*Update: Sources say this store will open early this summer, and below we’ve provided a lease plan showing its exact location*
Tiffany & Co. will open its first free-standing Ottawa location at Rideau Centre, replacing a shuttered shop-in-store concession within the city’s recently closed Holt Renfrew. Downtown Ottawa’s Rideau Centre is seeing a significant expansion which will see Nordstrom open its second Canadian location next month, as well as La Maison Simons a year later.
Until recently, Tiffany & Co.’s first and only Ottawa location was located within Holt Renfrew at the CD Howe Building, 240 Sparks Street. The small concession carried a limited selection of Tiffany product. The new free-standing Rideau Centre store will be substantially larger at 3,000 square feet, carrying a wider variety of Tiffany merchandise, as well as a private viewing room and other amenities found in larger free-standing Tiffany locations.
Ottawa will be Tiffany & Co.’s ninth free-standing Canadian location. Tiffany has three free-standing stores in Toronto, two in Vancouver, and one each in Edmonton, Calgary and Montreal. Three smaller Tiffany & Co. concessions also operate within Holt Renfrew locations in Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal.
Tiffany & Co. recently started advertising various employment positions for the store. Tiffany declined to provide comment for this article, except to say more information will be revealed closer to the store’s opening date.
Rideau Centre is undergoing a $360 million expansion which will see Nordstrom’s second Canadian store opening on March 6. Measuring 157,000 square feet, Nordstrom will occupy the top two levels of the mall’s former Sears location on the mall’s south side. New retail space will be added and in August of 2016, a 100,000 square foot La Maison Simons will open at the north end of the mall. As well, upscale menswear retailer Harry Rosen recently opened a 17,000 square foot replacement store featuring a footwear store with its own entrance, replacing a location about half its size.
The CBC reports that a massive shopping centre is proposed for a site on the Island of Montreal. The 3-million square foot, $1.6 billion centre would feature retail stores, restaurants, green space, a cinema, and possibly a concert hall.
The new centre would be located in the affluent Town of Mount Royal, located at the southwest corner of Autoroute 15 and Highway 40 (see maps below). Its developer is Carbonleo, which also built the popular Quartier DIX30 in nearby Brossard.
According to the CBC, the Town of Mount Royal supports the project, having already passed several zoning bylaws to help pave the way for the new complex. Construction could begin later this year. The developer is expected to provide council with the project’s final design this spring.
Montreal has a number of large shopping malls, several of them which are struggling and a handful which are doing well. Neighbouring Centre Rockland, for example, once housed a 25,000 square foot Holt Renfrew, as well as a variety of other upscale tenants which have closed over the years. Fairview Pointe Claire, to the west, also once housed Holt Renfrew and a number of premium retailers. Some malls have seen updates, including Galeries d’Anjou (which added La Maison Simons as an anchor in the summer of 2013) while Carrefour Laval continues to expand and thrive. Another large mall could negatively affect sales at these and other centres.
Spanning almost 2.75 million square feet, Quartier DIX30 is a commercial lifestyle centre which attempts to emulate an urban/downtown shopping experience. It opened in 2006 and is considered to be Canada’s first lifestyle centre. It features hundreds of stores, including one of only two locations for Holt Renfrew’s off-price hr2.
If built, the new Montreal Island mega-mall would be one of Canada’s largest. West Edmonton Mall, as a comparison, spans about 5.3 million square feet, with 3.8 million square feet of retail space. Toronto Eaton Centre boasts just over 2 million square feet (including an adjacent Hudson’s Bay/Saks flagship) and Burnaby BC’s Metropolis at Metrotown measures almost 1.8 million square feet.
Montreal-based fashion brand Rudsak is looking to substantially grow its presence in Canada over the next several years. In 2015, the company plans to open six locations and within several years, it plans to operate approximately 50 Canadian locations, up from its current 26 stores.
Of the six locations opening this year, four will be in Ontario, one in Quebec, and one in Alberta. The company says that it will reveal exact locations in the next while, and we’ll update this article with that information.
Rudsak says it could “easily grow” to 50 stores across Canada, at the same time not over-saturating the Canadian market. Rudsak stores are typically between 1,100 and 2,500 square feet, and the brand maintains storefronts with vintage-inspired looks, deriving inspiration from the 1920’s. When searching for real estate, Rudsak prefers corner locations where possible in high traffic malls and streetfront locations, and is currently seeking space in the 2,000 square foot range.
PHOTO: RUDSAK
Founded in 1994, Rudsak specializes in outerwear, footwear, bags and accessories – with a focus on products made of leather. Until recently, the brand only operated stores in Quebec and Ontario. Its first Western Canadian location opened in December at Vancouver’s Pacific Centre.
Nordstrom‘s second Canadian location opens at 9:30am on March 6 at Ottawa’s Rideau Centre, with a charity gala to be held two days prior. The 157,000 square foot store will be greeted with much fanfare, not unlike at the opening of its first Canadian location last September in Calgary.
The two-level Ottawa store will feature bright, contemporary interiors with light tile flooring throughout. Tiled floors allow flexibility to shrink or expand each department with carpeting, according to demand. Carpet over the tile can be moved, as it is held with adhesive. Smooth white ceilings will characterize much of the store, as opposed to the tiled ceilings and tract lighting common in most American Nordstrom locations.
Inside the Calgary Nordstrom store. Photo: Craig Patterson
The Ottawa store will feature designer merchandise at a variety of pricepoints, from the relatively affordable to the luxurious. Top-priced womenswear department Collectors will be featured, as will designer handbags and footwear priced from the moderate into the thousands. The Calgary store features pricey designers such as Valentino, Missoni, Jimmy Choo, Salvatore Ferragamo and St. John Knits, among others.
The new Ottawa store will also feature an upscale full-service restaurant, as well as its coffee concept eBar.
Inside the Calgary Nordstrom store. Photo: Craig Patterson
Nordstrom replaces the top two levels of Ottawa’s former 240,000 square foot Sears store, which closed in October of 2012. Sears sold the store’s lease to landlord Cadillac Fairview as it did with leases at Pacific Centre in Vancouver and Chinook Centre in Calgary, paving the way for Nordstrom’s entry into Canada.
Nordstrom’s first Canadian location opened September 19, 2014 at Calgary’s Chinook Centre. We attended the opening and were one of thousands who lined up beforehand to be greeted by store staff who held a “clap-in” to welcome customers to the new store. Two days prior, we attended the Calgary store’s opening gala which featured an impressive assortment of food, an open bar and live musical performances — creating a party atmosphere for almost 2,000 attendees. About 1,600 tickets at $100 each sold for the March 4 Ottawa gala, benefitting the Ottawa United Way and Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. As Nordstrom underwrites the party, 100% of all ticket proceeds go to these charities.
9:30am, September 19 2014: Staff ‘clap-in’ as shoppers enter the new Calgary Nordstrom store. Photo: Craig Patterson.
Nordstrom is taking a cautious approach to its Canadian store expansion. This is substantially different than Target, for example, which opened over 100 Canadian locations in a matter of only a few months. Nordstrom is learning the Canadian market as it carefully opens new stores, and has delayed the opening of its discount Nordstrom Rack division in this country until some time in 2017. Nordstrom’s third Canadian store, a 230,000 square foot flagship, will open in September at Vancouver’s Pacific Centre. Nordstrom will open three Toronto stores (Toronto Eaton Centre and Yorkdale Shopping Centre in the fall of 2016 and Sherway Gardens in the spring of 2017) and up to ten Canadian locations could eventually open in Canada, according to sources at Nordstrom.
Sources say that Nordstrom’s Calgary location is doing exceptionally well, with sales 30% higher than initially forecasted.
Nordstrom Area (Ottawa). Rendering: Nordstrom
Rideau Centre is undergoing a $360 million expansion which will see new retail space added, including a 100,000 square foot La Maison Simons which will open at the north end of the mall in August of 2016. As well, upscale menswear retailer Harry Rosen recently opened a 17,000 square foot replacement store featuring a footwear store with its own entrance, replacing a location about half its size.
On January 15, Target announced that it was closing all 133 of its Canadian store locations. Of these, many locations are considered to be less-than-desirable. A few Target locations stand out, however, especially as they are located in top malls in urban areas.
Speculation is rampant as to who may replace Target in various locations. Some say Walmart could buy a number of locations, as could Loblaw, Home Depot, Rona, Canadian Tire, Giant Tiger, and a variety of other retailers (even gyms) looking to expand their Canadian presence. As well, sources say that Primark is looking to make its entry into Canada, and that it could be interested in a number of Canadian locations, as could a popular low-cost German grocer that we’ll discuss in a separate article.
Here’s our analysis of Target’s ‘best’ five Canadian stores, based on their location. We also provide honourable mention to several others.
CHINOOK CENTRE. CLICK IMAGE ABOVE FOR PDF MALL LEASE PLAN.
Chinook Centre, Calgary, AB: Target’s 115,500 square foot, two-level Chinook Centre store is in one of North America’s most productive malls. The increasingly upscale mall saw the September 2014 opening of Canada’s first Nordstrom store, as well as new locations for upscale retailers such as Tiffany & Co., Burberry, Tory Burch, as well as an expansion of upscale menswear retailer Harry Rosen. Given the exceptional location of Chinook Centre’s Target, the space will be sought by a variety of retailers. Its size, ample ceiling heights and positioning in the centre of the mall makes a great location for Calgary’s first Saks Fifth Avenue, for example.
MARKET MALL. CLICK IMAGE ABOVE FOR PDF MALL LEASE PLAN.
Market Mall, Calglary, AB: Target’s 120,500 square foot Market Mall location is well positioned in the centre of the mall, enjoying a high-traffic location beside the mall’s Safeway grocery store. Although not quite as upscale as Calgary’s Chinook Centre, Market Mall boasts a number of upscale retailers as well as an exceptional productivity of almost $900/square foot annually. The space could be subdivided to house multiple retailers, or be utilized by one large store.
METROPOLIS AT METROTOWN. CLICK IMAGE ABOVE FOR INTERACTIVE MALL FLOORPLAN.
Metropolis at Metrotown, Burnaby BC: Target’s 116,700 square foot Metrotown location is well-located at the end of a hallway with tenants such as Victoria’s Secret and Microsoft Store. The mall continues to upscale, though likely not enough for a luxury retailer such as Holt Renfrew or Saks Fifth Avenue. La Maison Simons is rumoured to be considering a location in the complex, and Target’s exit could present the Quebec City-based retailer the right opportunity. (UDATE) Sources say, however, that Target’s Metrotown space could end up being leased to Walmart.
SQUARE ONE. CLICK IMAGE ABOVE FOR MALL FLOORPLAN.
Square One, Mississauga ON: The mall’s 164,000 square foot Target is well positioned in a busy area alongside retailers such as Forever 21 and H&M, and is up the hall from the mall’s 120,000 square foot Holt Renfrew, scheduled to open in the spring of 2016. Square One boasts sales in excess of $800/square foot annually. We’re unsure what could happen to this retail space, though we’re told that the mall’s landlord would like to secure another upscale anchor to complement Holt’s, La Maison Simons (opening in March of 2016) and Hudson’s Bay.
WEST EDMONTON MALL. CLICK IMAGE ABOVE FOR INTERACTIVE MALL FLOORPLAN.
West Edmonton Mall, Edmonton AB: The mall’s 126,000 square foot Target is in the mall’s original ‘Phase I’. The wing is currently quiet, though that could change if mall management secure one or more vibrant replacement tenants for the space. We’re told that the mall’s landlord is already contemplating a variety of options, including securing one new anchor or dividing the space for multiple retailers.
The above is our speculative analysis. Target may choose to sell all leases to one retailer, sell leases individually, or defer replacement decisions to individual landlords.
Montreal-based activewear brand Lolë (Live Out Loud Everyday) plans to more than double its Canadian store count and substantially grow its sales over the next several years. We spoke with President & CEO Bernard Mariette to learn more.
Founded in 2002 in Longueuil, Quebec, Lolë caters to the active urban customer. It specializes in apparel for yoga, running, swimming and other activities, as well as casual fashion apparel. All locations offer free exercise meet-ups twice weekly at a local park, as well as lectures given by yoga/pilates specialists, and nutrition experts. Tea and fruit are served daily at each store location.
The brand currently has 17 free-standing Canadian locations, and Mr. Mariette says that over the next several years the brand intends to operate between 30 and 40 Canadian stores. Lolë’s first choice for store locations is streetfront retail space – although with Canada’s weather, the brand is also open to enclosed malls and outlet centres. Lolë will concentrate its Canadian store expansion in Western Canada and Southern Ontario. Locations in Saskatchewan are being considered and according to Mr. Mariette, a Calgary location is “going to happen” in the next while. Lolë is represented by Montreal-based brokerage Think Retail, and seeks retail space in the 1,250 to 2,000 square foot range.
Lolë opened its latest location last month in Whistler, BC. Mr. Mariette says that Lolë stores do well in four-season resort areas, enjoying tremendous sales in Mont Tremblant, QC, and Banff, AB, for example. Being a four-season resort is key, according to Mr. Mariette, in order to ensure year-round sales. Winterwear, for example, has become a popular category at Lolë and being from Montreal, the brand endeavours to make its designs more fashion-forward than the competition.
Mr. Mariette explains that Lolë has a similar ‘DNA’ to Lululemon, but with a broader focus. About a third of Lolë’s sales are from yoga-related products, about a third are from jackets and winter-related apparel, and the remainder are from general sportswear and accessories.
Lolë currently operates 41 stores worldwide, including 17 Canadian locations. It also has 42 international ‘retail partnerships’, which are essentially shop-in-store locations for the brand. The company is looking to operate almost 100 free-standing stores worldwide by the year 2019, as well as over 80 retail partnerships.
Lolë’s sales have been stellar both in Canada and internationally, and they continue to grow. In 2009, Lole forecasted its 2014 sales to be about $97 million. The company exceeded that number, enjoying sales in excess of $105 million last year. The company’s sales forecasts for 2015 are about $125 million and for 2017-2018, the company predicts revenue of about $210 million. Lolë sees tremendous international growth opportunities, especially in the United States.
Lolë plans to open four or five Canadian locations in 2015, and we’ll update you when we learn more.
Upscale Montreal-based multi-brand retailer Alton Gray is looking to open as many as six Canadian locations. We spoke with its president, Ted Rozenwald, to learn more.
Alton Gray’s first store opened in September of 2013 at Le Carrefour Laval, north of Montreal. The 3,660 square foot store features luxurious interiors, highlighted by marble and wood, as well as a grand central chandelier.
The store features over 80 contemporary (including many European) brands for men and women. Collections are profiled in a variety of small departments, including a men’s and women’s denim room, a section dedicated to designer footwear, handbags and jewellery, and a L.A.M.B. shop-in-shop . Some housewares and gifting items are also carried.
Alton Gray president Ted Rozenwald says that he’d like to open about six Canadian stores. New locations could either be in malls or on urban streetfronts, depending on opportunity. Stores will ideally be in the 3,000 to 6,000 square foot range. Mr. Rozenwald says that he’d like to possibly open a store at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre, given its strong sales and tenant mix. He also says that he’d like to open in fashion-forward Vancouver, either in a mall or on a streetfront location. Some day, Alton Gray could also expand into the United States, though no timeline is in place.
Alton Gray is owned by 25 year-old Montreal garment company Manhattan International. Mr. Rozenwald says he opened Alton Gray as a way to gain first-hand insight into consumer preferences and behaviours.
We’ll update you as Alton Gray opens new Canadian locations.
Popular Vancouver-based Saje Natural Wellness has announced that it will open 12 new locations, as it looks to grow to about 50 locations by the year 2018. Its aggressive expansion is especially impressive, considering that Saje had only 14 stores when we first reported on the company in September.
Ten of the 12 locations to open in 2015 include:
Kingsway Mall, Edmonton, AB
Market Mall, Calgary, AB
Metropolis at Metrotown, Burnaby, BC
Rideau Centre, Ottawa, ON
Connestoga Mall, Waterloo, ON
Limeridge Mall, Hamilton, ON
Mapleview Mall, Burlington, ON
Sherway Gardens, Toronto, ON
Toronto Eaton Centre, Toronto, ON
Oshawa Town Centre, Oshawa, ON
1 of 2
Photo: Saje Natural Wellness
Photo: Saje Natural Wellness
Saje will reveal the last two locations at a later date. In 2014, Saje opened a total of eight stores in West Vancouver, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, as well as four locations in the Greater Toronto Area.
Founded in 1991, Saje retails hundreds of different natural wellness products, accessories and gift ideas. Products contain 100% natural ingredients, including plant-derived essential oils and base ingredients. With impressive revenue growth of 122% and unprecedented same store comparable sales of 57% in 2014, Saje currently operates 22 stores in Vancouver, Kelowna, Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, and the Greater Toronto Area.
Saje plans to continue its expansion, seeking space between 700 and 1,200 square feet in top tier malls and high traffic street front locations. Its current focus will be on Ontario, Alberta and Atlantic Canada, although it will also consider locations Canada-wide. John Snable is responsible for mall opportunities and Josh Campbell, VP Retail, is responsible for high profile street-front locations. For leasing enquiries, contact johnsnable@sympatico.ca or josh@saje.ca.
Total retail sales increased just 2.4% year-over-year in November 2014 on a not seasonally adjusted basis, according to the latest numbers from Statistics Canada. This seems to be a typical correction from immediately prior months. For the 3 months ending November, retail sales were still up 4.9% versus the same period a year ago. Nevertheless, it appears that Black Friday has topped out in and is no longer providing an extra boost.
The underlying 12 month trend (green line in the above chart) has now been improving for about a year and a half. The 3 month trend is still running ahead (orange line), indicating the up trend will continue.
The lackluster November gain was mostly due to an unusually slow month in the Food & Drug sector. Automotive & Related was also off from its previous pace, which was expected due to lower gasoline prices. Store Merchandise however continues to show improving retail sales gains.
Goodbye Target
The big recent news of course is that Target has decided to pull out of Canada, as quickly as possible it would seem, after burning through billions of dollars. Volumes have been written about what Target Canada did wrong. A more economical discussion would be: What did Target Canada do right?
Food & Drug Stores
The Food & Drug sector has a history of sales ups and downs, and in November 2014 “downs” from its two largest store types coincided. The result was that sector sales were down 0.3% for the month versus November last year, and this dragged down the overall retail average. For the 3 months ending November 2014 nevertheless, retail sales increased 2.5%. Although this is a very modest gain, the underlying trend (green line in the above chart) is still slightly better than it was a year or two ago, despite the November setback.
Supermarkets & grocery stores had a poor November, with retail sales down 1.0% year-over-year. While health and personal care stores gained 1.4% for the month, this was well off their previous year-to-date sales increase of 7.4%. Even beer, wine and liquor stores were down 2.8% in November. The only positive picture in this sector was in convenience stores, with sales up 6.1% for the month.
Store Merchandise
Retail sales growth in the Store Merchandise sector is still continuing to improve. The 3 month trend (orange line in the chart) continues to lead the underlying 12 month trend (green line), which is now at a 6 year high and still heading up.
Most store types in this sector had above average sales gains in November 2014, especially other general merchandise stores, clothing stores, shoe stores, and sporting goods, hobby, book & music stores. Only jewellery, luggage & leather goods stores and miscellaneous retailers had a sales decline.
In general, Store Merchandise appears to have strong positive momentum heading into 2015.
Automotive & Related
Sales growth in the Automotive & Related sector is flattening out, although at a level above the total retail average, at least for now. This is the net result of trends in its two largest store types.
New car dealers’ sales were up “only” 5.7% in November, but this came after two months of very strong gains. For the 3 months ending November, sales were ahead a stunning 11.0% from the same period a year ago. The recent slight decline in Canadian interest rates may extend this hot streak a little longer.
Gasoline station sales, on the other hand, declined 2.7% in November and are heading down fast due to the collapse in pump prices. This could be the scenario for up to year as comparisons will be to the relatively high gas prices that prevailed for the first part of the year. While many gas stations are also convenience stores, this side of the business is not nearly enough to make up the difference.
By The Numbers
Ed Strapagiel is a consultant specializing in applied marketing, business development and strategic planning. [Ed Strapagiel’s Website]
It’s official: Japanese fast-fashion retailer UNIQLO is coming to Canada. Its first two Canadian locations will open in the fall of 2016. More locations will follow as lease negotiations continue.
Canada’s first two confirmed Uniqlo flagship locations include a 28,000 square foot location at Toronto Eaton Centre, as well as a 24,000 square foot location at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
Uniqlo’s Toronto Eaton Centre flagship will locate next to H&M at the corner of Yonge Street and Dundas Street West. It will be directly north of the mall’s new 213,000 square foot Nordstrom store, scheduled to open in the fall of 2016. The two-level store will be accessed via the mall’s main entrance near Dundas Street, with approximately 1/3 of the store being on the ground floor and the remaining 2/3 being upstairs. Saks Fifth Avenue will also open at Toronto Eaton Centre in 2016, occupying 150,000 square feet over four floors on the Yonge Street side of the Hudson’s Bay building. Below, we’ve indicated where Uniqlo will locate in Toronto Eaton Centre.
Uniqlo will compete with neighbouring fast-fashion retailer H&M, as well as Zara and TopShop/Top Man, all located within the downtown Toronto mall. Los Angeles-based fast-fashion brand Forever 21 is also just up the street. Canada’s first location for Japanese minimalist retailer MUJI is across Dundas Street from Toronto Eaton Centre, with some clothing styles noticeably similar to those carried at Uniqlo.
According to a press release, the Toronto Eaton Centre flagship store will carry a comprehensive selection of premium denim, Supima cotton T-shirts, Polo’s and fleeces, as well as Uniqlo’s proprietary collections: AIRism, HEATTECH, and Ultra-Light Down.
“We’re very pleased that UNIQLO has chosen the city of Toronto as its first entry into Canada and will be opening at Toronto Eaton Centre in the Fall of next year,” said Ron Wratschko, Executive Vice President of Operations at landlord Cadillac Fairview.
Uniqlo’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre flagship will span two floors at the north end of Yorkdale’s new $331 million, 298,000 square foot Nordstrom Wing, scheduled to open in the fall of 2016. Uniqlo will be joined by a number of first-to-market retailers in the new wing, and we’ll discuss these at a later date. Below are plans showing where Uniqlo will locate within Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
“We are very excited to welcome UNIQLO to Canada. Canadian shoppers and fashion enthusiasts have been anticipating this news for a while. I’m very proud that Yorkdale will be introducing UNIQLO to our shoppers,” said Claire Santamaria, Yorkdale Shopping Centre General Manager. “We have a proven track record for helping globally-renowned brands enter Canada for the first time and we’re very much looking forward to supporting the launch of UNIQLO in the same way.”
“Yorkdale Shopping Centre is one of the highest performing shopping centers in North America,” said Larry Meyer, CEO of UNIQLO USA and Canada. “We’re delighted to join this thriving fashion and retail epicenter bringing customers a comfortable and welcoming shopping environment and the high-quality, fashion apparel that UNIQLO is known for around the world.”
“Uniqlo is growing and I thought — we all thought — that Canada was a terrific market, especially starting in Toronto,” said Mr. Meyer. “It’s in reasonable proximity to our New York City flagship store on 5th (Avenue) and we thought it would be a natural expansion. My past has shown Canadians to be open people and very willing to welcome new brands,” he said. “I believe we have unique products with Uniqlo. We’re not just a mass merchandiser of branded goods. Our products are our brand.”
Uniqlo’s choice of American locations can be considered an indication of what it wants in Canada: prime retail space on busy streets and in prominent malls. Expect large Canadian Uniqlo flagships, as well as some smaller mall-based stores.
Mr. Meyer indicates that Vancouver could be the next Canadian market for Uniqlo, as well as various Canadian cities.
Sources inform us that Uniqlo is talking to various Canadian landlords as it searches for Canadian retail space. In March of 2014, the Financial Post reported that Uniqlo was in talks to open at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre, and the article’s source was obviously correct. Toronto and Vancouver are ideal cities for the Japanese retailer: both see exceptionally high retail sales, large Asian populations, and considerable Uniqlo brand awareness. Other desirable markets include Montreal, Edmonton, Calgary, and possibly Ottawa and Winnipeg, as the company continues expanding.
Uniqlo’s goal is to become the world’s top-selling fashion retailer. As its popularity increases, it could meet this goal within the next several years. Currently, Spanish-owned Inditex (owner of Zara and other brands) holds that title.
Uniqlo currently operates 40 stores in the United States, including 26 locations on the east coast and 14 locations on the west coast. Many more will follow as Uniqlo expands into the American midwest this fall, when its second-largest U.S. location, measuring 60,000 square feet, opens on Chicago’s North Michigan Avenue.
Besides its American stores, Uniqlo has about 1,500 stores globally in Japan, Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. Canada will be Uniqlo’s 18th market.
Uniqlo is a brand of Japanese retail holding company Fast Retailing Co. Ltd., which designs, manufactures and sells clothing under various brands including Theory and Helmut Lang, in almost 2,900 stores worldwide.
In June of 2014, we analysed locations in various Canadian cities where Uniqlo might choose to locate. The article received tens of thousands of readers, speaking to the popularity of the Japanese brand.
Yorkdale’s leasing manager Greg Schmidt will be discussing the success of his mall at this year’s Thought Leadership Conference. The one-day retail-focused event will merge industry professionals and academics, including networking, talks by representatives of Google, Microsoft and Pepsi Co. and a social event to be hosted by Retail Insider and the University of Alberta School of Retailing. The conference takes place March 6 in a hotel connected to the terminal at Edmonton International Airport.
We’ll keep you updated as we learn more on Uniqlo’s Canadian store expansion.
