10 TopShop Stores in Canada by March 2014

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November 30, 2012

TopShop Downtown Vancouver, Skytrain station entrance. Image: http://pricetags.files.wordpress.com

TopShop/TopMan will have 10 full-sized Canadian stores by March 2014, according to TopShop managing director Mary Homer. More Canadian locations are on the way but finances are restricting store expansion.

Four of the 10 TopShop stores will be in Toronto. These will include TopShop stores within Hudson’s Bay department stores at the Queen Street flagship (Opened October 2012) and Yorkdale Mall (Opened October 2011), as well as new locations at Hudson’s Bay stores. We will announce these shortly.

Three of the ten stores will be in Montreal, including a TopShop at the Downtown Montreal Flagship Hudson’s Bay store and two suburban locations that we will announce shortly.

The last three TopShop stores will be located within Hudson’s Bay stores in Vancouver (Opened October 2012), Downtown Calgary and Downtown Ottawa, both of which will coincide with substantial renovations to each of these Hudson’s Bay stores.

We can expect future TopShop stores in Edmonton, Winnipeg and Quebec City. Keep reading our website as we’re keeping a close eye on Canadian retail expansions.

Have any retail info for our website? email us: info@retail-insider.com

TopShop website: www.topshop.com

Hudson’s Bay website: www.thebay.com

Gotstyle Opening Mens + Women’s Store November 30th in Toronto’s Distillery District

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Retail Insider

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November 30, 2012

Gotstyle, one of Canada’s most innovative fashion retailers, opens a 6,700 square foot store in Toronto’s Distillery District on Friday, November 30th. We previously reported the store’s opening including it’s naked man video, and now womenswear will be included in the retail mix.

We are posting Gotstyle’s description of their store and its opening, as was provided to Retail Insider by manager Charlotte Jenkins:

GOTSTYLE GOES EAST

With a fashion foothold firmly established in the west at Wellington and Bathurst, Gotstyle, Toronto’s top destination for menswear, is set to reveal its second location in the heart of the historic Distillery District. The new 6,700 square foot will cater to both men and women with a stylish mix of merchandise housed in the original stable building built in the 1800s.

“I’m a big believer in neighborhoods,” says Gotstyle owner Melissa Austria of her decision to open in The Distillery District. “It’s a magical piece of the city. It’s evolving into even more of lifestyle district with an abundance of shopping and dining options that will continue to draw even more people to the area.”

The stunning new retail space will open in two phases.

PHASE 1
Savvy shoppers will get their first look at the new Gotstyle store on Friday, November 30 when it opens just in time for the popular Lowes Toronto Christmas Market – an annual event that is estimated to draw 200,000 visitors to The Distillery District.

Austria predicts that construction will be nearing 60% complete by the time the doors open but that the opportunity to welcome the parade of shoppers expected to pass by was to great to pass up.

“The Christmas Market is such an important part of The Distillery District that opening the doors early was really a no-brainer for us. We can’t wait to kick-off the holiday season in such a vibrant setting,” she says. In place of final fixtures, shoppers will be treated to a holiday spectacular. The centerpiece of which will be a stunning series of six foot tall angels. Each angel will represent a charity the retailer has generously partnered with. “This holiday season we’re introducing Gotstyle Gives – a charity program designed to support important humanitarian initiatives around the world,” explains Austria. In addition to being stocked with the finest looks for the holiday season, the store will also feature an abundance of gifts for just about everyone on your list.

PHASE 2
After the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, the talented team at The Design Agency – the creative visionaries behind the store’s striking look – will be back at work finalizing key design elements that promise to make this one of Canada’s most exciting fashion destinations. Stylish features include: herringbone wood floors, a vintage looking barbershop, a spacious groom room for wedding consultations, even a spectacular pool table outfitted with a rich merlot-coloured felt for guests to unwind and enjoy.
The store will officially open early in the Spring, when all of the finishing touches will be in place.

ABOUT GOTSTYLE
Founded in 2005, Gotstyle Menswear has quickly become Toronto’s leading men’s lifestyle boutique specializing in high-end men’s fashion. Offering apparel, bags and accessories for casual, social and business dressing, the store features premium international and local bands, from opening to designer price points, in a full range of sizes. In addition to fashion Gotstyle offers services for men in the in-store barbershop and tailor shop. Over the past five years, the retailer has been recognized by the fashion industry with much acclaim including:

+#1 Menswear Store in Canada, Sharp Magazine (2012)
+Best Menswear Store, NOW Magazine (2006-2011)
+Best Place to Buy a Suit, blogTO (2009)
+Top 20 Menswear Stores in North America, MR Magazine (2009)

Location: The heart of the historic Distillery District Size: 6,700 square feet on two levels
Opening: 2 phase openingDoors open on Friday, November 30 with construction wrapping up in time for a Spring Grand Opening.Store hours and info: Monday – Friday 12pm to 9pm
Saturday 11am to 9pm
Sunday 12pm to 6pm
416-260-9696
Among some of the notable design features guests will enjoy include:

+Fashion and accessories for both men and women – a Gotstyle first.
+Every step will be sartorial thanks to the solid wood flooring in a traditional herringbone pattern.
+A classic tribute to barbershops of the past but with modern updates.
+In-house experts will consult both men and women on the latest cuts and colours.
+In-house tailor shop.
+With men’s and women’s fashion needs covered, even the littlest ones will
find some fun in the Gotstyle Kids Corner. Parents are encouraged to ‘shop and drop’ allowing the young style set to enjoy an interactive play area while parents browse the latest looks.
+A massive Groom Room designed to accommodate wedding parties of any size.
+A merlot-coloured pool table on the Mezzanine level.
Summer patio.
+DJ Booth.
+Full kitchen for events and more.
Featured brands for women include:
Malene Birger, Tiger Of Sweden, Ted Baker, Rachel Roy, Parker, Designer Remix Collection, Style Stalker, Jenny Bird, Leigh and Luca, J Brand, Paige, Ella, Cuchara, Sashin & Babi, and Rebecca Minkoff.
Featured brand for men include:
Sand, Ted Baker, Tiger Of Sweden, John Varvatos, Moods Of Norway, Circle Of Gentlemen, Pyscho Bunny, Strellson, Neuw, Zanerobe, Lab by Pal Zileri, Tombolini, and Moose Knuckles.

STYLE NOTES FROM THE DESIGN AGENCY
GROUND FLOOR
Building on the history and industrial nature of the existing building, the first floor aims to blend together vintage and reclaimed elements with contemporary details. Small vignettes create a sense of wonder as your move through the space and bold architectural moves add a dynamic flow.
Vintage birch and reclaimed wood are mixed with marble accents and contemporary lighting to give a sense of familiarity and comfort. Hard materials and architectural details provide a neutral backdrop for soft materials and merchandise to take center stage.
MEZZANINE LEVEL
Upstairs at Gotstyle, one is transferred to a lux 19th Century parlour setting where lacquered woods mingle with plus fabrics and age-old patterns.
Paneled wardrobes and vintage furniture items add familiarity while bold pops of colour and sleek materials add a contemporary spin.

Gotstyle website: http://gotstylemenswear.com

UNIQLO on Canada-Wide Search for Store Space

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Retail Insider

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November 28, 2012

*****UPDATE: We have received requests from several parties for the identity of our source and for further information on Uniqlo’s potential Canadian lease dealings. These dealings are confidential and we don’t reveal source names without their consent. Our source is a commercial real estate broker and national commercial real estate expert/consultant who has been in communication with Uniqlo.

Our source confirms that as of now, Uniqlo has not signed any Canadian retail leases but is doing a country-wide commercial real estate evaluation (which we’ve been informed is not difficult, given Canada’s small population and lack of valuable street/mall retail space). Our source says that they may have provided the below information ‘too soon’ but notes that large-format international retailers regularly assess country-wide retail opportunities prior to market entry.

A prominent commercial real estate broker-insider confirms that Japanese cheap & chic retailer Uniqlo is searching Canada-wide for store space. We recently reported that Uniqlo is in talks with a NYC-based brokerage for space in the sub-basement of Vancouver’s Hudson’s Bay building. Uniqlo has a ‘wish-list’ of Canadian cities and space, and we were provided information on ‘where and what’ they want.

Here’s the breakdown provided by our broker-insider:

Toronto: Uniqlo wants to be in or very close to The Toronto Eaton Centre. Our broker/insider could not confirm if Toronto’s Hudson’s Bay store could be a location for Uniqlo, or if free-standing Toronto Eaton Centre space would be sought. Uniqlo is looking for 20-30,000 square feet in Downtown Toronto. Uniqlo would like stores at Toroto’s Yorkdale and Sherway Gardens malls, as well as at other suburban locations with high traffic and younger populations.

Montreal: Uniqlo would like to break into the Quebec market with a Ste. Catherine Street flagship, if possible. Several potential locations are being examined, as well as several potential suburban Montreal locations.

Ottawa: Uniqlo would like space in Ottawa’s Rideau Centre, possibly in its new Eastward expansion or in space directly below Rideau’s new Nordstrom store.

Calgary: Uniqlo wants Calgary space and may set up shop at Chinook Centre (note: negotiations with Cadillac Fairview are NOT taking place at press time). Word has it a Downtown location is also potentially in the works.

Edmonton: Uniqlo is already in talks with West Edmonton Mall to bring a substantial store to that mall. Southgate Shopping Centre is also courting Uniqlo via its landlord Ivanhoe Cambridge.

Winnipeg: Winnipeg’s Polo Park Shopping Centre is considered prime space for a Uniqo store, according to the broker.

Vancouver: Uniqlo is interested in space in Vancouver’s Richmond Centre and Metropolis at Metrotown, as well as a downtown location.

We’ll update our site with new potential and confirmed Canadian Uniqlo locations. Stay tuned!

Uniqlo website:

www.uniqlo.com

Canadian Nordstrom Stores Expected to Have ‘More Contemporary’ Interiors

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Retail Insider

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November 27, 2012

Nordstrom, South Coast Plaza Costa Mesa California. Image: Retail Details (Blog)

Recently we spoke to a Nordstrom insider about its high revenue expectations for its new Vancouver BC store. Our insider also discussed the store’s interiors and how some shoppers have complained that American Nordstrom store interiors appear a bit ‘dated’. We provided feedback that we feel the same way, noting Nordstrom’s ceiling tiles and lighting appear very mid-1980’s, not to mention its rather bland beige floor tiles.

Men’s Sportswear, Nordstrom Westfield San Francisco (notice the dated ceilings, lighting, carpet and tile). Image: Nordstrom Facebook Page.

Our insider informs us that they expect Canadian Nordstrom’s to appear at least marginally ‘more contemporary’ than American stores. The Canadian consumer is sophisticated, at least in Vancouver and Toronto. Store interiors in Holt Renfrew and (more soon to come) Hudson’s Bay stores are sleek and contemporary. Nordstrom “can’t be a new player that looks old” according to our insider, and this was reiterated by a Toronto-based retail expert who we spoke to on the phone yesterday afternoon.

Our Toronto retailing expert is a professor at the University of Toronto. He states that he expects Nordstrom’s flooring and ceilings to reflect a similarly ‘more modern’ look seen in some European department stores and in more contemporary Neiman Marcus stores. Smooth ceilings, stone flooring and bright lighting are what international shoppers are coming to expect and this is one of the core clients expected at Canadian Nordstroms. He thinks Nordstrom will try out a ‘new look’ for Canadian stores that will be reflected in its 2018-opening Manhattan store, which will include whopping 25-foot ceilings.

Getting better: Collectors (women’s designer) + Marni + Gucci ‘hard shops’, Walnut Creek California. Image: http://www.cei.com

Our Nordstrom insider notes that Nordstrom has been making modifications to store interiors over the past few years to make the chain appear a bit more upscale and modern. Black accents have been used more readily in some stores, including its recently finished Salt Lake City and Nashville stores. ‘Hard-shops’, which are branded boutiques with signature store interiors, have also been introduced in the past decade where some Nordstrom stores now include boutiques for Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Marni, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent, and others. The ‘black accents’ look was first experimented with with the renovation of its Topanga store in Canoga Park, California, and was further refined with the opening of its Northpark store in Dallas, Texas.

Still getting better: Collectors dept at Nordstrom, Nashville, including Gucci and Chanel boutiques. Image: bradles flickriver

Our Nordstrom insider also notes that its women’s designer department known as ‘Collectors’ includes a sleek interior of marble floors and smooth ceilings. This ‘look’ may be adopted in other departments and the marble has become a signature of the store’s designer handbags departments, for example.

We will be further researching Nordstrom’s interiors and especially what Canadian Nordstrom stores will look like. Watch this site as well as our twitter for updates. We’re @retailinsider_ on twitter, and we often tweet insider info not published on this website.

Nordstrom website: www.nordstrom.com

Bloomingdale’s Not Coming to Canada

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Retail Insider

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November 26, 2012

We just got word from a Hudson’s Bay management-office insider that talks with Bloomingdale’s have stalled and that it is unlikely the American luxury department store will come to Canada. We previously reported that Bloomingdale’s might move to Canada via Hudson’s Bay, with a free-standing Bloor Street store in Toronto and two concessions within Bay stores in Vancouver and Calgary.

Bloomingdale’s signature interiors and merchandise would have been a welcome addition to Canada’s Hudson’s Bay. We are quietly holding some hope that the deal isn’t dead but we’ve been told, and we quote, “don’t hold your breath about Bloomingdale’s coming to Canada via The Bay”.

If anything changes, we’ll be the first to let you know!

Bloomingdale’s website: www.bloomingdales.com

Hudson’s Bay website: www.thebay.com

Black Friday Gets Ugly: With VIDEOS!

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Retail Insider

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November 24, 2012

Black Friday is an American shopping tradition, recently adopted in Canada. We were sent videos by readers showing horrific scuffles, including this brief video above…

We laughed with horror at the video below. Who knew a mob of women could become so scary? (At an American Victoria’s Secret store). The fighting is insane, and the brief video is a must watch!

Below is a longer video with other Black Friday chaos. They are entertaining to watch but also horrific and embarassing. We really hope this madness wasn’t replicated here in Canada.

The 38 second video below shows a cattle-call at a 2011 opening of an Urban Outfitters store. We’re surprised anyone would even want to shop there, let alone be trampled to get in…

While all of this chaos was going on, we were sound-asleep safely in our own bed. Today we checked out some Vancouver (Canada) sales and the crowds were minimal and those around were reasonably polite. Though as of today, we’ve never seen so many women at once in Holt Renfrew’s Vancouver shoe department!

Send us your Black Friday videos or any retail insider info! insider@retail-insider.com

2 of America’s Top 10 Most Productive Retailers are Canadian

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Retail Insider

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November 22, 2012

Two of America’s top 10 most productive retailers are Canadian. Tracking annual sales per square foot, market research company eMarketer evaluated over 225 retailers. The top one is no surprise: Apple Stores boast yearly sales exceeding $4,500 per square foot. Of the two Canadian-based retailers, one also made it into America’s top 15 fastest growing store footprints.

Vancouver-based yoga wear retailer Lululemon ranked fifth for America’s most productive retail space, with sales averaging US$1,841 per square foot. Lululemon’s productivity is exceeded by Apple, Murphy, Tiffany & Co., and Michael Kors stores. Lululemon has about 175 American retail locations, 38 showrooms, 8 outlets and 9 pop-up locations. In Canada, Lululemon has 46 stores, 1 showroom, 2 outlets, and 5 pop-up locations. Although there are more American Lululemon stores than Canadian, its top-selling location is at West Edmonton Mall.

Montreal-based jeweller Birks Group (formerly Birks & Mayors) came in 9th place with annual American sales of $1,224 per square foot. In the United States, Birks Group retails under the name Mayors, with 16 Florida stores, 3 in Georgia, and one Rolex watch boutique in Orlando. In Canada, the company operates 28 Maison Birks stores, 2 Brinkhaus boutiques (in Vancouver and Calgary) and 1 wedding-focussed concession at Toronto’s flagship Hudson’s Bay.

Lululemon also ranked 12th in the study’s list of expanding retailers, with an American square footage increase of 22.9% over the previous year.

More Spring Renos for Vancouver’s Hudson’s Bay Store

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Retail Insider

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November 22, 2012

Hudson's Bay department store, Downtown Vancouver BC. Image: Bankview, Skyscraper Vancouver Forum

Vancouver’s Hudson’s Bay department store will get further interior renovations Spring 2013. The store has already spent in excess of $40 million on its current renovations (levels TopShop, G, 2, 5 and 6) and will spend more to finish its ground-floor cosmetics and jewelry departments, not to mention women’s moderates and furniture. We’ve been told that a Burberry shop is in the works for the ground floor but this isn’t 100% confirmed at press time.

Vancouver’s Hudson’s Bay store was renovated at the expense of it’s Toronto Queen Street and Downtown Montreal store. The company has a limited renovation budget and Vancouver got the lions share. A Montreal men’s floor is in the works (similar to Vancouver’s) and the Toronto Queen Street flagship should be fully renovated by the end of 2013.

Hudson’s Bay is making major changes. Keep watching this site for updates!

Hudson’s Bay website: www.thebay.com

Browns Shoes Opening 5000 sq ft Toronto Eaton Centre Store

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Retail Insider

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November 22, 2012

Sephora at Toronto Eaton Centre — Current Sephora, to be replaced by Browns Shoes. Image: Quadrangle

Browns Shoes will open a 5000 square foot store at Toronto’s Eaton Centre. This will replace its current smallish 2500 square foot store. Browns will replace Sephora cosmetics, which will move to a larger space on the same floor.

Browns’ store will be on Level 3 of the Eaton Centre (as is their current store), often considered the ‘most prestigious’ floor in the mall. This may not arguable by true but Level 3 is the brightest level since it receives sunlight from the skylights above.

Browns stores are from Montreal and have stores across Canada. Their stores vary in size, reaching as large as 8000 square feet. Browns once had concessions at Holt Renfrew and Hudson’s Bay stores in Canada, as well as at Joseph’s of Chicago (a Chicago-based shoe retailer that went bankrupt). These concessions have since closed, leaving free-standing locations.

Browns is one of our favourite shoe stores, especially when they have a sale. We admit we have a shoe problem… we don’t have enough room for all of our shoes. Many readers can probably relate. We make regular trips to Browns and its ‘younger’ store, B2. Both carry private-label and designer shoes with some of the best brands available in Canada.

Browns is in expansion mode and will be opening more Canadian locations. Watch our website/Facebook/Twitter, as we’ll update you when we find more openings/expansions.

Source: GKW, Urban Toronto.

Browns Shoes website: www.brownsshoes.com

Toronto Eaton Centre website: www.torontoeatoncentre.com

Review of Toronto’s Yorkdale Mall Expansion by DelectablyChic

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Retail Insider

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November 22, 2012

Review of Toronto's Yorkdale Mall Expansion by DelectablyChic — Kate Spade/Ted Baker/Tesla Motors @ Yorkdale. Image: Toronto Life

Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre opened its 145,000 square foot expansion early morning Friday November 16th. We received some excellent info and photos from retail insiders eager to give us the inside scoop. And we thank all of you who have enthusiastically responded to our invitation to become insiders! Keep the tips/photos emails coming!

We’re currently in Vancouver BC, so we were unable to attend the Yorkdale opening. We’ll defer to one of our Toronto-based correspondents…

Inside Canada’s first Kate Spade store: Image – Cynthia Cheng Mintz of DelectablyChic

Cynthia Cheng Mintz of DelectablyChic provided a fabulous article including photos and a description as follows: “It has finally landed! Right in time for the holidays, Yorkdale‘s new expansion, which has 145,000 square feet of retail space has opened its doors to the public.

Featuring Anthropologie’s third Toronto location and Ann Taylor’s second as well as first-to-market stores like Kate Spade and Ted Baker, Yorkdale continues to be the IT shopping destination in Toronto. Ann Taylor’s sister store, LOFT, has also arrived, and has taken over Mango’s old home. Media were lucky to get a preview of what the wing has to offer on November 15, as well as shop the stores the day before the official grand opening.In addition to fashion and accessories, the wing also includes places for food and drink as well as gadgets and other things.

Toronto favourite, DAVIDs Tea has a spot there, as does olive oil emporium, Ta-ze. Sit-down restaurant, JOEY Grill and Lounge has also opened a spot at the mall (and provided the much of the food for the event), making it the chain’s third location in the 416. Telsa Motors, the electric car company, also has a showroom in the wing. Yorkdale is also home to Microsoft’s first first brick-and-mortar store in Canada and rival Apple is moving into a much larger space.

LOFT by Ann Taylor. Photo – Cynthia Cheng Mintz of DelectablyChic

For those looking for devices, but aren’t sure who to sign on with or which one to get, there’s Best Buy Mobile.Yorkdale’s new expansion is located in the southwest part of the mall, with Holt Renfrew being its closest anchor. Holt Renfrew itself will be undergoing an expansion, which will, according to reports, include a huge shoe department.”

The link to Cynthia’s article is here. And Cynthia is right. Holt’s will have a huge shoe department. 10,000 square feet as we previously reported.

Cynthia’s website, DelectablyChic, can be found here: www.delectablychic.com

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

10 TopShop Stores in Canada by March 2014

Gotstyle Opening Mens + Women’s Store November 30th in Toronto’s Distillery District

UNIQLO on Canada-Wide Search for Store Space

Canadian Nordstrom Stores Expected to Have ‘More Contemporary’ Interiors

Bloomingdale’s Not Coming to Canada

Black Friday Gets Ugly: With VIDEOS!

2 of America’s Top 10 Most Productive Retailers are Canadian

More Spring Renos for Vancouver’s Hudson’s Bay Store

Browns Shoes Opening 5000 sq ft Toronto Eaton Centre Store

Review of Toronto’s Yorkdale Mall Expansion by DelectablyChic

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