The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Ditto for the UF in OV, though it's not as bad as some people say.

UF has one great location in Yaletown. I guess they lucked out, or chose poorly for the rest. Even with the limited selection of grocery options in OV, it seems people go elsewhere, since the population in the area is a lot more than the "crowds" in the store would indicate.

As compared to Whole Foods at Cambie and 8th which is very busy every time I'm there.

The food's usually better at Urban Fare than Whole Foods too, so it's probably a location problem.

I mean really, WF is right there on Cambie next to a metro station, but UF's on West 1st - not even 2nd, 1st - and hidden behind a Subway and the beer hall. Of course it's not going to do well.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

The food's usually better at Urban Fare than Whole Foods too, so it's probably a location problem.

I mean really, WF is right there on Cambie next to a metro station, but UF's on West 1st - not even 2nd, 1st - and hidden behind a Subway and the beer hall. Of course it's not going to do well.

That's a bold statement!

You have to take a look at what's in reasonable walking distance. UF in OV probably has the most population in the few blocks around it compared to many other grocery stores in Vancouver. Most communities would have more than one option. It's close to a km walk to the next closest options: Save On, Whole Foods, and Costco.

[Migrant_Coconut]

I may be biased by the buffet table. Whole Foods appears to simply throw together whatever leftovers they've got at the moment.

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

You have to take a look at what's in reasonable walking distance. UF in OV probably has the most population in the few blocks around it compared to many other grocery stores in Vancouver. Most communities would have more than one option. It's close to a km walk to the next closest options: Save On, Whole Foods, and Costco.

Thing is, practically every supermarket gets most of its traffic from outside customers. The Save-On and Whole Foods get two Canada Line stations and the busiest part of South Cambie. Costco's right next to Stadium-Chinatown (and the stadiums).

[Conrad Yablonski]

Originally Posted by officedweller

New Save-on-Foods in Kerrisdale (49th & West Boulevard)

I know the area of old and drive through regularly it's still quiet/the dark end of the street and I don't see that changing.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

Thing is, practically every supermarket gets most of its traffic from outside customers. The Save-On and Whole Foods get two Canada Line stations and the busiest part of South Cambie. Costco's right next to Stadium-Chinatown (and the stadiums).

Yeah, it's a myth that people grocery shop exclusively in their neighbourhood.
People travel so much during their regular daytime lives that they can shop wherever they are near .

[bluefox]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

I may be biased by the buffet table. Whole Foods appears to simply throw together whatever leftovers they've got at the moment.

The best Whole Foods location in Vancouver is the Park Royal one, hands down. Great deli and hot/salad bars, especially for what is one of their smaller stores.

[SpongeG]

I like the Burnaby one the most, it feels much bigger and open.

[SpongeG]

Canada Goose is opening a store at Pacific Centre this weekend?

I didn't even know they were opening a store here

Animal rights activists to protest opening of downtown Vancouver Canada Goose store

http://dailyhive.com/vancouver/animal-rights-activists-protest-vancouver-canada-goose-store-2018

[officedweller]

That'll take a bite out of Holt Renfrew sales...

[connect2source]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

Canada Goose is opening a store at Pacific Centre this weekend?

I didn't even know they were opening a store here

Animal rights activists to protest opening of downtown Vancouver Canada Goose store

http://dailyhive.com/vancouver/animal-rights-activists-protest-vancouver-canada-goose-store-2018

This seems to be a growing problem for Canada Goose. Was in London a few weeks ago and the protests outside their Regent Street store were quite large and loud.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Yeah, it's a myth that people grocery shop exclusively in their neighbourhood.
People travel so much during their regular daytime lives that they can shop wherever they are near .

Got any stats for that? It contradicts my experience. We always shop at the closest place, unless we have a preference for another brand. Hence the Urban Fare issue in OV vs Yaletown. Both are densely populated areas, but people around OV seem to prefer something elsewhere.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Yeah, it's a myth that people grocery shop exclusively in their neighbourhood.
People travel so much during their regular daytime lives that they can shop wherever they are near .

People only travel far to shop if they don't have better choices in their own neighbourhood, especially for people who transit and walk to work/school. I do that too, but would rather have my choice retailers close to me.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by connect2source

Our Coal Harbour Urban Fare location is terrible, super-limited selection of everything, bread is never fresh and the deli items look a bit past their sell-by-dates. No items that you can't find anywhere else. Whole atmosphere seems gloomy and depressing.

It's just too bad, but this UF serves my office up the road just fine, especially for lunch takeout. Retail in that immediate vicinity is just depressing, especially after office hours.

[dreambrother808]

Originally Posted by bluefox

The best Whole Foods location in Vancouver is the Park Royal one, hands down. Great deli and hot/salad bars, especially for what is one of their smaller stores.

True, and I remember hearing that that location is the most profitable in their portfolio.

Whole Foods leans more hippie than Urban Fare, which might explain personal preferences for either chain. In terms of ow that plays out in the broader marketplace, WF seemingly has a distinct advantage, especially in a place like Vancouver.

I would love to see a full-size WF location downtown. Robson’s is too limited.

[connect2source]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

I would love to see a full-size WF location downtown. Robson’s is too limited.

As would I, I'm at the Robson one all the time because it's close-by but their hot food is super limited and always looks tired and picked over. Store is less than 1/2 the size it should be and lacks selection in almost every category.

Weren't there a couple of plans to locate one at the micro-condo development planned for Davie and Hornby? I remember seeing renderings showing a Whole Foods at street level.

[CanSpice]

Originally Posted by connect2source

This seems to be a growing problem for Canada Goose. Was in London a few weeks ago and the protests outside their Regent Street store were quite large and loud.

If the Pacific Centre store doesn't have an exterior entrance, the mall can have the protestors thrown out and, if necessary, arrested for trespassing.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Got any stats for that? It contradicts my experience. We always shop at the closest place, unless we have a preference for another brand. Hence the Urban Fare issue in OV vs Yaletown. Both are densely populated areas, but people around OV seem to prefer something elsewhere.

No, just anecdotal.
I suppose it depends on how price conscious you are too.
Most people I know will combine trips to stop off on the way home from a practice or meeting, etc. for a cheaper grocery store like No Frills or a store that has a good sale. (But the No Frills On Broadway can be a zoo on weekends (go at night) and sells out of sale items fast (i.e. pork picnic shoulder $1.00/lb)) https://flyers.smartcanucks.ca/no-frills-canada

It could just be that OV is close enough to other stores (some offering better value (No Frills on Broadway) or better goods and services (Whole Foods) that people go elsewhere. The closest alternatives to UF Yaletwon are Choices on Davie (also pricey), Nesters on Seymour, IGA on Robson (also pricey) and T&T at International Village.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by officedweller

No, just anecdotal.
I suppose it depends on how price conscious you are too.
Most people I know will combine trips to stop off on the way home from a practice or meeting, etc. for a cheaper grocery store like No Frills or a store that has a good sale. (But the No Frills On Broadway can be a zoo on weekends (go at night) and sells out of sale items fast (i.e. pork picnic shoulder $1.00/lb)) https://flyers.smartcanucks.ca/no-frills-canada

It could just be that OV is close enough to other stores (some offering better value (No Frills on Broadway) or better goods and services (Whole Foods) that people go elsewhere. The closest alternatives to UF Yaletwon are Choices on Davie (also pricey), Nesters on Seymour, IGA on Robson (also pricey) and T&T at International Village.

Personally, if it's something simple like fruit or snacks or missing ingredients, and I'm at home (or heading that way), then it's just a quick two-minute walk to No Frills.

Thing is, No Frills is basically Superstore's branch office, and a whole lot of stuff can only be found at Superstore. So my family often ends up driving to the Marpole one; that's how we stumbled across the Denny's. Other family members work closer to T&T and they might stop there on the way home instead.

And of course, none of the above have delis or salad bars, so sometimes we'll end up walking/driving/riding to Whole Foods or Urban Fare for dinner. So at least within my circle, it's not always about whatever's closest.

[memememe76]

Urban Fare in Yaletown is a nice spot for lunch or coffee. If I wanted a lunch or coffee in Olympic Village, I would head over to Terra Breads.

[Tetsuo]

Only ever go to UF to grab a whole cooked chicken