The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread - Page 464

SFUVancouver · #**9261** Posted **Aug 7, 2015, 12:18 AM**

The Asian/Western format for PriceSmart is wildly successful for the No.3 Road location. I do my shopping there and quite enjoy the added selection, plus it's kind of surreal to have two distinct grocery stores in one. The split occurs in the produce section, which is in the centre of the grocery store. There aren't enough self check-out machines, though.

officedweller · #**9262** Posted **Aug 7, 2015, 5:50 AM**

Quote:

As part of its North American expansion, Aritzia will open a standalone Wilfred boutique at Pacific Centre in time for the holidays. Sources at Ivanhoe Cambridge predict the opening date will be sometime around November 2015. Wilfred will take over the former Mexx retail space, located next to American Eagle and Pandora in the mall’s lower level.

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2015/08/aritzia-wilfred-pacific-centre-boutique-holidays/

Note that they screwed up - Pacific Centre is owned by Cadillac Fairview, not Ivanhoe Cambridge.

connect2source · #**9263** Posted **Aug 7, 2015, 12:57 PM**

Microsoft opened yesterday in Pacific Centre. Walked past, insanity, hundreds of people lined up for the free X Box giveaway!

Sad that Microsoft now has a larger store with more presence than Apple, always felt the concept was a complete rip-off of the Apple store.

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Microsoft+opens+store+Pacific+Centre/11271527/story.html

osirisboy · #**9264** Posted **Aug 7, 2015, 2:57 PM**

What's sad is Apple taking so long to open a flagship store. Or frankly just another store. The one in the mall is so cramped I avoid it if possible

vanlaw · #**9265** Posted **Aug 7, 2015, 4:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spork

Pretty sure the one at Grandview is also converting to a Save On Foods as well. They have removed all of the asian food and are "renovating". That — pretty bad, as one of the few reasons that I go there is because I can get all of my asian food and western food in one stop for reasonable prices. Hopefully a new T&T pops up to take some slack off of the Metrotown store.

Interesting. They did a huge reno to put in all of the Asian counters, expanded seafood section, fresh food (bbq duck, dim sum etc.) only about 2 1/2 yrs ago. The store was dead prior to that and seemed to be much busier since.

connect2source · #**9266** Posted **Aug 7, 2015, 6:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by osirisboy

What's sad is Apple taking so long to open a flagship store. Or frankly just another store. The one in the mall is so cramped I avoid it if possible

'Chaotic at best'.. describes the Pacific Centre Apple store.

Spork · #**9267** Posted **Aug 7, 2015, 6:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by vanlaw

Interesting. They did a huge reno to put in all of the Asian counters, expanded seafood section, fresh food (bbq duck, dim sum etc.) only about 2 1/2 yrs ago. The store was dead prior to that and seemed to be much busier since.

Indeed very strange. They also converted from a mixed store (where one side of an aisle would be asian food and the opposite would be western food) to a split store (one half is western and the other half is asian) about a year ago. Three renovations in 2-3 years. Maybe it isn't hitting their targets and they figure that reverting back to a standard Save on Foods would allow them to do so? My bet is that with SuperStore and WalMart so close by, it is just a bad market, and they will end up reverting to the western/asian split in 6-12 months.

officedweller · #**9268** Posted **Aug 7, 2015, 8:13 PM**

I think you've caught the issue - with stores in such close proximity, there's no need for a "one-stop shop" (and Save-on can't beat the others on price), so the Asian section would be the main differentiator.
Superstore has some Asian selection, but not a full-on prepared foods section...

Spork · #**9269** Posted **Aug 8, 2015, 2:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

I think you've caught the issue - with stores in such close proximity, there's no need for a "one-stop shop" (and Save-on can't beat the others on price), so the Asian section would be the main differentiator.
Superstore has some Asian selection, but not a full-on prepared foods section...

They may be keeping the prepared foods section, as last time I was there it was full steam ahead. I don't think that it will pull people in though. The first time I went there after the removal of the Asian products I saw at least one Asian couple saying "There's nothing here! Let's go!" and storm off. Let the customer churn begin.

cairnstone · #**9270** Posted **Aug 10, 2015, 6:38 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by djh

I think officially they are not a car dealership. By definition, they are not dealers, they are the OEM. And on top of that, they actually do not "sell" cars in their shops. I think they actually are called Galleries. All you can do in them is look at the product, check out the specs and "design" the exact car that you want, and they can take your personal details. But you can't actually buy a car through the shops.

You can buy tonnes of other stuff though, AFAIK. Jackets, bags, accessories...

All cars are sold online to skirt laws related to dealerships. There was an issue when they first opened if I recall as there is no middle man

cairnstone · #**9271** Posted **Aug 10, 2015, 6:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

So that combined Asian/Western format only worked in Richmond?

They didn't really publicize it though, did they?

Surrey also has one in fleetwood i believe

McPaul · #**9272** Posted **Aug 10, 2015, 10:17 PM**

Any news on the new new west walmart opening at royal city?

Things looked ready for months.

Sheba · #**9273** Posted **Aug 10, 2015, 11:15 PM**

Walmart opening coming soon, maybe - Aug 7, 2015

Quote:

Royal City Centre's much-anticipated tenant is now hiring, but it's still unclear when the new Walmart location will actually open its doors to the public.

Near the end of June, American-based retail giant Walmart posted its first job opening for the new Royal City location in Uptown. The posting, for a full-time assistant manager, was the first in a steady stream of postings advertised on Walmart's website. Positions available include: customer service manager, overnight stocker, backroom associate, bakery associate, sales associate, the list goes on.

But the question that remains unanswered more than a year-and-a-half after Walmart confirmed it was opening a second location in New Westminster is, when is the new store going to open?

The Record contacted management at Royal City Centre, but no one could say when the new Walmart was opening. After multiple attempts to speak with someone at Walmart, the Record is still waiting to hear back about the grand opening.

Meanwhile, construction continues at Royal City Centre as it prepares for its new tenant. Walmart will be taking over the former Zellers location.

http://www.newwestrecord.ca/news/walmart-opening-coming-soon-maybe-1.2024437

Pinion · #**9274** Posted **Aug 10, 2015, 11:38 PM**

I checked out MacArthur Glen during that brief time that it rained this past weekend (of course) and couldn't believe the huge crowds weeks after opening. It's just like every other outlet to the south, but with no stores. Luckily I'm a Nike/Under Armor type so it wasn't completely wasted.

Also went to Dinesty for the first time and was underwhelmed. Are they supposed to be like fast food/Fortune Wok calibre?

osirisboy · #**9275** Posted **Aug 10, 2015, 11:52 PM**

New stores should be opening up in August. Good to hear it's still busy even on a cloudy wet day

Vin · #**9276** Posted **Aug 11, 2015, 8:49 PM**

According to Vancitybuzz, the ALDO shoe store on Granville (@ Robson) is closing. Hopefully some nice retailer moves in to take over as vacant store fronts along that stretch are often either a hobo's sleeping spot or a urinal.

SpongeG · #**9277** Posted **Aug 11, 2015, 9:47 PM**

Aesop, which recently opened in gastown is opening a second vancouver sdtore - i wonder wher,e they tend to go for non traditional kinda spots

dreambrother808 · #**9278** Posted **Aug 11, 2015, 11:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vin

According to Vancitybuzz, the ALDO shoe store on Granville (@ Robson) is closing. Hopefully some nice retailer moves in to take over as vacant store fronts along that stretch are often either a hobo's sleeping spot or a urinal.

That whole corner must have some pretty prime redevelopment potential.

cairnstone · #**9279** Posted **Aug 12, 2015, 4:39 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vin

According to Vancitybuzz, the ALDO shoe store on Granville (@ Robson) is closing. Hopefully some nice retailer moves in to take over as vacant store fronts along that stretch are often either a hobo's sleeping spot or a urinal.

which location as there is 2

cairnstone · #**9280** Posted **Aug 12, 2015, 4:41 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrenegade

Rumour is Tesla has leased the corner of 4th & Fir in LedMac's Radius development. Unsure if they would keep their Robson street showcase or not.

I got confirmation that his will be the second location. Vancouver will have 2 teslas