Paris-based luxury brand Chanel officially closed its 131 Bloor Street West flagship in Toronto, with a new location set to open in a few months. In the meantime, Chanel has opened a large ‘pop-up’ store on the second level of Holt Renfrew at 50 Bloor Street West to serve its loyal clientele.
Chanel’s former 7,400 square foot flagship closed on the afternoon of December 31. Chanel will move into an 8,700 square foot space at 98 Yorkville Avenue this spring/summer, as there has been some delays with its construction. French luxury brand Christian Dior will replace Chanel at 131 Bloor Street West, with construction set to commence shortly. Dior will span about 10,400 square feet over two levels, technically making it the largest Dior location in North America.
While the ‘pop-up’ is new, Chanel already had a presence at Holt’s Bloor Street. For over a decade, Chanel has operated a 1,850 square foot concession at Holt’s, and the new pop-up space in front of this boutique adds substantially more Chanel to Holt’s women’s designer floor. The pop-up is so large, in fact, that it takes up the entire central floor area on the east end of Holt’s second-level — a floor which also features boutiques for Giorgio Armani, Tom Ford, Prada, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana, as well as a roster of some of the world’s most prestigious brands.
Chanel has had a presence on Toronto’s Bloor Street West since the 1980’s, when it operated a concession in the now defunct retailer, Creeds. In April of 1989, Chanel opened its 131 Bloor Street store as a one-level, 3,100 square foot retail space that was expanded upwards several years later. Chanel subsequently expanded to other Canadian markets including Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary, where it maintains a presence to this day as Holt Renfrew-housed concessions. The recently relocated Vancouver Chanel concession is particularly notable, spanning over 5,000 square feet in a new retail space on Holt’s ground floor, facing Dunsmuir Street.
Seattle-based heritage fashion brand Filson will officially launch its Canadian store expansion in March of this year, beginning with a location in Vancouver’s Gastown. Filson has partnered with brokerage Think Retail for its Canadian expansion, which is expected to include multiple Filson store locations.
Filson (originally named ‘C.C. Filson’s Pioneer Alaska Clothing and Blanket Manufacturers’) was founded in Seattle in 1897, and is known particularly for its clothing and luggage, as well as its guarantee. The company designs, manufactures and distributes its products, which feature rugged designs with prices in the mid to upper-end range. Quality is paramount to the brand, and it guarantees the lifetime of each item against failure or damage of its intended usage, according to Filson’s website. The company is owned by Fossil Group founder Tom Kartsotis, who also owns Detroit-based fashion brand Shinola (which opened its first Canadian store in Toronto over the summer, and was also represented by Think Retail).
Filson’s first Canadian store will be located at 47 Water Street in Vancouver’s historical and trendy Gastown area. The store will measure 1,545 square feet, and replaces an art gallery. Filson is seeking retail space on commercial high streets, according to Think Retail, with Vancouver and Toronto being targeted cities. Think Retail’s website also states that Filson is interested in space providing “an ancillary café provided as an amenity to its customers, to allow local artisans to display & sell items (complimentary to the Filson brand), as well as the ability to hold marketing, community, and social events within the Premises”.
Canada will mark the second international market for Filson, which also operates a store in London, UK. Filson operates street-front stores in American cities that include Seattle, New York City, Minneapolis, Portland OR, Dallas, San Francisco, Plano TX, Detroit, Austin and Washington DC, as well as two factory outlets.
Paris-based luxury jeweller Van Cleef & Arpels will open its first freestanding Toronto store this spring at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre, according to new construction hoarding signage. The Toronto boutique will join a downtown Vancouver unit opening later this year, which is also currently under construction.
Van Cleef & Arpels will also open a freestanding Vancouver boutique this year on the 1000 block of Alberni Street. That store will be two levels and will be more than twice the size of the new Yorkdale unit. Other Richemont brands will soon be announced for retail space adjacent to Vancouver’s Alberni Street Van Cleef & Arpels.
Van Cleef & Arpels (CONSTRUCTION HOARDING WITH SIGNAGE. PHOTO: NORMAN KATZ, TAG)
Canadian jeweller Maison Birks also houses Van Cleef & Arpels boutiques in its flagship downtown Vancouver and Toronto locations. The Vancouver shop-in-store expanded to 1,435 square feet in early 2016, and the downtown Toronto shop-in-store will be expanded and gain its own storefront entrance with the renovation of Birks’ Manulife Centre flagship, which commences this year. Birks and Van Cleef & Arpels have had boutique partnerships since 2006.
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 12 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, 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.
Austrian crystal jewellery/collectable/gift retailer Swarovski is launching a Canadian store expansion in 2017, and has partnered with a leading brokerage to secure additional real estate. Swarovski is in the process of expanding its corporately-owned base of stores in Canada, and is examining various markets as it establishes its strategy.
Swarovski was founded in Austria in 1895, and operates globally through its own stores as well as franchised locations and wholesale accounts. Its products include jewellery, figurines, home decor and various other collectable and gift items, with a focus on integrating cut-glass crystals into its designs. The company’s 2015 revenues were estimated to be 2.6 billion Euros for its operations in about 170 countries, with over 2,680 stores and an estimated 31,000 employees.
In Canada, Swarovski operates 43 corporately owned stores, and is distributed in about 300 points-of-sale that include franchised boutiques and shop-in-stores in partners such as Hudson’s Bay. For its corporate store expansion, Swarovski has retained Aurora Realty Consultants to coordinate real estate deals, under the direction of Manon Parisien.
In 2017-2018, Swarovski is expected to open approximately 10-12 freestanding corporately owned stores in Canada. Markets have yet to be determined, as national strategy is still being finalized. Swarovski operates stores both on urban street-fronts as well as within shopping centres. According to Aurora Realty Consultants, Swarovski’s mall-based stores will ideally be in the 800 square foot to 1,000 square foot range, while street-front locations may be slightly larger, between 800 and 1,100 square feet. The company’s largest Canadian store, located at the northwest corner of Yonge and Bloor Streets in Toronto, measures in excess of 2,000 square feet. It’s expected to relocate at some point, however, as a major redevelopment of that corner will be announced some time in 2017.
Vancouver-based entrepreneur Gaurav Mehra has launched a new luxury men’s footwear retailer that operates both online as well as offers personal one-on-one visits. Called Mehra, the new boutique launched last month, featuring brands otherwise not available in Western Canada but known worldwide as being some of the best shoemakers.
Brands carried at Mehra include Corthay, Enzo Bonafè, Gaziano & Girling, Stefano Bemer and Vass. Prices start at $695 and can go into the thousands. Mehra only carries ‘shoe specialist’ brands — being those that only make shoes and have their own factories, with no outsourcing. All shoes offered are made with Goodyear Welted or Hand Welted construction — considered the finest methods of shoemaking. The five brands carried also feature made-to-order options, where styles can be customized, including leather, colour and soles.
While styles may be ordered online, Mehra also offers home/office visits for Vancouver-area customers who prefer a more private, customized shopping experience. Some of Canada’s most prestigious retailers also offer private visits, dressing some of the country’s most affluent residents. Mr. Mehra is bringing this privilege to his clients as well, offering personalized service to ensure optimum fitting.
Customization and one-on-one retail is a trend among elite retailers, according to Farla Efros, President of HRC Retail Advisory. She noted these personalized visits allow Mehra to differentiate itself in a competitive omni-channel marketplace. Success requires retailers to “drive a line in the sand” in regards to how they are going to differ in order to garner loyalty, which is difficult to do, she noted, and what Mehra is doing is right on-target.
The product selection at Mehra will expand as business grows, with the potential to expand the geographic reach of personalized visits, as well. For more information, visit www.shopmehra.com or contact Mr. Mehra directly at: (604) 505-8133.
Polish cosmetics brand INGLOT Cosmetics will open two new Canadian locations early next year as it continues to expand its Canadian operations. In 2017, the company has confirmed two new store locations — at CF Lime Ridge in Hamilton, and CF Masonville Place in London, Ontario. The opening of two more stores will bring INGLOT’s Canadian store count to five, as the brand plans to further expand across Ontario and, eventually, other Canadian markets.
INGLOT Cosmetics was founded 30 years ago in Przemyśl, Poland. The makeup brand is known for its high-pigment makeup, and its use of high-quality ingredients. Compared to its competitors, INGLOT’s prices remain fair – notably accessible to younger shoppers.
International expansion of INGLOT Cosmetics began in 2006, with a franchised store in Montreal (now closed). Currently, the brand has grown to over 600 boutique stores, primarily across Europe and the United States. Some of INGLOT’s most prominent locations include New York’s Times Square and Chelsea Market, Dubai’s Dubai Mall, and London’s Westfield London.
A new study from Shell finds that for a significant segment of the population, convenience is paramount when making purchases. The subgroup, identified as “Convenience Cravers”, could help boost retailer’s revenues if targeted. Conversely, retailers could lose out if they ignore this group and its demands.
The study surveyed 1,000 Canadians over the age of 18, finding that 18% of respondents ranked convenient and personalized retail experiences as a “must-have, non-negotiable part of the retail experience”. Convenience Cravers are most likely to be males between the ages of 25 and 44 with a higher-than-average disposable income, working more than 40 hours per week. Above all else, these shoppers said that they’re looking for retailers that offer:
Quality interaction — that is, a humanized customer experience;
Efficient payment, including a variety of options to speed up check-out;
Digital details, including a place where they can go to review a business and compare its products to other retailers online; and
Great partnerships — that is, a place that carries more of what they need, so they have to make fewer stops.
The study goes on to note that for retailers looking to entice this group to spend more in-store, retailers should first focus on humanizing the customer service experience, while also expediting the checkout process. The Shell study further notes that:
14% of Convenience Cravers said that good customer service that led to a convenient experience would drive them to spend more, and
21% of Convenience Cravers said they would be prepared to pay more to check out faster – with a remarkable 38% willing to pay up to 5% more on top of their purchase for speedy service.
The Shell study also found that retailers not meeting Convenience Cravers’ growing expectations will pay the price. Some respondents saying that they’d switch brands/retailers over an ‘inconvenient experience’, and across four retail segments (fuel, convenience, fashion and technology), Convenience Cravers said:
Four in 10 Convenience Cravers would share a bad retail experience, according to the study, amplifying its negative impact. Furthermore, a substantial 61% of members of this group would lose trust in a brand after an inconvenient experience, according to the study. That loss of trust means that Convenience Cravers would consider switching to another brand, with a startling 13% of Convenience Cravers saying that they would walk away from a brand forever after an inconvenient experience.
The infographic above visualizes the Shell Canada study’s findings, which should be of interest to many Canadian retailers.
Vancouver-based athletic apparel brand Lululemon has opened its first Canadian men’s store in Toronto’s west end. The 2,200 square foot space, located at 96 Ossington Avenue, is one of several retailers that have recently opened on the street, alongside names such as Shinola, Reigning Champ, and Tiger of Sweden.
The men’s only store has been dubbed The Local Toronto, a neighbourhood spot where “sweat” meets “community”. Lululemon describes The Local as a “new spot to grind out daily to-do’s, connect with the crew, or perhaps [to] just do nothing at all”.
Upon first glance, one might not realize the retail space is a Lululemon store. Missing in action is the signature red Lululemon logo – the store has opted for a small gold-coloured variation of it’s logo hanging above the store’s main entrance. The store blends in with Ossington Avenue’s neighbouring businesses, with the front door reading ‘The Local 96 Ossington Avenue’.
What makes this concept store unique is nearly half of its square footage is a dedicated ‘community space’, acting both as a retail store as well as a community hub for the surrounding Ossington neighbourhood. Expect The Local to house art events, screen sports games, and host ping-pong tournaments, for example.
A large bar is located along the right side of the store, where customers are offered complimentary STATION Cold Brew Coffee “on the house” upon arrival (the photo above is a glass of coffee).
This Local has an undoubtable ‘cool’ factor to it. On the morning of Monday, December 19 when we visited, a vinyl record player had the latest Drake album on rotation while one guest relaxed on a couch reading one of a large selection of coffee table books. At the same time, a pair of guests were playing chess on a marble chess board towards the front of the store, while other guests were playing an intense game of ping-pong on a dedicated large blue table. This concept space appears to focus less on selling clothes, and more on acting as a community hangout spot.
Taking it’s name quite literally, The Local has also teamed up with local businesses to celebrate its opening. Toronto barber shop Town Barber has a station near the front entrance, where guests can receive haircuts, shaves and clean-ups. Toronto-based essential oil company Way of Will is also hosting a pop-up at the new location until January 2017, selling its selection of oils, deodorants, and skincare.
As for Lululemon apparel, there is plenty of it to choose from. The store features the largest selection of Lululemon menswear in Canada, which rivals the company’s latest Yorkdale store (which features a comprehensive men’s section). Yoga, running, and training gear fills the front of the store, with familiar pieces that can also be found at Lululemon’s other locations across Canada.
The store also features pieces from Lululemon Lab, the company’s premium line of apparel that is less focused on athletic wear, and more focused on casual wear outside the gym. Select items sold at The Local include cotton shirts, dress pants, jackets, and reversible bombers. Prices range between $60 and $450 for its core pieces.
Lululemon has undergone several major changes over the past few years, including increasingly focusing on its ‘hyper-local’ stores to play on it’s community strengths. As e-commerce grows in Canada, brick-and-mortar stores are increasingly acting as brand statements rather than just sales-oriented spaces. Newly renovated stores, including a 10,000 square foot men’s and women’s Lululemon store on Queen Street West, follow this new focus where in-store community spaces rival the merchandise itself.
The company has also been increasing its focus on menswear offerings. Lululemon’s Chief Financial Officer John Currie has stated that men’s same store sales have been higher than the rest of the business, and that this research has refocused Lululemon’s energy on producing retail spaces specifically designed for their male shopper.
‘The Local’ is the second Lululemon men’s store in North America. In 2014, Lululemon opened it’s first men’s-only store in New York City’s Soho. Lululemon men’s store in Toronto is the first of several expected in the Canadian market.
Paris-based luxury brand Christofle has opened a freestanding boutique in Montreal, with further plans for Canada as it launches a North American store expansion. Christofle is the latest luxury boutique to open in an area that is fast becoming a luxury destination for the city.
The Montreal boutique, located at 2015-2025 Rue de la Montagne, measures about 1,100 square feet and features Christofle’s range of jewellery as well as flatware, tableware, home and gift items. The space includes honeycomb-shaped display cases and dark fixtures with bright lighting, highlighting merchandise that can sometimes be priced into the thousands. More Canadian locations are expected to follow as Christofle expands its base of corporately-owned stores in North America. Christofle, which was founded in Paris in 1830, recently opened U.S. stores in New York City (Soho) as well as on prestigious Oak Street in Chicago. It now operates 10 freestanding boutiques in eight U.S. cities (New York City x2, Los Angeles x 2, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and Florida: Bal Harbour and Palm Beach) and is also carried in leading jewellers and department stores.
Christofle’s existing concession on the ground floor of Montreal’s Ogilvy store will close at the end of January, according to Christofle. A freestanding Toronto Christofle boutique at 150 Bloor Street West closed several years ago, prior to a building renovation that saw the opening of flagship Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co. stores in the 150 Bloor podium.
Christofle’s Rue de la Montagne store is the latest luxury boutique to open in the area. A franchised Montblanc boutique, located adjacent to Christofle at the corner of Montagne and Boulevard de Maisonneuve, opened in the spring of 2014. Tiffany & Co. opened half a block north at 1290 Sherbrooke Street West in February of 2012. Other retailers on the street include luxurious Chateau d’Ivoire jewellers, AllSaints, Anthropologie and Diesel, with SuitSupply set to open its largest Canadian location on the street soon, as well. More luxury brands are expected to secure space on the street with the opening of a 220,000 square foot combined Holt Renfrew/Ogilvy store at Sainte Catherine Street and Montagne, expected to be finished in late 2018. A Four Seasons Hotel and Residences will also open adjacent to Ogilvy/Holt’s in the winter of 2018, featuring pricey hotel rooms and 18 condominium units believed to be priced between $4 million and $20 million each — further adding to the luxury cachet of Montreal’s Rue de la Montagne.
*Thank you Maxime Frechette, Retail Insider Montreal correspondent and founder of Montreal Weekly, for alerting us to this store opening.
Innovative New York City-based eyewear retailer Warby Parker officially opens its second Canadian store at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre on Saturday, December 17, and we toured the space ahead of the date to take photos for this article. The spacious 1,825 square foot Warby Parker is one of only a handful in an enclosed shopping centre, with most of the company’s stores being located on urban street-fronts.
Yorkdale’s Warby Parker features a unique facade by local artist Micah Lexier, including a text-based piece that spans the store’s entire facade. Local art is also featured inside, with a vibrant mural behind the store’s ‘Reference Desk’ by artist Adrian Forrow. The store’s design is library-inspired with terrazzo-tiled flooring, suspended globe lighting, walnut shelving, and colourful book displays overhead. Books by Canadian authors are also available for purchase in the store.
In honour of the new Yorkdale store, Warby Parker has released a limited edition style of sunglasses. The style is called ‘Haskell’ and includes a new acetate colour, Striped Pacific, and a striking new lens colour — Flash Mirrored Chrome.
Yorkdale is Warby Parker’s second Canadian store, following the August opening of a location at 684 Queen Street West in Toronto’s hip ‘West Queen West’ neighbourhood. That location spans just over 1,000 square feet on its ground floor. More Canadian Warby Parker stores are expected to follow, though the company won’t confirm any new locations.
Inside the Warby Parker Yorkdale Store
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With many of its glasses/frame combos priced at $150, Warby Parker is entering an increasingly competitive value-priced eyewear market in Canada. Clearly Contacts began opening Canadian locations in the spring of 2013 (now with two Vancouver stores and one in Toronto), and Australia’s Bailey Nelson began opening stores in the summer of 2014. Montreal-based BonLook, with many of its designs priced at $135/pair (including lenses), opened its first Ontario stores this month — with plans to operate about 10 Ontario locations, 10 in Quebec, and several in Western Canada.
Warby Parker is expanding rapidly within the United States as well, now boasting 46 store locations. Most of these are on urban street-fronts, with only a handful of Warby Parker stores being in enclosed malls. The company has ambitious plans to open many more physical stores, we’re told, so more shopping mall stores are likely in the works for the United States in the coming years.
The company was founded in 2010 as a pure play online retailer. Having since expanded into brick-and-mortar, Warby Parker designs its glasses in-house and sells directly to customers, with prices that are generally lower than regular optical stores.
