ALEX AND ANI Launches National Retail Expansion

By

-

June 20, 2017

Alex and Ani at Square One in Mississauga

American jewellery brand ALEX AND ANI continues to open Canadian stores, which it says is a response to exceptional consumer demand. The company opened its first freestanding Canadian stores about 18 months ago, and it also has a considerable wholesale presence in retailers nationwide, including Hudson’s Bay.

ALEX AND ANI’s first Canadian store opened in December of 2015 at Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket, Ontario, just north of Toronto. Several days later, a Yorkdale Shopping Centre boutique opened in Toronto. Four more stores have since opened — in March of 2016, ALEX AND ANI opened at Mississauga’s Square One, followed by two stores in August of 2016 at CF Rideau Centre in Ottawa and at CF Carrefour Laval, north of Montreal. Most recently, the downtown Montreal Eaton Centre saw the opening of a location, which is already seeing considerable pedestrian traffic.

Responding to interview questions, ALEX AND ANI’S Vice President of International Business Development, Omar Ajaj, discussed the company’s expansion in Canada. When asked why the company initially decided to open freestanding Canadian units, he said, “we were prompted by consumer demand for what our company offers. By this, we mean that our consumers want more than our product”. ALEX AND ANI’s value proposition is unique — it’s selling more than just a product. When discussing why there’s a demand for the brand in Canada, Mr. Ajaj said, “They are interested in what we do as a humanitarian company. This encompasses our missions to support our planet, the people on it, and the communities we live in. Customers are no longer fixated on consuming and collecting objects; they buy things with meaning and purpose. We connect with our customers on a different level and the Canadian market is a part of this.”

While ALEX AND ANI’s Canadian stores are all within enclosed shopping malls. Mr. Ajaj noted that in the company’s global portfolio, some are on urban street-fronts. In seeking out real estate, the company typically targets spaces in the 800 square foot to 1,200 square foot range, he noted — with high-traffic areas being a priority.

When asked about ALEX AND ANI’s plans for more stores in Canada, Mr. Ajaj noted that the company is in the process of strategizing. “As we mature in the market we want to be accessible to our consumers. We anticipate having distribution throughout Canada but timing is not fully defined yet.” The expansion will be calculated, including taking into consideration its wholesale distribution. “Expanding our retail store footprint is a definite part of our 5-year plan,” said Mr. Ajaj, going on to say, “The amount of stores will be defined by the market and our other retail partnerships. As we build our presence along the west coast in the US we will explore the Vancouver market in tandem.”

Founded in Rhode Island in 2004, the brand is known for its “eco-conscious, positive energy products that adorn the body, enlighten the mind and empower the spirit”, according to its website. Designer Carolyn Rafaelian founded the company, and the brand’s name comes from a combination of the first names of Ms. Rafaelian’s two daughters. Designs include bangles, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and rings. Remarkably, bracelets feature a patented sliding mechanism that replaces the traditional clasp, making each bracelet ‘one-size-fits-all’. All ALEX AND ANI products are made in the United States.

The company first came to national attention in 2004 when it produced a necklace featuring an apple for Gwyneth Paltrow, following the birth of her daughter, Apple, leading to a large number of orders of similar merchandise.

Ladurée to Open 1st Toronto Location

By

Craig Patterson

-

June 20, 2017

Laduree Construction at Yorkdale Shopping Centre (PHOTO: VERGO CONSTRUCTION)

UPDATE: Ladurée opened December 14, 2017, and we photographed and wrote about the new space.

French luxury bakery and sweets maker Ladurée will open its first Toronto location later this year. It will be Ladurée’s third Canadian location, following the opening of two downtown Vancouver locations.

Ladurée entered Canada in March of 2016, when it opened a 1,100 square foot boutique and 23-seat tea salon at 1141 Robson Street in Vancouver. A 500 square foot Ladurée concession (including an 18-seat tea salon) opened in March of this year at Vancouver’s Holt Renfrew’s CF Pacific Centre flagship, adjacent to the store’s recently unveiled 8,500 square foot women’s designer footwear salon.

Toronto’s first Ladurée will open towards the end of 2017, in a 1,185 square foot retail space at Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Yorkdale’s Ladurée will be in an expansion of the mall’s ‘luxury wing’, across the hall from recently opened luxury retailer Saint Laurent, and next to a Links of London boutique that will open this summer.

According to Ladurée’s Canadian licensee, Olesya Krakhmalyova, the new Toronto Ladurée will feature a retail area as well as a 26-seat tea salon, with a menu similar to that of the Robson Street location. Included will be Ladurée’s signature macarons in a variety of flavours, as well as teas, jams, branded honey, Ladurée accessories and other merchandise, as well as gift boxes. The tea salon will feature a variety of tea and other drinks, as well as popular menu items such as French toast and ice cream. Ms. Krakhmalyova noted that L’Afternoon Tea Ladurée is very popular in Vancouver.

Ms. Krakhmalyova explained that Toronto’s Ladurée will include some features that will be ‘unique to Toronto’, with details to be revealed shortly. The Yorkdale boutique, as with all Ladurée locations, will be designed by the company’s in-house team. Ms. Krakhmalyova revealed that the company is working with leading firm Vergo Construction’s Commercial Interiors Division and that Vergo is providing complete construction management including the planning (drawings, etc), procurement and project management of the entire project. Vergo’s Commercial Interiors Division has expanded its focus into high end and luxury retail.

If the Yorkdale Ladurée is anything like the Vancouver locations, it will be beautiful — Vancouver’s Robson Street tea salon features Carrara marble-topped cream wooden tables along with lyre back chairs in rose and almond green hues, and small floral benches. Ladurée supplied photos in this article of the Vancouver locations.

1,100 SQUARE FOOT VANCOUVER LADURÉE LOCATION AT 1141 ROBSON STREET

INSIDE THE VANCOUVER ROBSON STREET LADURÉE RETAIL SPACE

While many lease deals are coordinated through brokers, Ms. Krakhmalyova explained that in this instance, Ladurée worked directly with landlord Oxford Properties on the Yorkdale deal. “We had a shared vision,” said Ms. Krakhmalyova, and Oxford presented a retail space opportunity that was just too good to pass up.

Vancouver’s Robson Street Ladurée recently became licensed, now serving signature alcoholic beverages. Ms. Krakhmalyova said that she hopes the new Yorkdale location will be able to serve alcoholic drinks, though that will depend on securing licensing.

The Vancouver locations will soon see an expanded assortment of fresh pastries later this year — Ms. Krakhmalyova explained that she will be opening a ‘laboratory’ kitchen in the city soon, and that a pastry chef is being moved to Vancouver to supply locations with a full range of Ladurée pastries — until now, only a limited selection has been available in Canada.

Each Ladurée location requires detail-oriented precision, noted Ms. Krakhmalyova, so Ladurée’s Canadian rollout will be carefully executed. The two Vancouver locations opened almost exactly a year apart, she noted, and the company’s focus for Toronto will initially just be on the Yorkdale location. A second Toronto location in the downtown core is a possibility, she noted, as is the possibility of entry into Montreal, though nothing is currently planned until the Yorkdale location opens and is fully operational.

Founded in Paris in 1862, Ladurée is best known for its double-decker macarons, selling over 15,000 of them daily. Many Ladurée locations also sell ice cream, sorbets, jams, chocolate and candy, as well as branded accessories. Ladurée was purchased by French business group Groupe Holder in 1993, expanding Ladurée from a handful of locations to dozens of boutiques in 25 countries. The company currently has eight American locations, including two in Manhattan, two in Los Angeles (The Grove, and in Beverly Hills), three in the Miami area (Miami Beach, Miami Design District, Bal Harbour Shops), and one in Washington, DC.

*Top photo of the future Yorkdale space: Vergo Construction. Other photos of the Vancouver Ladurée locations were supplied by Ladurée.

THE 500 SQUARE FOOT VANCOUVER HOLT RENFREW LADURÉE CONCESSION IS LOCATED AT THE EDGE OF THE STORE’S WOMEN’S FOOTWEAR SALON

Holt Renfrew Unveils Luxurious 2-Level VIP Suites in Vancouver [Photos]

By

Craig Patterson

-

June 19, 2017

Holt Renfrew continues to renovate and expand its highly productive Vancouver flagship, which some are saying is now the ‘best’ store in the company in terms of its overall look and offerings. Holt’s has unveiled a luxurious collection of personal shopping suites in a dramatic new two-level space, which includes a rooftop patio and ‘The Apartment’ for VIP guests.

The apartment’ features a dining area and outdoor patio. photo holt Renfrew

New York City-based architectural firm Janson Goldstein was commissioned to re-imaging the CF Pacific Centre flagship, resulting in ongoing construction that has included renovating the existing store, as well as adding an additional 40,000 square feet of retail space. The project began in the summer of 2015, and is expected to be completed by mid-2018.

Last week, Holt Renfrew unveiled its newly expanded two-level personal shopping suites, which span 6,000 square feet over two levels. On the women’s fashion floor, three personal shopping suites are served by a reception area, and there’s more upstairs — a glass staircase leads to an additional four more suites, as well as ‘The Apartment’ which encompasses 1,200 square feet. Amenities in the newly expanded personal shopping suites include private washrooms, two kitchenettes and full access to the food/beverage menus at the recently-opened Holt’s Café. Both floors are connected via a passenger elevator to the store’s ‘Holt’s Valet’.

Seven personal shoppers serve clients in the Vancouver store, and can be booked through the store’s personal shopping reception. Suites accommodate extended appointments where a curated assortment of product is prepared in advance, based on a client’s needs/preferences. The service is complimentary, and Holt’s makes millions in annual sales from the private suites — the investment into the new suites will no doubt pay off.

While the upper-level personal shopping suites are targeted towards female shoppers, men also have their own, with two additional men’s personal shopping suites being located in the expanded Holt Renfrew Men section of the store. That brings the total number of personal shopping suites in the store to nine, in addition to The Apartment — no Holt Renfrew store, or any store in Canada for that matter, can boast such an offering.

The Apartment is particularly notable, offering the ultimate luxury retail experience in the city. It features a ‘residential’ look with a living room, dining area, an expansive fitting room, private powder room, and a wrap-around outdoor patio that overlooks the city. The private space is reserved by appointment for top clients in the store, as well as visiting celebrities/high profile individuals seeking out privacy in a discrete environment. Holt Renfrew notes that The Apartment will also be used for unique events such as fine jewellery trunk shows and other ‘curated experiences’.

Vancouver’s Apartment is the third for Holt’s — the concept launched at Holt’s Yorkdale store in January of 2014, and a second opened last summer at the newly opened Holt Renfrew location at Mississauga’s Square One. The Vancouver Apartment is the only one to feature such an outdoor space, not to mention such a large adjacent set of personal shopping suites.

Interiors in both The Apartment and the personal shopping suites have a modern residential feel, with custom chandeliers, custom furniture pieces and carpets. The overall palette is muted in tones of white, taupe, grey and espresso, with natural light provided from the open staircase skylight. Designer furniture and artwork is featured throughout the new two level space.

Vancouver’s Holt Renfrew store is now considered by many to be the company’s top location, in terms of overall look, amenities, and designer offering. The store now spans an impressive 187,700 square feet over four levels (including a top level for the aforementioned personal shopping suites/Apartment), and includes the company’s most comprehensive designer offerings in a number of departments including menswear, women’s designer apparel, and women’s shoes. Earlier this year, Holt’s unveiled its new 8,500 square foot women’s shoe hall, featuring nine luxury designer brand shop-in-stores as well as an adjacent 800 square foot Ladurée café. In September of 2016, Holt’s unveiled its new Vancouver Holt Renfrew Men store, which has its own exterior entrance facing onto Howe Street. In September of 2016, as well, Holt’s debuted a vastly expanded accessories hall, with a number of enlarged designer boutiques for the likes of Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co. and David Yurman.

new 8,500 square foot women’s shoe hall, featuring nine designer shop-in-stores and a wide assortment of luxury brand offerings.

There’s still approximately a year left on the store’s renovations, according to Holt Renfrew. This summer (mid-July), Holt’s will unveil its expanded and redesigned women’s contemporary designer floor, as well as a new 12,000 square foot ‘beauty hall’ that will be relocated to the store’s lower-level. When the store is completed next year, it will be considered to be one of the top luxury stores in North America in terms of its brand and services offerings. It remains to be seen if any other store in Canada, be it Holt’s or otherwise, will be able to match the Vancouver store in terms of its offerings, though Vancouver is a ‘special’ city in terms of luxury retail in Canada at the moment — some Alberni Street/Luxury Zone boutiques see annual sales-per-square foot in excess of $6,000-$10,000+, and the city’s Nordstrom flagship is now said to be the top-selling in the entire company, driven by luxury women’s handbags, footwear, cosmetics, and ready-to-wear.

Drake Commissary Debuts in Junction Triangle [Photos]

By

Retail Insider

-

June 19, 2017

By Martin Owusu

Toronto’s Junction Triangle received a new addition last week, with the opening of the Drake Commissary at 128 Sterling Road. The 8,000 sq. ft. bakery, bar and larder forms a cornerstone of Toronto’s Drake Hotel properties and produces original food items for the Drake’s primary retail extension, Drake General Store.

The location is the fifth location in a suite of Drake properties which include The Drake Hotel, Drake One Fifty (restaurant), Drake Devonshire (hotel in Prince Edward County) and Drake General Store (now with six locations) .

The Drake General Store, which opened its 3-storey flagship last summer at 1151 Queen Street West, sells a number of signature food items in addition to traditional gift shop retail offerings and signature maple syrups, sourced from the freshly minted, Drake Commissary.

In addition to serving the needs of the Drake Commissary and Drake General Store, the Drake Commissary’s kitchen functions as the culinary production hub and main supplier for all the Drake properties’ made-from-scratch menu items. This makes it a critical piece of the Drake enterprise.

The Drake Commissary itself is an uncommon combination of large-scale food production, food-retail and restaurant, smoothly held together by The Drake’s consistently curated themes of artistry, antiquity and authenticity.

Signature retail items like maple syrup, duck liver pate and cured salmon are made from scratch on location, and are integrated throughout the restaurant and bar space.

In addition to pre-made selections from the kitchen commissary, a 140-person seated dining area allows guests to sit-in and enjoy fast-casual menu items from the kitchen and coffee/cocktail bar. Guests can also order menu items from the Drake Commissary’s 40-seat patio.

While the restaurant, bar and dining area may take up most of the Drake Commissary’s 8,000 square feet, the commissary kitchen is the location’s intended centrepiece.

“The restaurant is a way to showcase what we’re doing in terms of [food] production. Without the restaurant, we wouldn’t have the draw,” said Ted Corrado, Corporate Executive Chef of Drake Hotel Properties. “But the heart of it is the food program we do,” he added.

Guests can peer into the Drake’s food preparation process from the restaurant through large glass windows.

“Traditionally the commissary kitchen is a space where you do all your production, and historically, it’s not guest facing. We took a different approach in that we want people to see what we’re doing. It’s all out on display,” said Corrado.

The area surrounding the Drake Commissary’s Junction Triangle location is industrial and notably underdeveloped. Directly to the south and northeast sits a Nestle factory. To the east is a small paper production plant, and to the south, an abandoned munitions factory.

The Drake Commissary, however, is leading the area’s redevelopment. A coffee shop is slated for construction across Sterling Road, and the former munitions factory is being redeveloped into mixed use condos and an artist’s space.

The southern tip’s expansion follows a trend of changing demographics in the larger Junction Triangle neighbourhood, as the neighbourhood’s rapid condo development and GO Train proximity continue to attract young urban professionals — as well as new retail to serve them.

Originally from British Columbia, Martin Owusu is currently studying towards a JD/MBA at Dalhousie University. He has a keen interest in the combined potential for sport and business to build community.

Van Cleef & Arpels Opens 1st Freestanding Canadian Boutique

By

Craig Patterson

-

June 15, 2017

Van Cleef & Arpels 1 — Photo: Van Cleef & Arpels

Paris-based luxury jeweller Van Cleef & Arpels has opened its first freestanding Canadian boutique in Toronto, with a second location to open in several months in Vancouver. The company’s focus on Canada will also include the opening of a new partner boutique at Birks in Toronto, next year.

The 1,560 square foot Toronto Van Cleef & Arpels boutique boasts a corner location in the ‘luxury wing’ at Yorkdale Shopping Centre. The exterior features a dramatic gold-tone painted glass installation above the dark wood exterior, as well as a series of display windows carrying some six-figure-priced jewellery pieces. The store’s interior includes custom gold leaf hand painted wall coverings, sheer and velvet draperies, and crystal chandeliers, as well as a collection of black lacquered wood display vitrines, accented with metal and glass. The boutique features a private viewing salon at the back of the store for customers seeking privacy.

Alain Bernard, President and CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels Americas, explained that the company chose its Yorkdale space because of its prominent corner location, as well as its proximity to other luxury brands in the mall. Rather than choose a larger space elsewhere in the centre, the Yorkdale Van Cleef & Arpels was created by taking over two smaller retail spaces — until a few months ago, the corner formerly housed an 860 square foot Swarovski boutique, and Crabtree & Evelyn had a 700 square foot shop next door.

Van Cleef & Arpels is owned by luxury conglomerate Richemont Group, which is also opening four luxury watch/jewellery boutiques across the hall. This summer, in retail space formerly occupied by Williams Sonoma, Richemont will open boutiques for Piaget, IWC Schaffhausen, Officine Panerai, and Vacheron Constantin.

(CONSTRUCTION HOARDING WITH SIGNAGE. PHOTO: NORMAN KATZ, TAG)

(CLICK ABOVE OR BELOW FOR INTERACTIVE YORKDALE MALL FLOOR PLAN/DIRECTORY)

Vancouver will be the next Canadian city to see a freestanding Van Cleef & Arpels, and the flagship is currently under construction. Mr. Bernard said that the 1069 Alberni Street store is expected to open towards the end of the year, depending on when construction is finished. The Vancouver flagship will be a special location for Van Cleef & Arpels — it’s the first time that the brand has built its own building from the ground up, with Van Cleef & Arpels spanning more than 4,000 square feet over two levels. A glass facade will provide ample natural light, and Mr. Bernard explained that the store’s interior will be different than the new Yorkdale unit. Vancouver luxury retail is seeing exceptional growth, and international retailers are addressing the city’s high-spending demographic with VIP-oriented flagships with private viewing rooms and other luxury amenities.

Mr. Bernard explained that Canada will likely only house two freestanding Van Cleef & Arpels boutiques (Yorkdale in Toronto and on Alberni Street in Vancouver) so as to not oversaturate the Canadian market. Toronto will see a new ‘partner’ Van Cleef & Arpels boutique on Bloor Street West next year, however, when renovations to Maison Birks at the Manulife Centre are completed in 2018. The new Birks-housed Van Cleef & Arpels will feature its own exterior entrance facing onto Bloor Street West, with approximately 1,500 square feet of retail space. The current Maison Birks will be closing temporarily (for about a year) and will move into part of Manulife Centre’s former William Ashley space, while the existing Birks space is rebuilt into a state-of-the-art one-level retail space.

Van Cleef & Arpels has had a partnership with Birks for over 10 years, with licensed boutiques operating in the Toronto and Vancouver flagships. The Vancouver Van Cleef & Arpels shop-in-store expanded to 1,435 square feet in early 2016, and it also features a street-front entrance (onto Granville Street) as well as access from within Birks.

Founded in 1906 by Alfred Van Cleef and his brothers-in-law Charles and Julien Arpels on the Place Vendome in Paris, Van Cleef & Arpels is considered to be one of the world’s most prestigious jewellery brands. Van Cleef & Arpels currently operates 13 freestanding locations in the United States. Cities include New York City, Bal Harbour FL, Beverly Hills, Costa Mesa CA, Chicago, Las Vegas (x2), Manhasset NY, Houston, Miami, Naples FL, Palm Beach FL, and Short Hills NJ. Noticeably absent are large cities with plenty of luxury brands such as San Francisco, Boston, Washington DC, and Dallas. All of the latter four metro regions, with the exception of Boston, feature Van Cleef & Arpels shop-in-stores at Neiman Marcus.

Lightspeed Partners with Montréal’s 5th Annual MURAL Festival

By

Retail Insider

-

June 15, 2017

Montreal-based cloud-based point-of-sale platform Lightspeed has partnered with Montréal’s popular MURAL Festival, as the official retail and restaurant point of sale. The 11-day festival runs through until Fathers Day, June 18, on Boulevard Saint-Laurent.

Lightspeed’s omnichannel product, eCommerce platform and restaurant solution are powering all transactional aspects of MURAL Festival, offering the vibrant cultural event a seamless POS system throughout the Festival.

The event is being very well attended — MURAL Festival is one of the most vibrant displays of urban art, and it saw more than 1.3 million visitors in 2016. The Festival merges the best of the city’s booming arts, culture, and food scenes — from live murals, to musical concerts, to conferences and exhibitions, the festival brings together a global community in the heart of Montreal: Canada’s diverse arts, culture and technology hub.

“Lightspeed is proud to support the expansive arts and culture community in our home city of Montréal through this year’s partnership with MURAL Festival,” said Lightspeed Founder and CEO Dax Dasilva.

Pierre-Alain Benoit, Directeur general, Festival international d’art public MURAL said, “Lightspeed is a prominent fixture in our city, providing local independent businesses with the technology tools they need to thrive and grow. Through this partnership, Lightspeed will help us centralize our data, sell 365 days a year, and power all of our hospitality services during the festival.”

Lightspeed offers users a powerful cloud-based point of sale system. It’s designed for retailers to sell anywhere – in-store, online or both, with the help of Lightspeed’s omnichannel platform. Lightspeed powers more than 45,000 retailers and manages $15 billion in transactions across 100 countries, said founder and CEO, Dax Dasilva.

The company was founded in 2005 by Mr. Dasilva, beginning with four employees working out of a Montreal apartment. It now boasts over 500 staff in eight offices around the world. Lightspeed has quickly expanded its offering with a POS for restaurants, an eCommerce platform and an omnichannel selling solution, helping businesses streamline their operations and improve customer service by bringing together inventory, customer management, sales and analytics into a single platform.

LXRandCo Plans Major Expansion Under New Ownership

By

Megan Harman

-

June 15, 2017

Montreal-based vintage luxury accessories retailer LXRandCo is gearing up for a major international expansion following the acquisition of the company by an entity co-led by renowned fashion entrepreneur Joseph Mimran.

LXR sells high-quality pre-owned designer leather handbags and other accessories through a network of approximately 70 stores located in major department stores around the world, as well as through its e-commerce website. The company sells brands such as Hermes, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Gucci.

The company was recently acquired by Gibraltar Growth, a special purpose acquisition corporation co-led by Mimran and former financial services industry executive Cam di Prata. As part of the acquisition, LXR has become a publicly traded company.

“We got very excited when we were introduced to the company,” says Mimran. “We are playing off of the two strongest retail trends that are occurring today: one is the luxury market continues to be extremely strong and buoyant and growing; and the second is, it’s also an off-price play.”

LXR was founded by Fred Mannella and Kei Izawa in 2010, and in the years since, it has achieved success with its store-within-store retail strategy. It has partnered with major department store retailers such as Hudson’s Bay, Lord and Taylor and Dillard’s, to establish boutiques within those retailers’ stores.

“We target an average age of 35 years old, and the average price point is about $750, so it’s very attainable,” Mannella says. “We’re targeting to do deals in mid-tier department stores.”

The company’s philosophy revolves around the mentality of recycling, which is a concept that resonates with many consumers today, Mimran says.

“One of the things we do see a lot of these days is the circular economy and the importance of that,” he says. “That’s what fascinated us the most [with LXR].”

LXR will continue to be led by its founders and its current management team. di Prata has assumed the role of executive chairman and director, and Mimran is now a director of LXR, as well as leader of its international expansion committee.

Growth is a key goal for LXR under its new ownership. Over the next five years, the company plans to grow its retail network to more than 500 stores around the world, including 20 to 25 freestanding flagship stores. The company is especially focused on growth in the U.S. and Europe.

“Over the next three to five years, we see a clear path to significant growth,” Mimran says.

The company plans to open its first freestanding store in 2019. Although the management team hasn’t decided on specific locations yet, Mannella says the company will concentrate on markets where LXR already has a concentrated presence within local department stores, such as Toronto and New York.

“Where we have some clusters and the brand is recognized, it would make sense to consider a bricks and mortar strategy down the road,” Mannella says.

E-commerce is also an area with growth potential for LXR. Online sales accounted for less than 5% of the company’s total net revenue in 2016, and Mimran expects that the company could grow that proportion to 20%-25% of revenue over the next three to five years.

The physical stores, however, are what sets LXR apart, according to Mimran.

“You’ll see a lot of competition in the online space, but nobody is doing this in the physical space,” says Mimran. In the pre-owned market in particular, he says a physical retail presence appeals to customers. “For some customers, it is a real advantage to be able to go into a physical store.”

The acquisition provides LXR with the capital necessary to pursue its aggressive growth plans, as well as valuable guidance from an experienced board of directors, Mannella says.

“This is a board that is very, very experienced,” he says. “That can really help us solidify business plans and help us grow the business.”

Minotti Launches Canadian Showroom Expansion

By

Craig Patterson

-

June 14, 2017

Minotti Storefront — Minotti Flagship on 102 Berkley Street

Upscale Italian furniture brand Minotti has launched a Canadian flagship showroom, with potentially more planned as the brand continues to establish itself in the Canadian market. Minotti recently opened at 102 Berkley Street in Toronto’s upscale King East Design District, joining a number of other high-end home furnishings retailers in the area.

Minotti was founded in 1954 in Brianza (a town on the outskirts of Milan, Italy) by Alberto Minotti. He initially focused on designing sofas, and the product line eventually expanded into various home categories as the brand gained in popularity. Minotti expanded internationally in the 1970’s and 1980’s and, remarkably to this day, the company is still family-operated by the fifth generation, and works out of Brianza. The company has 35 showrooms worldwide, and each piece of furniture is 100% made in Italy.

In 1999, Minotti opened its first authorized dealers space in Canada — Minotti by Interior Elements, in Toronto. The Davenport Road location was eventually joined by three other authorized dealers, including Minotti by Living Space in Vancouver, Minotti by Shaun Ford & Co. in Calgary and Minotti by Latitude Nord in Montreal.

Minotti’s new Toronto flagship showroom was opened under the direction of Roman Cholasta and Maryse Fafard — Roman’s family brought the brand to Canada almost two decades ago. The Berkley Street showroom is a relocation of the previous Minotti location on Davenport Road — the new space is roomier, and joins a number of new home furnishings retailers in the burgeoning King East Design District.

Managing Partner, Maryse Fafard, described how the couple decided to relocate onto Berkley Street. “Toronto needed a showroom like this: a more compact version of the corporate Minotti showroom in Meda, Milan, executed with the same attention to detail and quality in the finishes”. The showroom’s design was collaborative. “We worked closely with the Minotti family (specifically Roberto, Renato, Alessandro and Susanna Minotti and our Minotti agent Anna Avedano) and Rodolfo Dordoni, Minotti’s architect and artistic director, to create a showroom of this magnitude,” she said.

Ms. Fafard provided some interesting background on the way Minotti furnishes living spaces. “Minotti is the leader in creating living room compositions that bring together family and friends. This is thanks to signature Minotti finishing touches: layers with lower tables, very large daybeds, interesting seating arrangements,” she explained. “The idea is that family members can do different things (use their iPad, watch TV, do homework, etc.), all in the same room. The Lawrence Clan, new from the 2017 collection, is a perfect example of this.

Harry Rosen Completes Oakridge Centre Store Renovation [Photos]

By

Craig Patterson

-

June 14, 2017

Harry Rosen’s 10,400 square foot Oakridge Centre store in Vancouver recently completed a renovation, with a modern looking interior that reflects the upscale menswear retailer’s updated store design. Refreshed departments include men’s designer sportswear, a new dress furnishings area, as well as a complete refresh of the tailored clothing and made-to-measure departments.

A wood-trim facade was replaced with a sleek black-and-glass storefront, similar to that seen in recently opened locations such as at Square One in Mississauga. The store’s bright interior features warm hardwood flooring, with patterned carpeting in some areas. One of the biggest changes was the addition of a significantly expanded shoe department to the store, boasting its own mall entrance, with leading brands such as Prada, Lanvin, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tod’s, Giuseppe Zanotti, Nike, and others.

“Thanks to all of these extensive upgrades,” said CEO Larry Rosen, “the impact is that of a brand new store.”

A new Hugo Boss shop was unveiled earlier this month, featuring suits and sportswear from the German brand. The hard shop reflects the design aesthetic of updated Boss boutiques worldwide.

Oakridge Centre is a fitting location for upscale Harry Rosen — the shopping centre is at the heart of Vancouver’s West Side, which boasts some of Canada’s most expensive real estate prices, not to mention affluent residents. The mall is considered to be one of Canada’s most upscale shopping centres, featuring stores such as Tiffany & Co., Max Mara, Stuart Weitzman, and the recently opened La Maison Valmont (only the 4th in the world). Oakridge was also ranked as Canada’s second-most productive mall with annual per square foot sales exceeding $1,500, according to Retail Council of Canada’s Shopping Centre Study.

Oakridge Centre is expected to see an expansion and renovations under its new ownership — QuadReal, who acquired the centre in January of this year, for an undisclosed sum.

Over the past several years, Harry Rosen has invested over $100 million in renovating, expanding and relocating stores, addressing competition from new luxury players. The company has a significant market share of Canada’s ‘better quality’ men’s fashion business. Next up, the company will embark on renovations to its 82 Bloor Street West flagship, which spans five retail levels and more than 50,000 square feet.

Yorkville Village Announces Tenants as Overhaul Nears Completion [Photos/Floor Plans]

By

Craig Patterson

-

June 13, 2017

Toronto’s Yorkville Village — the shopping centre component formerly named Hazelton Lanes — is approaching the home stretch of a multi-year overhaul. Landlord First Capital Realty has invested millions with the hopes that it will attract shoppers to the area, reinvigorating Yorkville as a premiere retail destination.

The aim is to create a strong mix of fashion, food and fitness concepts that will get both locals and tourists to frequent the centre. The Yorkville area is growing quickly, with thousands of condominium units planned for the immediate area. “This transformation is being driven by the demographic tailwind that will see a meaningful increase to the local population and consequently the evolution of Bloor-Yorkville as a larger, stronger world-class retail destination in which Yorkville Village is very well positioned,” said Adam Paul, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Capital Realty Inc.

First Capital Realty has revealed a number of new tenants confirmed to be opening in Yorkville Village this fall. Some of these we have discussed, while several are new.

Fashion Retailers

We recently revealed that two luxury brands will be opening at Yorkville Village this fall — UK-based Belstaff and Italian brand Eleventy will further elevate the centre, creating a destination for affluent shoppers seeking out these and other brands.

The 1,100 square foot upper-level Belstaff store will be operated by the Zappacosta family which, this fall, will also be opening multi-brand men’s retail concept Nanni next door. Entrepreneur Philip Zappacosta is also the founder of his eponymous men’s luxury retail concept philip, which opened over a year ago in the centre.

The 2,200 square foot upper-level Eleventy will be operated in partnership with fashion retailer TNT The New Trend, which will unveil an adjacent 6,000 square foot space called ‘TNT Concept’ that will include rotational shop-in-shop concepts in an innovative retail space unlike anything the city has seen. TNT will soon boast more than 17,000 square feet of retail space in the mall with the opening of TNT Concept — the retailer already has men’s and women’s stores in the mall, and some of its existing retail space has been renovated and expanded over the past several months.

Quebec-based footwear retailer Jean-Paul Fortin will open its first store outside of the province of Quebec this fall, across from Belstaff. The 2,400 square foot ‘Ontario flagship’ will carry both men’s and women’s designer footwear styles, with brands and styles catering specifically to the Yorkville demographic. Jean-Paul Fortin operates freestanding stores in the Quebec City and Montreal areas, and it is also currently the footwear concession for Montreal’s Ogilvy, which is in the process of merging with Holt Renfrew in an enlarged Sainte-Catherine Street building.

Yorkville Village’s 5,735 square foot concourse-level Rexall drug store was recently renovated and expanded, and it’s now almost twice the size of the previous location. Being that it’s in Yorkville, Rexall took the opportunity to debut its first-ever high-end cosmetics section in the store, which includes a number of leading brands.

Food & Beverage

Enhanced food and beverage offerings will further draw consumers to the centre. The Chase Hospitality Group (The Chase, Kasa Moto, Colette Grand Café, and Planta), for example, will debut a new 2,100 square foot full-service restaurant concept called Palm Lane, which will have a strong focus on lunch but will also serve breakfast and dinner in both its take-out/café area and in the full-service seated area. We’re told that the concept will feature an eye-catching ceiling treatment.

On the ground floor facing Avenue Road, Alternative Café will open in a 925 square foot space this summer. The concept is the brainchild of celebrity chef Max Brenner, and it will serve espresso based beverages including Japanese Cold Brew, “Beer Latte”, pour over, smoothies, and more. Alternative Café will also serve fresh pastries, croissant sandwiches, and light breakfasts.

This summer, “sushi laboratory” Mi’Hito will open in a 300 square foot space on ‘The Oval’ — the mall’s central atrium which in a former life, housed a popular skating rink. Mi’Hito will serve poke bowls, sushi burritos, sushi tacos — as well as regular sushi.

Fitness: While it’s not news to regular Retail Insider readers, spin club concept SoulCycle will open its second Toronto studio this summer at Yorkville Village. The 4,150 square foot space will have access both from within the mall, as well as from an entrance facing onto Avenue Road. SoulCycle joins fitness club Equinox, which opened in Yorkville Village in the spring of 2016.

Yorkville Village is further animating its spaces by utilizing temporary retail to create interest, and diversity. A dedicated pop-up space on ‘The Oval’ has housed a number of different tenants, and The Oval itself will become animated regularly throughout the year. The Yorkville Avenue outdoor entrance hallway known as ‘The Lane’ features the Yorkville Village Summer Market every Wednesday until the end of August, and other vendors/activities will be featured depending on the season.

Over the past several years, First Capital Realty has invested approximately $600 million in the Bloor-Yorkville area with a portfolio that now includes 400,000 square feet of space. Included is the former Hazelton Lanes property which was rebranded as Yorkville Village last year, as well as street-front retail properties on Yorkville Avenue (including future locations for Chanel and Jimmy Choo) and the retail podium at One Bloor Street East (to house Nordstrom Rack). First Capital Realty’s aim is to create synergies between its mall and street-front properties, by driving traffic to each though a variety of retailers, food concepts and other amenities. We’ll update this article in the fall with a photo-tour of the completed Yorkville Village shopping centre.

Retail InsiderCanada's Most-Read Online Retail Industry Publication.

ALEX AND ANI Launches National Retail Expansion

Ladurée to Open 1st Toronto Location

Holt Renfrew Unveils Luxurious 2-Level VIP Suites in Vancouver [Photos]

Drake Commissary Debuts in Junction Triangle [Photos]

Van Cleef & Arpels Opens 1st Freestanding Canadian Boutique

Lightspeed Partners with Montréal’s 5th Annual MURAL Festival

LXRandCo Plans Major Expansion Under New Ownership

Minotti Launches Canadian Showroom Expansion

Harry Rosen Completes Oakridge Centre Store Renovation [Photos]

Yorkville Village Announces Tenants as Overhaul Nears Completion [Photos/Floor Plans]

Fashion Retailers

Food & Beverage

About

Contact

Media

Follow