Canadian Retail Thread

[WhipperSnapper]

go to show you that miketoronto concerns of downtown's future are more likely desires of it failing just to say ... I told you so

[waterloowarrior]

Originally Posted by furrycanuck

Mike, the article is clearly about the chinatown on broadview.

[Tony]

I think it's difficult for this city to support two Chinatowns in the general core area. The older, smaller one is bound to start declining, just like the chinatowns before that (ie: the old Dundas & Bay / University Ave. Chinatown), though that one was probably "pushed out" by development rather than financially dying.

Additionally, it's Spadina that gets all the attention and tourists, not many even know an East Chinatown exists and with it's proximity to the suburb of Scarborough, well it doesn't stand much chance. I also don't think it's as convenient to get to via TTC as the main Chinatown.

However, the article is good at telling you that stuff is cheap there.. I might just have to check it out now.

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by Overground

On Wiki it says expansion into Western Canada will start in 2007 with the first stores opening in Edmonton and Calgary, followed by Vancouver. I also read somewhere that a manager at a Toronto H&M said that the Vancouver location will not be until the end of '07. Presumably to do with the Pacific Centre Holt shuffle.

yes the rumour is H&M will be taking over the old Holt Renfrew space in Pacific Centre

there was an article a few months ago about the Holt Renfrew move and that they were in discussions with an exciting retailer but could not make any comments

[SpongeG]

It's never too cold to go shopping

Canadian winters unlikely to cool off hot retail trend

Canadian retailers have snow reason to avoid setting up shop in new outdoor shopping centres.

Ian Thomas, of B.C.-based Thomas Consultants, said the attraction of shoppers to centres with great, well-designed stores outweighs our annual battle with blustery weather.

He was speaking at the Outdoor Centres Forum hosted by the International Council of Shopping Centres in Toronto. The topic was the move from malls to mini-villages, or new outdoor shopping meccas chock full of outdoor shops, condos, offices, big box stores and restaurants.

"Each of us are guilty in Canada of complaining about the weather but it doesn't seem to be a factor anymore. What we are seeing is the proliferation of these large-scale outdoor centres in cold climates," he said, adding Cadillac Fairview is planning a "new urbanist centre" in Toronto.

These 'lifestyle centres' have gained a toehold in the Canadian retail industry, with three recently completed in Vancouver, Edmonton and Montreal.

And it could happen here, although it might mean tearing down old malls to make way for the new.

"I think that lifestyle centres could be a located in the downtowns of middle-sized cities," Don Watt, chairman and CEO of Toronto-based DW+Partners retail consultancy.

Cold weather cities such as Cleveland or Indianapolis in the northern U.S. have already integrated them into neighbourhoods.

Yet Perry Caicco is skeptical about how the trend will translate in the Canadian retail industry.

"There's a healthy dose of skepticism," said Caicco, managing director of institutional equity research for CIBC World Markets.

He said our climate is a deterrent to outdoor shopping, as is the massive amount of capital investment needed to move these massive projects forward.

Buying power also clouds the picture as Canadian income is spread more evenly among a large middle class. In the U.S., where lifestyle centres are thriving, polarized income classes play a role.

Lifestyle centres often cater to high-income consumers.

http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NAS...=1112101662835

[SpongeG]

$3-million makeover to double store's size

EDMONTON - A stylish and assured clientele has convinced Harry Rosen Inc. to spend $3 million doubling the size of its West Edmonton Mall menswear store.

"There's a tremendous feeling of confidence in Alberta," says CEO Larry Rosen. "Young people are enjoying their incomes and they appreciate quality."

The 6,000-square-foot store annually sells "over $1,000 per square foot," he says -- estimating that other mall retailers average $200 to $300.

As Edmonton has become more affluent, shoppers "have gained a more international perspective," Rosen says.

While Harry Rosen is "a luxury brand," it attracts a range of ages and lifestyles. The enlarged store will have separate areas for designer lines, including Armani and Hugo Boss, weekend fashion, traditional sportswear, shoes and made-to-measure.

After closing a store in the former Edmonton Centre several years ago, Rosen hopes to open again in the downtown, perhaps in three years. "We have to get the right location."

A recent style shift is that "men are finally understanding how to use a sports jacket in their wardrobe," Rosen says.

One well-chosen jacket can be worn to the office with shirt and tie, with a sports shirt on casual Friday, and with jeans and sweater on weekends, he says. "It's so versatile."

Materials range from tweed to velvet.

"Velvet is hot," Rosen says -- but not in a gaudy, shoulder-padded look. "The jackets now are softer and unstructured."

Ten years ago, "we sold five suits for every sports jacket," he says. "Now the numbers are almost even."

The WEM expansion will be part of a two-year, $50-million upgrading and expansion of the 16-store chain.

Within five years, Rosen aims to build annual revenue to $300 million from $200 million and to expand market share, among high-end menswear stores, to 50 per cent from 40 per cent.

In Edmonton, he sees Henry Singer and Holt Renfrew as his major competitors.

Rosen's strategy depends on service. The company spends $1 million per year on training and achieves high staff retention, with an average seniority of 16 years.

That's crucial because "women tend to be search shoppers but men are reluctant shoppers," Rosen says. "If you can earn their trust, they become very loyal."

Harry Rosen founded the privately held chain in Toronto in 1954. Larry Rosen, his son, became president in 1997 and CEO in 2000. Harry Rosen retired from his position as executive chairman in 2004.

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjourna...6-eb50bfe3bcd1

[Taller Better]

That Riverdale Chinatown is a pretty scuzzy area... run down quite badly. But, it has the best place in town to get lobsters... Bill's Lobsters on the south side of Gerrard, 1/2 block east of Broadview. I was there a few times this summer, and that area was hopping. I had no idea it wasn't doing well!

[Doug]

http://www.colliersmn.com/prod/cclod...+Quarterly.pdf

Louis Vuitton, Tiffany’s, Lacoste, Abercrombie & Fitch, Apple and Crate & Barrel, Lowe’s, Cabela’s and Whole Foods Market for Calgary.

[Taller Better]

I can't read those darned Acrobat reports.. I hate Acrobat with passion. I can't see any reference to the above stores... Do you have any information?
The most interesting one seems to be Tiffany's. Louis Vuitton will probably open one of their small boutiques with just the basic handbags, etc.. and Crate and Barrel is supposed to open across the country. So, what is the dirt on Tiffany's in Calgary? I would have thought they would open in Vancouver instead...

[Doug]

^Calgary had ~50% higher retails sales per capita than Vancouver in 2004. The gap is likely even larger now.
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/...it_Economy.pdf

[Built Form]

Originally Posted by Taller Better

I can't read those darned Acrobat reports.. I hate Acrobat with passion. I can't see any reference to the above stores... Do you have any information?
The most interesting one seems to be Tiffany's. Louis Vuitton will probably open one of their small boutiques with just the basic handbags, etc.. and Crate and Barrel is supposed to open across the country. So, what is the dirt on Tiffany's in Calgary? I would have thought they would open in Vancouver instead...

You are right 'Taller Better' The 4800 sq. ft. Vancouver Tiffany's will open in 2 weeks at the corner of Alberni and Burrard. Louis Vuitton is across the street in the Hotel Vancouver and also in the hotel is Gucci which opened earlier this year and Hermes opened a large store across from the Tiffany location this year as well. Calgary will probably get these stores too, eventually. But all the luxury brand retailers are moving quickly to open or expand (as was the case for Chanel) in Vancouver first, especially with the Olympics coming. Sorry Calgary you'll just have to wait your turn before blowing your own horn.

[Plus15]

RE: Tiffany & Co. in Calgary:

Towards the very end of the report it briefly touches on the Chinook Centre expansion, and name drops. In the chart of proposed properties it lists "Tiffany's" as the proposed anchor tenant to this expansion.

I have heard rumours of this for a while, that the Chinook expansion is going to be super high-end. I don't think the deal is soldified in any way. I would be mildly dissapointed to see Tiffany's open at Chinook...that's the sort of thing that should be downtown.

Tiffany's or not, the new wing at Chinook will most certainly blow the doors off anything else in existence in Alberta.

[Taller Better]

Originally Posted by Built Form

You are right 'Taller Better' The 4800 sq. ft. Vancouver Tiffany's will open in 2 weeks at the corner of Alberni and Burrard. Louis Vuitton is across the street in the Hotel Vancouver and also in the hotel is Gucci which opened earlier this year and Hermes opened a large store across from the Tiffany location this year as well. Calgary will probably get these stores too, eventually. But all the luxury brand retailers are moving quickly to open or expand (as was the case for Chanel) in Vancouver first, especially with the Olympics coming. Sorry Calgary you'll just have to wait your turn before blowing your own horn.

Thanks, Built Form! Do you have any photos of the Tiffany's? Are they doing the classic storefront with red granite and the bronze statue? I'd love to see it. As for the Gucci and the LV boutiques, there are different kinds of shops..
there is the small boutique that opens in a hotel or within something like Holts and there is a full line free standing shop that sells the clothing as well as handbags/shoes, etc...Even those full sized shops vary in size and content in different cities of the world... the ones in Paris, London and New York are bigger than the ones in Toronto. Ditto for Cartier... they have a Le Must line of boutiques and they have the full sized shops that vary around the world. The Tiffany's in Vancouver sounds like a full sized store, while the shopping centre Tiffany's boutique in Calgary sounds like it will be a smaller type like you see in in some Australian cities.

[SpongeG]

vancouver's luxury brands are always changing too - mostly because they were franchises - i think the ones coming in now are corporate

years ago in the 90's we had 3 Versace Stores, Romeo Gigli, Valentino, Celine, Sonia Rykiel and Furla

The new Hermes store is really nice - and the Tiffanys should help that "luxury" block a lot

[SpongeG]

also - I go to Crate & Barrel quite often - there are 2 just a couple hours south of Vancouver - and I was just in a few in the San Francisco area - and it really isn't that exciting of a store - it looks good and its nicely laid out but overall its just kinda meh - if you look closely at the furniture it looks no better than the Brick kinda stuff - ie they use particle board and stuff - they just have nicer styling

[Built Form]

Originally Posted by Taller Better

Thanks, Built Form! Do you have any photos of the Tiffany's? Are they doing the classic storefront with red granite and the bronze statue? I'd love to see it. As for the Gucci and the LV boutiques, there are different kinds of shops..
there is the small boutique that opens in a hotel or within something like Holts and there is a full line free standing shop that sells the clothing as well as handbags/shoes, etc...Even those full sized shops vary in size and content in different cities of the world... the ones in Paris, London and New York are bigger than the ones in Toronto. Ditto for Cartier... they have a Le Must line of boutiques and they have the full sized shops that vary around the world. The Tiffany's in Vancouver sounds like a full sized store, while the shopping centre Tiffany's boutique in Calgary sounds like it will be a smaller type like you see in in some Australian cities.

http://www.opulencemag.ca/vancouver/lifestyle02.html
The above link will take you to an article in Opulance magazine concerning the news Tiffany's Vancouver store.

[samne]

H & M is a more stylish Old Navy. The clothes are bad quality, dont fit properly and last a season or two depending on how many times you wash.

Zara has better quality Spanish designed wear for cheap prices. I still have stuff I bought 4-5 years ago.

[Claeren]

^ Yuck, i hate Zara's. I can't even go into their stores, the lighting literally makes me sick.

I find nothing there fits either, it is for very small builds only (all of my Asian friends shop there without any trouble). H&M i find fits normal builds much better.



Claeren.

[malek]

Zara's xtra large is barely a north american medium.

its crazy.

[samne]

Claeren, never noticed the lighting.

I know what you mean about the sizing, Im over 6' and not everything fits either. Toronto has a couple really big stores with alot of stock with crazy sales, so sometimes you just sort through. But for inexpensive euro imports, Zara is cheap for the quality.