Canadian Retail Thread

[shreddog]

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

...I was going to say something like "YAY for success of a big canadian retailer" but weren't they bought out by some company in the states or something? Nothing is big, successful and canadian.. other than Tim Hortons and Giant Tiger

While HBC has been foreign owned for most of its existance - it is currently a publically traded company based in Canada - just like Tim Hortons, Canadian Tire, Bell Canada or Blackberry. FYI, in it's current state it is actually a very successful Canadian company in that it owns American retailers such as Saks and Lord&Taylor.

[miketoronto]

The renaissance of The Bay was started way before the American guy bought out the shares. He is just gaining from the planning done years prior.

I take issue with the comment about Canada not being able to do anything right in the retail world .

It is Canadian's who run and own Holt Renfrew, which happens to have the highest sales per sq foot of any luxury department store chain in North America.
People tend to forget that places like Saks have become commonplace. Holt Renfrew still has that exclusive allure.

It is Canadian's who turned around Selfridges in England, and have again made it one of the top stores in the world.

It is Canadian's who also own Fortnum & Maison in London.

[Travis007]

http://www.retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2014/6/uniqlo

Japanese fast-fashion retailer Uniqlo is working with a broker to open Canadian stores. Uniqlo's choice of American locations can be considered an indication of what it wants in Canada: prime retail space on busy streets and in prominent malls. Expect large Canadian Uniqlo flagships, as well as some smaller mall-based stores. However, its cautious American expansion foreshadows what's in store for Canada, at least in the short term, as only a handful of American cities see multiple Uniqlo locations. This will change, eventually, as Uniqlo's goal is to become the world's top-selling fashion retailer. We'll explain why Uniqlo stores will open in many Canadian markets over the next several years, and we'll then discuss some of its most likely Canadian locations.

Sources inform us that Uniqlo is talking to Canada's largest mall landlords as its searches for Canadian retail space. In March, the Financial Post reported that Uniqlo was in talks to open a 35,000 square foot space at Toronto's Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Toronto and Vancouver are ideal cities for the Japanese retailer: both see exceptionally high retail sales, large Asian populations, and considerable Uniqlo brand awareness. Other desirable markets include Montreal, Edmonton, Calgary, and possibly Ottawa and Winnipeg, as the company continues expanding.

[SignalHillHiker]

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Company's new St. John's location is just about ready to open its doors:



I'm curious how it's going to compete with the beloved Newfoundland Chocolate Company. On RMCC's Facebook page, it seems to be mostly Newfoundlanders who lived away that are familiar with the brand. You see lots of posts such as, "I always bring home some Rocky Mountain treats! Can't wait to bring my family in now that you're here!"

[theshark]

In a way it is some kind of retail, alfa romeo has announced 4 canadian locations!

http://business.financialpost.com/2014/0...ars-in-north-america-in-almost-20-years/

[Marty_Mcfly]

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

Oh no...

lululemon is returning to St. John's with another summer pop-up store downtown for their second time.

I don't mind the yoga pants but the lack of lululemon sports wear and the over-abundance of high heels is how I tell Newfoundlanders from Maritimers. I hope that stuff doesn't get popular here.

Until now, it's safely been only available at one fitness store.

Oh dear, I think you're a little late on that one The teen to 24 demographic has lost their shit for lululemon and its silly yoga pants.

As a straight male I am completely okay with this.

Not like it's classy however.

[FrAnKs]

Originally Posted by theshark

In a way it is some kind of retail, alfa romeo has announced 4 canadian locations!

http://business.financialpost.com/2014/0...ars-in-north-america-in-almost-20-years/

Meanwhile in USA, about 80

[MTLskyline]

Originally Posted by theshark

In a way it is some kind of retail, alfa romeo has announced 4 canadian locations!

http://business.financialpost.com/2014/0...ars-in-north-america-in-almost-20-years/

Huge fan of Alfas.

Great news.

[SignalHillHiker]

That's such a mainland Canadian article. 4 of us have been chosen to be the first in North America to sell them!

Scroll down... along with 82 American dealerships. Lol lovely cars though.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Marty_Mcfly

Oh dear, I think you're a little late on that one The teen to 24 demographic has lost their shit for lululemon and its silly yoga pants.

As a straight male I am completely okay with this.

Not like it's classy however.

Lulu has been going strong for well over a decade now. Even though I'm sure its sales are still growing, I get the sense that it has dropped off as a fashion trend... the trendsetters have moved on to other things and those who are still interested in that look have a vast range of less expensive competitors to choose from now.

But yeah, as comfortable as I'm sure their clothes are, Lululemon sure didn't move Canadian style in a classy direction... they basically tried to make it acceptable to do anything in fancy sweats and hoodies... Their stuff is fine if you're doing yoga or exercising or walking the dog, but it has the unfortunate tendency to turn up in the most inappropriate places.

[Metro-One]

I dont know what is wrong with other forum members on here but in Vancouver I never grew tired of looking at all the tight cute Asian girl bums in Lulu Lemon yoga pants.

If someone wore them to a club or a nice dinner that would look out of place, but where I usually saw them (out on the sea walls, in the parks, at the coffee shop, etc...) it was always a beautiful sight

You should see what the Japanese wear here for casual. Everyone knows the famous Japanese fashion trends, and while they definitely have better work attire in general (and I love all the uniforms at nearly all work places and schools (wish Canadian work places were bigger on uniforms)) and their fantastic party / going out fashion sense, the vast majority of people when going shopping or just doing daily routines wear the most god awful track suites you could ever imagine. It makes my eyes hurt (another horrid fashion aspect in Japan is that it is ok at work for people to wear sneakers in their suits, I can't stand that!).

So the yoga pants trend for casual daily life really isn't that bad.

To be honest when I was in Europe the average fashion there really was not as great as many on this forum build it up to be, especially in the country side areas. Paris was good for fashion, that is true, but Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and many areas of Germany were really no better or worse than daily life in BC.

PS I absolutely love UNIQLO and shop there all the time myself. The price is fantastic for the quality and fashion. I am sure knowing Canada that it will be more expensive though than it is here in Japan.

[SignalHillHiker]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

I dont know what is wrong with other forum members on here but in Vancouver I never grew tired of looking at all the tight cute Asian girl bums in Lulu Lemon yoga pants.

Got a touch of teh ghey myself.

You can make yoga pants work... they can be part of any outfit as classy as one can create with tights, and it's certainly doable. But so many girls seem to take it as an excuse to throw on a pair of uggs, knot their hair back, and let themselves go.

But, whatever. I wear a blanket when home. My housemates call me Princess. So I can't judge.

[Marty_Mcfly]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

PS I absolutely love UNIQLO and shop there all the time myself. The price is fantastic for the quality and fashion. I am sure knowing Canada that it will be more expensive though than it is here in Japan.

UNIQLO is unreal awesome. I went to a store when I was in NY and didn't regret it at all. As a slim guy it's hard to find nice dress shirts that have an overall good fit to it (both chest and arms), but they had exactly what I needed for cheap (30 bucks for a dress shirt).

The only places here in St. John's that I've found with my silly size are Le Chateau and Tip Top Tailors, and I can't afford to throw down that kind of money when I need a new dress shirt

[GreatTallNorth2]

Uniquo will be a welcome addition to the Canadian retail landscape. I shopped there all the time in the UK and they are know for good fashion and good prices. It's not high end in the European context, but in Canada's it will be a welcome alternative to our tired brands.

[Denscity]

Originally Posted by theshark

In a way it is some kind of retail, alfa romeo has announced 4 canadian locations!

http://business.financialpost.com/2014/0...ars-in-north-america-in-almost-20-years/

My bad nm.

[MonkeyRonin]

Originally Posted by GreatTallNorth2

Uniquo will be a welcome addition to the Canadian retail landscape. I shopped there all the time in the UK and they are know for good fashion and good prices. It's not high end in the European context, but in Canada's it will be a welcome alternative to our tired brands.

Obviously it's "not high end" - that's kind of the point. It's a low-cost fast-fashion retailer. Compared to its closest competitors though I'd say it offers slightly better stuff than H&M but not as good as Topshop/Topman. All the standard high street brands are pretty similar though anyway.

[ue]

It would be nice if Uniqlo took a chance on Downtown Edmonton and opened up their city flagship either on Jasper Ave, 104th St, or apart of the Arena District or the rumoured City Centre renovations. Or perhaps even having Whyte Ave as the flagship. It'd be a safer bet and I believe American Apparel had a similar strategy when entering the Edmonton market (it's now also at WEM). Sadly, I wouldn't be surprised if WEM, Southgate, or Kingsway got Edmonton's flagship.

[SpongeG]

i never thought of uniqlo has fast fashion, i never found anything trendy or fashionable about the stuff in their stores, they don't seem to copy runway fashion like h&m and zara do

speaking of zara when will zara home expan into the west already come on already

[caltrane74]

Application: Building Additions/Alterations Status: Not Started

Location: 1 DUNDAS ST W
TORONTO ON M5G 1Z3

Ward 27: Toronto Centre-Rosedale

Application#: 14 186025 BLD 00 BA Accepted Date: Jul 7, 2014

Project: Retail Store Re-Roofing/Re-Cladding

Description: Proposal to demolish existing facade in preparation for new tenant - "Nordstrom"



Looks like this facade is coming down!!!

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by caltrane74

Application: Building Additions/Alterations Status: Not Started

Location: 1 DUNDAS ST W
TORONTO ON M5G 1Z3

Ward 27: Toronto Centre-Rosedale

Application#: 14 186025 BLD 00 BA Accepted Date: Jul 7, 2014

Project: Retail Store Re-Roofing/Re-Cladding

Description: Proposal to demolish existing facade in preparation for new tenant - "Nordstrom"



Looks like this facade is coming down!!!

Considering the dramatic changes to the Vancouver store and, to a lesser degree, the Ottawa store, this should be interesting.