Nike Unveils Largest Store in Canada at West Edmonton Mall [Photos]

Israel-based Fox Group continues to expand the Nike banner across Canada. Late last month, Nike unveiled its largest store in Canada, and possibly the largest single-floor location in the world at West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton.

The store spans over 27,500 square feet over one level, featuring an expansive frontage along the mall’s ice rink and along a corridor towards a new transit centre. The store’s presence in the mall is substantial, which makes sense given its size. It’s the largest Nike store to open in Canada to date, and possibly the largest single-level Nike store in the world according to some. The massive store was made possible by joining three retail spaces together, including a large one formerly occupied by a Forever 21 store.

The store features a broad assortment of Nike products for men, women and kids, including footwear, apparel, accessories, and other related Nike-branded products. Various sports are showcased in the store, including basketball with product collaborations. A large video screen at the main entrance welcomes shoppers into the space that has an industrial-like exposed roof and an interior with design elements including back-lit footwear display walls.

International firm SAJO handled the design-build of the new Edmonton Nike store.

Nike at West Edmonton Mall (Image: Best Edmonton Mall)

Nike’s first Canadian flagship opened in the summer of 2021 at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre, spanning more than 24,500 square feet over two levels. A second flagship spanning about 20,000 square feet opened on Ste-Catherine Street at the Montreal Eaton Centre in the summer of 2023.

A social media post recently claimed that Nike would be taking part of Nordstrom’s former store in downtown Vancouver. That information has not been confirmed.

Fox Group is said to have recently taken back licensed Nike operations in British Columbia, where it will spearhead a further store expansion while operating several recently opened locations. The Nike expansion also recently saw the brand open a 12,000 square foot location at CF Chinook Centre in Calgary.

More Nike flagships are confirmed to be opening in Canada. Sources have confirmed that Nike will open a large store in downtown Toronto, with details to follow in an exclusive report.

Fox Group has also opened smaller, although still sizeable, Nike stores across the country since before the pandemic. These can be found in major shopping centres across the country.

Other brands Fox Group operates in Canada include skincare brand Laline, fashion retailer Mango, home retailer Fox Home, and another retail concept under its ownership umbrella is expected to open in Canada this year. The Mango and Fox Home concepts both launched in Canada in 2023.

Since even before the pandemic, Nike has been focusing more on its own retail channels by opening standalone stores. The brand has also cancelled some wholesale accounts, as is a trend seen by many strong brands that see increased profits from direct-to-consumer retail. For specialty brands such as Nike, Canada Goose and Lululemon, operating stores also allows for a full product assortment, along with knowledgeable staff working in a controlled and curated retail environment.