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Warby Parker Opens 1st Canadian Location

By
Craig Patterson
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RENDERING: WARBY PARKER

New York City-based eyewear retailer Warby Parker has opened its first international store location in Toronto. It could be the first of several locations, as the retailer tests out the Canadian market following the launch of its Canadian e-commerce site in 2012. 

Located at 684 Queen Street West (on Canada’s ‘coolest street‘), the store’s interior is designed with “classic libraries in mind”, according to the company. The store features terrazzo-tiled floors, custom-made brass library lamps, suspended globe lighting, books displayed in custom shelving (and even more reading materials available for purchase) selected from some of Warby Parker’s favourite Canadian authors. The 1,048 square foot store was designed by Partners & Spade, in conjunction with The Lawrence Group. 

Bryce Dymond, Principal/Broker at NorthWest Atlantic co-brokered the Queen Street West deal with Lindsay Bayer from Dallas.

To celebrate the Toronto opening, Warby Parker is releasing an exclusive set of frames for its Canadian customers only, that can be purchased in store and online. These include the ‘Durand‘ in Moss, and ‘Chamberlain‘ in Jet Black. They’re available for a limited time in those hues, both as sunglasses and optical.

WARBY PARKER
RENDERING: WARBY PARKER

As well, Toronto-based artist, Micah Lexier (recipient of the 2015 Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts) has created a series of three newsprint books called Free For the Taking, made in collaboration with fellow Canadian artists Maggie Groat, Mark Laliberte, and artist collective VSVSVS. The books will be on display throughout the store, and are free to take. 

Warby Parker is an innovative, value-priced prescription eyewear retailer, which was founded in 2010 as a pure play online retailer with a $2,500 seed investment by students in the Venture Initiation Program of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Shortly after its launch, the company was featured on Vogue.com andGQ, referred to as ‘the Netflix of eyewear’.

The company has grown substantially and now boasts 30 brick-and-mortar stores in the United States. Last year, the company was reportedly valued at US $1.2 billion.  Warby Parker designs its glasses in-house and sells directly to customers — prices are therefore generally lower than regular optical stores, which may mark up product substantially. 

Canadians Invited to ‘Retail Safaris’ in New York City, London and Berlin

By
Retail Insider
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Retail Insider has partnered with UK-based Insider Trends, which is offering tours in some of the world’s top retail destinations. Their next stops are New York City, London and Berlin, Germany. 

Insider Trends says: By 2020, 79% of spending will still be processed by offline channels. The future of physical retail is therefore about experience. So, to learn what’s coming next, shouldn’t you get out and experience the best in retail for yourself? 

Insider Trends’ bespoke retail trend tours: 

  • Take you straight to the latest and best retail experiences
  • Use first-hand examples to outline the future of global retail
  • Give you the lowdown on each concept and how it boosts the brand’s bottom line
  • Introduce you to the entrepreneurs and trendsetters shaping the future

All of our tours are developed on a bespoke basis and all meetings, store visits, restaurant choices and discussion will be shaped around your business’s interests and challenges. We want to help you make money and save money, by showing you the best examples of innovative practice that can help you to sell more. The tours can be anything from 3 hours to 3 days, and can be combined with presentations, workshops and trend reports.

You’re in good company. Clients include:

“Our retail safari was the most amazing day of the year! It’s left me full of ideas for the year to come. It’s a must have for future innovation.” 
– Justine Richard, International Product Manager, Lancôme, Paris

To book, contact Inside Trends and use code ‘Insider Squared’, which will also provide a free trend report with your safari.

Trend Tours & Retail Safaris
Trend Presentations & Reports
www.insider-trends.com
+44 (0) 207 183 3785
contact@insider-trends.com

Saks OFF 5TH Announces Next 3 Canadian Store Opening Dates

By
Craig Patterson
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Saks OFF 5th Vaughan Mills (Image: Norman Katz)

Saks Fifth Avenue‘s off-price retail concept Saks OFF 5TH has revealed the opening date of its next three Canadian stores, located in Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton. All three stores will open on September 1 of this year, and each will mark ‘firsts’ in their respective markets. Saks says it plans to operate up to 25 Canadian OFF 5TH locations by the year 2018.

A 27,000 square foot Toronto OFF 5TH will open at 1950 Queensway at The West Mall in Toronto. The property is owned and operated by Fima Developments. Saks OFF 5TH will compliment the nearby full-priced 143,200 Saks Fifth Avenue store at CF Sherway Gardens, which opened in February of this year. The Toronto OFF 5TH will be the first within Toronto’s city boundaries, and the second for the Greater Toronto Area — the region’s first OFF 5TH opened in March of this year at Vaughan Mills. Analysts predict that the GTA will eventually house as many as eight OFF 5TH stores. 

A 31,900 square foot Edmonton store will open at South Edmonton Common next month — the first of two confirmed for Alberta’s capital city. South Edmonton Common is one of North America’s largest open-air retail developments, and is owned and operated by Cameron Development Group. The centre is anchored by a number of large retailers, including a massive Ikea store as well as an innovative new format Canadian Tire Store, also the largest in Canada. Saks OFF 5TH also recently announced a second Edmonton store which will open in the spring of 2017 at Skyview Power Centre. 

The Calgary Saks OFF 5TH will be located at Ivanhoé Cambridge‘s CrossIron Mills, and will measure about 30,000 square feet. CrossIron Mills is Calgary’s only outlet concept — the 1.2 million square foot centre sees about 9 million visitors annually and has yearly sales in excess of $300 million. Analysts predict that at least one more OFF 5TH location will open in or near Calgary. 

Saks OFF 5TH has also announced plans for fall 2016 store openings at Tsawwassen Mills in South Delta, BC, as well as within the Hudson’s Bay building in downtown Ottawa. Saks OFF 5TH launched in March of this year with four locations in Ontario. 

We’ll follow up this article with a summary of recently announced Canadian Saks OFF 5TH stores.

Nordstrom Rack Announces 2 More Canadian Locations

By
Craig Patterson
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Seattle-based Nordstrom has announced two more Canadian off-price Nordstrom Rack locations — one in Calgary, and one in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The Calgary store will be located at Deerfoot Meadows, and the GTA store will be at Vaughan Mills. Both will open in the spring of 2018, along with a recently announced urban Nordstrom Rack location to open at 1 Bloor Street East in downtown Toronto. 

The Calgary Nordstrom Rack will measure about 30,500 square feet, while the Vaughan Mills unit will be about 35,000 square feet, according to Nordstrom. The Bloor Street store will be the largest announced to date, at 38,600 square feet over two levels. 

Both Deerfoot Meadows and Vaughan Mills are owned and operated by Ivahnoé Cambridge. The Calgary centre is anchored by Ikea, Real Canadian Superstore, Walmart, Best Buy, and other large retailers, while Vaughan Mills includes several anchors including competitor Saks OFF 5TH, which opened at the centre in March of this year. Saks OFF 5TH will also soon have a Calgary presence when it opens this fall at Ivahnoé Cambridge’s CrossIron Mills. 

Nordstrom has said in the past that it plans to open approximately 20 Nordstrom Rack stores across Canada. 

Nordstrom currently operates three full-priced stores in Canada, with two more set to open this fall. A 140,000 square foot location opened at Calgary’s CF Chinook Centre in September of 2014, followed by a 157,000 square foot store at Ottawa’s CF Rideau Centre. A 230,000 square foot flagship followed in September of 2015 at CF Pacific Centre in Vancouver. On September 16 of this year, Nordstrom will enter the Toronto market with a 220,000 square foot flagship at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, followed by the October 21 opening of a 196,000 square foot unit at Yorkdale shopping centre. In the fall of 2017, a 138,000 square foot Nordstrom will open at CF Sherway Gardens in Toronto. 

*Rendering: Hagan Properties Inc.

Salvatore Ferragamo Opens Largest Canadian Store [Photos]

By
Craig Patterson
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Italian luxury brand Salvatore Ferragamo has opened its third freestanding Canadian location at Square One in Mississauga, Ontario. The 4,425 square foot store is in the mall’s recently opened ‘Luxury Wing’, which is anchored by a Holt Renfrew location which opened last week. 

The Mississauga Ferragamo features bags, accessories and footwear for men and women, as well as ready-to-wear collections for both genders. The store is divided into a series of rooms, providing a luxurious and intimate in-store experience.

Mississauga’s new store joins already existing Ferragamo locations in Vancouver and Toronto. Vancouver’s 3,000 square foot Ferragamo store (918 Robson Street) has operated at that location since the 1980’s and was fully renovated in 2012. In the summer of 2013, Ferragamo’s second freestanding store, spanning 3,830 square feet, opened at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre in its ‘luxury wing’ adjacent to Holt Renfrew.  

Square One’s luxury wing opened in March of 2016. Harry Rosen was the largest tenant to open in that space, measuring 19,730 square feet (according to lease plans). Other nearby retailers include Michael Kors, Club Monaco, Kate Spade, Ben Sherman and Wolford — which opened its third Canadian store in the centre in the spring. Jamie’s Italian restaurant also recently opened, and Coach will join the mix this fall. 

Ferragamo accessories and footwear are also carried at selected Canadian retailers such as Holt Renfrew (for men and women), Harry Rosen (men’s items only), and at Saks Fifth Avenue, which opened its first two Canadian stores in February of this year in Toronto. 

Yorkville Village Opens Food Hall

By
Craig Patterson
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Image: Yorkville Village

Toronto’s Yorkville Village shopping centre is continuing with renovations and this month, opened a food hall on its lower level. So far five tenants have opened in the new space, and more will follow as construction continues. 

The food hall is located adjacent to the mall’s ‘Oval Square’ – an atrium area providing natural light to the mall below. This fall, a new Yorkville Avenue mall entrance will direct shoppers into the new food hall, drawing traffic to the mall, while adding an attraction to the neighbourhood. 

New food hall tenants include Toronto-based health-focused Freshii, Kebaberie (gourmet Lebanese food), Pannizza (quick-serve pizza/Panini), The Fresh Tea Shop, and Corner – a new concept by Toronto-based Spoon & Fork, offering Thai cuisine. 

Landlord First Capital Realty is in the process of renovating the 40-year old, 210,000 square foot Yorkville Village mall, which rebranded from its former name ‘Hazelton Lanes’ in December of 2014. The new Yorkville Village is being renovated to reflect a modern, light aesthetic, and it recently saw the addition of new retailers such as Maska Mode and Sarah Pacini, as well as the relocation of luxurious menswear retailer ‘philip’ into a new retail space that some are saying is among the most beautiful in Canada. 

Cadillac Fairview Partners with WE for 1st Retail Store

By
Craig Patterson
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Cadillac Fairview has partnered with youth charity WE and as part of the initiative, the landlord has provided charity with a donated retail space at CF Toronto Eaton Centre — North America’s busiest shopping mall. The new WE store opened to the public yesterday. 

The 500 square foot WE boutique is located on the mall’s second level, next to the busy Dundas TTC subway station entrance. The store features a variety of innovative ME to WE products that “empower people to change the world with their everyday consumer choices”. Every ME to WE product provides life-changing gifts to children or families in WE Charity partner communities, from school supplies to scholarships to health care to alternative income opportunities. 

A variety of unique and gift-able products are in the store, including Rafiki Bracelets which retail for about $10 each, with proceeds going to those in need. Eight-digit tracking codes allow purchasers to see exactly where their money is being put to use, ensuring that customers know that they’re making a difference with their purchases. Some products are in collaboration with other companies (such as Fossil and David’s Tea) while others are one-of-a-kind handmade. The store also acts as an innovative ‘community space’, with digital features such as a ‘pledge screen’ where shoppers can tap to give the gift of fresh water to a community, for example. 

Although there’s currently only one WE retail store in Canada, Cadillac Fairview’s charitable initiative extends to all of its mall properties, including providing scholarships to WE’s take action camps. Earlier this year, Cadillac Fairview announced its new youth-focused philanthropy strategy, including $500,000 in donations to 14 local charities across Canada, and the partnership with WE is an integral part of the Company’s long-term vision of investing in Canadian youth. 

For more information on WE, visit: www.we.org

Montreal Friday : World’s Largest Addition Elle, and Au Sommet [Photo]

By
Maxime Frechette
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Welcome to Montreal Friday. Every Friday this summer, I will show you what’s new in Montreal, because Montreal is a fun and wonderful city to discover. Here are my two discoveries of the week. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram for previews and as well, lets engage on Twitter with hashtag: #FRIDAYMTL.
 
It’s the end of the month and this Friday, I will follow-up on a previous article as well as show you my favourite product of the month. 

World’s Largest Addition Elle 

In a previous article, I revealed that Reitmans recently secured a three-level 10,800 square foot building at 710 Ste-Catherine Street West. In June, Reitmans refused to confirm which of its brands would take the space. Reitmans confirmed this week what everyone was saying — that its plus-sized brand Addition Elle will move in. It won’t be just a regular location, however: the new store will be the biggest Addition Elle store in the world. Addition Elle recently modernized its clothing design and image, having abandoned the mention of ’14+’ in its name. 

Terrace With a View

Do you remember Au Sommet, which I wrote about on July 26? Place Ville Marie inaugurated the four season exterior terrace on the 44th floor, with a very nice space. The best part is that you have a different view than the one at the observatory. It’s perfect to drink a good glass of champagne at Les Enfant Terribles, with the magnificent view. 

I also got the chance to try a few amuse-bouches while at the event. I tried their mini chorizo pogos and their take on shepherd’s pie, both of which were absolutely excellent. I found myself unable to refuse seconds.

As great as all this was, I would have to say that the real highlight of the evening had to be the sight of the sun setting over Mont Royal and the sky, illuminated in a full pallet of colours, providing a blissful moment when all worries seem to slip away. The experience wouldn’t be complete without a quick trip to the boutique at the ticket desk, where you can take advantage of several great products, all from the region of Montreal.
 
The terrace access is included in the Observatory- #MTLGO ticket price.
Instagram : @ausommetpvm Web : ausommetpvm.com

Favourites of the Month

Dinette ‘’Road Trip’’

I love good food and discovery. Last week, I was invited to the launch of the fifth edition of Dinette Magazine at the Au pied Du Courant pop-up village at the foot of the Jacques Cartier bridge. It gave me the chance to discover these two beautiful gems. If you want to know more about Charlevoix region, with a new vision Dinette N05, then this is perfect for you. 
Instagram : @dinettemagazine  Web : dinettemagazine.com

Shine Vitamin Water

Shine is the newest taste for Vitamin Water, but it’s not just a new flavour. It’s also a collaboration with the community. They worked with local artists to help create motivational works of art to help promote their new watermelon grapefruit flavour. With this new campaign, it is possible to not only bring the Vitamin Water home, but also a poster of each art piece. 
 
Vitamin Water has always been a refreshing drink, and their new watermelon pink grapefruit flavour is no exception. A cool glass of Vitamin Water with a few ice cubes and maybe even a lemon wedge (if you’re feeling fancy) makes for the perfect partner sitting on your balcony taking in the sun and reading a good book, or even by the pool.  
Instagram : @vitaminwatercanada Web : www.vitaminwatercanada.ca

Holt Renfrew Opens Square One Flagship [Photos]

By
Craig Patterson
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Holt Renfrew at Square One Shopping Centre (Image: Craig Patterson)

Holt Renfrew has opened its impressive Janson Goldstein-designed Square One Shopping Centre store in Mississauga. The 130,000 square foot store replaces a smaller unit at Toronto’s CF Sherway Gardens, which closed last Sunday. 

The Square One store is located in the mall’s new ‘luxury wing’ which opened in March of this year. Luxury menswear retailer Harry Rosen also anchors the wing with a 20,000 square foot store, and Salvatore Ferragamo opens its latest location in the wing today as well.  

The Square One store is located in the mall’s new ‘luxury wing’ which opened in March of this year. Luxury menswear retailer Harry Rosen also anchors the wing with a 20,000 square foot store, and Salvatore Ferragamo opens its latest location in the wing today as well.  

The Mississauga Holt’s store’s two-story facade features a glass curtain wall interspersed with grey graphite stone and 15-foot wide display windows. Its interior features soaring ceilings up to 30 feet in height, atriums, an open staircase, natural light, and unobstructed sight-lines across the store’s 90,000 square foot main floor. The entire space is dramatic and unlike any other store in Canada. 

The store features a roster of designer brands, including a number of shop-in-stores, some of which have yet to open. In women’s handbags, a Longchamp boutique is open and opening soon/this fall will be accessory shop-in-stores for Valentino, Gucci, Kenzo, Balenciaga and others. A large Tiffany & Co. concession neighbours the store’s impressive jewellery department. The women’s shoe department is large and also features a number of shop-in-stores — Manolo Blahnik, Ferragamo, Stuart Weitzman and Jimmy Choo are already open, and footwear boutiques for Valentino and Aquazzura are on the way. The women’s department features a number of brands ranging from pricey (Chloe/Jason Wu) to the more modest, and a collection of shop-in-stores for Hugo Boss Woman, Max Mara Studio and Eileen Fisher anchor the perimeter of the space. Menswear and men’s shoes departments are both very impressive with a variety of designers housed in an environment featuring ample natural light and soaring ceilings. Overall, the environment is bright, airy, high-quality and luxurious — the fixtures and finishes in the store are exceptional. 

The store features some impressive services, including a master tailor, shoeshine and sneaker cleaning, concierge, valet and more. The store’s ‘Leather Artisan’ is a resident expert who “elevates the customer experiences with bespoke embossing details on any leather accessory and offers full-service repair”, according to Holt’s. The store also features an impressive jewellery and watch service area, under the guidance of certified watchmakers. 

More than 2,500 square feet on the Square One store’s mezzanine level is dedicated to personal shopping, including Holt Renfrew’s second ‘Apartment’ — its private luxury shopping suite. Also located on the second level, overlooking the store, is a 2,000 square foot Holt’s Café. Neither of these were available to view with the opening of the store, but will be coming soon. 

Square One is now the company’s fourth-largest store, following Holt’s 185,000 square foot Bloor Street flagship, its 147,000 square foot Calgary store, and its 146,000 square foot Vancouver flagship. Towards the end of the decade, Holt’s will open a combined Ogilvy/Holt Renfrew store in Montreal measuring 220,000 square feet, and its Bloor Street and Vancouver flagships will also see considerable expansions (Vancouver will grow to almost 188,000 square feet when finished early next year).

RioCan Commences Leasing Yonge-Eglinton E-Condos Retail Podium

By
Craig Patterson
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RioCan’s newest commercial development at the northeast corner of Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue is now leasing space to retailers. The retail podium is at the base of the ‘E-Condos’ development, where RioCan has partnered with developers Bazis and Metropia on the 850-unit, twin-tower residential project. 

The high-traffic location is exceptional and will only get busier, according to RioCan leasing manager Oren Rubin. The Yonge and Eglinton intersection has the second-highest pedestrian footfall of any in the city, as well as considerable motor vehicle and subway traffic. Subway riders, in particular, are expected to increase with the opening of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, according to Mr. Rubin, which is expected to be operational in about five years. 

The commercial component of E-Condos includes three levels. The ground level, accessed off of both Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue East, features three retail spaces anchored by a large TD Bank – the podium’s first confirmed retail tenant. Other retail spaces include an 850 square foot space with lobby and Eglinton Avenue frontage, as well as a smaller 338 square foot space with Eglinton Avenue access as well as frontage to an office lobby (see plan below). Both spaces will see considerable visibility as well as pedestrian traffic via escalators leading down to the TTC subway station below. 

The concourse retail level features spaces for about seven retailers (space is customizable), which will see considerable pedestrian traffic from those accessing the subway, office tower, and the residential towers above. Hordes of people are expected to access this level on the way to-and-from the subway once the new entrances and escalators are operational. 

A second-level retail component is also available with multiple spaces, which will be accessed from ground-floor elevators. Both retailers and office tenants are being considered for these spaces, which will feature considerable natural light from large south and west-facing windows. 

For more information on leasing at E-Condos in Toronto, contact Oren Rubin at: orubin@riocan.com or by phone:  647.258.5124

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