[Moncton] Retail Thread

[MonctonRad]

CF Champlain is reopening at 11 AM on Wednesday, with reduced hours (11 AM - 7 PM) and restrictions like physical distancing.

It is probable that not all mall retailers will be ready to reopen by Wednesday.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

CF Champlain is reopening at 11 AM on Wednesday, with reduced hours (11 AM - 7 PM) and restrictions like physical distancing.

It is probable that not all mall retailers will be ready to reopen by Wednesday.

Do you know if Starbucks will be open?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

Do you know if Starbucks will be open?

It's up to each individual retailer.

[MonctonRad]

Mexi's Fresh Express is opening next week at the Mapleton Centre.

[MonctonRad]

Reposted from the Canada section:

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Reitmans (576 stores across Canada under the banners Reitmans, Penningtons, RW & Co., Addition Elle and Thyme Maternity) is seeking creditor protection. One could see many of their stores closing under a restructuring.

This could hit the Moncton retail scene quite hard, depending on how many of their stores they choose to close.

[MonctonRad]

CBC article related to this:

Montreal-based fashion retailer Reitmans seeks creditor protection for its 576 stores across Canada
Chain also owns RW & Co., Thyme Maternity, Addition Elle, Penningtons stores
Pete Evans · CBC News
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/reitmans-restructuring-1.5575036

Of all of their stores in Moncton, I would think the Reitmans at the Northwest Centre is at the greatest risk. I would imagine they will try to keep all their CF Champlain stores if possible, although this would likely depend on how far CF will compromise on rents. It's interesting that RW&Co is in the process of renovating for a relocation at Champlain Place.

[L'homard]

Pier 1 Imports closing all stores for good as well.

[MonctonRad]

New site plan for the Granite Centre:



Site prep for Plazas 5 & 6 is currently under way.

A bad time to be building new retail IMHO............

[Colouratura]

Just Cozy in the mall is gone from the old Claire de Lune space. I didn't see it anywhere else in the mall.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Colouratura

Just Cozy in the mall is gone from the old Claire de Lune space. I didn't see it anywhere else in the mall.

That was just a temporary location for Just Cozy. Apparently (at least before the pandemic), that space had been spoken for. The rumour was that Just Cozy was looking for a different space at the mall to set up a permanent store.

It is interesting to note that Ardene may be exiting the mall (while keeping their Wheeler Park location). The Ardene space would be a good one for a relocated Just Cozy.........

[Ammn_guy]

I could be mistaken but i think i saw just cozy sign or 'something' cozy at a unit at lounsbury center by the wine store. the windows were papered over.

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

That was just a temporary location for Just Cozy. Apparently (at least before the pandemic), that space had been spoken for. The rumour was that Just Cozy was looking for a different space at the mall to set up a permanent store.

It is interesting to note that Ardene may be exiting the mall (while keeping their Wheeler Park location). The Ardene space would be a good one for a relocated Just Cozy.........

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Ammn_guy

I could be mistaken but i think i saw just cozy sign or 'something' cozy at a unit at lounsbury center by the wine store. the windows were papered over.

That's a different Cozy. They've relocated from Hastings Ridge.

[Colouratura]

And it gets worse.
Victoria's Secret plus Bath & Bodyworks are in trouble. I hope ours will be safe.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/victoria...nada-u-s-as-retailers-struggle-1.4948122

[MonctonRad]

This was the year of the retail apocalypse even before COVID-19 landed on our shores. It's now becoming the year of retail thermonuclear Armageddon.

VS is closing 13 of 38 stores in Canada, leaving 25 left. It was speculated in the Canada section that these closures included some closures previously announced earlier this year.

Purportedly the VS at CF Champlain is one of their better performing stores in Canada, so hopefully it will be safe (for now), but the health of the overall chain is perilous, so it may only be a matter of time before the whole thing goes under........

[MonctonRad]

Confirmed, given the store closures already announced earlier this year, that there will only be three additional VS closures in Canada, bringing the count down to 25 stores.

[L'homard]

Forever 21 is done. So much for coming to Moncton.

[DyAm00394]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

This was the year of the retail apocalypse even before COVID-19 landed on our shores. It's now becoming the year of retail thermonuclear Armageddon.

VS is closing 13 of 38 stores in Canada, leaving 25 left. It was speculated in the Canada section that these closures included some closures previously announced earlier this year.

Purportedly the VS at CF Champlain is one of their better performing stores in Canada, so hopefully it will be safe (for now), but the health of the overall chain is perilous, so it may only be a matter of time before the whole thing goes under........

I think the CF Champlain location may be good but who knows. Also, here is some interesting points from Retail Insider's article on this: https://www.retail-insider.com/retail-in...ter-13-victorias-secret-stores-in-canada

• "L Brands says that it will permanently shutter 13 of Victoria’s Secret’s 38 Canadian stores, representing almost 35% of the Canadian fleet, as well as one Bath & Body Works location in the country".

• "The company is ‘rightsizing’ its fleet as it looks to split the two brands into separate corporate entities while at the same time growing its online business substantially".

• "The company is looking to rightsize its footprint which will include even more store closures in 2020 and 2021. Reasons included “responding to changing consumer behaviours” to create a “healthier and better business” in preparations an anticipated sale of the Victoria’s Secret division".

• "Remarkably, Meslow said the company is looking to see online sales grow to about 50% of all retail sales for the Victoria’s Secret brand, following a significant spike in e-commerce following temporary store shutdowns on March 17. A substantial renovation program will see units updated into 2021 and beyond, though it’s unclear how many of those renovations will be for Canadian stores".

So apparently they may close more stores over the next few years as they "right size" the brand. And interesting that they will be launching a substantial renovation program for 2021 and beyond. Overall, it's interesting to see the future for this brand and which 13 stores are part of the ones closing here in Canada.

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

. Overall, it's interesting to see the future for this brand and which 13 stores are part of the ones closing here in Canada.

They had already closed 8 of them prior to Covid, with 2 more planned (and they may have already closed those 2 as well), so really it's only 3 new closures. Haven't heard which Bath and Body is on the block. Weird that they would only be closing one of them across the country.

[DyAm00394]

I've seen some online chatter that Alia N Tan Jay will begin liquidation and close all their stores as soon as they open from the covid shut down. Nygård will be closing as well.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1690502684515770/permalink/2736002473299114/
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Also, Stokes will be permanently closing about 40 (out of their 147 stores) across Canada. The company has identified the 40 stores that are being closed but it will take about two to three months to liquidate that inventory. That process began prior to the COVID outbreak. They will be reducing their retail footprint in Canada and streamlining its head office operations. The Company will continue investing in its online business which has experienced material growth over the last few years,” said the news release.

“Stokes will be closing its less profitable stores while maintaining the majority of its retail locations across Canada and its head office operations in Montreal, QC. Once the restructuring is completed, Stokes will continue to employ approximately 1000 Canadians. The Company's management is confident that, through the restructuring process, Stokes will emerge as a healthier and more profitable business, well positioned for long term success to the benefit of all stakeholders.”

“What we’re doing now is working with the company and their advisors to put together a plan for go forward with the business post-COVID and what that can look like. That includes sales assumptions, perhaps further head count reductions, or additional store closures. We’re not certain at this point. We’re looking at the alternatives. We’re essentially putting together that post-COVID plan of re-opening the stores and how that can translate into sales and also more importantly how the online platform will now take on a larger role given what we’re faced with. They’re going to be investing in that technology even further and improving the overall customer experience on the online platform.”

Source: https://www.retail-insider.com/retail-in...zeWbycIBti8uHMEQZ3szHW9Z98XLEEeIBde0YTwQ

[MonctonRad]

It's a shame that both the new Alia n Tanjay store at CF Champlain and the Nygard store at Wheeler Park will be closing.

As for Stokes, they will be closing about 1/3rd of their brick and mortar stores nationwide. I have a feeling their CF Champlain store will be safe.

The closure of the Ardene store at CF Champlain is confirmed. Their (larger) store at Wheeler Park will remain open.

I wonder who the next casualty of the Retail Armageddon will be?