General Retail News

[DEWLine]

They actually went and trademarked "Box" as a retail brand?

[Requin]

Box by No Frills is now open in Orleans, checked it out briefly yesterday. It was quite busy. Attempted to check it out on Sunday, but walked about after seeing the massive lineup at the cash.

It is indeed VERY small for a grocery store, so they only stock the basics. There were some pretty good deals. Produce looked to be of decent quality. I didn't recognize some of the brands available, such as Sterling coffee and expected to see mostly either national/well known brands or PC. I didn't notice any prepared foods that you could take out for lunch/dinner.

I was also surprised to see that some of their general merchandise includes wireless routers and the like. An interesting choice considering Canada Computers is next door.

Will be interesting to see how they fare in this location, which is already heavily served by other chains. I could see myself dropping in regularly to pick up few things after leaving the gym a couple of doors down.

Online flyer:
http://flyers.smartcanucks.ca/canada/box-food-store-on-flyer-november-13-to-19/single/1

[kevinbottawa]

According to Retail Insider, Ottawa is getting a second Saks OFF 5TH location inside the downtown Hudson's Bay. Sucks it's not a full Saks but it's better than nothing I guess.

http://www.retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2015/11/saks-off-5th

[TheGoods]

Originally Posted by kevinbottawa

According to Retail Insider, Ottawa is getting a second Saks OFF 5TH location inside the downtown Hudson's Bay. Sucks it's not a full Saks but it's better than nothing I guess.

http://www.retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2015/11/saks-off-5th

Same here, would have preferred a full Saks but I guess our budget is more in line with an Off the Fifth. I don't think we have the demographics to support a Saks. I noticed in an article in the Business Wire stating that Off the Fifth will be in the basement of the current Bay:

“We are delighted to have Saks OFF 5TH open in the lower level of the Hudson’s Bay Rideau store in Ottawa,” stated Liz Rodbell, President of Hudson’s Bay. “Having Saks OFF 5TH join our Ottawa store will enhance the overall shopping experience at Rideau and offer our customers an expanded assortment of merchandise at complementary price-points under one roof.”

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20...nue-5TH-Announces-Store-Locations-Canada

[J.OT13]

God no! Can't be in the basement. That would be so Ottawa to have a high-class store in the basement of the Bay.

Best option would have been to put them in the taller section between the main Freiman Building and Chapters/Woolworth, where the now demolished skywalk punched through.

[eternallyme]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

God no! Can't be in the basement. That would be so Ottawa to have a high-class store in the basement of the Bay.

Best option would have been to put them in the taller section between the main Freiman Building and Chapters/Woolworth, where the now demolished skywalk punched through.

That would take up over 75% of the square footage though. Any other relocations (i.e. immediately eastward) requires reconstruction and displacing other tenants.

[rocketphish]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

God no! Can't be in the basement. That would be so Ottawa to have a high-class store in the basement of the Bay.

Best option would have been to put them in the taller section between the main Freiman Building and Chapters/Woolworth, where the now demolished skywalk punched through.

Well, if Saks Off 5th doesn't work out down there, maybe they could get a Filene's

[MichelKazan]

Originally Posted by eternallyme

That would take up over 75% of the square footage though. Any other relocations (i.e. immediately eastward) requires reconstruction and displacing other tenants.

God forbid we displace McDonald's, Tim Horton's and the payday loans place........

[Kitchissippi]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

God no! Can't be in the basement. That would be so Ottawa to have a high-class store in the basement of the Bay.

Best option would have been to put them in the taller section between the main Freiman Building and Chapters/Woolworth, where the now demolished skywalk punched through.

Saks Off 5th isn't really high class, it's just like Winners or Marshall's selling leftover fashion. In fact, it's a good fit for the Bay's basement, more people would go there.

They should punch another entrance to the LRT through there, though, It would be cool to have an underground passageway/mall between Chapters and the Bay, with an exit out on to George

[TheGoods]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

Saks Off 5th isn't really high class, it's just like Winners or Marshall's selling leftover fashion. In fact, it's a good fit for the Bay's basement, more people would go there.

They should punch another entrance to the LRT through there, though, It would be cool to have an underground passageway/mall between Chapters and the Bay, with an exit out on to George

I would not categorize Off the Fifth with Winners or Marshall's, they have a similar concept, meaning, they sell last year’s design or items that did not sell in their main store and also have specific items sourced for their store from the same vendors but what they carry is much more high end. For example, I have bought a fair amount of suits, dress shirts and ties them such as Versace, Hugo Boss, Armani and Zegna which you would not find at Winners or Marshall's on a regular basis, have dedicated sections and not the one off. Same for shoes, handbags, jackets, etc…

[J.OT13]

Googled it, and ya it ain't that great. Upscale Winners. I retract my comment, works fine in the basement. Disappointed we won't get a full fledged Fifth instead. A 20-30,000 sqft store would have been a good way to compensate the loss of Holt Renfrew without going over the possible demand in Ottawa.

[YOWflier]

For me anyway, plenty of high end on offer at Nordstrom to make no Saks no event. I don't know anyone who misses Holt.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by ac888yow

For me anyway, plenty of high end on offer at Nordstrom to make no Saks no event. I don't know anyone who misses Holt.

Wouldn't Nordstom be considered somewhere between Hudson's Bay and Holt Renfrew/Saks?

[YOWflier]

I consider Nordstrom and Saks to be roughly equivalent, but I'm not paid to make these comparisons.

I've always considered places like Bloomingdales and Neiman Marcus to be on one level (the top), then Saks/Nordstrom on another, then Macy's/Lord&Taylor/HBC, etc.

I like Nordstrom because there's something for everyone in there. You can buy $150 shoes or $1500 shoes, $50 scarves or $500 scarves, $50 shirts or $700 shirts, etc. Plus, their customer service and assurance (think returns and exchanges) is exceptional, which is more than I can say about Holt.

For example, I once exchanged a product at Nordstrom that I didn't even buy there, didn't even buy in Canada, months after I bought it, and without any sort of receipt. I disclosed it and everything, but they were still all too willing to help.

[eternallyme]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Googled it, and ya it ain't that great. Upscale Winners. I retract my comment, works fine in the basement. Disappointed we won't get a full fledged Fifth instead. A 20-30,000 sqft store would have been a good way to compensate the loss of Holt Renfrew without going over the possible demand in Ottawa.

That store is going to be about 30,000 I believe.

[waterloowarrior]

Some interesting recent sales

296 Bank Street & 388 Maclaren Street (Hartman's) has been purchased by Loblaw Properties for $16.2 million. Also 671 Earl Armstrong Road, 671 River Road for $6.8 million. Interesting that they are buying out YIGs. I'm assuming the Riverside South Moncion's independent is related to the ones that recently sold in Renfrew County http://www.canadiangrocer.com/top-stories/grocery-family-sells-locations-to-big-banners-59219

171-179 Rideau St, 126-128 George St, and 373-383 Dalhousie St (Mercury Court) has been purchased by Golpro Holdings Inc for $22 million

901 Carling Ave (Rogers site in front of Domicile condos) $2.3 million - 9211390 Canada Inc (owner of Honey Construction)

390 Rideau St (Rideau Pharmacy) - $1.2 million - 1847122 Ontario Inc... dare I say Shopper's? (not sure who it is actually)

[MountainView]

Originally Posted by waterloowarrior

Some interesting recent sales

Also 671 Earl Armstrong Road, 671 River Road for $6.8 million. Interesting that they are buying out YIGs. I'm assuming the Riverside South Moncion's independent is related to the ones that recently sold in Renfrew County http://www.canadiangrocer.com/top-stories/grocery-family-sells-locations-to-big-banners-59219

The one on River Road was renovated last year and has a Joe Fresh on the inside. It's a very Loblaws feeling YIG. Also has a PC Bank and GoodLife Fitness for Women. Would be an easy switch to a Loblaws if that is in fact the plan.

[DarthVader_1961]

They have delive d the fridges and freezers to the new Walmart at Bayshore.

They did it early saturday morning using a helicopter to lift them off of a flat bed to the roof of Bayshore. Kinda cool to watch

[DEWLine]

They needed a helicopter for that?

[Harley613]

wow...i would have LOVED to see that...I hope a youtube video pops up!