General Retail News - Page 65

J.OT13 · #**1281** Posted **Dec 24, 2014, 11:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

Alternatively: favour patio locations just off Elgin, on the east-west streets, for bars, restaurants, or cafes that are on corners.

Or make it easier to build roof top patios.

YOWflier · #**1282** Posted **Dec 27, 2014, 1:02 AM**

I was at Holt Renfrew today and browsing around in the Tiffany & Co. boutique. The staff there told me that they're opening a standalone store at Rideau Centre in June 2015.

eternallyme · #**1283** Posted **Dec 27, 2014, 3:37 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ac888yow

I was at Holt Renfrew today and browsing around in the Tiffany & Co. boutique. The staff there told me that they're opening a standalone store at Rideau Centre in June 2015.

Not surprised.

Norman Bates · #**1284** Posted **Dec 27, 2014, 1:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ac888yow

I was at Holt Renfrew today and browsing around in the Tiffany & Co. boutique. The staff there told me that they're opening a standalone store at Rideau Centre in June 2015.

That will be nice - but it is a little surprising.

The Tiffany & Co. in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver are all stand-alone stores at street level. I don't thnk I've ever seen one inside a mall before.

kevinbottawa · #**1285** Posted **Dec 27, 2014, 2:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman Bates

That will be nice - but it is a little surprising.

The Tiffany & Co. in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver are all stand-alone stores at street level. I don't thnk I've ever seen one inside a mall before.

The one at Yorkdale is inside the mall. I don't think it opens up to the street.

YOWflier · #**1286** Posted **Dec 27, 2014, 3:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman Bates

That will be nice - but it is a little surprising.

The Tiffany & Co. in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver are all stand-alone stores at street level. I don't thnk I've ever seen one inside a mall before.

It's not so uncommon in my experience. I've seen indoor stores at Las Vegas (Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace), Boca Raton (Town Center Mall), Miami (Aventura Mall), etc.

bikegypsy · #**1287** Posted **Dec 27, 2014, 5:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by eternallyme

Not surprised.

I wouldn't be surprised to see other luxury brands which have been piggy backing with Holt Renfrew until now set up shop in the Rideau Centre.

eternallyme · #**1288** Posted **Dec 27, 2014, 6:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikegypsy

I wouldn't be surprised to see other luxury brands which have been piggy backing with Holt Renfrew until now set up shop in the Rideau Centre.

Either that or, especially after 2016 with the second expansion, set up shop themselves.

I wonder what stores might be shoved out of the Rideau Centre being unable to pay rents?

Proof Sheet · #**1289** Posted **Dec 27, 2014, 9:20 PM**

I hope that there isn't any brand dilution.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikegypsy

I wouldn't be surprised to see other luxury brands which have been piggy backing with Holt Renfrew until now set up shop in the Rideau Centre.

YOWflier · #**1290** Posted **Dec 27, 2014, 10:09 PM**

Visiting Rideau yesterday and today I also noticed that Birks has completely renovated with a more modern appearance, with Cartier and Breitling "stores within the store". Those also have dedicated entrances from the mall.

The new Harry Rosen is also magnificent.

canabiz · #**1291** Posted **Dec 28, 2014, 4:41 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ac888yow

I was at Holt Renfrew today and browsing around in the Tiffany & Co. boutique. The staff there told me that they're opening a standalone store at Rideau Centre in June 2015.

Did you see any good deal? I am looking for an overcoat but am not prepared to pay more than $400, all in. Harry Rosen had a promo on Boxing Day with $100 off any overcoat but their cheapest one was $699

YOWflier · #**1292** Posted **Dec 28, 2014, 3:10 PM**

There were sales pretty much all over so it may be worth a look. I don't specifically recall anything on overcoats, but I also wasn't looking for that.

acottawa · #**1293** Posted **Dec 28, 2014, 3:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by canabiz

Did you see any good deal? I am looking for an overcoat but am not prepared to pay more than $400, all in. Harry Rosen had a promo on Boxing Day with $100 off any overcoat but their cheapest one was $699

I was there yesterday. There were good sales, but it was pretty picked over. I didn't notice overcoats per se (although some of the winter stuff was not on sale).

kwoldtimer · #**1294** Posted **Dec 28, 2014, 7:29 PM**

A hundred bucks off a $699 coat is hardly a sale when the salesguy will knock 10% off the price anyway.

canabiz · #**1295** Posted **Dec 29, 2014, 3:27 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

A hundred bucks off a $699 coat is hardly a sale when the salesguy will knock 10% off the price anyway.

and that's why I walked out of Harry without buying anything. I guess they cater to a certain market and they have been around for a long time so they must be doing something right.

canabiz · #**1296** Posted **Dec 31, 2014, 6:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by acottawa

I was there yesterday. There were good sales, but it was pretty picked over. I didn't notice overcoats per se (although some of the winter stuff was not on sale).

I stopped by Holt earlier today and some Hugo Boss overcoats are on sale for $599 (from $699). The Burberry ones are still regular price at well over $1K.

Guess I will continue to look for deals from Zara, Banana Republic, Club Monaco or the Bay

Uhuniau · #**1297** Posted **Jan 2, 2015, 4:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Or make it easier to build roof top patios.

Oooh. I wonder if that stubby little plaza with the convenience store in it (Elgin/McLaren?) has a patio-izable roof?

Norman Bates · #**1298** Posted **Jan 3, 2015, 10:48 PM**

Went to Whole Foods today.

It was an experience. Didn't find much to buy. Something's are already available at Rainbow. There was a lot of people there. Plenty of the Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover croud. Had to spend $25 for 90 minutes of endorsed parking.

Grace in the Kitchen has more gourmet type of foods.

Also was briefly at Holts. I had to go into the office and stepped in for a nano second to look at fixtures that were being sold off. Got out as soon as I could to avoid ruining my memories of many fine times spent there on secret shopping nights a decade or so ago.

Tiffany's will be something positive should it actually come to pass.

I still miss Eaton's - but that was entirely another era.

kwoldtimer · #**1299** Posted **Jan 3, 2015, 10:54 PM**

I've been told the Whole Foods is pretty disappointing, compared to their stores in the States.

citydwlr · #**1300** Posted **Jan 3, 2015, 11:56 PM**

I was there this afternoon as well, actually. I'll agree that there are similar products at Rainbow, or Natural Food Pantry, or Market Organics, but I expected that and I don't mind "healthy" competition (pun intended).

The place was quite busy again, but not as busy as their opening week though. I've been back there a couple of times and I think it depends on the time and day when the crowds come through. I can't say I saw any Land Rovers or Mercedes Benz-type shoppers, but I did see lots of families and students. The Land-Rover/Mercedes Benz-type shoppers may have been at the Sporting Life buying some high-end sports gear while I was there

As for a comparison with the States, I've been to Las Vegas and NYC locations, as well as a few Toronto locations, and I can confirm that our location is slightly smaller. In the States, they don't have to contend with the LCBO, so they sell wine and other liquor, and there is a larger focus on vegetarian/vegan product offerings. They also sell other random products like records (LPs), and have more clothing products in a larger health & body section. I noticed this more-so in Las Vegas, actually. The NYC location at Columbus Square is quite horrendous and I would even say smaller and more confusing than our location - I'd much prefer to shop at Lansdowne, tbh. The newer Toronto locations are similar in size to our own and have very similar product.

* One cool thing I noticed recently was that the Avenue road location in Toronto starting selling our local Harvey and Verns soda pop