The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread

[Tetsuo]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

Yea i remember the mall with the bay. I think the bay closed when they took over at oakridge.

Became a Zellers correct?

[officedweller]

Correct.

[Sheba]

FedEx closing all retail office stores in Canada

Shipping giant FedEx has quietly moved to close retail office stores in all Canadian cities putting more than 214 people out of work and ending three decades of doing business in the country.

FedEx will continue to ship within Canada, but its copy and office supply stores will close Aug. 18.

"We reached the decision to exit the Canadian market after thoughtful evaluations of our business operations and considerations about our future," a company statement said.

FedEx has 24 stores in Ontario, Nova Scotia and B.C., with the bulk located in Ontario.

The news came as a shock to customers wondering where they will do business.

"I needed to ship a parcel to New York yesterday and I was told by the woman at the counter that all the office stores in Canada were closing," London customer Jeff Blake explained.

"I find it puzzling," he said, noting that FedEx had recently built a new store in the city.

[Vin]

Fedex`s closure will only benefit Purolator and UPS.

[Tetsuo]

Originally Posted by Vin

Fedex`s closure will only benefit Purolator and UPS.

These are the old Kinko's locations, so mostly print/office services, nothing that can't be done at Staples.

Although they were convenient pick up spots, I've had FedEx packages sent for pick up all the way out in Richmond.

UPS/Canada Post is the most convenient

[GeeCee]

I never knew that FedEx had retail stores in Canada like they do in the US, huh.

[Conrad Yablonski]

Originally Posted by Tetsuo

These are the old Kinko's locations.....

Yes there's one near me and I would have bet money (not a lot but some) that it was still a Kinko's never noticed any change to Fedex.

[officedweller]

Saks OFF 5TH Park Royal opens August 3rd at 10AM.


http://www.shopparkroyal.com/events/SaksOFF5TH

[dreambrother808]

Retail Insider article on Holt's cosmetics moving to the basement. What will replace it on the main floor?

http://www.retail-insider.com/retail-ins...-cf-pacific-centre-vancouver-beauty-hall


photo by Holt Renfrew via R-I

[SpongeG]

probably more instore boutiques like Nordstrom has. Chanel opened a large one inside holt renfrew last year, as did Louis vuitton.

judging from the pics it looks like what the mens department is now is all it ever will be, It seems like a downgrade what they have now, they had more instore shops in the old mens department and a more affordable section with brands like diesel etc. those don't seem to be coming back.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

... it looks like what the mens department is now is all it ever will be, It seems like a downgrade what they have now, ....

Agreed.

PS - went to the Simons at Park Royal a few weeks ago and surprised how big the Men's floor was. I think it was bigger than the Women's floor.


*************

From Granville Twitter - on Granville across from Holt Renfrew (former Grand & Toy, I think):


https://twitter.com/GranvilleStreet


https://twitter.com/GranvilleStreet

[dreambrother808]

Cool. The Mini So at Tsawassen is quite popular and charming.

[Sheba]

MINISO Launches Aggressive 500 Store Canadian Expansion

MINISO says on its own website that it considers itself to be a competitor to UNIQLO, as well as Japanese retailer MUJI, which is also expanding into Canada with multiple store locations. Competition could become fierce - MINISO launches new products every seven days.

MINISO launched its North American expansion last month with individual stores in Pasadena, California, and in Vancouver, Canada. The Vancouver store is located at 1256 West Broadway in the city’s Fairview area, and more Lower Mainland locations are confirmed as MINISO begins its Canadian expansion.

...

Next week, MINISO will open its second Canadian store at Tsawwassen Mills, south of Vancouver, and in July two locations are confirmed — one at West Vancouver’s Park Royal, and another at 550 Granville Street, across from Holt Renfrew. Mr. Liang says that there are nine stores under negotiation right now, as MINISO looks to blitz the Canadian market with stores utilizing a franchise model.

[SpongeG]

Miniso has been hiring for a store in Richmond but it doesn't say where

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

Miniso has been hiring for a store in Richmond but it doesn't say where

Says it's opening August 12th on Saba Road

https://ca.indeed.com/cmp/Miniso(Canada)...-7VxUQy9WWvBuaCv8u3KZ9k35zFn4yhDu1IST64g

[connect2source]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

probably more instore boutiques like Nordstrom has. Chanel opened a large one inside holt renfrew last year, as did Louis vuitton.

judging from the pics it looks like what the mens department is now is all it ever will be, It seems like a downgrade what they have now, they had more instore shops in the old mens department and a more affordable section with brands like diesel etc. those don't seem to be coming back.

Agreed, the new men's section doesn't work for me, gone is the denim section and the more mid-priced, on-trend stuff, seems too exclusive now, not a comfortable place to shop. Glad to see Hudson's Bay, Simon's and Nordstrom have taken up the slack.

[Retail-Insider]

This is potentially big news. SHAPE announces L Catterton partnership for 'The Amazing Brentwood' redevelopment: http://www.retail-insider.com/retail-ins...unces-l-catterton-partnership-lvmh-shape

L Catterton is a private equity firm linked with French luxury conglomerate LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) and Groupe Arnault. Their other projects include Miami Design District and Ginza SIX in Tokyo.

Given the LVMH connection, we might see a number of luxury brands opening in the centre, and Brentwood could see a few brands that are unable to find space downtown.

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by Retail-Insider

This is potentially big news. SHAPE announces L Catterton partnership for 'The Amazing Brentwood' redevelopment: http://www.retail-insider.com/retail-ins...unces-l-catterton-partnership-lvmh-shape

Hmm how many people here scoffed at Brentwood becoming a luxury retail location...?

Mr. Kwiatkowski explained that the project will be “world class”, with a number of LVMH and Catterton-funded brands included in the centre’s mix. “The best of the best” will be included, including local, national and international retail concepts and brands.

Tenants have yet to be announced for The Amazing Brentwood, and Mr. Kwiatkowski noted that tenants will range from the affordable to the luxurious. L Catterton's six other retail projects are decidedly luxury-heavy, with both the Miami Design District and Ginza SIX boasting a number of large flagship stores for some of the world's leading luxury brands.

A number of LVMH brands operate stores in downtown Vancouver, including Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Sephora and Hublot. Brokers confirm that space is tight in downtown Vancouver, with some brands complaining that they are unable to find the 'right' real estate in the city's 'luxury zone' (centred around the 1000 Block of Alberni Street as well as adjacent Burrard and Thurlow Streets). LVMH has a number of important luxury brands under its corporate umbrella that currently do not have freestanding stores in Vancouver, including Bulgari, Céline, Fendi, Givenchy, Loro Piana, Marc Jacobs and several others. L Catterton has investment interests in a number of companies as well, including upscale brands such as Baccarat crystal and John Hardy jewellery, fitness brands such as Equinox and Pure Barre, as well as several restaurant concepts.

[officedweller]

I cross-posted to the Brentwood thread.

I still suspect a Saks Fifth Avenue store at Brentwood.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Sheba

Hmm how many people here scoffed at Brentwood becoming a luxury retail location...?

Not me!