The Metro Vancouver Retail Thread

[zahav]

I always thought it seemed weird when they relocated the West Broadway store, but now this makes sense. Same with the HQ. I hope they don't chop a lot of staff here

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by zahav

I always thought it seemed weird when they relocated the West Broadway store, but now this makes sense. Same with the HQ. I hope they don't chop a lot of staff here

I think the new store and the new HQ were probably vanity projects when times were good.

Originally Posted by Waders

I wonder whether some of the Zara space can be reserved as a "future" mall entrance. The new pedestrian bridge that was supposed to be built from the skytrain station ends at that location.

That would be nice, wouldn't it?


https://metropolisatmetrotown.com/en/map/#/

[SpongeG]

there used to be an entrance down there when it was Eatons, it was great.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by zahav

I always thought it seemed weird when they relocated the West Broadway store, but now this makes sense. Same with the HQ. I hope they don't chop a lot of staff here

They were leasing and the owner wanted to redevelop as well.

[jollyburger]

Geox just filed for restructuring

Geox Canada Inc., which is indirectly controlled by Geox SpA ("Geox"), a global shoe and clothing retailer based in Italy, filed an NOI on September 8. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic in stores in North America remains more than halved. In the first half of 2020, Geox's revenues amounted to $7.2 million (EUR), representing a 54% decrease compared to the first half of 2019. At this time, the company is utilizing the stability afforded by the NOI to consider its various restructuring options. Geox, which has been restructuring its operations for several years, intends to streamline its physical store network and focus on its online business. Richter is the proposal trustee. Counsel is Aird & Berlis for the company and Fasken for the proposal trustee.

https://www.richter.ca/insolvencycase/geox-canada-inc/

[connect2source]

J. Crew Robson Street location has a sign on the door announcing their closure on September 28th.

[officedweller]

VANCOUVER’S HUDSON BAY’S ‘THE ROOM’ FIRST TO CARRY MENSWEAR
https://www.retail-insider.com/retai...tment-the-room


IMAGES OF THE ROOM IN VANCOUVER’S HUDSON’S BAY SHOWCASING THE INTENTIONAL CLINICAL DESIGN.
PHOTOS: HUDSON’S BAY
https://www.retail-insider.com/retai...tment-the-room


https://www.retail-insider.com/retai...tment-the-room


https://www.retail-insider.com/retai...tment-the-room


https://www.retail-insider.com/retai...tment-the-room


https://www.retail-insider.com/retai...tment-the-room

[SpongeG]

looks fancy, hopefully it does well.

[svlt]

The women's The Room had more obscure Japanese and European brands that weren't featured at Nordstrom or Holts and really offered something different in the downtown luxury shopping space. I thought the layout was spaced nicely, the mannequins well presenetd and the shopping experience to be comfortable, but it never seemed busy and I'm surprised it did well enough to convince HBC to open a men's department.

I think the struggle was physical inaccessibility; you had to walk into a rather shabby, pedestrian looking main floor and go through 4-5 flights of escalators, which often was under repair, to get to it, or wait ages for an elevator to show up. It really was devoid of the modern appeal of Nordstrom's physical space or Holts' exuberant luxury feel, both of which were evident from the main floor.

Likewise, hope it does well and the closure of Leone should alleviate some of the competition.

[scryer]

Originally Posted by svlt

I think the struggle was physical inaccessibility; you had to walk into a rather shabby, pedestrian looking main floor and go through 4-5 flights of escalators, which often was under repair, to get to it, or wait ages for an elevator to show up. It really was devoid of the modern appeal of Nordstrom's physical space or Holts' exuberant luxury feel, both of which were evident from the main floor.

Thank you. It's been on the back of my mind but there is definitely something to be said about The Bay's escalator situation (Canada-wide) resulting in interfering with accessibility to their products.

[dreambrother808]

The success of places like the Room depends mostly on a select group of high spenders. They aren’t browsing on a daily basis. The staff develops relationships with them and they are contacted when new things arrive. They may have separate shopping times when the store is closed.

[rofina]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

The success of places like the Room depends mostly on a select group of high spenders. They aren’t browsing on a daily basis. The staff develops relationships with them and they are contacted when new things arrive. They may have separate shopping times when the store is closed.

I remember when I first realized the rich get to shop in closed stores with personalized help.

Blew my mind.

People walking around with $12,000 of clothes in one go on a random Tuesday morning.

Regular occurrence in a few Vancouver shops.

[PeterAKer]

ZARA at Metrotown is were the old EATONS was.

[osirisboy]

Originally Posted by svlt

The women's The Room had more obscure Japanese and European brands that weren't featured at Nordstrom or Holts and really offered something different in the downtown luxury shopping space. I thought the layout was spaced nicely, the mannequins well presenetd and the shopping experience to be comfortable, but it never seemed busy and I'm surprised it did well enough to convince HBC to open a men's department.

I think the struggle was physical inaccessibility; you had to walk into a rather shabby, pedestrian looking main floor and go through 4-5 flights of escalators, which often was under repair, to get to it, or wait ages for an elevator to show up. It really was devoid of the modern appeal of Nordstrom's physical space or Holts' exuberant luxury feel, both of which were evident from the main floor.

Likewise, hope it does well and the closure of Leone should alleviate some of the competition.

Isn't the room on the second floor?

[SpongeG]

As previously known, Burberry is opening at the Mcarthur outlet, It's location kinda surprises me as it's going in the old Bench space next to the Gap. There is a cluster of the higher end brands in the newer part, would fit better there I would have thought.


retail insider

Some of the other new brands set to open there from Retail insider:

Other brands either open or soon to open in the Vancouver center include Max Mara, Blubird, Matt & Nat, Rossignol, and Tory Burch.

https://www.retail-insider.com/retai...xury-retailers

[officedweller]

But that's a prominent location right up front, not way in the back of the complex.
Maybe the Gap will move?

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

As previously known, Burberry is opening at the Mcarthur outlet, It's location kinda surprises me as it's going in the old Bench space next to the Gap. There is a cluster of the higher end brands in the newer part, would fit better there I would have thought.


Some of the other new brands set to open there from Retail insider:

https://www.retail-insider.com/retai...xury-retailers

Nothing screams true luxury like an outlet mall.

[officedweller]

Lush seeks court permission to dissolve Canadian arm
https://biv.com/article/2020/09/lush...e-canadian-arm

****************

Noticed this next to the Pure Pharmacy on Robson at Cambie:

Pic by me Tues, Sep 22:

[jollyburger]

Looks like a store within a store deal with Telus and Pure Integrative Pharmacy.

[SpongeG]

Oomomo is closing their store at International Village, they are moving to Robson street as previously mentioned.