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Canada Computers & Electronics Prepares for Boxing Day Frenzy

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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PHOTO: CANADA COMPUTERS & ELECTRONICS

With the Black Friday and Cyber Monday frenzy behind it, Canada Computers & Electronics is preparing for another rush of holiday shoppers in the near future with the 12 days of Christmas and Boxing Day.

“It will be very similar to Black Friday,” said Haingjin Moon, Marketing Manager for the company. “Usually when we have our deals ready all these computer geeks are very, very eager and they’re always waiting for the deals.

“We will have people lining up at night (for Boxing Day). People do camp out. We actually had people (in the past) bring their own tent. We’ve had people lining up starting from the 24th (of December) night and on the 25th (Christmas) we’re closed. So they actually had their family members together so that way they could go for washroom breaks.”

PHOTO: CANADA COMPUTERS & ELECTRONICS

Recently, Canada Computers & Electronics launched its expansion plans in Atlantic Canada with the opening of its first store in the market area in Halifax, Nova Scotia. And the company has eyes on future expansion in the area.    

Canada Computers was founded in 1991 as a retailer of personal computers, IT and components, as well as consumer electronics.

The first Canada Computers location was in Kingston, Ontario.

IMAGE: CANADA COMPUTERS & ELECTRONICS

The retailer does custom built PCs and has its own pre-built house brand computer system and in-house brand iCAN (brand features: office furniture, cables, keyboards, mouse pads, household appliances, etc.)

Today, the company has 37 locations – five in British Columbia, one in Nova Scotia, five in Quebec, and 26 in Ontario.

Upcoming stores are expected in Cambridge and Oakville, Ontario next year.

Canada Computers & Electronics opened its flagship location in North York in the fall in what it calls the biggest computer retailer store in Canada.

CANADA COMPUTERS & ELECTRONICS

The store, in about 45,000 square feet, on 6600 Yonge Street features a unique Smart Home area in the store as an interactive experience for customers as well as a unique store-in-store concept for popular brands.

Nick Lemieux, the company’s Director of Category Management, said Black Friday and Boxing Week are equally important when it comes to how busy they get.

“We do very similar volumes during both events,” he said. “On Black Friday, for example, we would see more traffic and volume during that particular day than we see in a typical week. Boxing Day would follow a similar trend.

CANADA COMPUTERS & ELECTRONICS

“Definitely those two days when you do your price comparisons many of the products we sell will be at they’re the lowest price during that particular time. It really draws traffic to those specific days.

“We work with all our vendor partners to secure the best deals and the best prices for our customers in the brands that our customers are looking for. We work hard to ensure we have the right inventory in the right place at the right time to make sure we can fulfill our customers’ demand.”

Moon said Canada Computers’ mission statement is that the company is dedicated to offering the best technology advice and service that enhances people’s lives.

CANADA COMPUTERS & ELECTRONICS

*Retail Insider works with partners to create content, including announcements. For more information, contact Craig Patterson at: craig@retail-insider.com

Lightspeed to Launch New Customer Loyalty Program for Small Businesses

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Image: Lightspeed

Montreal-based Lightspeed, a leading provider of cloud-based point-of-sale and eCommerce solutions for independent businesses, will launch in the new year its latest innovation in customer loyalty programs to help small businesses compete in the current retail landscape.

Omni Loyalty will build on the success of the Lightspeed Loyalty program the company launched for retailers in December 2018. The new initiative will allow retailers to build out their loyalty program which integrates their online shop with their brick-and-mortar store, offering customers seamless and personalized experiences. 

The company says it is at the forefront of democratizing these tools, making them appealing for independent businesses still relying on legacy systems who have the potential to transition to the cloud. With this, merchants digitize for the digital age so they can expand to multiple locations and use data to grow their businesses.

During a beta phase, select customers have been using Omni Loyalty and retailers have seen the impact on their business.

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For example, Loyal Tee Boutique owner Tori Erickson, in Clio, Michigan, opened her first brick-and-mortar shop 11 months ago and built a loyalty program with Omni Loyalty that not only increased sales – so much that she’s moving into a second, larger retail space already –  but it gives her the insight into her customers that helps her strategize and out-perform. 

“Lightspeed Loyalty is an awesome feature that we use for our walk-in customers as well as our website shoppers. If a customer is shopping online and earns rewards at checkout, they can also come in and use their points to redeem them as a reward. We offer our customers $5, $10, $15 off their totals along with a free graphic tee and a pair of jeans depending on their points earned. They love it and it’s super exciting to see how they react to their rewards,” says Erickson. 

“Lightspeed Loyalty helps us stand out in a crowd with all competitive retailers. It allows us to build a strong relationship with our customers local or online. It definitely keeps them coming back to shop with Loyal Tee Boutique.”

Erickson says customers love earning rewards and retailers can reward them with discounts and special items. It’s something that sets a smaller retailer apart from big box stores that don’t use reward systems.

“It has helped us gain strong relationships with certain customers and it is a fun way to treat our guests in store and online,” she says.

“Our consumers can utilize their rewards however they choose… whether it be $5 off, $10 off, $15 off, a free graphic tee or they can save up and earn a free pair of denim. Our loyalty system is easy access to Loyal Tee Boutique with a never expiring coupon.”

Erickson says ease and use for everyone are the key factors in a successful loyalty program. 

“It has been so easy in our boutique and our customers are just starting to use them on our website. It’s simple and fun,” she says. 

“As a consumer, we love to save money. With Lightspeed Loyalty, we allow our consumers to do just that. Our benefit as a retailer is that they continue to shop with us because of it and it is a win win.”

In the New Year, Lightspeed’s new Omnichannel Loyalty platform will enable retailers to connect their online and in-store experience, allowing shoppers to easily move between the two. 

Retailers will now be able to drive repeat business by:

  • Delivering targeted marketing offers: Determine whether you want to send a promo to those who bought online, in-store or everyone;
  • Rewarding ambassadors: Learn which customers are the most loyal to your business and target them with tailored offers; and
  • Connecting the online and offline experience: Regardless of where they made their purchase or signed up for the program, shoppers can earn and redeem points online or in-store. Retailers can now track their entire loyalty program from one dashboard.

A year ago, Lightspeed Loyalty introduced its Lightspeed Loyalty – a seamless integration of Lightspeed’s existing suite of products, enabling merchants to engage customers, reward repeat business and build a loyal following.

Lightspeed Loyalty gives retailers and restaurants the ability to create a dialogue so that first-time guests become regulars and existing customers become more engaged, all from a single platform that creates true brand ambassadors. Going beyond point and reward systems, Lightspeed Loyalty provides businesses with the tools to better communicate and target their customers in a personalized way.

“Retailers and restaurants have always aimed to offer customers a superior level of service, and Lightspeed Loyalty allows them to take that service to the next level,” said Dax Dasilva, Founder and CEO of Lightspeed, a year ago with the launch of the product. 

“We’re providing these businesses with the tools to break down barriers, thus fostering strong customer relationships, driving repeat visits and increasing revenues, no matter the season.”

Lightspeed was founded in 2005 with global offices in Canada, USA, Europe, and Australia.

*Lightspeed is a valued Retail Insider Partner. To work with Retail Insider, email: craig@retail-insider.com

Unique Toronto-Based Optical Concept ‘Squint Eyewear’ Opens 4th Store Amid Expansion

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Squint Eyewear in Royal Bank Plaza (Image: Ben Rahn, A-Fame Photography - Supplied by Gensler)

Back in 2003, Toronto entrepreneur and optician Amin Mamdani had a vision of creating an eyewear company to provide customers with exceptional service and a unique experience.

Today, Squint Eyewear is a burgeoning brand with four locations in the Toronto area and plans to continue to grow.

“We started in downtown Oakville and we saw great potential. At that time there was no premium high-end retailer for eyewear in Oakville at all,” said Mamdani, founder and President of Squint Eyewear.

“We are a preeminent eyewear retailer known in the industry as being one of the top destinations for premium brands in Canada. We differentiate ourselves as a destination for premium eyewear and services and everything we do is based on our vision of creating exceptional experiences through five facets.

“The first one’s hospitality. The second is service. The third one is knowledge, passion and experience of our staff. Fourth is store environment and design. And lastly artisanal products that are hand selected in buying trips to Europe and available only to a handful of retailers.”

Squint Eyewear in Royal Bank Plaza (Image: Ben Rahn, A-Fame Photography – Supplied by Gensler)
Squint Eyewear in Royal Bank Plaza

Its four Toronto area locations are: Downtown Oakville  286 Lakeshore Rd. E.; Uptown Toronto  2501 Yonge St.; Bayview Village  2901 Bayview Ave.; and Royal Bank Plaza  200 Bay St.

The most recent opening in the Royal Bank Plaza is in PATH space which is a network of underground pedestrian tunnels, elevated walkways, and at-grade walkways connecting the office towers of Downtown Toronto. The unique and colourful space was designed by Gensler.

“We acquired the space that had been an existing optical store for over 20 years. The landlord was looking for a fresher retailer that was at the level of their premium clientele and basically we had the opportunity. We felt it was the right fit. We didn’t have a presence in the Downtown Toronto market,” said Mamdani.

“A lot of our clients who live in the neighbourhoods where we have other stores, namely Oakville, there’s a large population of Oakville professionals who work in the downtown core and a lot of other professionals who live in the Uptown Toronto area where we have a location. Over the years, they’ve commented that ‘it would be great if we could have a store close to our office where we could be serviced and we could take advantage of a high-end optical store like yours in the downtown area’.”

After opening initially in Oakville, Squint opened its second location in Uptown Toronto in 2013. In 2015, it opened its store in Bayview Village.

Squint Eyewear in Royal Bank Plaza (Image: Ben Rahn, A-Fame Photography – Supplied by Gensler)

Stores range in size from 750 to 1,200 square feet.

All of the locations have an independent optometrist.

“We seek out locations where the clients are educated and are astute professionals who appreciate a superior level of service and experience. So we’re looking for markets where we can grow and build relationships with the community,” said Mamdani.

“We are prepared to grow again nationally if the opportunity arises. The fourth location is two months old. I need a little bit of breathing room. Deals today, I don’t think they happen as quickly as they used to. When I opened my Bayview months after I started thinking about my next steps and today I’m starting to think about my future – what can I do for next year and the year after.

“I’ve built an administrative back end of the store. We have the infrastructure to grow. Most optical retailers when they have a few stores and they’re independent high end tend not to have an infrastructure in place. Everything is done out of one location. What I’ve done is establish a head office and invested into systems so that there is the opportunity for growth.”

Squint Eyewear in Royal Bank Plaza (Image: Ben Rahn, A-Fame Photography – Supplied by Gensler)

Mamdani said beyond the eyewear retailer’s experienced and knowledgeable staff one of its keys to success is its products. Brands it carries that are exclusive and only available to a handful of opticians include Chrome Hearts, Lindberg, Mykita, Matsuda, and Dita.

Squint Eyewear in Royal Bank Plaza (Image: Ben Rahn, A-Fame Photography – Supplied by Gensler)

“And we work with the best lenses. Our lenses are either Zeiss or Nikon. Zeiss is a German make of lense and Nikon is a Japanese make,” said Mamdani.

“We are scouting for new areas always. But we’re looking for what I would call exclusive areas where we have a customer base who understands the upscale market and who wants that level of service and experience that they find in other industries but not in optical. So we truly separate ourselves from what I would say is the buzz that’s been going on for the last two, three, four years which is the packaged pricing where things are made Far East, lenses are not brand name, they tend to be something made overseas and it’s a package pricing at a price where it’s almost entry level.

“We separate ourselves to the point where our products and our service and our knowledge is bar none and we invest a lot into that.”

Apple Opens Massive Store at CF Toronto Eaton Centre [Photos]

By
Craig Patterson
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CF TORONTO EATON CENTRE LOCATION. PHOTO: APPLE

By Craig Patterson and Jessica Finch

Apple has opened a large Canadian storefront at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in downtown Toronto. The store replaces a considerably smaller unit upstairs that opened in the shopping centre in 2006. 

The new store’s interior features Terazzo flooring and stone walls — the CF Toronto Eaton Centre location is the first in Canada to be refurbished with a non-metallic design that is found in many of Apple’s stores globally. The ceilings in the store feature lighting to offset lower ceiling heights by making them feel taller than they are. Unique entry doorways slide open sideways as per photos in this article. 

The new store features shopping “Avenues” along store walls that feature some of the most popular Apple-enabled accessories that have been curated for customers to try out. A 20-foot wide video wall inside The Forum is utilized for ‘Today at Apple’ sessions. Customers can sign up online. 

CF TORONTO EATON CENTRE LOCATION. PHOTO: APPLE

Apple says that it is investing in its stores. In 2019, six stores were updated to offer ‘The Forum’, which is an open area for customers to congregate and participate in the free ‘Today at Apple’ sessions that include instructions on photography, art and design, music, and coding, for example. More than 80,000 people in Canada participated in Today at Apple sessions in 2019, which also includes sessions for teachers, entrepreneurs, and kids, including ones especially designed for kids celebrating this week’s Computer Science Education Week. 

The other Canadian Apple store locations offering The Forum include Yorkdale Shopping Centre and CF Sherway Gardens in Toronto, CF Carrefour Laval and Quartier DIX30 in suburban Montreal, CF Market Mall in Calgary, and at CF Richmond Centre in suburban Vancouver. More are expected to be rolled-out in 2020. 

CF TORONTO EATON CENTRE LOCATION. PHOTO: APPLE

The new CF Toronto Eaton Centre Apple store spans more than 14,000 square feet on ‘Level 2’ of the massive shopping complex, which sees more than 53 million annual visitors. The store is located in retail spaces formerly housing Abercrombie & Fitch, Baby Gap, and Scotch & Soda (Abercrombie & Fitch moved across the way several months ago). The former Apple store space measured 4,977 square feet and was located directly above the new store on ‘Level 3’. 

For the CF Toronto Eaton Centre lease deal, Apple was represented by JLL along with the Master Broker who worked on the deal, Open Realty Advisors of Dallas, TX. Cadillac Fairview is the landlord for CF Toronto Eaton Centre. 

Apple’s first store in Canada opened at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre in May of 2005. The CF Toronto Eaton Centre location was the second in Canada when it opened in May of 2006. 

CLICK IMAGE FOR INTERACTIVE CF TORONTO EATON CENTRE MALL FLOOR PLAN

When the CF Toronto Eaton Centre store first opened, it had 42 employees. The new store employs 325 staff, which is comparable to a large department store. Staff in the new Toronto Apple store speak 28 languages. 

One service no doubt appreciated by consumers is in-store assistance with Personal Setup — that includes help with new devices such as setting up email, learning tips and tricks to improve productivity, or having our team introduce them to services like Apple Music or useful apps on the App Store. Customers can receive free technical support from Apple’s team of ‘Geniuses’. With more than double the space dedicated to retail, the CF Toronto Eaton Centre store will be able to more comfortably host shoppers seeking services which are considered key to Apple’s retail experience. 

Apple now has 29 standalone stores in Canada, which employ about 4,300 staff. Many stores are located in busy shopping centres across the country, and two standalone flagships are said to be in the works as the company continues to expand its retail presence in Canada. 

The company generates billions of dollars annually and employs more than 139,000 people globally. Innovation is the key to Apple’s continued success.

Apple CEO Tim Cook recently sat down with Salesforce co-founder, Marc Benioff, at this years Dreamforce convention in San Francisco. They spoke about the pillars that have helped sustain Apple’s continued success.

TIM COOK AND MARC BENIOFF AT DREAMFORCE. PHOTO: DREAMFORCE

Cook and Benioff began by discussing their partnership, talking briefly about an updated app for developers who build Salesforce apps on Apple’s iOS.

The conversation quickly turned, however, to the foundational values elevating Apple above the rest: innovation, sustainability, privacy, and equality. Cook explained how Apple has integrated sustainability into the framework of its business model, ensuring that its carbon footprint is minimized and the company doesn’t contribute to the current environmental crisis.

Today Apple officially operates on 100 per cent renewable energy, with the next goal focusing on ensuring that all Apple suppliers also operate on the same scale. Cook explained how all Apple products are derived from recycled materials, “we take nothing from the earth…we are only here for a short time…have to be good stewards of the earth.”

PHOTO: SALESFORCE

Cook said that Apple has always strived to deeply understand its carbon footprint. It has made considerable efforts to reduce its internal footprint, while also attempting to combat the carbon footprint of millions of Apple users, manufactures, and transportation services employed by the company. The goal is to eliminate Apple’s carbon footprint totally, to which Cook addressed any skeptics by noting that people thought a company on Apple’s scale couldn’t operate whole on renewable energy, as it now does.

Rejecting the idea that only rich companies have the resources to drastically reduce their carbon footprint, Cook says, “we didn’t want to do something only a rich company can do. We don’t want people to copy our product, but we do want people to copy our values”.

Cook spoke about the issue of privacy and trust, a highly topical issue addressed holistically at Salesforce’s Dreamforce. Trust is quickly becoming “the currency of trust” and Cook made a point of stating that Apple views privacy as a fundamental human right.

“So many people confuse innovation with change…but both of our companies recognize that innovation is actually about making things better,” Cook said early on in the conversation. He continues to point out the importance of innovating for a greater good and not just for the next product. “It’s about making the world’s best products but also enriching peoples’ lives.” The take home message? It is possible for a company to continue innovating while still operationalizing and holding firm to its integral values.

St. John Flagship Store Opening Indicates Confidence in Toronto’s ‘Mink Mile’ [Photos]

By
Craig Patterson
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PHOTO: ST JOHN

Leasing activity and store openings indicate a renewed confidence amongst brokers and retailers seeking to locate on Toronto’s Bloor Street West, following the recent opening of grocerant concept Eataly. Last week, US-based women’s luxury fashion brand St. John became the latest luxury tenant on the Mink Mile when it opened a standalone corporately-owned flagship storefront.

The Toronto St. John boutique spans a 2,100-square-foot retail space in a leased building occupying about 2,500 square feet at 130 Bloor Street West, located between an under-renovation Gucci flagship and an Intermix store. The space that St. John moved into was once occupied by French luxury brand Hermes before it relocated to a much larger flagship space nearby in the fall of 2017. 

“We’re thrilled to expand St. John’s global footprint by opening a second location in Canada on one of the most important luxury retail streets in Toronto,” said Eran Cohen, CEO of St. John. “This latest store opening reinforces our commitment to growth, as well as to our Canadian clientele. We’re excited to offer an elevated shopping experience that is in line with the new direction of our brand and reflective of the high-touch customers have come to expect from this American luxury fashion house.”

PHOTO: ST JOHN

The new Toronto flagship features a bright, modern, open-concept design with a hint of California casual. It’s St. John’s newest store concept which is different in appearance from the Vancouver St. John storefront that has operated at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver for years. 

For the opening, the Toronto flagship includes “a bold, fashion-forward capsule collection” in the store — such collections are usually only available online. St. John is clearly in expansion mode and recently launched a social media campaign and a redesigned logo, all part of a shift being spearheaded by St. John’s new creative director Zoe Turner. As part of the campaign for the capsule collection, more than 100 influences including celebrities, inclusivity advocates, and fashion tastemakers promoted the brand to a wide global audience, marking a new direction for St. John. 

St. John’s Toronto flagship is the first in North America to feature an exclusive button customization concept —  customers are able to choose from 36 signature archive buttons to customize a newly purchased St. John jacket. Clients also have the option of bringing in their classic St. John jackets to have them reimagined with new buttons as well.

PHOTO: ST JOHN

St. John has operated a standalone store in the Vancouver market since 2003. The current location at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver spans about 3,000 square feet on one level and opened in the spring of 2014 — it replaced a restaurant that once occupied the space. Prior to that, St. John occupied the coveted corner of West Georgia Street and Burrard Street within the Hotel Vancouver. After St. John relocated, Christian Dior began building a 9,600-square-foot, two-level Vancouver flagship that opened in the summer of 2015.  

In Canada, several stores carry St. John fashion collections. Nordstrom carries the line in its ‘Collectors’ departments in downtown Toronto, Ottawa, and Calgary stores. Hudson’s Bay’s ‘The Room’ in Toronto offers a range of elegant St. John clothing. 

Prices in the Toronto St. John store were certainly in the luxury category. Many jackets and dresses, done with beaded detailing, retailed for excess of $3,000 per piece.  

PHOTO: ST JOHN

Dianne Lemm of brokerage co-brokered the St. John Bloor Street lease deal with Hanna Struever of Retail Portfolio Solutions. Kingsett Capital is the landlord of the 130 Bloor property. 

Ms. Lemm recently commented that she expected Toronto’s Bloor-Yorkville to continue to see interest from luxury brands. That was reflected in which provided an expansive overview of the area that was overwhelmingly optimistic. 

At the same time, Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre is seeing a rate of luxury store openings that has never been seen in Canada. And there’s no end in sight. Yorkdale is clearly a competitor to Bloor-Yorkville, though one expert thinks each serves a purpose and furthermore, that Bloor-Yorkville will become Canada’s leading luxury node in terms of the number of standalone luxury stores. 

“Yorkdale is about the shopper and the convenience. Bloor and Yorkville are about the consumer and the experience” said Nishant Anand, a luxury retail expert who is located in Toronto. “Yorkdale had a clustering of luxury brand stores, but you cannot replicate the flagship desirability that is possible in Bloor-Yorkville. Many luxury brands like the street-facing store concept and while Yorkdale is very good at what it does, there are more aesthetic, spa and food and beverage options in Bloor-Yorkville, for example.” 

“Other brands such as Hermes have maintained an exclusive store presence on Bloor Street West, signalling the importance of the area. International luxury brands are definitely looking at the area and may need a bit more convincing before they decide to open in Bloor-Yorkville. Ultimately, given the authenticity of a street-like downtown area, it’s likely that Bloor-Yorkville will continue to morph with the transformation of the area, which includes thousands of new condominium units, new retail and restaurants, and hotel activity including the recently announced Andaz and W Hotels opening at the corner of Yonge and Bloor Streets, as well as the multi-million dollar renovation of the already exceptional Hazelton Hotel on Yorkville Avenue,” said Anand. 

  • PHOTO: ST JOHN
  • PHOTO: ST JOHN

“I would expect to see brands such as Balenciaga, Fendi, Balmain, Valentino, and even Delvaux and Goyard considering the area in the near future,” he went on to say. “Yorkville Avenue especially will have an appeal, given the potential to completely design a new store from the ground up. At the same time, there is an appeal to having a storefront on the upscale stretch of Bloor Street West. There’s a Hermes flagship, a Louis Vuitton Maison, North America’s largest Dior store, Flagships for Prada, Burberry, Tiffany & Co., MCM and others, not to mention St. John has just opened on Bloor Street as well.”

BRIEF: French Soap Brand Opens 1st Canadian Store, Motherhood Maternity Closing Stores

By
Retail Insider
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La Maison du Savon de Marseille Opens 1st Canadian Storefront Amid National Expansion: French soap and fragrance brand La Maison du Savon de Marseille has officially entered the Canadian market. Its first storefront in North America opened on Friday of last week in suburban Montreal. The 880-square-foot boutique is located at CF Carrefour Laval near the mall’s H&M store, and features an attractive interior that includes a tree with a seating area.

The 100% natural products manufactured by La Maison du Savon de Marseille include hand-crafted household soaps that are made in Provence, France. The artisanal soaps range from the authentic Marseille soap and Aleppo soap to the iconic perfumed soap that the brand is known for, as well as men’s products and home products. Prices in the CF Carrefour Laval store range from $4.99 to $29.99, excluding Christmas gift boxes and perfumes. The company says that its products are known for being therapeutic.

“We are very excited to be opening our first standalone store in Montreal to introduce our products to Quebecers. This is our first gateway to North America,” explains Stephan Samuelian, Co-Founder of La Maison du Savon de Marseille. “It was a natural decision for us.”

The company produces more than 250 kinds of soap that are fragranced by more than 200 perfumes from the town of Grasse. La Maison du Savon de Marseille’s men’s line includes shower gel, facial cream, and shaving soap as well as a branded shaving brush. The company was founded more than 15 years ago and can be found in retailers in more than 50 countries via wholesale accounts. The company has about 30 franchised boutiques in France and the new CF Carrefour Laval boutique will kick-off the brand’s direct-to-consumer expansion into North America.

More stores in the Montreal area are expected within the next two years. While leases haven’t been finalized, a downtown location and another suburban store are said to be in the works. A national expansion is also possible as the brand gains brand awareness. 

Motherhood Maternity Expected to Close All Canadian Stores Following Bankruptcy Filing/Acquisition: More than 30 Canadian stores operating under the Destination Maternity banner are expected to close in the New Year following a recently reported bankruptcy filing. In total, all 235 of Destination Maternity’s stores are said to be on the chopping block, with most being in the United States.

Destination Maternity filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US in October and announced a long list of store closures at the time. That included 13 Canadian stores that were listed in a Retail Insider Brief. Last week, Marquee Brands LLC acquired Destination Maternity’s name, website, and other operating assets for about US $50 million, while Hilco Merchant Resources and Gordon Brothers Retail Partners will run store-closing sales at the remaining 235 stores.

As part of the deal, Destination Maternity Corp. won court approval to liquidate its remaining stores. It follows controversy around the sale process which some claimed was ‘tainted’ by conflicts. The two retail liquidation specialists, Hilco and Gordon Brothers formerly worked for Destination Maternity and an application to the Court claimed that they had an unfair advantage given previous knowledge. That claim was struck down by a judge.

Destination Maternity’s 31 Canadian stores include 29 Motherhood Maternity storefronts as well as two branded Destination Maternity locations. Of those, 12 stores are in Ontario, seven are in Alberta, six are in British Columbia, two are in Manitoba, two are in Saskatchewan, and there’s one each in the provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

The closures come at a time when landlords are grappling with store closures in Canada. Several chains have shuttered this year including Gymboree, Payless Shoes, Town Shoes, Davids Footwear, Home Outfitters, and Green Earth, among others. Forever 21 announced in September that it would shutter all 44 Canadian units with the last closing earlier this month. Last week we reported that Bentley Leathers would close 88 of its 251 stores in Canada as the retailer plans for growth under new ownership.

Luxury Watch Brand Breitling to Open Vancouver Store: Canada’s second standalone Breitling boutique will open soon at the base of the Terminal City Club at 855 W. Hastings Street. The store will be run in partnership with Palladio Jewellers, which relocated about a year ago into 900 West Hastings Street.

The new Breitling boutique will be contained in part of the retail space formerly occupied by Palladio Jewellers prior to its relocation across the street. The Breitling boutique will be the second standalone location for the brand in Canada, following a storefront that opened at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre in the summer of 2017. Brokerage CBRE Vancouver negotiated the deal under the direction of Mario Negris, Martin Moriarty, and Nolan Toigo.

Customer service is said to be paramount at Breitling’s franchised stores. At this year’s Salesforce Dreamforce conference in San Francisco, Breitling’s CTO Antonio Carriero described how his brand is delivering ‘white glove experiences’ at Breitling’s boutique franchise stores around the world.

In-store experiences at Breitling involves clienting, which is intended to establish long-term relationships with customers based on data about their preferences, behaviours, and purchases. Breitling uses Salesforce’s in-store clienteling app to assist the brand in fulfilling its customers’ needs in what it describes as three easy steps:

1.         Creating a connected system of data: A full 360 view of the Breitling customer means Breitling can accurately and efficiently service each individual depending on needs, preferences, and past shopping history.

2.         Empowering sales associates with brand-consistent sales apps: Clienteling depends heavily on the human interaction between sales associate and customer. Arming its associates with brand-consistent sales apps, Breitling ensures the delivery of prompt, informed interactions, leaving room for the associate to engage fully without worries about the logistics of making a purchase.

3.         Increasing visibility into store performance and building personalization capability at scale.

According to the Shopper First Retail Report 2018, 69% of luxury shoppers want exclusive products and in-store experience, and by 2025 45% of luxury shoppers will be millennials and Gen Z, according to the study. As well, 85% of customers say that they still prefer to shop in brick and mortar stores if they can anticipate the same level of service and personalization that they would experience online.

Luxury shoppers expect knowledgeable staff that can create meaningful and relevant conversation, and a personalized experience that is tailored to their individual preference. To tailor the in-store experience, Breitling empowers its store associates with an in-store clienteling app powered by Salesforce.

Brick-and-mortar retail is alive and well in parts of Canada as brands such as Breitling open physical retail spaces in major Canadian cities. While a ‘retail apocalypse’ narrative prevails in the media, experts are saying that there’s actually a shift in consumer behaviour that will have to be met with enhanced in-store experiences, as well as a seamless purchase experience across all sales channels.*

*Salesforce Dreamforce hosted Retail Insider Editor, Jessica Finch, in San Francisco recently, and some content created for this publication is part of that partnership.

Ardene Continues Large-Format Store Expansion with Growth Plans into 2020: Montreal-based fast-fashion retailer Ardene continues to expand its superstore concept across the country as the retailer expands its product assortment. In the fourth quarter of 2019, Ardene opened 10 new stores spanning between 12,000 square feet and 30,000 square feet. More will open in 2020, according to the company.

Most recently, Ardene opened a 15,500-square-foot location at the Sherwood Park Mall in suburban Edmonton. The large store was made possible by repurposing space vacated by a Safeway grocery store — it was replaced by a new Safeway store on the other side of the mall. A 25,000-square-foot location also recently opened on Ste-Catherine Street West in Montreal, across from Holt Renfrew Ogilvy in a retail space recently vacated by Forever 21. Other new large-format Ardene stores include two more units in the Montreal area, one at Carrefour Angrignon and one at Centre Laval, two in the Vancouver area at Scottsdale Mall and at Sevenoaks Centre, two Calgary locations at Deerfoot Mall and Sunridge Mall, as well as a location at Galerie de Hull near Montreal.

The large-format Ardene stores target its core ‘Gen Z’ customer with an experiential retail experience. That includes dedicated product zones and giant LED screens, phone charging stations, a social hangout, social media Photo Booth, and other ‘Instagramable moments’.

Ardene operates more than 350 stores across Canada as well as 13 internationally. More superstore concept Ardene stores will open in Canada in 2020 and beyond as the retailer shifts its strategy to experiential flagships. Ardene now has the opportunity to do so as retail space has been vacated by retailers such as Target and Sears, not to mention the closure/relocation of grocery and other big-box retailers.

Montreal-Based Designer Eve Gravel Becomes 1st Canadian Designer to Join Clothing Rental Platform Nuuly: Fashion designer Eve Gravel recently became the first fashion designer in Canada to join American clothing rental platform Nuuly. Pieces from the Fall/Winter 2019/20 and Spring/Summer 2020 collections are available on the popular Nuuly website. “ I am very proud to be part of this innovative platform offering a responsible way of consuming fashion and allowing its clients to be daring in their wardrobe habits,” said Ms. Gravel in a statement to Retail Insider.

Nuuly is a clothing rental service that was developed by the Urban Outfitters family of brands (which include Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and Free People). For a monthly fee of US$88, Nuuly subscribers can choose six pieces that will be delivered to them — if the customer likes an item, it can also be purchased. Nuuly is known to offer practical reusable packaging that makes delivery and returns easy and sustainable — an attraction as e-commerce is known to produce packaging waste.

The Eve Gravel brand was founded more than 15 years ago and its designs are known to be timeless with unique details offering a “casual femininity that leave room for self-expression”. That includes a vast assortment of styles ranging from everyday pieces to statement pieces that cater to a diverse range of women. The brand’s design studio and workshop is in Montreal’s Mile End area and clothes are ethically sourced. The company says that its locally-made product uses thoughtfully chosen fabrics, prints designed in house, and high quality local craftsmanship.

Clothing rentals is predicted to become one of the biggest trends in retail for 2020, with many new labels launching while others expand. One of the biggest places is Le Tote, which acquired US-based Hudson’s Bay Company-owned department store chain Lord & Taylor. Sources are saying that Le Tote could launch in Canadian Hudson’s Bay stores as the retailer prepares to launch ‘store of the future’ concept renovations in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.

Ellie Mae Partners with COFO on Cannabis Accessories in New Toronto Retail Space: Toronto-based fashion designer Ellie Mae has partnered with Toronto-based furniture designer COFO to create a new cannabis accessory line that is being showcased in a new joint venture (pun intended) retail space at Toronto’s Stackt Market. The storefront opened earlier this month and features the accessory line alongside Ellie Mae and COFO Furniture designs.

The cannabis accessory collaboration includes products such as ‘doob tubes’ ashtrays, grinders and rolling papers that are said to incorporate a mix of both brands’ design aesthetics. That includes industrial silhouettes with quirky finishes.

A large new concept store space, located at Toronto’s Stackt Market, was co-created to showcase both brands. Also included are clothing items designed and produced by Ellie Mae as well as furniture that was designed and customized by COFO. Ellie Mae opened a smaller retail space at Stackt Market in the spring of 2019 to coincide with the launch of the unique shipping container retail complex that is located at the corner of Front Street West and Bathurst Street in downtown Toronto.

Ellie Mae’s unique designs have been worn by notable fans including Sophie Gregoire Trudeau. The brand designs and manufactures its clothing in Toronto. COFO’s website says that the company partners with emerging Canadian designers to create new products — clients include Nordstrom, Coach, J. Crew, Hermes, and Louis Vuitton.

Keurig Launches Yorkdale Pop-Up in an Effort to Create Brand Awareness: Coffee brand Keurig has launched a pop-up space at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre that will be open until December 23rd. The kiosk is a brand activation to create awareness for the coffee brand, which includes a ‘sampling station” where visitors can learn about the ‘K-Café’ Special Edition and the K-Duo Plus coffee makers. A unique component is the K-Mini Plus train which showcases the K-Mini Plus line-up that includes recently launched colours of the machine.

On December 21st and 22nd, Mandy from Mandy Calligraphy & Design will set up an art studio where she’ll add a personal touch to a hand-printed holiday card — only if a purchase is made, however. There’s also a ‘toppings bar’ where visitors can customize Keurig coffee selections.

Keurig’s pop-up comes at a time when coffee suppliers are fighting for market share. Yorkdale itself is home to a Nespresso retail space, and multi-brand retailers such as Hudson’s Bay also carry various brands. Keurig’s pop-up is part of a trend seen in Canadian retailing where brands seek to engage with consumers through experiences that will hopefully be memorable enough to create brand loyalty. Retail Insider recently featured Yorkdale’s innovative Kit Kat retail space (which is not a pop-up) that again is part of an effort to create an emotional connection through experiences to create top-of-mind awareness.

Planet Fitness to Open 1st Downtown Toronto Location at College Park: New Hampshire-based large-format fitness concept Planet Fitness will open this month at College Park in downtown Toronto. The 21,000-square-foot fitness centre will be the 25th location in Ontario, operated by franchisee the Taymax Group.

College Park, located at the southwest corner of Yonge Street and Collage Street, is a historic building that once housed an Eaton’s department store which opened in 1930. The building currently houses several retail tenants including a Winners and The Brick, as well as popular entertainment venue The Carlu. A 12,000-square-foot Sobeys grocery store will be rebranded to become Farm Boy in 2020, as announced last week. A recent outdoor revitalization included the addition of a new park that includes a 15 foot wide skating trail.

The Planet Fitness health club franchise known for its Judgement Free Zone® and affordable prices, says its members experience a hassle-free, non-intimidating environment. One novelty is a “Lunk Alarm” within each club, which is a purple and yellow siren on the way in that is used to gently remind people that grunting, dropping weights or judging others is not permitted. Until December 31st, memberships at the College Park Planet Fitness are only $1 down and as little as $10 per month plus a $39 annual fee.

The three-level College Park Planet Fitness will include new cardio machines, fully equipped locker rooms, many full-sized flat screen televisions, a 30-minute express circuit, two massage chairs, two hydro lounges, three tanning beds (two lay down and one stand-up), and a ‘Total Body Enhancement Booth’. The club will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Canada’s Top 10 Most-Searched Retailers: Software company SEMrush provided Retail Insider with data on the top 10 most-searched retailers in Canada. While the country is home to many international retailers, Canadian Tire was, by far, the most-searched retailer based on year-over-year average search volumes. Shoppers Drug Mart also scored highly. Here’s the top 10 most searched retailers in Canada based on average monthly searches this year:

  • Canadian Tire – 5,025,833 avg monthly searches
  • Wal-Mart – 3,355,000
  • Home Depot – 2,650,000
  • Best Buy – 2,536,667
  • Costco – 2,104,444
  • Shoppers Drug Mart – 1,150,500
  • Staples – 779,750
  • Home Hardware – 650,917
  • TJX (Winners, Marshall’s, Homesense) – 590,450
  • Lowe’s – 528,833

‘The Prime Effect’ Means Canadian Retailers must Innovate During the Holidays and Beyond

By
Retail Insider
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exc-5df692624b14fd7c6893cf1d

By Grant Alexander Wilson

The year 2019 will be known as the year of retail closures in Canada and the United States. Canada’s Home Outfitters and Payless ShoeSource have recently announced they’re beginning to close all retail outlets.

These companies are not alone, as 2019 will see more than 9,000 retailer closures in North America. Some of the largest include The Gap and Forever 21, closing 230 and 178 stores respectively. Other notable retailers on the list include Pier 1 Imports (14 stores), Bed Bath and Beyond (60 stores), and Things Remembered (200 stores).

The Amazon Prime effect

Many retailers are experiencing what I have dubbed The Prime Effect in reference to Amazon Prime. The ability of online retailers to offer next-day delivery service for an annual fee or at an affordable price has dynamically changed the retail business and shifted sales from in-store to online.

It’s now more convenient and equally economical to shop online compared to in-store. With the holiday shopping season upon us, the biggest retail question remains unanswered. How do physical retailers increase in-store sales?

This question is not only important during the holiday season, it remains top of mind for retailers all year round. My interest in this as a research topic evolved from my PhD studies. Now, as a faculty member in the Department of Management and Marketing at the University of Saskatchewan’s Edwards School of Business, I am exploring how retailers can remain financially successful in the wake of The Prime Effect.

The answer to this all-important question relates to retail innovation.

Innovation, financial performance linked

In my forthcoming study of 225 Canadian retailers to be published in the Wiley Online Library, innovation was found to have a direct impact on financial performance. Specifically, innovation was the missing link between retailers’ employee work ethic, customer orientation and financial performance.

But employing a customer orientation approach — an organizational-wide commitment to understanding and serving the needs of the target market — and having a motivated workforce was not enough to enhance retailers’ sales, margins or profits.

Retailers that were highly innovative, however, outperformed their non-innovative competitors. This finding is supported by other prominent research that has suggested innovation is the missing link between strategies and company performance, but I demonstrated its importance among retailers.

Retail innovations, of course, include new products and services but also personalized shopping experiences and unique loyalty programs, to name just a few.

Personalized shopping experiences can be implemented that mirror online analytics, permitting salespeople to use customer information to make recommendations. Unique loyalty programs can offer regular customers first access to new inventory, creating stronger brand loyalty and in-store sales.

Changing the environment

While strategy is a process, innovation is a way of thinking about strategy. Innovation requires environmental changes at companies that support new ways of thinking. Changing the environment requires new actions and behaviours of both management and employees.

Although innovation is typically thought of as creating those novel products and services, it also includes the environmental changes within organizations that support innovative thinking. Innovation thought leaders, in fact, suggest companies should invest as much as 10 per cent in innovation, and divest of activities that fail to add value by the same amount.

The first step is understanding the importance of innovation. The second step involves the willingness to dedicate resources to innovation. The final, most critical step is all about innovation implementation.

Implementing innovation

According to American academic Peter Senge, named Strategist of the Century by Journal of Business Strategy, it’s the job of senior leadership to create an organization’s culture. Therefore, top management must be committed to creating an innovative culture. In order for an innovative culture to be successful, it also requires employee buy-in at all levels.

It’s clear that during this holiday season and beyond, retailers need to embrace innovation. They must have a workforce that is motivated as well as one that is customer-oriented, but innovation is what will truly set the top-performing retailers apart.

Regardless of the innovation strategy, it’s integral to the success of Canadian retailers. Perhaps the greatest strategic risk is not innovating and failing, but failing to innovate at all.

Unique Bespoke Tailor ‘Brenton & Co’ Opens Yorkville Storefront

By
Craig Patterson
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Brenton & Co.,

A unique bespoke tailor has opened a retail space in Toronto’s affluent Yorkville area. Called Brenton & Co., the company recently launched a storefront that acts as a showroom for the brand that custom-creates clothing for a growing clientele that includes notable celebrities. Brenton & Co. also quietly does tailoring and alterations for some of Toronto’s top luxury boutiques.

Founders Ira Brenton and Tony Tran opened the retail space in the fall after founding Brenton & Co. about seven months ago. The duo has a long history in the industry and have extensive training experience in creating bespoke clothing. While client names are kept confidential, Brenton & Co. creates bespoke suits and other fashions for sports stars and celebrities, and also creates custom wardrobes for television and movie productions. Notable luxury retailers in Toronto’s Bloor-Yorkville area, including mono-brand and multi-brand players, utilize Brenton & Co. for tailoring and alterations, and it’s all done ‘under the radar’.

The new Brenton & Co. retail space is located at 126 Cumberland Avenue, which was formerly occupied by footwear brand Tanya Heath Paris and prior to that, Austrian hosiery brand Wolford. City Commercial Realty Group negotiated the lease deal — the brokerage has been instrumental in placing retailers in the Bloor-Yorkville area, and has done so for more than 20 years.

In an interview in November, founders Ira Brenton and Tony Tran discussed the new concept space and how it is already seeing remarkable success. That success is due in part to pre-existing relationships that stem from the duo’s prior experience in bespoke tailoring — Mr. Brenton was formerly with another notable bespoke suit maker and Mr. Tran’s background includes a stint with Italian luxury brand Gucci.

While one might not immediately think of bespoke fashion as being ‘eco-friendly’, Mr. Brenton noted that there’s very little waste produced in Brenton & Co.’s custom designs. Product is made locally at a manufacturing facility nearby at 1240 Bay Street and every garment is hand-stitched by experienced and passionate artisans. And while natural fabrics will decompose in a landfill (unlike that of many fast-fashion retailers), Brenton & Co.’s suits will last a lifetime in one’s closet, according to Mr. Brenton.

A range of fabrics available are from the world’s finest suppliers. Mr. Tran noted that the finest materials come from the UK and Italy, and an expansive assortment of swatches are available for customers to choose from. A variety of natural fibres are available in patterns and textures, and prices vary depending on what the client chooses.

The entry price for a man’s suit at Brenton & Co. is about $1,600, though the price goes up depending on fabric, buttons and other additions. Some fabrics such as vicuna are used in costlier designs — a custom-made jacket from the world’s finest vicuna at Brenton & Co. could cost as much as $70,000. Besides suits and jackets, Mr. Brenton said that Brenton & Co. can custom design a variety of garments ranging from dress shirts to even street-wear designs.

The bright Cumberland Street retail space is simple in design and welcoming. Displays at the front of the store showcase several custom designs including partially made garments that showcase craftsmanship. Towards the back of the main showroom are paper cuts from clients that are displayed to again showcase the craft — one of the goals of the showroom is to create an experience for the customer according to the duo. That experience is further enhanced by one-on-one consultations that may also include alcohol — spirits are served to clients if they so desire, and the overall atmosphere is friendly and professional.

IRA BRENTON, MIDDLE, WITH TONY TRAN ON THE RIGHT. PHOTO: ADAMO BOCCITTO

While pricier than some fashion offerings, Mr. Brenton said that the company’s profit margins are considerably less than that of major luxury brands. Brenton & Co.’s designs are hand-made in Toronto and the time and effort that goes into each creation is costly. The end result is a garment that fits the client like a glove, which is seeing a growing client base that is seeking out craftsmanship as well as a perfect fit.

The fit of garments is meant to flatter the body, while at the same time minimizing any idiosyncrasies that one might have. While many men buy suits off the rack, Brenton & Co. notes that many of these are ill-fitting. Mr. Brenton said that once a customer wears one of Brenton & Co.’s suits, he is likely to return for more, recognizing the quality and fit not found at traditional retailers.

Concepts like Brenton & Co. are expected to thrive at a time of competition in the industry. The opportunity to customize garments is indeed an attraction and may also attract a younger demographic which is coming to expect personalization. Prices for bespoke suits at Brenton & Co. are comparable to off-the-rack luxury brands and as the market becomes saturated, bespoke offerings could be the next big thing.

115: Bentley Leathers, Läderach, Ted Baker, Hublot and Suitsupply

By
Retail Insider
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exc-5df3ca0704b7db043c8d69c6

This week Craig & Lee talk about Bentley Leathers’ exiting court protection with plans to close 90 stores, Swiss chocolate brand Läderach’s entry into Canada, Ted Baker’s unique new Yorkdale flagship, Hublot’s 1st Canadian corporate store, and Dutch suit maker Suitsupply’s cross-Canada expansion that will include a Vancouver flagship as well as Nordstrom-based concessions.

The Weekly podcast by Retail Insider Canada is available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Sponsored by JLL Canada: What’s your ambition? Visit JLL.ca to see how JLL Canada is here to create rewarding opportunities and amazing spaces around the globe where people can achieve their ambitions.

Discussed this episode: 

  1. (Dec 2019)

    • (Oct 2019)
    • (Nov 2019)
  2. , including Läderach, Ted Baker and Hublot

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Real Fur to See Resurgence in Canada Amid Perception Shift: Opinion

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Retail Insider
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Photo: Fendi

By Mina Ely

“I’d rather go naked than wear fur.” A popular slogan from the 1990’s and early 2000’s. Celebrities such as Pamela Anderson, Olivia Munn, Steve-O, Pink, and many others posed nude in large scale campaigns in support of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). With this, we saw a large drop in fur sales. Major fashion labels including Versace, Gucci, Diane Von Furstenberg, and retailers such as Net-A-Porter have since ditched the fur.

But today, a backlash is brewing.


When I was three years old my family relocated from Russia to Canada. Russia is the origin country of the $100,000 Sable coat. Russian sable are the most exquisite specimen, only found in the Russian wild. For many Russians, fur was part of their culture. In Russia, fur was often a necessity for survival in the extremely cold climate. You didn’t have to be wealthy to own a fur coat, it was just a staple in many people’s wardrobes.

Growing up in Toronto I remember my mother wearing fur. Any fancy event or outing she would wear her Mink coat. To her, it was a staple. In our society it was a subtle nod to defining your elegance and sophistication. There is something about the uber luxury of mink that sustains in our current culture today. Mink now comes in all styles — contemporary bombers to luxury duster coats. Suitable on both a young trendy millennial and a more mature baby boomer.

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. I also love the elegance and sophistication of wearing fur. As a luxury stylist, I love to put my clients in a gorgeous mink bomber with a pair of high waisted jeans and Louboutin high boots. I curate my client’s wardrobes based on feel good and look good items, and I am not afraid to endorse this industry that I believe in.

I was recently in New York where I connected with an independent furrier who helped me to design my own collection of gorgeous, unique mink jackets.

I absolutely adored the designs and have decided to bring my own exclusive collection to the Canadian fashion retail market. Introducing this collection to the Toronto Fashion market, specifically, has exposed me to the controversy of the pro and anti fur movements.

In the height of a climate crisis, we find more and more people taking an approach towards sustainable fashion. There are many arguments for and against the fur industry. Often the research is biased depending on who the article is published by.

Faux fur is a far bigger threat to wildlife than the real thing. This is because most faux-fur and “vegan leathers” are made from petrochemical based materials such as PVC and polyester — fabrics that are made from liquid plastic spun into yarn or pressed into a shoe. These plastics can take up to 200 years to decompose, and they create microfibres that are too small to be filtered in our water treatment systems. They then become micro-plastics which shed into the habitats of many animals, while also contaminating our waterways, fills, and landfills. A study from UK group “Friends of the Earth” estimates that 1600 tones of micro-plastics were shed from synthetic fabrics such as polyester in 2018 alone. People think of fake fur as a disposable thing. They buy it, wear it a few seasons and throw it away. Real fur is more often recycled into new coats, given to grandchildren and passed on through generations.

Vintage Photo of Models in Fur. PHOTO: FASHIONISTA

Unlike faux-fur the real thing biodegrades. Biodegradation is the degradation of a material on a chemical level. Disintegration is the physical fragmentation into smaller pieces. Meaning your real fur jacket will disappear once you send it to the landfill but your faux-fur will live on forever – and not in the way we want.

In today’s market, 55% of buyers are under the age of 44. With the millennial push in the buying market, many designers swore off the fur in hopes of attracting the booming consumers. However, there is a caveat – the same brands continue to work with shearling and leather. A suggested google search when researching fur is “why is fur bad and leather ok”. This is said to be due to the fact that materials made from sheep and cow are considered part of the food chain, making their skin a byproduct and therefore deemed acceptable by the consumer. (Not to mention that mink is also used for fertilizer, feed, waterproofing materials, and even biofuel.)

These designers fail to realize that the anti-fur movement has a much larger agenda. They are not just talking about fur, they want to ban leather, wool and silk – all animal byproduct found in fashion. To me, this “furless movement” only seems like a facade to attract a new younger demographic.

We know now that the designer’s approach is ironic seeing that Millennials are driving online fur sales. Over the last two years, we have seen a 30% increase in fur sales from consumers age 38 and younger. The price point of a full mink jacket might be high for this cohort but this doesn’t stop them from purchasing fur accessories, something in shoes or fur trimmed jackets. However, 1 in 5 women own a fur coat, and over the past seven years the market has experienced significant gains in men’s fur fashion which now account for 5% of total fur sales.

The number one reason from consumers when purchasing a fur coat is warmth and it is no surprise that in North America top fur sales happen in colder climates such as Canada, and particular parts of the US. A fashion critic named Alden Wicker stated that, “Well-meaning people conflate ‘vegan’ with terms like ‘ethical’ or ‘eco-friendly’, as if they can be used interchangeably.” A mistake big label designers seem to be making. 8% of our total global emissions are contributed to the fashion industry alone so just because a piece of fashion is animal free, doesn’t mean it’s not hurting animals in other ways.

  • PHOTO: OSCAR DE LA RENTA
  • PHOTO: DIOR
  • PHOTO: BALMAIN
  • PHOTO: DOLCE & GABBANA

In the same breath, many designers have admitted to philosophical conflict knowing that fake fur is worse for our environment and are not declaring themselves fur-free. This is due to the fact that the history of fashion proves a pendulum swing in the trends of fur in fashion. Designers don’t want to be hypocritical releasing a fur line only now that fur is on the up rise. The legendary Karl Lagerfeld stated, “Fake fur pollutes the world more than anything else.”

There are more designers working with fur today than in the 80’s. In 1985, only 42 designers were creating fur fashions. Today there are over 500 designers featuring fur in their collections. Over 65% of A/W 2018 catwalks in New York, Milan, Paris, and London showed fur. Brands such as Alexander Wang, Oscar De La Renta, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Moncier, Roberto Cavalli, Balmain, Dior, and Valentino are amongst others in this group. If the consumer market wasn’t interested in fur, would more than 50% of designers still choose to show these garments on the runway?

Despite what the protesters are saying, fur is still a product in demand. The market wants more and a backlash against the anti-fur movement is brewing. It is crucial that both consumer and designer are relying on real information and facts, not “faux” ones.

With twenty years in the luxury retail industry, Mina Ely has a broad understanding of the retail and fashion world. As a Luxury Retail Sales Specialist, Retail Strategist and Luxury Wardrobe Consultant, Mina provides a wide range of services to her portfolio of executive clients. Mina firmly believes that retails core values stem from the overall experience of the consumer and her goal is to ensure that the clients expectations are exceeded every time. Mina brings expertise that span the width of the business. Giving back to the community is important to Mina so she is passionate about partnering with charity organizations and hosting private events with the theme of “Fashion Cares for a Cause” in mind.

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