Standard & Poor’s has ranked the world’s top fashion apparel, accessories and luxury goods companies based on market capitalization. Of the top 25 fashion companies, two of them are Canadian.
Vancouver-based yoga and athletic wear brand Lululemon ranked 19th in the study, with an estimated market capitalization of U.S. $7.256 billion. Montreal-based Gildan Activewear Inc‘s market capitalization is estimated to be U.S. $7.058 billion.
For those unfamiliar, Gildan manufactures and markets branded clothing, including undecorated blank activewear such as t-shirts, sport shirts and fleeces, which are subsequently decorated by screen printing companies with designs and logos — Gildan customised t-shirts are easy to print on.. The company also supplies branded and private label athletic, casual and dress socks to retail companies in the United States (including Gold Toe, PowerSox, SilverToe, Auro, All Pro, and the Gildan brand), and it also manufactures and distributes Under Armour and New Balance brand socks as well as Mossy Oak outdoor clothing products. Gildan has approximately 34,000 employees worldwide and owns and operates manufacturing facilities in Central America and in the Caribbean.
Women’s Wear Daily determined that the top 25 companies within the fashion apparel, accessories and luxury goods segment boast a market capitalization of $448 billion and generate $228 billion in annual sales. The segment is part of the consumer discretionary sector, which is made up of eight segments that also include: specialty apparel retailers, department stores, specialty stores, footwear retailers, general merchandise, catalogue retailers, and Internet retailers.
Women’s Wear Daily noted that many companies within the fashion apparel and accessories segment struggled in 2015. Michael Kors Holdings Ltd., for example, came in at number 18 on the list of top 25 companies with a market cap of U.S. $7.548 billion. The company has shed nearly 50% of its market cap over the past year, however. Women’s Wear Daily also noted that, currently, there are more declining stocks in the sector than there are gainers, blaming a strong U.S. dollar as well as economic woes in China hurting tourism spending abroad.
Standard & Poor’s top 25 apparel, accessories and luxury goods companies ranked by market capitalization include:
Lingerie brand Change of Scandinavia has revealed that it will open a Montreal flagship in March, which will also be its 15th Canadian location. Located at Place Montreal Trust, the 1,100 square foot store will join the increasingly fashion-focused 320,000 square foot Ivanhoé Cambridge-owned downtown shopping centre. Change is also looking to open at least three more Canadian locations this year.
The company launched in Denmark in 1995 as a private label before opening its first stand-alone retail store in Copenhagen in 2001. The concept has grown to include stores in Europe and Asia, and earlier in 2015 it celebrated the opening of its 200th store. Of those, about 130 are corporately owned and 80 are franchised. About 75% of Change’s revenue is derived from the sale of underwear and bras, featuring a vast selection in more than 100 different sizes (up to K cup) in 10 different models. In addition, the company sells loungewear, swimwear, nightwear, stockings and underwear for men.
Change entered the Canadian market in 2006 and today, boasts five stores open in British Columbia, one in Saskatchewan, five in Ontario and three in Quebec.
PHOTO: CHANGE.COM
Most Canadian stores are about 1,150 square feet and generate annual per square foot sales in excess of $600. Its stores are in several popular Canadian malls, including West Vancouver’s Park Royal, Burnaby’s Metropolis at Metrotown, Toronto’s CF Shops at Don Mills, and Oakville Place, among others. Change also operates several freestanding Canadian locations, including on popular Queen Street West in Toronto as well as on Cambie Street in Vancouver’s Fairview neighbourhood.
Change of Scandinavia continues to seek Canadian retail space, ideally in the 500 to 1,000 square foot range. In addition to the Montreal store slated for March, the plan is to open at least three more in 2016, with the focus on regional malls in Montreal and Toronto. Change is represented in Canada by brokerage Think Retail.
Below is a list of 28 international retailers that opened freestanding Canadian locations over the past 12 months. Despite the economy and dollar, a considerable number of international brands will open Canadian locations in 2016, with the University of Alberta School of Retailing’s Applied Research department set to release a study on this topic later this month.
Here’s our list, in alphabetical order, of the international brands that entered Canada by opening stores in 2015. It’s sponsored by Vancouver-based Peregrine, which custom designs and fabricates retail, display, furniture and architectural features for some of the country’s top retailers.
Aesop: The upscale Australian skin care brand opened its first two Canadian stores in July in Toronto and Vancouver, followed by two Montreal locations. Sources say that Aesop plans to open up to three more Vancouver locations, as well as at least two more Toronto stores. A Toronto location is confirmed to be opening next month inside of Saks Fifth Avenue‘s downtown Toronto flagship, though Aesop prefers street-front locations for its Canadian expansion. [Our Article]
Alex & Ani: This American jeweller, known for its “eco-conscious, positive energy products that adorn the body, enlighten the mind and empower the spirit”, entered the Canadian market with two Toronto-area stores in December. [Our Article]
Benefit Cosmetics: This popular San Francisco-based cosmetics brand opened its first freestanding Canadian location in April on Yonge Street in Midtown Toronto. More Canadian locations will follow, according to the company. [Our Article]
AT CF CARREFOUR LAVAL. PHOTO: BESTSELLER
BESTSELLER: The trendy Danish company opened its first Canadian locations in September in suburban Montreal, and a Winnipeg location is confirmed for the spring. Canada is the first market in the world to feature the expanded retail concept, which includes many of BESTSELLER’s sub-brands (such as Jack & Jones, Vero Modo and Noisy May) in its stores. [Our Article]
Breitling: This pricey Swiss timepiece brand opened its first Canadian storefront in August on a relatively quiet stretch of Bloor Street East in Toronto, removed from the Bloor Street West luxury strip. The boutique operates as part of the brand’s relocated Canadian headquarters, operating directly behind the new Breitling store. [Our Article]
Brunello Cucinelli: Italy’s “King of Cashmere” opened his first Canadian location at the end of October in downtown Vancouver’s ‘Luxury Zone’. Sources say that at least one more Canadian location is expected. [Our Article]
Chopard: This Swiss jeweller and timepiece brand opened its first Canadian location in the fall, within the expansion wing of Toronto’s CF Sherway Gardens. Chopard’s jewel box-sized shop is located next to host jeweller L’Oro, which now considers Sherway to be its flagship store. [Our Article]
COS: This fashion brand, founded by Swedish mega-retailer H&M, opened its first Canadian location on Toronto’s Bloor Street West in September. A Montreal location followed soon after, and more Canadian locations are expected to follow. [Our Article]
VANCOUVER. PHOTO: DIOR
Christian Dior (flagship): Although Dior operates accessory concessions in several Holt Renfrew stores, it wasn’t until July of 2015 that the French luxury brand opened its first Canadian flagship location (featuring men’s and women’s ready-to-wear) at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. The store is stunning and at 12,000 square feet, is also Dior’s largest North American location. [Our Article]
F21 Red by Forever 21: Los Angeles-based Forever 21’s sister brand, F21 Red, opened its first Canadian location in the fall at Devonshire Mall in Windsor, Ontario. F21 Red will open as many as 30 Canadian locations over the next five years. [Our Article]
Fjällräven: The Swedish outdoor-focused retailer opened a pop-up shop in downtown Montreal in August. A source at the company says that it might be the first step towards a national rollout. We haven’t written on the company yet, hence no article link.
Gerry Weber: The German women’s fashion brand opened its first corporately-operated Canadian locations in March in the Toronto area, and it plans to continue to expand. Although it’s on this list, Gerry Weber franchises have operated in Toronto and Vancouver for the past several years. [Our Article]
VANCOUVER. PHOTO: ACT7, URBAN TORONTO
Jaeger-LeCoultre: This pricey Swiss timepiece brand opened its first two Canadian stores in September in Vancouver and Toronto. The Vancouver store is street-front in downtown Vancouver’s ‘Luxury Zone’, while the Toronto location is at Yorkdale Shopping Centre. [Our Article]
Jermyn Street 1664: This multi-brand British fashion retailer opened its first Canadian location in downtown Calgary in late August. The company says that more Canadian locations are planned. [Our Article]
Kiton: This ultra-luxe Italian brand saw the opening of a freestanding Toronto location in March. Sources question if this is an authorized Kiton location, and we won’t comment on the matter further. Menswear retailer Harry Rosen also opened a Kiton shop-in-store at CF Pacific Centre in Vancouver in the fall, along with Tom Ford and an expanded shoe shop. [Our Article on Kiton in Toronto]
L’Agent by Agent Provocateur: Although its parent company already operates Agent Provocateur locations in Canada, Montreal’s Ogilvy became home to the world’s fourth location for L’Agent, the parent company’s diffusion line. No word yet if any other Canadian locations will follow. [Our Article]
Lao Feng Xiang: China’s oldest jewellery brand opened its first Canadian location in October in downtown Vancouver’s ‘Luxury Zone’. We’re told that sales are already exceptional, and that the store is particularly popular with Chinese tourists seeking jade. [Our Article]
AT YORKDALE SHOPPING CENTRE. PHOTO: PAUL AMATO
Longchamp: The popular French luxury brand opened its first Canadian location in May at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre. We interviewed the company’s North American CEO, who revealed that more Canadian locations are expected to follow. [Our Article]
LUMAS Galleries: This art gallery retail concept opened its first Canadian location last spring in Vancouver’s Gastown, and a Toronto gallery followed in Yorkville in September. Its Canadian franchisee says she is looking to operate six locations, and plans to open them over the next five years. [Our Article]
Marc Cain: The German womenswear brand’s first two Canadian locations opened in October in suburban Montreal and Quebec City. A Calgary location followed soon after, and two Toronto-area stores are set to open this spring. [Our Article]
Monogram Design Centre: GE opened its first Monogram Design Centre in Toronto in the spring of 2015, featuring a wide range of home appliances in an innovative, well-designed retail setting. [Our Article]
Papabubble: The Spanish sweets retailer opened its first Canadian location in October on Toronto’s Yonge Street, near Teddington Park Avenue. Papabubble’s only other North American stores are in Los Angeles and New York City. [BlogTO Article]
CF TORONTO EATON CENTRE. PHOTO: REISS
Reiss: This British fashion brand opened its first Canadian store at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in July of 2015. In 2016, Reiss will open two more Toronto stores, and a national rollout will follow. [Our Article]
RYU: Formerly headquartered in Portland, Oregon, RYU recently moved its global headquarters to Vancouver, BC and in November, opened a flagship in Kitsilano. [Our Article]
SHOO by Steve Madden: Toronto saw the opening of Steve Madden’s first ‘SHOO’ concept, which opened in September at CF Toronto Eaton Centre. The store is stocked with brands owned by Steve Madden corporation, and the concept is expected to begin expanding into other Canadian markets in the latter part of 2016. [Our Article]
Torrid: This California-based plus-sized women’s retailer opened its first Canadian location at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in early September. Its CEO told us that parent company Hot Topic (also expanding throughout Canada) plans to open approximately 50 Canadian Torrid locations over the next several years. [Our Article]
Uno de 50: The Spanish jeweller entered Canada last fall through two Toronto malls — CF Toronto Eaton Centre, and CF Sherway Gardens. More Uno de 50 locations will be announced soon. [Our Article]
French luxury brand Chanel will expand its Vancouver presence by relocating its concession to a larger, ground-floor ‘flagship’ location. The move is the latest within Holt Renfrew, as it continues to expand and renovate its CF Pacific Centre store to address competition from the mall’s recently-opened Nordstrom flagship.
Our West Coast correspondent Helen Siwak tells us that Chanel will vacate its current 1,900 square foot third-level Holt Renfrew concession space for a larger street-front location within Holt’s, in space formerly occupied by Holt’s salon and spa. The new Chanel store is under construction, and sources say that it will open mid-2016. Rumour has it that a café component may be included with frontage on Dunsmuir Street, and that Chanel may gain a dedicated Howe Street entrance as part of the expansion.
When Holt Renfrew relocated its Pacific Centre flagship in the spring of 2007, Chanel opened an accessories-only concession on the store’s third floor. The concession expanded in 2010 to include ready-to-wear.
Holt Renfrew is in the process of spending millions to renovate its Vancouver flagship, which sources say is one of the company’s top-two sellers. The 147,000 square foot store will annex an additional 40,000 square feet formerly occupied by Sport Chek/Atmosphere, with renovations expected to be completed by the end of 2016. In September of this year, Nordstrom opened a 230,000 square foot luxury designer-heavy flagship a block south of Holt’s and sources say that it’s on track to become Nordstrom’s top-selling unit.
Vancouver’s first freestanding Chanel location, measuring 1,300 square feet, opened in 1991 at 103-755 Burrard Street (now occupied by Coach). Several years later Chanel relocated to a 5,000 square foot two level store at 900 West Hastings Street, which closed in the summer of 2010 due to poor sales, which some attributed to reduced cruise ship and tourist traffic.
Chanel’s first Canadian store, measuring just over 3,000 square feet, opened in April of 1989 at 131 Bloor Street West in Toronto. A 4,200 square foot second level was added several years later to create the current 7,300 square foot Canadian flagship. In January of 2017, Toronto’s Chanel flagship will relocate to an 8,700 square foot retail space at 98 Yorkville Avenue, currently occupied by retailer Teatro Verde.
In Canada, Chanel also operates shop-in-store concessions within Holt Renfrew locations in Calgary, Toronto (50 Bloor Street West), Toronto (Yorkdale Shopping Centre), and in Montreal.
Innovative Saskatoon-based multi-brand lifestyle accessories retailer Spareparts has opened an impressive location in Grande Prairie, Alberta. The store’s interior is fresh and bright, featuring high quality fixtures and displays. We spoke with the retailer’s founder and president for details, and we were provided 17 photographs for this article.
The store features a wood facade with oversized hexagon window display niches, drawing customers into the carefully designed store interior. Each in-store display is designed to optimally showcase product, according to designer Cutler, with light wood and black accents creating contrast for visual interest, with repetition unifying the space. Leading retail fabricator Peregrine built-out the space, including creating high-quality displays as well as an elegant, simple facade.
Founded in 1992, Spareparts has nine Canadian locations: one in Saskatoon, one in Regina, two in Calgary, two in Winnipeg, one in Fort McMurray, Alberta, one in Edmonton, and one in Kelowna. Spareparts focuses on accessories and has a comprehensive range of styles and brands, from streetwear to contemporary fashion. Product is curated by a team of buyers, and brands available include Farmfresh, Michael Kors, Nixon, Herschel, Oakley, Burton, and several others. Farmfresh is the Spareparts’ private label line and features premium sunglasses and watches. The popular line has received positive press coverage.
We spoke with Spareparts’ founder, Danny Mysak, who explained why he chose Grande Prairie for his newest store. He revealed that his company has seen exceptional success at its Fort McMurray, Alberta location, and that he was looking to replicate this in Grande Prairie. Grande Prairie and its surroundings are among the most affluent in Canada, with a city of about 70,000 surrounded by a 200 km trade area of about 260,000. Although Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray are ‘smaller’ communities when compared to Edmonton or Calgary, profitability can be had through lower operational costs, he said. Spareparts likes to be involved with local communities and several months ago when we interviewed Mr. Mysak, he said: “We seek out aspirational players in our respective markets and leverage our community teams through our marketing efforts with the intent of acquiring authentic and local credibility”.
The new Grande Prairie Spareparts store, measuring 1,330 sqare feet, is located at Morguard-owned Prairie Mall. The store has exceptional visibility within the centre, which is enhanced by the clean, modern facade and bright interiors that optimally display Spareparts’ extensive accessories collections. Mr. Mysak expressed pleasure with the new store’s design and build-out, specifically praising both Peregrine and Cutler for their exceptional fabrication and design work. He also said that we’ll be seeing more great store design over the next several years — in the spring, the company will be announcing locations in some of Canada’s largest cities, he said.
Popular American womenswear brand Eileen Fisher will continue its Canadian store expansion with its first confirmed Toronto location. The company will also open a dedicated Canadian office and showroom early next year. We spoke with Vice President of Retail and Global Development, Karen Gray, for details.
Founded in New York in 1984, the privately-owned eco-friendly, experimentation-minded, socially aware company boasts almost 70 company-operated stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Eileen Fisher’s first Canadian location opened in the summer of 2011 in Vancouver’s tony South Granville shopping district, and its second location opened in July of 2013 at Calgary’s CF Chinook Centre. It also wholesales at upscale retailers such as Blu’s in Calgary and Edmonton and at Andrews in Toronto, as well as at selected Holt Renfrew and Hudson’s Bay locations.
Ms. Gray revealed that in March of 2016, Eileen Fisher will open its first Toronto store at CF Sherway Gardens, directly across from Tiffany & Co. in a 2,150 square foot space between Williams Sonoma and Aveda. The store will feature Eileen Fisher’s updated interiors, with sustainably-sourced wood flooring, energy-efficient lighting, and some pieces of furniture that have been ‘found’ — ultimately creating a warm and residential feel for the store. The company wants to become 100% sustainable by the year 2020, and is engaging other retailers to attempt the same. The Toronto store will feature Eileen Fisher’s main women’s fashion line, petites, branded leather goods and accessories, and footwear.
In February of 2016, Eileen Fisher will open a Canadian showroom on Prince Arthur Avenue, between Avenue Road and Bedford Road, in Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood. The two-level space is in a former Victorian home, featuring oak flooring and various heritage features, as well as a rear garden. Until recently, Eileen Fisher Inc. had partnered with Montreal based Se Ce Apparel for its Canadian distribution — an ongoing partnership which lasted for almost 20 years. Eileen Fisher will now handle its own wholesale business, evolving the relationship between the brand and its Canadian accounts.
Ms. Gray revealed that the Eileen Fisher brand is looking to open freestanding stores in other Canadian markets, both on high streets as well as within shopping centres. She mentioned that Toronto’s Yorkville area is a high priority for the company’s second GTA store, and that Ottawa would be a potentially strong market when the right location presents. Montreal is also a priority for the brand, and other Canadian cities could follow as the right real estate opportunities present. Stores will ideally be in the 2,300 square foot to 2,400 square foot range in order to feature the brand’s expanded range of product.
Note: Eileen Fisher’s CF Sherway Gardens store will look similar to interior photos in this article, according to the company.
Regina-based jeweller Hillberg & Berk plans to open dozens of stores nationwide over the next several years. We spoke with its founder and CEO, Rachel Mielke, who explained her plans for the company as well as why and how the brand has become so popular so quickly.
Founded in 2007, Hillberg & Berk retails “modern and timeless, practical and functional” jewellery crafted from sterling silver, gold, and high-quality gemstones. Prices are considered accessible, though they can go into the thousands for designs utilizing premium materials. In 2008 Ms. Mielke went on CBC’s TV show Dragon’s Den, where she partnered with business mogul and philanthropost W. Brett Wilson for financing.
In 2014, Saskatchewan’s Lieutenant Governor commissioned Hillberg & Berk to make a tourmaline floral-design broach surrounded by diamonds for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who has been photographed wearing it four times. Other fans include Carrie Underwood, Sarah McLachlan, Michelle Obama, Barbra Walters, and Celine Dion. Hillberg & Berk has recently been commissioned to create a second piece for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Ms. Mielke revealed. As well, the jeweller recently partnered with award-winning figure skater Tessa Virtue on a new collection, and the line is already seeing tremendous success.
Rachel Mielke on the steps of the Regina flagship.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II wears a commissioned Hillberg & Berk broach.
To grow such a brand, you need to be disruptive and you need to integrate online with brick-and-mortar, according to Ms. Mielke. The company’s website was revamped last year and as a result, sales increased fivefold. Hillberg & Berk expects to see revenue of about $10 million in 2016, up from $5 million this year. Its products are of a high quality and are guaranteed for five years, with designs appealing to all age ranges.
The company is also charitable, with Ms. Mielke quoted as saying: “Through education, inspiration and opportunity, we are women empowering women – one sparkle at a time. The company is committed to empowering females and employs over 150 women. To date, the company has raised over $500,000 for organizations that support women and last year, she formed the Hillberg & Berk Foundation.
Hillberg & Berk currently operates five retail locations — two full-sized stores and three ‘Sparkle Bar’ kiosks. Its downtown Regina flagship is in a converted house, and last month it opened a permanent 800 square foot store at downtown Saskatoon’s Midtown Plaza. Its Sparkle Bars are at downtown Regina’s Cornwall Centre as well as two Edmonton shopping centres — at Kingsway Mall, and at West Edmonton Mall.
HILLBERG & BERK at MIDTOWN PLAZA, SASKATOON. PHOTO: HILLBERG & BERK
Ms. Mielke says that over the next five years, Hillberg & Berk will look to open dozens of stores across Canada, with the intention of becoming a household name. Aurora Realty Consultants is representing the jeweller in its real estate search, under the direction of broker Jeri Brodie. Stores will ideally be in the 800 to 1,200 square foot range in malls or streetfront locations, according to Ms. Mielke.
Off-price fashion retailer Surplus Outlet is launching a full-price premium brand boutique next spring, called In by Surplus.
Surplus clothing was founded in Montreal in 1999 with a location on Montreal’s trendy St.-Laurent Street in the city’s Mile End neighbourhood. It offers discount prices on popular brands such as Diesel, Superdry, OSC, G-STAR and more. It currently operates four locations — on St.-Laurent Street Montreal, at Tanger Outlets Saint-Sauveur, at Outlet Collection at Niagara and at Heartland Town Centre in Mississauga.
The company’s new 3,000 square foot In by Surplus concept will open in March of 2016 at CF Markville Mall in Markham, just north of Toronto. The multi-brand concept will focus primarily on denim and footwear, with at least 10 high-profile footwear fashion brands. The full-price store will act as a “testing ground”, according to retailer partner Jones Liang, and if the new concept is well received, it will expand into more enclosed malls.
Surplus Clothing and In by Surplus are both represented in Canada by brokerage Think Retail.
A new study by yconic provides insight into Canadian Millennials, including how they spend their money. Called ‘The Millennial Shopper: More Social and Educated than Ever Before‘, the study describes the Millennial shopping process and how research, social media and experiences are key.
The study describes Millennials as seeking ‘rich experiences’ that may include luxurious shopping, food and travel. Although many Millennials have debt, they are also earning money and spending it rather than saving it. A considerable number of Millennials also still live with their parents, providing discretionary income.
The study says that Millennials (aged 19 to 34) make up about 30%, or 9.5 million Canadians. Their income is estimated at a whopping $237 billion, being about 21% of all income earned in Canada. Millennial spending grew substantially between 2009 and 2011 — spending on luxury fashion increasing by 33%, travel spending increased 74%, and fine dining spending increased by 102%. Those numbers are remarkable, given the short time period.
Millennials now spend more than previous generations, according to the study. They’re also the first generation to have grown up through the information age, which is reflected in their shopping habits. The study describes Millennials as generally being brand loyal, though it notes considerable effort is required to gain and maintain that loyalty. Exceptional quality, price and authentic, positive brand experiences are therefore key.
The study goes on to describe how Millennials learn about new products. Friends, family and advertising still play key roles, though the study notes that social media is now a very important component to increasing brand awareness among Canadian Millennials.
The study goes into depth, discussing the steps Millennials take when purchasing, including discovery, pre-purchase, purchase, and post-purchase behaviour. The study then goes into detail about how technology and research influence decision making.
The study concludes with advice and other information on how brands can capture the Millennial dollar, and how to keep customers loyal post-purchase. The study has considerable detail not discussed above, and the full PDF can be downloaded here.
About yconic:
yconic operates Canada’s largest student help platform and youth-focused market research panel. yconic helps brands and agencies better understand and build meaningful connections with youth by offering Market Research and Insights, Digital Marketing and Talent Solutions. For more information, visit we.are.yconic.com.
Italian luxury brand Moncler has opened its second free-standing Canadian location in Vancouver. It joins other premium brands in the city’s rapidly expanding ‘Luxury Zone’, including recently opened Brunello Cucinelli, Versace and Strellson locations.
Located at 748 Thurlow Street within The Carlyle retail complex, Moncler joins retail locations for Tory Burch and De Beers, as well as a three-level Prada store that is under construction. More luxury brands will be announced for The Carlyle shortly.
Vancouver’s Moncler features walls panelled in chêne fumé wood, and grigio carnico marble flooring. Its exterior features an innovative window display facing a laneway. The store was designed by Gilles & Boissier, the architectural firm involved with its stores worldwide.
The store carries Moncler’s complete product range, including the Moncler Gamme Bleu and Moncler Gamme Rouge collections and two ready-to-wear lines, as well as footwear, bags, and leather goods.
Moncler’s first free-standing Canadian store opened in the summer of 2014 at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
Founded in Milan in 1952, Moncler is an apparel and lifestyle brand most known for its down jackets and sportswear. Moncler took its name from the abbreviation of Monestier-de-Clermont, an Alpine town near Grenoble, France. In 2003, the brand was bought by the Italian entrepreneur Remo Ruffini. Although founded in Italy, Moncler’s flagship store is on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris. Moncler currently operates 13 free-standing stores in the United States, including locations in Aspen CO, Atlanta, Bal Harbour FL, Beverly Hills, Boston, Chicago, Costa Mesa CA, Honolulu, Houston, Las Vegas (2 locations), New York City and Seattle.
