General Retail News - Page 158

rocketphish · #**3141** Posted **Mar 15, 2023, 12:37 AM**

Zellers locations at Hudson's Bay stores in Ottawa to open this month
An opening date has not been announced for the third store in the area, which is expected to be at Les Promenades Gatineau

Lynn Saxberg, Ottawa Citizen
Published Mar 14, 2023 • Last updated 6 hours ago • 1 minute read

Two of the three expected Zellers locations in Ottawa-Gatineau will open on March 23, along with the launch of the nostalgic Canadian brand’s new online shop.

The Ottawa stores will be housed within the Hudson’s Bay locations at the Rideau Centre and St. Laurent Centre, said parent company Hudson’s Bay in a media release Tuesday.

An opening date has not yet been announced for the third store in the area, which is expected to be at Les Promenades Gatineau. Opening dates announced Tuesday were for stores in Ontario and Alberta.

The new shops come almost a decade after most Zellers stores were shuttered, though pop-up versions resurfaced in 2021 in Burlington, Ont. and Anjou, Que.

Tuesday’s announcement also highlighted the price philosophy “at the heart of the Zellers experience,” noting that “instead of limited-time sales or discounts, Zellers shoppers will know they are getting the best price, every day, no matter when they shop.”

The new Zellers will focus on “key lifestyle categories,” such as kitchen and bath items; accent furniture and home decor; organization and storage; baby and kids’ toys and apparel; pets; and apparel basics for men and women.

To mark the first days open and bring to mind the Zellers restaurant that were once in almost every store, a food truck — dubbed the Zellers Diner on Wheels, will visit several store locations with a full schedule to be announced at a later date.

Prospective shoppers can also sign up for updates at zellers.ca.

With files from Megan Gillis.

[email protected]

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local...pen-this-month

Kitchissippi · #**3142** Posted **Mar 15, 2023, 4:17 PM**

I still wish The Bay would temporarily move into the Nordstrom space and then gut/redevelop the entire HBC/Chapters site into a solid 8-storey mixed-use complex. If they put a large underground garage there that can replace all the street parking in the Byward Market, we could be closer to a roomier pedestrian-priority zone.

Acajack · #**3143** Posted **Mar 15, 2023, 5:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

I still wish The Bay would temporarily move into the Nordstrom space and then gut/redevelop the entire HBC/Chapters site into a solid 8-storey mixed-use complex. If they put a large underground garage there that can replace all the street parking in the Byward Market, we could be closer to a roomier pedestrian-priority zone.

Great idea!

phil235 · #**3144** Posted **Mar 15, 2023, 5:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

I still wish The Bay would temporarily move into the Nordstrom space and then gut/redevelop the entire HBC/Chapters site into a solid 8-storey mixed-use complex. If they put a large underground garage there that can replace all the street parking in the Byward Market, we could be closer to a roomier pedestrian-priority zone.

This is really interesting. Also, surely more attractive than filling the Nordstrom space with a Spirit Halloween for a couple of years.

ars · #**3145** Posted **Mar 15, 2023, 6:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

I still wish The Bay would temporarily move into the Nordstrom space and then gut/redevelop the entire HBC/Chapters site into a solid 8-storey mixed-use complex. If they put a large underground garage there that can replace all the street parking in the Byward Market, we could be closer to a roomier pedestrian-priority zone.

This is a pretty great idea and seems beneficial to all the parties involved. The current HBC location feels tired and run down and leaves a lot to be desired and, just based on my anecdotal eye test, doesn't get close to the foot traffic that the Nordstrom location does.

pattherat · #**3146** Posted **Mar 16, 2023, 1:53 PM**

Hope this is the right place for a speculative question…

Does anybody think there is any hope, or have any recent news on Krispy Kreme expansion plans to Ottawa. They won’t answer me via email, and it just seems ridiculous that so many other markets have them but Ottawa does not. (Quebec City for instance. While Toronto, Montreal, and Delta also have them)

rocketphish · #**3147** Posted **Mar 16, 2023, 2:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pattherat

Hope this is the right place for a speculative question…

Does anybody think there is any hope, or have any recent news on Krispy Kreme expansion plans to Ottawa. They won’t answer me via email, and it just seems ridiculous that so many other markets have them but Ottawa does not. (Quebec City for instance. While Toronto, Montreal, and Delta also have them)

Once bitten, twice shy? I'm sure that they are moving more slowly the second time around.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/kri...back-1.3675499

And they probaby know that we have our own favourite doughnuts here...

JHikka · #**3148** Posted **Mar 16, 2023, 2:27 PM**

Anecdotally, the two central Krispy Kreme locations in Toronto (Discovery District and Kensington, literally a five minute walk apart) are generally very busy. I'm sure if Krispy Kreme wanted to plop down on Elgin or Rideau they would be just as busy. The empty storefront at Elgin and Gilmour would actually be the perfect spot for one.

Harley613 · #**3149** Posted **Mar 16, 2023, 2:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pattherat

Hope this is the right place for a speculative question…

Does anybody think there is any hope, or have any recent news on Krispy Kreme expansion plans to Ottawa. They won’t answer me via email, and it just seems ridiculous that so many other markets have them but Ottawa does not. (Quebec City for instance. While Toronto, Montreal, and Delta also have them)

Maybe they didn't do well in the Ottawa market when they sold the frozen/reheated ones in the convenience stores a few years back. I can't remember which chain it was.

Acajack · #**3150** Posted **Mar 16, 2023, 2:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harley613

Maybe they didn't do well in the Ottawa market when they sold the frozen/reheated ones in the convenience stores a few years back. I can't remember which chain it was.

In Gatineau at the Walmart on Maloney there was a very visible Krispy Kreme display with "fresh" (sic) daily donuts at one point. A good 10-20 years ago though.

LeadingEdgeBoomer · #**3151** Posted **Mar 16, 2023, 3:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocketphish

Once bitten, twice shy? I'm sure that they are moving more slowly the second time around.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/kri...back-1.3675499

And they probaby know that we have our own favourite doughnuts here...

McCormiks ae the best Ottawa donut.There is one in the Byward market and one on Innes Road in Orlens. Are there any others?

c_speed3108 · #**3152** Posted **Mar 16, 2023, 5:45 PM**

Uniqlo opening store in Ottawa's Rideau Centre

15000 sq feet
3rd floor
June

https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/uniqlo-ope...ntre-1.6316123

Harley613 · #**3153** Posted **Mar 16, 2023, 5:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by c_speed3108

Uniqlo opening store in Ottawa's Rideau Centre

15000 sq feet
3rd floor
June

https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/uniqlo-ope...ntre-1.6316123

Finally jeez.

OTSkyline · #**3154** Posted **Mar 16, 2023, 7:15 PM**

Finally! Wondering where they will go. I'm thinking 3rd floor across from Coach (where I believe Victoria Secret was)? Other vacant spots right now would be too small to accommodate 15K sq ft I think.

I also saw a "coming soon" for Athleta while at Rideau yesterday, which is very similar to Lulu Lemon (athleisure wear). I think it was on that same level (3) also across from Coach and Harry Rosen.

JHikka · #**3155** Posted **Mar 16, 2023, 7:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by c_speed3108

Uniqlo opening store in Ottawa's Rideau Centre

15000 sq feet
3rd floor
June

Great. Assuming this is in old Vicky's Secret Spot. Trying to think of an alternative location which would be large enough.

Harley613 · #**3156** Posted **Mar 16, 2023, 7:54 PM**

It will almost definitely go in the old Victoria's Secret space...plus two other vacant space, which all together add up to 14,876 sq. ft.

I really hope this brings life to the third floor, it was dying a slow death even before Nordstrom announced the pullout, as you can see in red.

rocketphish · #**3157** Posted **Mar 16, 2023, 11:34 PM**

High-profile clothes retailer Uniqlo heading to Rideau Centre

Staff Reporter, Ottawa Citizen
Published Mar 16, 2023 • Last updated 3 hours ago • 1 minute read

High-profile Japanese clothing retailer Uniqlo is coming to the Rideau Centre in June.

The retailer — known for its “LifeWear” lines of mostly leisure and sport-related apparel — announced Thursday it would have a 15,000-square-foot operation on the centre’s third floor.

It will be Uniqlo’s first operation in the national capital, although it has seven stores in the Toronto and others elsewhere in Canada, as well as a robust online presence at UNIQLO.ca

The Ottawa store is the first volley in a planned five-year expansion, with plans to open 20 stores a year and to reach 200 outlets by 2027.

Uniqlo’s arrival is a bit of good news as the region continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Notably, the Rideau Centre is dealing with the departure of Seattle-based department store Nordstrom.

Nordstrom announced earlier this month it would shut its Canadian operations, closing 13 stores, including the Rideau Centre outlet and the Nordstrom Rack store in the Ottawa Trainyards.

Earlier this month, retail analyst Barry Nabatian said that Ottawa shoppers would have second thoughts about spending for the next year or two. A recession is almost certainly on the way and that could lead to the closures of other stores selling luxury goods.

Meanwhile, Uniqlo will be hosting a career fair in the capital for potential employees. For more information, people can visit the company’s career page online.

With files from Joanne Laucius

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local...-rideau-centre

le calmar · #**3158** Posted **Mar 17, 2023, 5:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pattherat

Hope this is the right place for a speculative question…

Does anybody think there is any hope, or have any recent news on Krispy Kreme expansion plans to Ottawa. They won’t answer me via email, and it just seems ridiculous that so many other markets have them but Ottawa does not. (Quebec City for instance. While Toronto, Montreal, and Delta also have them)

I honestly don’t see what’s the appeal of Krispy Kream. Better than Tims for sure, but I don’t think the praise they’re getting is deserved.

Dengler Avenue · #**3159** Posted **Mar 17, 2023, 5:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by le calmar

I honestly don’t see what’s the appeal of Krispy Kream. Better than Tims for sure, but I don’t think the praise they’re getting is deserved.

Oh wow I haven’t had those for nearly 4 years.

Harley613 · #**3160** Posted **Mar 18, 2023, 4:56 AM**

Confirmed

https://retail-insider.com/retail-in...ore-expansion/