opening several locations in Canada and soon in Vancouver. I always pick up something at Muji when in London, it should do great here!

http://www.retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2014/8/muji

Great news! I hope they find a high-profile location on Robson or Granville.

Speaking of Retail Insider, is there any new news on Uniqlo coming to Robson Street (or any of the other rumoured locations?)

[connect2source]

Here's some additional details on Holt's expansion. Seems certain that Sportchek and Atmosphere are history due to Holt's adding 40,000 sq. feet. Harry's is also renovating as well, seems like the luxury wars are just getting started!

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2014/09/holt-renfrew-vancouver-expansion-renovation/

[theKB]

Originally Posted by connect2source

Here's some additional details on Holt's expansion. Seems certain that Sportchek and Atmosphere are history due to Holt's adding 40,000 sq. feet. Harry's is also renovating as well, seems like the luxury wars are just getting started!

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2014/09/holt-renfrew-vancouver-expansion-renovation/

Really seems like that SC/Atmosphere store is an under performer especially with their odd location. Will be great to see holt expanding, I just hope that they grow their men's selection especially the footwear.

As a general statement I wouldn't be surprised if FGL/Canadian Tire killed the atmosphere brand entirely eventually.

[connect2source]

Agreed KB, be nice to have that whole block cohesive and just be one store, Holt's.

I've always found that SC / Atmosphere location to be awkward, strange and unwelcoming. I think MEC has done some damage to Atmosphere as well, it was great back in the days of Coast Mountain Sports before Forzani ruined it.

[Pinion]

I used to go to Sport Chek all the time until the US exchange rate evened out and I could get shoes etc for 50% cheaper across the border. That particular store was never very good though. Won't be missed.

[officedweller]

Maybe the SportChek/Atmosphere could relocate to the Telus Garden podium on Robson?

[osirisboy]

I always find atmosphere to be relatively busy. And I don't notice any difference from now and when it was coast mountain. So I'm not sure how foranzi has ruined it

And personally I would take atmosphere over holt renfrew. I don't get holts. I think it's retarded

[theKB]

Originally Posted by Pinion

I used to go to Sport Chek all the time until the US exchange rate evened out and I could get shoes etc for 50% cheaper across the border. That particular store was never very good though. Won't be missed.

not to send this topic off but the reason why shoes are so much cheaper in the US is attributed to our duty rates to theres. The US pays 8-9 percent where we pay 17.5-18%.

Originally Posted by officedweller

Maybe the SportChek/Atmosphere could relocate to the Telus Garden podium on Robson?

I really hope not. Robson doesn't need another bland retailer added into the mix.

I wouldn't be surprised if Canadian Tire started wiping out more of these high rent stores. The FGL stores (SC/Atmosphere/Nevada Bobs and others) are the worst performers out of all the Canadian Tires brands on a sales/sq-ft basis. Marks has less turnover but sells more per square foot. It wouldn't shock me if you started to see atmosphere especially starting to roll more into canadian tire as neither really attract a high end shopper.

Originally Posted by osirisboy

I always find atmosphere to be relatively busy. And I don't notice any difference from now and when it was coast mountain. So I'm not sure how foranzi has ruined it

And personally I would take atmosphere over holt renfrew. I don't get holts. I think it's retarded

If you go back far enough to where Coast Mountain was before they were bought by FGL they were the high end outdoor store that carried the "good stuff" from the big brands as well as a lot of specialized climbing equipment. Closer to what Valhalla (in vancouver at least) is now. Now Atmosphere is more value oriented taking in low priced items from the big brands just to have presence and to get people through the door.

Overall outdoor is shrinking as a market segment and that is largely due to consolidation in the industry and also in canada at least control of the market by two large players (MEC and Canadian Tire). Also more brands seeking a vertically integrated model by opening their own corporate stores which naturally hurts the individual dealers. Also you are seeing more focus on things like yoga wear and running with MEC devoting major floor space to both and major manufacturers also expanding into the category (arcteryx is expanding into a running line for example)

Also it's just not "cool" to go camping or backpacking.

[connect2source]

Thanks KB and yes Coast Mountain was far better before Forzani, as KB pointed out it was high end outdoors store with exceedingly well trained and knowledgeable staff eager to share their outdoor stories and recommend products from their personal experiences. I used to do a lot of hiking in the 90's and their 4th Ave store had the best staff and great products.

Having shopped at the Park Royal location recently, the Atmosphere side is dead and ever-shrinking, when the staff see a shopper they run over from he Sport Check side and seem rather lacking in the outdoor knowledge and don't seem to care much. Totally changed from Coast Mountain pre-Forzani days.

I don't really see the need for an outdoors equipment store downtown, anyone living downtown can pop-over to 'outdoor-row' on Broadway just over the Cambie Bridge for the best selection anywhere.

[theKB]

Originally Posted by connect2source

I don't really see the need for an outdoors equipment store downtown, anyone living downtown can pop-over to 'outdoor-row' on Broadway just over the Cambie Bridge for the best selection anywhere.

I completely agree. A lifestyle boutique that may be outdoor inspired with a well curated selection I think could do very well BUT not a mass market store such as any FGL product.

Also don't count on "outdoor row" being there for much longer... It's really turning in to bike store and pot dispensary row and when the major anchor moves, the others will follow suit.

Since the Canadaline construction that area has seen a dramatic drop in traffic and it doesn't help that the land owners could give a — about their properties as they all sit and wait to buy each other out. I also know there was a movement to expand one of the BIA's to cover it to keep up the street and make it more pleasant but I think that died on the vine.

With Patagonia opening on 4th Ave along with Arctery'x and Ice Breaker having corporate stores and Eco operating a North Face 4th may slowly become the outdoor cluster again although don't expect many of the independents to plunk down up there.

I am actually surprised that MEC hasn't considered breaking apart their Vancouver store into a few smaller "urban" locations much like REI is doing. Maybe a downtown location (i could see that major space in gas town behind the steam clock being an interesting location for an "urban" store)...

I know i just contradicted myself from the first paragraph but MEC has a draw that Atmosphere doesn't...

[officedweller]

Note that mass market stores tend to generate much more pedestrian shopper traffic than high end or niche stores. The classic example is the Vancouver Centre corner of Georgia & Granville - it was dead for years and years with Birks, then Bollum's Books and Duthie Books.
The corner only came "alive" when London Drugs moved in.

Originally Posted by theKB

I completely agree. A lifestyle boutique that may be outdoor inspired with a well curated selection I think could do very well BUT not a mass market store such as any FGL product.

Sporting Life is apparently wanting to expand nationwide...

http://www.retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2014/6/sporting-life

Plus there are stores like Bass Pro Shops and Cabella's opening up in the suburbs.

[officedweller]

Complete remodel of the Ingledews façade on Granville St.?
A shame though, as the current façade is pretty solid - marble, etc. - but a bit heavy and dark.


http://www.studioonearchitecture.ca/

Go to the 2nd page under "Current Projects" and click on "535 Granville"
http://www.studioonearchitecture.ca/

[osirisboy]

Oh that's horribly bland!

[Porfiry]

Originally Posted by theKB

Also don't count on "outdoor row" being there for much longer... It's really turning in to bike store and pot dispensary row and when the major anchor moves, the others will follow suit.

Is that an informed comment about MEC moving or just speculation?

[Tetsuo]

The downtown store is the highest performer in the region for Atmosphere and Sports Check, FGL is a solid performer for Canadian Tire


Source: b

[memememe76]

It was a weird location, but I do think Downtown needs a large scale general sporting goods store. Even just for tourists--last minutes winter gear before they head to one of the local mountains, decent shoes before they do the Grouse Grind, some swimwear before they go to English Bay, some running shorts before they run the Seawall. A more prominent location may help. Just not sure where. Maybe in that Robson/Bute area? So many vacant storefronts.

[ozonemania]

A bit of an update, as this was being discussed in the Vancouver Restaurant thread but it's relevant here...

Denman Place Mall is in the process of planning a significant renovation to at least the street front units. There's been pressure for them to do something as the HSBC tenant has been trying to downsize their space for quite some time. They only utilize half of their leased space. Also, Shoppers Drug Mart has been openly talking about relocating due to the restrictions on space as they want to expand to their new format.

So with that the Denman Mall renovation will see a change where the retail units will extend right up to the sidewalk instead of being under a 70s era lobby/overhang.

The old Bread Garden/Canada Trust was a restaurant and is now closed. The restaurant/deli's main location is in North Vancouver and it remains open. HSBC is taking over part of this space. The rest will be subdivided into retail units that will extend to the sidewalk.


The menswear store Topdrawers has relocated -- they are now located at Davie @ Howe St. Better location for them anyway, I think.

The luggage shop behind the old Topdrawers is closed. It's main location remains at Lonsdale Quay.

HSBC will be taking over where Topdrawers was, plus some of the restaurant space.

Shoppers will be expanding to take over the old HSBC space.

Denman Street needs some love. It's getting so run down, with the empty plots and vacant store fronts.

[connect2source]

Denman Mall is a hideous relic of the 70's and the brunt of many jokes by West-Enders, anything will be an improvement especially the old Bread Garden which has seen a series of crappy tenants since, each one dumpier then the next.

The whole interior of the mall is useless and should be turned inside-out creating some decent sized CRUs, not sure, however, what the demand is for anything down there these days.