Canadian Retail Thread

[eternallyme]

It doesn't make a lot of sense unless Thanksgiving is moved here in Canada too (which may not be a bad idea - gives us a 4-day weekend, less confusion and a better chance to meet family as it would be colder and less likely to be at the cottage), right now it requires taking 1-2 days off, but...

http://www.thestar.com/business/arti...ing-a-try?bn=1

Local stores give U.S. Black Friday shopping a try

Canadian sales start early as U.S. bargains beckon

In the run-up to Black Friday south of the border, Canada's retailers are ramping up bargains in an attempt to keep Canadian shoppers away from the sales in the U.S.

The efforts, planned before the biggest U.S. shopping day of the year, are also an attempt to spur dispirited, recession-weary Canadians into spending their hard-earned, well-hoarded dollars. And since wary retailers have restricted inventories during the recession, it may just make sense to buy early, since desired stock will be running low well before the traditional post-Christmas sales.

In Canada, retailers have used Black Friday – interpreted by some to mean when companies go from "in the red" to "in the black" – as a reason to launch massive sales and bring forward the holiday shopping season to lure consumers into making earlier-than-planned big purchases for Christmas, analysts say.

"People a few years ago didn't really know what Black Friday meant, but it's expanded over the border," said Wendy Evans, president of Evans and Company Consultants Inc. But here, "It's earlier than ever ... In the States, they don't usually move into Christmas until Black Friday, but here they almost use it as an excuse to go earlier and earlier."

Sears Canada Inc., for example, is currently in the middle of a "Sears Days" promotion, planned and targeted to keep Canadians shopping domestically at a time when Black Friday bargains might lure cost-conscious Canadians over the Peace Bridge or other border crossings.

"I've never seen prices go so low, so early," said Sears Canada spokesman Vince Power. "We plan it specifically at this time frame because of all the hype around Black Friday."

Mark Beazley, of the Retail Council of Canada, said: "Canadian retailers understand that they are dealing with customers without borders," Beazley said.

They will inevitably head south to malls such as the Walden Galleria in Buffalo. Retailers there have been touting their door-busting giveaways, two-for-one specials, and savings of up to 50 per cent. General manager John Ecklund said the strong Canadian dollar has already led to an "uptick" in cross-border shopping, even with a new passport requirement in place.

"I'm not sure that's been much of a hindrance," he said.

The mall's 200 retailers are expecting an even larger Canadian turnout Friday, which Ecklund said has been heavily publicized to attract Canadian shoppers. "Canadians are most welcome and we really do appreciate their business."

But if you're thinking of sneaking goods across the border without paying taxes or, in some cases, duties, the Canada Border Services Agency is warning there are no exemptions for same-day shopping.

"If you attempt to smuggle, the penalties are quite severe and are really not worth it for the few dollars in taxes you might have to pay," said Jean D'Amelio-Swyer, an agency spokeswoman. "Declare all your purchases and have your receipts in hand," she said.

"Individuals should consider re-entering Canada before 3 p.m., because if they attempt to come in after that they will experience some delay."

There are still other reasons for the push on Canadian retailers to sell earlier: the economic downturn has eroded consumer confidence and left many unwilling to spend. Lynn Bevan, a partner with RSM Richter's retail division, said retailers are willing to sacrifice profit margins this year to move merchandise that might otherwise continue to collect dust in warehouses.

"I think Canadian retailers have really moved up their sales cycle. Certainly, that's been the trend in the last few years. But this year it's been even more aggressive," Bevan said.

"It's a direct response to the dropping sales in general, to really move their inventory quickly," she added, noting a positive side effect of the retail downswing has been cautious retailers focusing more on their inventory and purchasing – making wiser decisions.

The restricted inventory issue is also a big one for consumers, since specific, big-ticket items may sell out before Christmas, leaving less stock to put on sale for clearout on Boxing week.

"Savvy retailers ordered much less stock this year," said Richard Talbot, of Talbot Consultants International, adding that this might be a reason to put up with the hassle of crossing the border.

"If you can't get something here already, it may still be available in the States."

With files from Tyler Hamilton

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by eternallyme

It doesn't make a lot of sense unless Thanksgiving is moved here in Canada too (which may not be a bad idea - gives us a 4-day weekend, less confusion and a better chance to meet family as it would be colder and less likely to be at the cottage), right now it requires taking 1-2 days off, but...

http://www.thestar.com/business/arti...ing-a-try?bn=1

Local stores give U.S. Black Friday shopping a try

Canadian sales start early as U.S. bargains beckon

In the run-up to Black Friday south of the border, Canada's retailers are ramping up bargains in an attempt to keep Canadian shoppers away from the sales in the U.S.

The efforts, planned before the biggest U.S. shopping day of the year, are also an attempt to spur dispirited, recession-weary Canadians into spending their hard-earned, well-hoarded dollars. And since wary retailers have restricted inventories during the recession, it may just make sense to buy early, since desired stock will be running low well before the traditional post-Christmas sales.

In Canada, retailers have used Black Friday – interpreted by some to mean when companies go from "in the red" to "in the black" – as a reason to launch massive sales and bring forward the holiday shopping season to lure consumers into making earlier-than-planned big purchases for Christmas, analysts say.

"People a few years ago didn't really know what Black Friday meant, but it's expanded over the border," said Wendy Evans, president of Evans and Company Consultants Inc. But here, "It's earlier than ever ... In the States, they don't usually move into Christmas until Black Friday, but here they almost use it as an excuse to go earlier and earlier."

Sears Canada Inc., for example, is currently in the middle of a "Sears Days" promotion, planned and targeted to keep Canadians shopping domestically at a time when Black Friday bargains might lure cost-conscious Canadians over the Peace Bridge or other border crossings.

"I've never seen prices go so low, so early," said Sears Canada spokesman Vince Power. "We plan it specifically at this time frame because of all the hype around Black Friday."

Mark Beazley, of the Retail Council of Canada, said: "Canadian retailers understand that they are dealing with customers without borders," Beazley said.

They will inevitably head south to malls such as the Walden Galleria in Buffalo. Retailers there have been touting their door-busting giveaways, two-for-one specials, and savings of up to 50 per cent. General manager John Ecklund said the strong Canadian dollar has already led to an "uptick" in cross-border shopping, even with a new passport requirement in place.

"I'm not sure that's been much of a hindrance," he said.

The mall's 200 retailers are expecting an even larger Canadian turnout Friday, which Ecklund said has been heavily publicized to attract Canadian shoppers. "Canadians are most welcome and we really do appreciate their business."

But if you're thinking of sneaking goods across the border without paying taxes or, in some cases, duties, the Canada Border Services Agency is warning there are no exemptions for same-day shopping.

"If you attempt to smuggle, the penalties are quite severe and are really not worth it for the few dollars in taxes you might have to pay," said Jean D'Amelio-Swyer, an agency spokeswoman. "Declare all your purchases and have your receipts in hand," she said.

"Individuals should consider re-entering Canada before 3 p.m., because if they attempt to come in after that they will experience some delay."

There are still other reasons for the push on Canadian retailers to sell earlier: the economic downturn has eroded consumer confidence and left many unwilling to spend. Lynn Bevan, a partner with RSM Richter's retail division, said retailers are willing to sacrifice profit margins this year to move merchandise that might otherwise continue to collect dust in warehouses.

"I think Canadian retailers have really moved up their sales cycle. Certainly, that's been the trend in the last few years. But this year it's been even more aggressive," Bevan said.

"It's a direct response to the dropping sales in general, to really move their inventory quickly," she added, noting a positive side effect of the retail downswing has been cautious retailers focusing more on their inventory and purchasing – making wiser decisions.

The restricted inventory issue is also a big one for consumers, since specific, big-ticket items may sell out before Christmas, leaving less stock to put on sale for clearout on Boxing week.

"Savvy retailers ordered much less stock this year," said Richard Talbot, of Talbot Consultants International, adding that this might be a reason to put up with the hassle of crossing the border.

"If you can't get something here already, it may still be available in the States."

With files from Tyler Hamilton

Funny that I was reading Montreal newspaper La Presse yesterday and some retailer had a full-page ad hailing its “Soldes du Black Friday”...

I already knew the term as I have been to NYC for Thanksgiving before but I found it really weird seeing that in a Quebec paper.

[eternallyme]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Funny that I was reading Montreal newspaper La Presse yesterday and some retailer had a full-page ad hailing its “Soldes du Black Friday”...

I already knew the term as I have been to NYC for Thanksgiving before but I found it really weird seeing that in a Quebec paper.

Shouldn't that be "Vendredi de Noir"? Although that would be an odd translation...

Although unethical IMO (and I have never seen it), some Canadian retailers in border towns could try to lure Americans north today for those desperate to shop since most retailers there are closed today...

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by eternallyme

Shouldn't that be "Vendredi de Noir"? Although that would be an odd translation...

Some stuff just doesn't translate well. Boxing Day is another one that is seldom translated, at least not literally as "Jour de la mise en boîte" or "Jour de la boxe" (sic). You do see "Soldes du lendemain de Noël" on occasion, but for the most part the signs just say "Boxing Day".

[SpongeG]

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust Announces Firm Contracts on Four Anchored Retail Properties in Canada


TORONTO, ONTARIO -- 12/01/09 -- RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust ("RioCan") (TSX: REI.UN) today announced that it has waived conditions and expects to close on four new format retail shopping centres before the end of the year. These four properties, located in British Columbia and Alberta, have all been developed within the last several years by the vendors. Three of the four properties are anchored by Walmart, which represents 54% of the occupied space by gross leasable area and generates 34% of the gross rental revenue. In addition, 86% of the rental revenue for the portfolio is generated by national or anchor tenants. The portfolio, which totals approximately 1.2 million square feet, is currently 98% occupied and the vacancy is subject to an earn-out mechanism described below.

The total purchase price for these properties is approximately $280 million; RioCan's interest will be approximately $166 million. The overall weighted average cap rate for this portfolio of four new format retail properties is approximately 7.1%. RioCan has arranged five year conventional first mortgage financing for three of the four properties in the amount of approximately $113 million, of which RioCan's share will be approximately $94.5 million at an interest rate expected to be approximately 5.0%. The financing is expected to close shortly after the closing of the purchase of these four properties. RioCan's equity investment will be funded from existing resources.

RioCan will complete the purchase of Grandview Corners in Surrey, BC, and Edmonton West Retail Centre in Edmonton, AB, on a joint venture basis with CPPIB and Sun Life respectively. In both cases, RioCan will act as property and asset manager.

Three of the four properties are located in the primary markets of Vancouver, BC, Calgary, AB and Edmonton, AB. The portfolio benefits from a well staggered lease rollover profile with approximately 9,000 square feet, or 0.8%, on average, of the total leaseable area due for renewal, each year, for the next five years. The average lease term for these four properties is approximately ten years. The average base rental rate on the portfolio is approximately $17.70 per square foot. RioCan will benefit from additional leasing of vacant space or additional density by way of an earn-out mechanism whereby proceeds will be paid to the vendor upon completion and lease-up of the added density or vacant space as the case may be. Through the earn-out mechanism there is the potential to add approximately 86,000 square feet at a total cost of approximately $24 million, of which RioCan's proportionate share would be approximately $17 million. RioCan will maintain certain approval rights over the leasing process.

Properties under firm contract

Grandview Corners is a 529,827 square foot recently developed new format shopping centre located in the Greater Vancouver Area market of Surrey, BC. The property is situated on a 42 acre site and is anchored by a 217,278 square foot Walmart. Other national tenants include The Brick, Future Shop, and Indigo. The property is currently 95% occupied and there is the potential to add 5,360 square feet of additional density. The property is being acquired unencumbered, however RioCan has arranged secured financing to close shortly after the purchase of this property. RioCan will acquire a 50% interest in this property on a joint venture basis with CPPIB and will act as property and asset manager on CPPIB's behalf.

Edmonton West Retail Centre is a recently completed 292,826 square foot new format retail centre located in Edmonton, AB within close proximity to Mayfield Commons, a 444,263 square foot new format retail centre. Edmonton West Retail Centre is anchored by a 204,944 square foot Walmart. Other national tenants at the property include Golf Town and PetSmart. The property is currently 99% occupied with an additional 38,900 square feet of additional density available for and subject to an earn-out mechanism with the vendor. The property is being acquired unencumbered, however RioCan has arranged secured financing to close shortly after the purchase of this property. RioCan will acquire a 40% interest in this property on a joint venture basis with Sun Life, who is also a partner with RioCan on the nearby Mayfield Commons. RioCan will act as property and asset manager on Sun Life's behalf.

Lethbridge North Retail Centre is a recently completed 279,760 square foot new format retail centre located in Lethbridge, AB. The property is anchored by a 213,309 square foot Walmart. Other national tenants include Shoppers Drug Mart and TD Bank. The property is currently 100% occupied with an additional 36,800 square feet of additional density available for and subject to an earn-out mechanism with the vendor. RioCan will be the sole owner of the property. The property is being acquired unencumbered, however RioCan has arranged secured financing to close shortly after the purchase of this property.

Calgary East Retail Centre is a recently completed 83,603 square foot new format shopping centre located in Calgary, AB. The property is tenanted by national tenants such as Designer Depot and Golf Town. The property is currently 100% occupied and the vendor has entered into a firm ground lease agreement with Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse for a 127,333 square foot store. Site preparations have commenced, and completion of the building is expected to be sometime in the second half of 2010 or early 2011. RioCan has agreed to acquire the remainder of the property at a cost of approximately $19 million, which equates to a cap rate of 7.3%, once the Lowe's store is open and paying rent. In addition to Lowe's, there is the potential for 5,000 square feet of additional density available and subject to an earn-out mechanism with the vendor. RioCan will be the sole owner of the property. The property is being acquired unencumbered.

"RioCan is excited to be able to acquire these very well anchored centres in excellent markets as well as expanding our relationship with Walmart, which will become RioCan's third largest tenant upon the completion of this acquisition," said Edward Sonshine, Q.C., President and CEO of RioCan. "These four centres represent an excellent addition to RioCan's core portfolio and provide an opportunity to acquire a number of strategic assets while expanding our important relationships with CPPIB and Sun Life. We are particularly gratified with the acquisition in Surrey, BC, as it is a very competitive and desirable market where we are purchasing an asset of a type and quality that rarely come to market in Canada."

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/s...,1068046.shtml

[SpongeG]

Woodward's comes back to life

London Drugs, Nester’s open a new retail era in the Downtown Eastside


Nesters Market, on the site of the retail-residential complex that replaces the old Woodward's department store in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
Photograph by: Bill Keay, Vancouver Sun


Mike Pare (left) and Sam Corea with 'Santa' in front of the new Nesters Market, part of the retail-residential complex on the old Woodward's department store site.
Photograph by: Bill Keay, Vancouver Sun


The entrance to the new London Drugs store on the former Woodward's department store site in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
Photograph by: Bill Keay, Vancouver Sun


Remember this? Woodward's peanut butter jars at the new Nesters Market in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, where the market opens its doors next week on the site of the former, long-standing Woodward's department store.
Photograph by: Bill Keay, Vancouver Sun


The new deli in Nesters Market at the former Woodward's site in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.
Photograph by: Bill Keay, Vancouver Sun
VANCOUVER — The Downtown Eastside has been a retail no-man’s land for decades.

No more.

Last Tuesday, London Drugs quietly opened a new 27,000-square-foot store on Hastings near Abbott in the Woodward’s complex.

This coming Tuesday, Nesters Market opens a 15,000-sq.-ft. supermarket around the corner at Abbott and Cordova.

Almost 17 years after the Woodward’s department store closed, the long-awaited revitalization of the landmark site is finally taking shape.

Construction will continue for a few months, but bit by bit, what architect Gregory Henriquez calls “the most complicated mixed-use project in the history of Vancouver” is coming together.

The project’s two residential towers (43 and 32 storeys) are occupied. Workers are racing to put the finishing touches on Simon Fraser University’s School for the Contemporary Arts, which will relocate there. A spectacular Stan Douglas photo of the Gastown Riot commissioned for the project is already up, although it won’t be officially unveiled for a bit.

London Drugs and Nesters are open, TD Canada Trust will open in January, and several smaller retail outlets — including a JJ Bean coffee shop, a “gastro-pub,” a pizza place, a dental office and a cigar shop — will be unveiled over the next couple of months.

Developer Ian Gillespie stressed retail in his pitch to develop the Woodward’s site.

“We thought what that neighbourhood needed was really strong tenants that had the ability to survive, to last through the good times and the bad times, and had the ability to pull lots of people into the area,” Gillespie said.

“What that area needs more than anything is people with money in their pockets going to buy their toilet paper, milk or batteries or whatever.”

Gillespie thought London Drugs would be an ideal tenant, and pursued the chain.

“By coincidence, the Louie family [which owns London Drugs] has a long history in that part of town,” he said.

“To them it was a natural fit, to come back and do something. [But] I think the London Drugs people, to be frank ... saw it as an obligation. They saw it as important for Vancouver to be there. Brandt Louie is not just the owner of London Drugs, he’s also the chancellor of Simon Fraser [University]. I don’t think that’s coincidental.

“They struggled, when you look at the demographics, [with] making that store make sense. But they bought into the vision that Woodward’s was going to make a real substantial impact on the neighbourhood.”

London Drugs president Wynne Powell concurs.

“We knew this was going to be a very tough construction job, and a very tough issue to turn around into a positive icon for Vancouver,” Powell said.

“But we felt that it was a socially responsible decision to support this initiative. Because if people like us don’t support it, how can we sit on the sidelines, complaining that the area isn’t up to what it could be? If we want it to be what it should be, we should be willing to participate.”

The London Drugs outlet is a little smaller than the norm, but offers all the merchandise and services normally available.

“It’s two floors, similar to Georgia and Granville,” Powell said.

“The first floor has general merchandise and cosmetics, and a pharmacy with private medical consultation booths. The second floor [has] the technical [departments], photographic, audio/video, the computers and the one-hour photo.”

With London Drugs onside, Gillespie went looking for a grocery store. Nesters signed on about three years ago, and has really got into the heritage of the site: It will be selling reproductions of Woodward’s peanut butter and cottage cheese.

For the opening, Nesters will be bringing back Woodward’s legendary “$1.49 Day” sale. It has even licensed the old $1.49 Day jingle (“Dollar forty-nine day, Tuesday!”) to promote it.

“It’s part of the fabric of this city,” said Laura Ballance, who is doing publicity for the Nesters opening. “It’s a tip of the hat to the history of this site, to start on a Tuesday and tie so much in on opening day.”

“We thought it would be a special touch for a special event,” said Sam Corea of Nesters.

Gillespie loves the way that Nesters has embraced the heritage of the old Woodward’s Food Floor, which may have been the most beloved department of the beloved store.

“The whole Pattison group [which owns Nesters] really took that project on,” Gillespie said.

“Jimmy [Pattison] took that project on very similar to Brandt, in that you probably couldn’t have had a pro-forma that you could have taken to the owner and said, this makes a lot of economic sense. You had to have a vision and say, ‘You know what, we really believe this is going to be a good long-term investment.’

“Jimmy had that same confidence in the project as us. We’ve done a lot of business together; he bought into it much the same way as Brandt did. This is a long-term deal.”

Nesters and London Drugs aren’t being entirely altruistic by locating at Woodward’s, of course. Several thousand people are expected to go through the site per day, once it’s all up and running.

“There will be 1,500 people living there,” Henriquez said.

“One thousand kids at the art school, 500 people working there, and about 2,000 people a day going to shop there.”

Henriquez said Woodward’s is a $300-million project. It includes three new buildings — the two residential towers on Cordova and a nine-storey building on Hastings — plus the restored six-storey heritage building at the corner of Hastings and Abbott, which dates to 1903.

There will be 736 housing units (536 condos and 200 non-market apartments), 60,000 sq. ft. of office space, and 54,000 sq. ft. of retail. Simon Fraser’s School for the Contemporary Arts will take up 120,000 sq. ft. of space, including five performance venues or theatres.

Gillespie said Woodward’s was a daunting project to do. “It probably amounts to 10 per cent of our company’s business, but probably 50 per cent of our company’s time.” But he thinks the end result is worth it.

“I think in the big picture, long-term, Woodward’s is going to turn out to be substantially better than we ever would have imagined it to be,” Gillespie said.

.....

http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/W...030/story.html

[SpongeG]

Crate and Barrel looking to open Toronto CB2 location

The rumours of U.S. decor retailer Crate and Barrel opening a CB2 store in Toronto began last Tuesday when Toronto realtor Andrew LaFleur tweeted that Bloor Street would be home to the design shop next year. (CB2 carries furniture that blends minimalist Italian design with mod ’60s style, as well as sleek housewares for the kitchen and bath.) So far, there are no CB2s north of the border and only seven in the States, so budget-conscious decorators will be delighted to hear that the rumours are partly true.

“We’re actively looking at locations and hope to have a CB2 in Toronto by the end of 2010, but Bloor Street is not on the map,” said Crate and Barrel PR rep Bette Kahn. “Well, it’s on the map, just not ours. I can’t get into specifics about potential locations.”

...

http://www.torontolife.com/daily/sty...-cb2-location/

[SpongeG]

Globalive Opening Retail Stores in Toronto Today

By Hugo Miller

Dec. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Globalive Communications Corp.’s Wind Mobile is opening 18 stores and kiosks in Toronto today after winning permission from the Canadian government to start offering wireless service.

“Our big focus right now is on expanding our footprint,” Wind Mobile Chief Executive Officer Ken Campbell told reporters today in Toronto. “There’s a lot of work to do to build this network nationally.”

Globalive, backed by Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris, is challenging BCE Inc., Telus Corp. and Rogers Communications Inc., which account for 95 percent of the Canadian wireless market. All three are cutting jobs and investing in their discount brands as they gear up for a clutch of new mobile-phone operators led by Globalive.

The company has almost 800 workers now and plans to employ more than 1,000 by year’s end as it hires more staff across Canada, Campbell said. Research In Motion Ltd.’s BlackBerry Bold 9700 is one of the handsets being offered.

Globalive’s network will start in Toronto and Calgary, with plans to add coverage in Vancouver, Ottawa and Edmonton. Globalive, based in Toronto, won permission to operate Dec. 11, after the government overturned a regulatory decision. Industry Minister Tony Clement deemed Globalive a Canadian company -- a requirement for it to compete in the mobile-phone market against the three largest carriers.

Handsets Offered

...

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...d=ab0NkIi13O1M

[SSLL]

McNally Robinson closes Don Mills store
The Toronto Star - 12/29/2009 - VIT WAGNER

McNally Robinson Booksellers has closed its Don Mills store as part of a larger bankruptcy restructuring.

The independent, Winnipeg- based bookseller, which launched its Shops at Don Mills mall outlet in April, will also shutter one of its two Winnipeg outlets. A second Winnipeg store and another in Saskatoon will remain open.

A total of 175 jobs will be lost in the move, according to a company release, while 250 others will be spared.

The Don Mills outlet, measuring 20,000 square feet, included an 80-seat restaurant and, like other McNally Robinson locations, served a focal point for daily readings, book signings and other literary events.

"It is heartbreaking to see so many hardworking booksellers and restaurant staff lose their jobs," said Paul McNally, who co-founded the company in 1981. "We are very hopeful, however, that we can save many more jobs and renew the company."

A McNally Robinson location in Calgary closed in 2008 after six years in operation.

[Surrealplaces]

I know we've already seen lots of stuff about Calgary's new Holt Renfrew on this thread. I came across this on flickr and thought I'd post it. It's a good overall look at the new store. You can see a little bit of the mall's new skylight in the upper right hand corner.

taken by Joeyjacobsdad on flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeys_picz/

[Gerrard]

I'd say one of the strengths of Canadian retail is that on the street it's still a lot of independent retailers. Sure there are areas that are chain magnets like malls and certain tourist areas but there's still room for independent businesses which adds a lot of interest to the retail landscape.

[mersar]

Chinook expansion to include first Abercrombie & Fitch in Calgary
By Dan Healing, Calgary Herald
January 6, 2010 11:33 AM
http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/...911/story.html

CALGARY - Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister Co., and Apple will be included in Chinook Centre's expansion project, the shopping mall announced Wednesday morning.
The new additions are to open next fall with the rest of the expansion project.

Abercrombie & Fitch, renowned for casual, classic and trend-right clothing, will open its first Calgary store, a 7,811-square-foot store on the main level, while Hollister will open a 7,014-square-foot location on the upper level. Hollister Co. offers Southern California inspired clothing for the laid-back and free-spirited. Both stores mark their foray into the Calgary market with their Chinook Centre locations.

Apple will increase its Calgary presence with over 5,000 square feet of new retail space for Apple fans to test-drive new products and learn more about the latest and greatest Apple products.

“Chinook’s Boxing Week traffic was up 11 per cent over last year which was an encouraging way to end a challenging year in retail,” said Terry Napper, general manager, Chinook Centre.

[dsim249]

^ Finally. Now Calgary just needs Urban Outfitters and I'll be happy.

[craneSpotter]

Originally Posted by dsim249

^ Finally. Now Calgary just needs Urban Outfitters and I'll be happy.

I wonder how many Calgarians currently drive to Edmonton to shop at Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister and Urban Outfitters?

[Coldrsx]

Congratulations to Calgary for catching up to Edmonton circa 2005.

[kirjtc2]

Or catching up to Bangor, Maine, circa 10 years ago.

[Bigtime]

So if we are getting an A&F does that mean Calgary has reached the required douchebag percentage of population to support them?

[Doug_Cgy]

The Herald has updated the very same previous article to speculate that Victoria's Secret is likely to join the expansion as well!

Upscale U.S. clothier sets sights on Calgary market
Mall Attracts Abercrombie & Fitch; $275M Chinook expansion to add 80 stores

Dan Healing
Calgary Herald


Thursday, January 07, 2010


Abercrombie & Fitch, the U.S. retailer known as much for its buff , shirtless models as its upscale casual clothing, will open its first Calgary store this fall.

Chinook Centre a nnounced Wednesday that the trendy clothier will open a 7,811-square-foot store on the main level of the expansion now under construction and expected to be operational in October.

"I think it'll be cool," said shopper Kat Oughton, 21, interviewed at the mall, who said one of her favourite comfy sweaters came from the only current Alberta outlet in West Edmonton Mall.

But shopper Karla Thompson, 22, said she's been to the same store in Edmonton and remembers it as "loud" and full of items that are "really expensive for what you're getting."

Hollister Co., owned by Abercrombie & Fitch, will also open its first Calgary store, a 7,014-square-foot location on the upper level. The mall also announced a new 5,000-square-foot Apple retail outlet.

Mall general manager Terry Napper said Chinook has booked or is in "mid to final negotiations" on all 180,000 square feet of the expansion and, over the next three months, will be releasing more names of tenants.

He said Boxing Week traffic was up 11 per cent over last year.

One of the new retailers could be Victoria's Secret. Napper confirmed Chinook has had talks with the lingerie chain that was reported this week to be set to open its first Alberta store in West Edmonton Mall this summer.

"The global brands are starting to look more and more at Calgary for expansions," he said.

"The fact there are so many Americans that live in Calgary because of the oil business and so on, every time one of these American or global retailers opens up, they take off like you wouldn't believe," Napper said.

Chinook's central location is attractive to retailers such as Williams-Sonoma or Pottery Barn, U.S. brands that have opened in the mall over the past couple of years, he added.

When the expansion is complete, Chinook Centre, owned by Cadillac Fairview Corp. Ltd., will have a total of about 280 stores and about 1.9 million square feet of retail space.

The $275-million expansion will add about 80 new stores, and will include two levels of heated underground parking with 1,200 stalls.

Retail analysts said Calgary shoppers will welcome Abercrombie & Fitch and its novel approach to marketing.

John Williams, a senior partner with J.C. Williams Group in Toronto, said the stores are well-run operations and management is continually trying new ideas and innovations and throwing out ideas that don't work.

He said Abercrombie & Fitch will do well in Calgary because it is "a vibrant city with lots of young people."

But David Ian Gray of Vancouver's DIG 360 Consulting pointed out the company is experiencing "horrific" year-over-year double-digit sales contractions in the U.S., which suggests its teen-targeted approach to retail may have run its course.

"In the teen category, a lot of those that are a little higher-end trendy have just been whacked," he said.

"The thing about Abercrombie that almost became a joke in the States is the kind of sexual innuendo around its ads. It's risque and trendy but after it's been out there for a long time, it's hard to keep that fresh."

The analysts agreed American retailers have discovered Calgary and will be opening more stores.

"They've probably been reading about the boom and to a certain degree there just wasn't enough opportunity in the right places," said Williams. "That has been resolved with the expansion of Chinook and the new mall (CrossIron Mills)."

Abercrombie & Fitch recently announced plans to open its first retail outlets in Asia.

It operates 347 Abercrombie & Fitch stores, 209 Abercrombie stores, 509 Hollister Co. stores, 27 RUEHL stores and 16 Gilly Hicks stores in the United States.

It also operates three Abercrombie & Fitch stores, three Abercrombie stores and six Hollister Co. stores in Canada, one Abercrombie & Fitch store and seven Hollister Co. stores in the United Kingdom, and one Abercrombie & Fitch store and one abercrombie store in Italy.

The company reported November comparable store sales decreased 17 per cent from the previous year.

[email protected]

© Calgary Herald 2010

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[Coldrsx]

It is nice to see Calgary finally getting some retail we have currently or announced for here. Edmonton typically gets retailers first foray into Canada due to WEM.