Michael Kors has closed its flagship store at 1133 Ste-Catherine Street West in Montreal. Opened in November 2019, the three-level, 9,000-square-foot store was the largest Michael Kors location in Canada and a landmark for the brand globally.
The closure follows a series of strategic store adjustments by Michael Kors in Canada, with a replacement location now open at Royalmount. The brand continues to operate six other stores in Quebec, including at CF Carrefour Laval, CF Fairview Pointe-Claire, Quartier DIX30 in Brossard, CF Promenades St-Bruno, Montreal Premium Outlets, and Galeries de la Capitale in Quebec City.
A Once-Groundbreaking Store Concept
When Michael Kors unveiled its Ste-Catherine Street flagship in 2019, it introduced a retail concept unlike any other in Canada. The space spanned three floors and included a broad range of products, from handbags and accessories to runway fashions from the Michael Kors Collection.
The flagship also incorporated unique features that set it apart from other locations worldwide. One of the standout elements was ‘Studio 1133,’ a third-floor private shopping space designed for VIP clientele. The studio created a New York loft-style ambiance, offering personalized styling services and an exclusive selection of luxury items.
Adding to the store’s appeal was a dedicated juice bar by Rejuice, a first-of-its-kind feature for Michael Kors anywhere in the world. The juice bar operated independently with its own entrance onto Stanley Street, serving organic vegan juices and coffee options.
Michael Kors’ Changing Footprint in Canada
The Ste-Catherine Street closure is part of a broader strategy by Michael Kors, which has shuttered select locations in Canada while maintaining a national retail presence. The brand still operates stores across the country, though it has adjusted its retail footprint based on shifting consumer trends and market/lease conditions.
The new Michael Kors store at Royalmount serves as the brand’s replacement location in Montreal. The mixed-use Royalmount development is positioning itself as a high-end shopping and entertainment district, attracting retailers seeking a new customer base outside of the downtown core.
Ste-Catherine Street Sees New Retail Openings
While Michael Kors’ departure marks the end of a flagship era, Ste-Catherine Street continues to evolve with new retail entrants. New Balance recently relocated its Montreal store from the Eaton Centre to 1229 Ste-Catherine Street West, now positioned just east of Apple’s upcoming flagship at the corner of Ste-Catherine and Rue de la Montagne. Alo Yoga also recently opened a location at the intersection, reinforcing the area’s ongoing transformation.
Despite recent retail challenges, Ste-Catherine Street remains one of Canada’s most important shopping districts. The street has seen several high-profile brands in recent years, some choosing to invest in upgraded storefronts and new flagship concepts.
Michael Kors has had a retail presence in Montreal for over two decades. Before the opening of its flagship store in 2019, the brand operated a shop-in-shop at Ogilvy, which closed in 2018 to make way for the Holt Renfrew Ogilvy redevelopment.
Financial Challenges for Michael Kors
The Michael Kors brand has faced recent financial challenges. In the third quarter of fiscal 2025, the brand reported a 12% decline in revenue, bringing in $909 million compared to the same period the previous year. This downturn was part of a broader trend for its parent company, Capri Holdings, which experienced an overall revenue decrease of 11.6% during the same quarter.
The challenges have been attributed to several factors, including a softening demand for luxury goods in key markets such as the Americas and Asia. Additionally, strategic missteps, such as attempts to reposition the brand to attract younger consumers through new fashion items and higher pricing, have not yielded the desired results. These initiatives led to increased discounting, which adversely affected profit margins.
Compounding these issues, a proposed $8.5 billion merger between Capri Holdings and Tapestry Inc., the owner of Coach, was blocked by a federal judge due to antitrust concerns. This development has left Capri Holdings to address its financial difficulties independently.
In response to these challenges, Capri Holdings has announced a reevaluation of its strategic initiatives to improve sales trends and stabilize the business. This includes leadership changes, with CEO John Idol resuming direct oversight of the Michael Kors brand to steer it back toward growth.
Michael Kors Brand
Founded in 1981 by American designer Michael Kors, the brand has evolved into an upscale global fashion house renowned for its sophisticated yet accessible designs. The company offers a diverse range of products under its signature Michael Kors Collection, MICHAEL Michael Kors, and Michael Kors Mens labels. These include accessories, footwear, watches, jewelry, ready-to-wear apparel for both women and men, wearable technology, eyewear, and a full line of fragrance products.
Michael Kors stores are operated, either directly or through licensing partners, in some of the biggest cities worldwide, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, London, Milan, Paris, Munich, Dubai, Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Rio de Janeiro.
The brand’s heritage is rooted in iconic designs with a glamorous aesthetic that combines stylish elegance and a sporty attitude. Its mission is to bring a sophisticated jet-set lifestyle to women and men around the globe.
In Canada, Michael Kors maintains a strong retail footprint through its network of stores and wholesale partnerships, reinforcing its position as a staple in contemporary fashion.
As someone who loved MK’s menswear, the brand has lowered its standards when it comes to quality and saturation. The menswear was once one of the best brands you could pick up here in the states in stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.
I don’t like their aesthetic so I’ve never set foot in their St. Catherine store and won’t be visiting the Royalmount one either. I hope the location sees the opening of a more relevant retailer.