Winnipeg Retail

[roccerfeller]

Apple is apparently opening up a store in Victoria BC...could Apple open up a second store in Winnipeg in the future? Anyone in the know about the retail scene here have 2 cents to share on that?

A friend who used to work at Apple wondered why a market the size of Winnipeg doesn't have a second location, or at least a larger retail store - they said it is the second smallest store physically in the country, out of the current 29 stores (soon to be 30), which got me wondering as well...[note - second to one of the stores in the Greater Vancouver region which apparently has the smallest, though they have something like 5 or 6 stores in the region]

My own thoughts are that, when the store at Polo Park opened up in 2009, there were much fewer than 29 locations (it was the 13th store at the time in the country and only the 4th store in Western Canada, at the time), and the layout was appropriate at the time for the retail space that was available - that way many, many years ago. I don't see why maybe a decade later a second location doesn't become a plausible idea (i.e. 2019/20)

[esquire]

Originally Posted by roccerfeller

Apple is apparently opening up a store in Victoria BC...could Apple open up a second store in Winnipeg in the future? Anyone in the know about the retail scene here have 2 cents to share on that?

A friend who used to work at Apple wondered why a market the size of Winnipeg doesn't have a second location, or at least a larger retail store - they said it is the second smallest store physically in the country, out of the current 29 stores (soon to be 30), which got me wondering as well...[note - second to one of the stores in the Greater Vancouver region which apparently has the smallest, though they have something like 5 or 6 stores in the region]

My own thoughts are that, when the store at Polo Park opened up in 2009, there were much fewer than 29 locations (it was the 13th store at the time in the country and only the 4th store in Western Canada, at the time), and the layout was appropriate at the time for the retail space that was available - that way many, many years ago. I don't see why maybe a decade later a second location doesn't become a plausible idea (i.e. 2019/20)

It certainly seems plausible... after all, there are far more people walking around with iPhones than there were in 2009, so that factor alone must weigh in favour of a second store. When that happens, I can't imagine that it would go anywhere other than St. Vital Centre.

[wardo44]

Originally Posted by CoryB

Unless I missed something nothing has been said publicly on what CF Polo Park is doing with the former Sears space.

It is interesting though CF is essentially letting a major anchor sit dark for the better part of two holiday shopping seasons. Clearly they are prepared to wait for the right tenant for the space.

Very curious to see what CF does with the Sears space in PP. Always listening for rumours & confirmations. I thought Seafood City and Rec Room would be potential candidates, but both of those brands have picked different Winnipeg sites this year. I am expecting Indigo to come into the mall at some point and leave their Empress Ave Chapters. They've recently employed this strategy in Toronto at CF Sherway Gardens and in Burlington at Burlington Mall.

[horrorbro123]

Also Confirmed Outlet Collection Winnipeg is Added Bath & Body Works Will Open In Fall

[Biff]

Plans are in the works for more retail at the Plaza at Polo Park site this fall/winter as well.

[CoryB]

I recall reading that Rec Room, based on experiences in other cities, decided that purpose built would be the only way they would go in the future v retrofitting existing spaces.

My guess on Seafood City is it came down to lease costs. There was chatter that someone other than Garden City Shopping Centre has secured the rights to the old Sears space so that could have been someone operating on behalf of Seafood City.

[Geebrr]

I wish rec room was going in the Sky City lot.

[roccerfeller]

Originally Posted by esquire

It certainly seems plausible... after all, there are far more people walking around with iPhones than there were in 2009, so that factor alone must weigh in favour of a second store. When that happens, I can't imagine that it would go anywhere other than St. Vital Centre.

Thats a good point - St Vital would make the most sense.

Is there enough retail space available there though?

I also wonder if theres an option for a larger location within Polo Park, sort of like what Apple did at Market Mall in Calgary, in 2012 when they relocated in the mall and made a much larger store

Though I can't think of any space that exists beyond the Sears

The conversation with my friend originally came up because I had to visit the store, and I find it to always be a claustrophobic experience - it seems to be busy no matter the time of day!

[Jeff]

more vacancies!

https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/town...cted-1.4072426

[CoryB]

Since Apple first arrived at Polo Park there have been at four significant changes to the mall that could have seen them expand.

Roughly in order:

1. Safeway's exit.
2. The mall shuffle that brought Victoria Secret in.
3. The mall shuffle to bring in H&M.
4. Zeller's exit.

It is too early to say which way the Sears exit will play out in relation to the Apple store. That said so far they seem to be content with the current store for whatever reason.

[Jeff]

I was confusing town shoes with little burgundy. guess it wont have any effects on Winnipeg. shows how much impact that store had to your average shopper I guess!

[CoryB]

Great long article about Seafood City. They have agressive Canadian expansion plans.

Also a stealth confirmation of a third Jollibbe location for Winnipeg (at Garden City shopping centre). Also what appears to be a render of the new mall space Seafood City will front onto.

Source

[buzzg]

Murray Hyundai is almost complete it's major renovation and expansion, one of the first to convert to Hyundai's new brand experience. They're the #2 Hyundai dealership in Canada by sales, which is crazy considering how small and frankly crappy the dealership was when built.

They've been granted the Genesis rights in Winnipeg and were planning on building in the loop of the Waverly automall by the insurance building, but changed plans. They will now be building a Genesis dealership beside the Audi dealership at Seasons. Apparently the Edmonton was location is at a shopping mall and has been so successful, that's the new corporate strategy. Hope to break ground in spring.

Genesis is really shaking up the industry in its service model. It will truly just be a "showroom" and have no full time staff, at least to start – you book private showings. The company doesn't want buyers to ever have to come to the dealership again after buying. When you need service they come to you to pick up the car, leave you a loaner Genesis, and bring yours back after service.

[BAKGUY]

Originally Posted by Jeff

I was confusing town shoes with little burgundy. guess it wont have any effects on Winnipeg. shows how much impact that store had to your average shopper I guess!

Another loss of a great decades old Canadian brand that carried beautiful and quality mens and ladies shoes. Not good news whatsoever!
Let's buy more krappy products online and see where this leaves us in 10 years!

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by buzzg

They're the #2 Hyundai dealership in Canada by sales, which is crazy considering how small and frankly crappy the dealership was when built.

Before the move to the Pointe West Auto Park that location that is now the Hyundai dealer was actually the Toyota/Lexus dealer. The building did minimal renovations for the brand conversion.

Originally Posted by buzzg

The company doesn't want buyers to ever have to come to the dealership again after buying.

The model for the Gensis brand is actually that you never go to a dealer, even for the initial purchase phase. You basically book with them and the sales associate and vehicle come to you.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by CoryB

The model for the Gensis brand is actually that you never go to a dealer, even for the initial purchase phase. You basically book with them and the sales associate and vehicle come to you.

I recall reading something to the effect that this was at least in part to keep Genesis' brand image from being tarnished by the lower-end image of Hyundai.

Although mind you, the Infiniti dealership shares a building at Pointe West with its corporate parent Nissan and the two spaces are fairly distinct.

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by esquire

I recall reading something to the effect that this was at least in part to keep Genesis' brand image from being tarnished by the lower-end image of Hyundai.

Although mind you, the Infiniti dealership shares a building at Pointe West with its corporate parent Nissan and the two spaces are fairly distinct.

VW/Audi/Porsche

Mercedes/Smart

BMW/Mini

Ford/Lincoln

Chevy/Caddy

Toyota/Lexus

The dual brand thing isn't new and has been especially challenging when the brands are selling nearly identical versions of the same vehicle at different pricing tiers.

My understanding is the US model was more common to split these brands out into their own stores. There has likely been some studies that show its overall impact.

It is interesting though one of the newest dealers in Winnipeg is the Alpha Romero/Maserati dealer. Trying to sell Maserati out of the same place as the dumpster fire of Alpha Romero can't be an easy thing

[buzzg]

Originally Posted by CoryB

Before the move to the Pointe West Auto Park that location that is now the Hyundai dealer was actually the Toyota/Lexus dealer. The building did minimal renovations for the brand conversion.

The model for the Gensis brand is actually that you never go to a dealer, even for the initial purchase phase. You basically book with them and the sales associate and vehicle come to you.

You're thinking of Winnipeg Hyundai. Murray Hyundai is in the Waverly Auto Mall and was the first tenant in their building. Murray is the #2 in sales in the country and won the Genesis rights in Winnipeg for that reason.

Originally Posted by esquire

I recall reading something to the effect that this was at least in part to keep Genesis' brand image from being tarnished by the lower-end image of Hyundai.

Although mind you, the Infiniti dealership shares a building at Pointe West with its corporate parent Nissan and the two spaces are fairly distinct.

That is the reason, because the original plan for the Genesis rollout was to have select dealerships that would have Genesis areas in existing Hyundai dealerships, but they decided that in order to be taken seriously they needed standalone showrooms. They really have the aspirations to compete with the Germans and Lexus, and not Acura/Infiniti which have recently become shells of their former selves.

Cory they will have the ability to drive to potential buyers, but they do want them to come to the showroom immediately so they can show off multiple models and potentially upsell.

[optimusREIM]

Originally Posted by CoryB

VW/Audi/Porsche

Mercedes/Smart

BMW/Mini

Ford/Lincoln

Chevy/Caddy

Toyota/Lexus

The dual brand thing isn't new and has been especially challenging when the brands are selling nearly identical versions of the same vehicle at different pricing tiers.

My understanding is the US model was more common to split these brands out into their own stores. There has likely been some studies that show its overall impact.

It is interesting though one of the newest dealers in Winnipeg is the Alpha Romero/Maserati dealer. Trying to sell Maserati out of the same place as the dumpster fire of Alpha Romero can't be an easy thing

Hahaha what do you have against alpha romeo?

[inlp89]

Just a thought but why not put a skating rink in the sears Polo Park location? Some Malls have rinks, ala West Edmonton Mall. I quickly put 2 google map screen shots together just to size it up.



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