The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread - Page 704

Changing City · #**14061** Posted **Nov 17, 2019, 5:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnext

Another blow for South Granville - Williams Sonoma is closing. But hey are having a big sale!

It's presumably part of the continuing decline in brick & mortar retail demand. "Same-store sales declined 1.6% at the Williams-Sonoma brand. During fiscal 2019, Williams-Sonoma intends to close a net of 30 stores, for a total store count of 595 by the end of the fiscal year."

whatnext · #**14062** Posted **Nov 17, 2019, 8:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Changing City

It's presumably part of the continuing decline in brick & mortar retail demand. "Same-store sales declined 1.6% at the Williams-Sonoma brand. During fiscal 2019, Williams-Sonoma intends to close a net of 30 stores, for a total store count of 595 by the end of the fiscal year."

There always seemed enough foot traffic in the store. Mind you the other three Canadian stores are in the GTA so it might it be economical. More troubling is that they’re the parent company of West Elm and Pottery Barn, two other big draws for South Granville.

While I do some online shopping, I find it’s implications for neighbourhoods and social interactions a bit troubling.

Retail-Insider · #**14063** Posted **Nov 18, 2019, 4:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnext

Another blow for South Granville - Williams Sonoma is closing. But hey are having a big sale!

This information is accurate. JLL has put the Granville space up for lease. Both suburban Montreal stores are closing as well: https://www.retail-insider.com/retail-in...id-multiple-store-closures-in-canadanbsp

SpongeG · #**14064** Posted **Nov 18, 2019, 5:39 AM**

Edmonton closed its Williams Sonoma a while back. Its way overpriced, I don't know who can afford a $700 frying pan or $20 dish soap.

SpongeG · #**14065** Posted **Nov 18, 2019, 7:11 AM**

Miniso X Marvel has opened in Guildford Mall. I think its the first one for BC

not the actual store but what you can expect, if you have any marvel fans to shop for...

mothership.sg

connect2source · #**14066** Posted **Nov 18, 2019, 1:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

Edmonton closed its Williams Sonoma a while back. Its way overpriced, I don't know who can afford a $700 frying pan or $20 dish soap.

Agreed, was in there recently, seems to have lost its relevance, store seemed dated, cluttered and somewhat rundown. They've not spent a penny on it since opening day.

whatnext · #**14067** Posted **Nov 18, 2019, 6:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

Edmonton closed its Williams Sonoma a while back. Its way overpriced, I don't know who can afford a $700 frying pan or $20 dish soap.

I cross-shopped their current sale prices on some appliances with Best Buy and it seemed competitive. The food stuff is overpriced unless you get it on sale.

SpongeG · #**14068** Posted **Nov 18, 2019, 6:21 PM**

yea so you're better off buying it elsewhere.

Vin · #**14069** Posted **Nov 18, 2019, 9:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conrad Yablonski

Well considering how excited posters here become over fast food franchises of the dumbest, coarsest and greasiest variety this is almost 'edgy'.

We just have to see what they have before commenting.

Vin · #**14070** Posted **Nov 18, 2019, 9:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retail-Insider

This information is accurate. JLL has put the Granville space up for lease. Both suburban Montreal stores are closing as well: https://www.retail-insider.com/retail-in...id-multiple-store-closures-in-canadanbsp

Not surprised with stores in low density Montreal suburban stores closing. But here in Vancouver stores are closing in areas not too far from the densest neighbourhoods.

cairnstone · #**14071** Posted **Nov 18, 2019, 9:33 PM**

one word Amazon and online stores.

Vin · #**14072** Posted **Nov 18, 2019, 9:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cairnstone

one word Amazon and online stores.

Does not really apply to shops in most of our city/town centre malls, and hypermarkets though.

cairnstone · #**14073** Posted **Nov 18, 2019, 10:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vin

Does not really apply to shops in most of our city/town centre malls, and hypermarkets though.

Online is a huge factor in every brick and mortar store. You just don't see it unless you are part of the store. Most brands have or will be rolling out web store integration. They have separate inventory systems for web orders and typically you order online and pick up in store so you save shipping costs.

officedweller · #**14074** Posted **Nov 18, 2019, 10:23 PM**

For kitchen stuff you also have the off-price retailers like Homesense.
It depends on if you are really particular about your housewares or not (similarly with Crate & Barrel as well).
A lot of people these days don't have full sets of dishes, may not entertain at home and may not even cook much, either.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conrad Yablonski

You posted that ironically right?

You're being 'ironic'.

Yeah, I was actually thinking west side Vancouver and "supermarket" rather than "grocery store" or "market".
On the east side there are lots of Asian markets (family owned, etc.) and some Asian supermarkets.
Maybe the west side Chinese don't cook as often or head to Richmond?

PS - a friend went into the Sungiven Foods and said it felt like a Trader Joe's. Fruit is priced by the piece, not by the pound.

SpongeG · #**14075** Posted **Nov 19, 2019, 12:51 AM**

South Granville needs parking. Pottery Barn is usually in malls in most US cities as is Williams Sonoma and West Elm. I have been to Pottery Barn numerous times over the years and has it is harder to find parking in the area the store is not that busy, I have been in there on a friday afternoon and been one of maybe three customers.

Williams Sonoma would have done better in Park Royal or Oakridge, well not now since Oakridge is a mess. And as Officedweller brings up peoples lifestyles are changing we don't need the fancy cooking gadgets or dishes anymore.

osirisboy · #**14076** Posted **Nov 19, 2019, 1:02 AM**

Since these stores like William Sonoma aren't busy or popular anymore, it doesn't seem like it would be a blow to south Granville. Keeping it open would be a blow.

SpongeG · #**14077** Posted **Nov 19, 2019, 1:08 AM**

Rudsak has opened in the Mcarthur glen outlets phase 1, not in the extension. It's their second store in the area, there is one in Park Royal.

Vin · #**14078** Posted **Nov 19, 2019, 2:00 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

South Granville needs parking. Pottery Barn is usually in malls in most US cities as is Williams Sonoma and West Elm. I have been to Pottery Barn numerous times over the years and has it is harder to find parking in the area the store is not that busy, I have been in there on a friday afternoon and been one of maybe three customers.

Williams Sonoma would have done better in Park Royal or Oakridge, well not now since Oakridge is a mess. And as Officedweller brings up peoples lifestyles are changing we don't need the fancy cooking gadgets or dishes anymore.

Planners don't have this type of foresight. People don't think. Vancouverites think that street-level retail can provide all our retail needs, but now we can see how terrible this model is, as is evident from what's happening on the ground in recent years.

Makes a lot of sense to have ample parking to allow bigger stuff to be transported away from the stores. I guess planners only expect a granny to carry an armchair to her house up on Strathcona.

officedweller · #**14079** Posted **Nov 19, 2019, 2:43 AM**

Too bad land is so expensive around South Granville.

Along Fraser Street south of 41st Ave., the City has recently implemented pay parking.
There are linear [business association?] parking lots west of Fraser from 43rd Ave to 49th Ave.
Those are also now pay parking through EasyPark during the day,
BUT they are free after 6pm.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/E+41st...6dbcdf00!8m2!3d49.2329525!4d-123.0904673

bluefox · #**14080** Posted **Nov 20, 2019, 2:57 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

South Granville needs parking. Pottery Barn is usually in malls in most US cities as is Williams Sonoma and West Elm. I have been to Pottery Barn numerous times over the years and has it is harder to find parking in the area the store is not that busy, I have been in there on a friday afternoon and been one of maybe three customers.

Williams Sonoma would have done better in Park Royal or Oakridge, well not now since Oakridge is a mess. And as Officedweller brings up peoples lifestyles are changing we don't need the fancy cooking gadgets or dishes anymore.

If the source who spoke to Retail Insider is accurate, it appears WS is going to treat this as a relocation of sorts with the closure of South Granville and possible replacement with a new location elsewhere.

As much as the store was in decline and needs a rescue, the brand still arguably has a cachet. You will not find many people who have a lesser opinion of the brand itself, they just maybe would shop elsewhere now. That gives them an opportunity for a bit of redemption among consumers. I agree it would be a smart move to go to Park Royal, though they missed an opportunity to jump on the double vacancy next to Simons when it was available. That is now taken up by Nespresso and another retailer; however, they could always go in the old J. Crew space and that is prime real estate. I also see potential for a good fit at Brentwood, given the latter's attempt to lure mid-upscale to upscale retailers.

Above all, though, regardless of location, just like any other retailer, WS needs to take the lesson being taught here, which is that you cannot take your customer base for granted. Constantly invest in your stores, your product and your staff and it won't really matter where you're located. The only thing standing your way at that point is rent and that seems to have been the culprit here no matter how poorly the store might have been doing. And their strategy of clustering their brands together in one geographic vicinity is a double whammy when the rent is high.