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Strellson Plans Substantial Canadian Expansion

By
Craig Patterson
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Upscale Swiss menswear brand Strellson plans to eventually operate several free-standing stores across Canada. We spoke with Strellson Canada President Mark Altow to learn more about Strellson’s ambitious Canadian expansion plans.

Founded in 1984 and owned by Holy Fashion Group (the original owner of German brand Hugo Boss), Strellson is Switzerland’s largest menswear manufacturer. It produces mid-to-high priced dressy and casual menswear, as well as accessories and related products. Its target market is men aged 25 to 40, and it retails in about 40 countries worldwide.

Strellson currently operates two Canadian stores. Its Toronto flagship, which opened in the fall of 2012, will soon expand by 800 square feet to about 2,300 square feet. Strellson’s second Canadian location opened last year at Toronto’s Bayview Village and according to Mr. Altow, the store will soon move to a larger space due to exceptional sales. Strellson’s third free-standing Canadian store will open this fall at the base of Vancouver’s 745 Thurlow tower, alongside Italian luxury brands Versace and Brunello Cucinelli. 

Strellson’s Bayview Village replacement unit will measure over 1,300 square feet, up from its current 1,000 square foot mall location. The new store is strategically located between retailers Pink Tartan and Roots Canada, across the hall from American fashion brand Brooks Brothers. The Vancouver Strellson store will be only slightly smaller than its Bloor Street flagship. Measuring over 2,200 square feet, the Alberni Street-facing boutique will showcase the brand’s new store design, flooded by natural sunlight from the stores ample windows.

Mr. Altow confirmed that in the summer of 2016, Strellson will open two more Canadian locations. One will be located at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre, in the mall’s new wing which will be anchored by Nordstrom. Strellson will also open at Ottawa’s Rideau Centre, in the mall’s expansion which will be anchored by Quebec City-based retailer La Maison Simons.

Longer-term, Mr. Altow said that Strellson is looking at a variety of Canadian markets, seeking retail space on busy streets and in malls in the 1,800 square foot to 2,000 square foot range. He says that cities he’s contemplating for new free-standing stores include Edmonton, Calgary, Montreal and Winnipeg.

Mr. Altow mentioned that Strellson’s free-standing locations are enhancing its wholesale operations by building brand awareness. Not only are sales at free-standing Strellson stores booming, sales at local wholesale accounts are also increasing as Strellson opens in new markets. Mr. Altow explained that men are receptive to the fashion brand and that increased sales are partly due to increasing brand awareness.

Retail partner Hudson’s Bay also currently operates almost 20 Strellson shop-in-stores, all licensed by the brand. One exception is the Yorkdale Shopping Centre Bay location, where Strellson operates a concession. Mr. Altow said that his company is looking to possibly operate more Hudson’s Bay concessions, given its success at Yorkdale. 

Although Strellson currently lacks any free-standing U.S. stores, the brand operates at five (soon to be six) American Lord & Taylor locations. Strellson will launch at Saks Fifth Avenue in the United States this fall, as well as on Saks’ e-commerce site. Strellson is also looking to open free-standing American stores in the near future, in markets such as New York City, Boston and Chicago.

Infographic: How Shoppers Use Mobile Devices in-Store

By
Retail Insider
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Canadian shopper marketing technology startup Linkett created the following infographic, conveying how North American shoppers use mobile devices in-store. Specifically, Linkett has identified what’s engaging today’s shopper in store, what shoppers are doing on their phones, and where shopping behaviour is going. 

Source: Linkett

Luxury Shifts Eastward as Breitling Opens Bloor Street Flagship

By
Craig Patterson
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This month, luxury Swiss timepiece brand Breitling will open its Canadian flagship at 250 Bloor Street East in Toronto. It’s a remarkable move, considering the lack of luxury retail – or any retail for that matter, nearby. Breitling’s new space could act as precedent for other luxury brands seeking Bloor Street retail space and as a best-case scenario, could see Bloor Street’s cachet expand east of Yonge Street.

Founded in Switzerland in 1884, Breitling is particularly known for its precision-made chronometers, which are useful to aviators. Prices can climb well into the thousands, particularly for premium models in precious metals and stones. The company retails in exclusive stores worldwide and also operates free-standing boutiques, with U.S. locations in New York City, Miami, Orlando, and Las Vegas. 

Breitling’s new Bloor Street space will serve customers and vendors in its storefront, with its Canadian offices and repair facilities behind the retail space. Breitling’s current Canadian office, located on nearby Hayden Street, lacks retail space for the public.  

Bloor Street’s luxury retail is typically confined to the stretch of Bloor Street West between Yonge Street and Avenue Road and in particular, luxury brands tend to cluster in the roughly 300 metre/1,000 foot span of between Harry Rosen (at Bellair Street) and the Park Hyatt Hotel (Bloor Street West and Avenue Road). Breitling’s new Bloor Street East location is over 800 metres/2,700 feet east of Harry Rosen, and over 500 metres/1,675 feet east of Yonge Street. Locals generally consider Yonge Street to be the dividing line between upscale Bloor Street West and the more mid-market Bloor Street East. 

After learning of Breitling’s new location by industry insider Paul Amato, we began to question if Bloor Street’s retail cachet could move eastward. We consulted with luxury retail expert and HRC Advisory President Farla Efros, who explained how Toronto currently lacks a ‘Magnificent Mile‘-like stretch of retail (like that in Chicago) and how given its size and wealth, Toronto warrants something similar. She described how some luxury brands have difficulty finding the ‘right’ space along Bloor’s existing (and sometimes struggling) luxury strip and how expanding the strip eastward may provide more opportunities for brands looking to expand in Toronto. 

It may be a number of years, however, before Bloor Street east becomes a bona fide luxury shopping destination. The street currently features mostly mid-market retailers, as well as various redevelopment opportunities. It will be interesting to see if developers, brokers and retailers can work together to expand Bloor Street’s upscale retail eastward and in the process, create an elongated, world-class luxury shopping strip similar to those found in cities such as New York City, London, Paris, Madrid, and Chicago. 

All photos by ‘Greg’. Thank you Paul Amato, Farla Efros and Urban Toronto‘s ACT7 for information pertaining to this article. 

La Cure Gourmande Plans Substantial Canadian Expansion

By
Craig Patterson
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Upscale French biscuit, confectionery and chocolate shop La Cure Gourmande is looking to eventually open as many as 35 stores across Canada, after opening its first North American location in Montreal late last year. We spoke with the company’s Montreal-based franchisee Nazar Najarian, to gain insight into plans to expand the delicious retailer into various locations. 

Founded in Balaruc-Les-Bains, France, in 1989, La Cure Gourmande uses traditional techniques to create a variety of edible sweet and savoury traditional biscuits, Berlandises (fruit pulp candies) Choupettes (old fashioned lollipops), chocolates, caramels, calissons, nougats mixed with strawberry paste or candied orange zest, and chocolate ‘olives’ (roasted almonds covered in dark chocolate). According to its website, “La Cure Gourmande will bring you back to childhood – you’ll feel like you stepped into Hansel and Gretel’s candy house”. Customers can fill tins and pay by weight, or purchase pre-packaged items. 

La Cure Gourmande currently operates almost 50 locations around the world, including two in North America. Its first North American store opened in November of 2014 at Montreal’s Place Montreal Trust and last spring, a New York City location became its second. The company is in the process of setting up a distribution centre in the province of Quebec to serve its expanding Canadian operations. 

Mr. Najarian explained how Montreal acted as the brand’s North American gateway, and how the company is already seeing tremendous success. As part of the brand’s Canadian expansion plans, La Cure Gourmande will first focus on opening more stores in the province of Quebec, then Ontario. A couple of store locations are planned for 2016, according to Mr. Najarian, with six or seven stores planned for Quebec before 2018. Ontario could eventually see 12 to 15 locations, he said, with as many as 30 to 35 Canadian locations planned for the long-term. 

La Cure Gourmande’s store interiors reflect its native Provence, France. Its Montreal store was designed and fixtures supplied from France — to ensure proper design, colour and quality. Store interiors are rustic, featuring ample ochre coloured wood throughout. 

Mr. Najarian explained how the brand is looking to occupy retail space in the 600 square foot to 1,500 square foot range, with an average size of about 1,000 square feet. Smaller locations would typically locate in shopping centres, while larger stores would generally be streetfront. Busy tourist-heavy areas are particularly attractive to the brand, as shoppers tend to “take their time” and “seek new experiences”, according to Mr. Najarian. 

La Cure Gourmande plans to become a world leader in sweets and confectionery within the next 10 to 15 years, according to Mr. Najarian. Many more stores are planned, with a big push into the United States as well as in the Middle-East and Asia. 

Infographic: What Influences Canadian Youth Purchase Decisions?

By
Craig Patterson
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The following infographic, provided by yconic, reveals what factors influence youth purchase decisions in Canada. The most influential source for decision making is a store’s website and notably, Youtube is the most influential social channel. Peer influence is also revealed as a significant influencer, with all factors portrayed below. 

yconic operates Canada’s largest student help platform and youth-focused market research panel. yconic helps brands and agencies better understand and build meaningful connections with youth by offering Market Research and Insights, Digital Marketing and Talent Solutions. For more information, visit we.are.yconic.com

Chopard to Open 1st Canadian Location this Fall

By
Craig Patterson
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Image: Chopard

This fall, Swiss luxury jeweller and timepiece brand Chopard will open its first Canadian location at Toronto’s Sherway Gardens. The jewel box-sized boutique will be adjacent to a flagship location for multi-brand jeweller L’Oro Jewellery, with both stores to open in the mall’s substantial new expansion wing.

Chopard was founded as a watch brand in Sonvilier, Switzerland in 1860 by the then 24 year-old Louis-Ulysse Chopard. The company soon expanded into jewellery and now, Chopard designs and retails accessories such as leathergoods, writing instruments, clocks, eyewear, silk scarves, gifts and fragrances. Prices can climb into the thousands, particularly for its diamond jewellery and watches.

In late September, the 400 square foot Toronto Chopard boutique will open adjacent to the new 2,500 square foot flagship location of multi-brand jeweller L’Oro, within the new $550-million, 210,000 square foot expansion of Sherway Gardens. The same expansion will include replacement locations for menswear retailer Harry Rosen and upscale sports retailer Sporting Life, as well as about 50 new retailers. In early 2016, Saks Fifth Avenue will open in part of the mall’s former Sears space and in the spring of 2017, Nordstrom will open its third Toronto store within the mall.

Chopard (PHOTO: WWW.WATCHPRO.COM)

Chopard also wholesales in a number of prestigious Canadian jewellers including Royal de Versailles in Toronto, Chateau d’Ivoire in Montreal, Siba in Vancouver, GemOro Goldsmith at West Edmonton Mall, as well as L’Oro’s existing boutiques at Vaughan Mills and in Markham, Ontario. In the United States, Chopard operates five free-standing boutiques in New York City, Bal Harbour FL, Costa Mesa CA, Las Vegas, and at San Francisco International Airport. It also retails at upscale jewellers as well as in selected Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue stores.

More luxury brands for Toronto’s Sherway Gardens will be announced in the coming weeks.

Thank you Brian Winston, head of Toronto-based luxury firm WINSTON Collective, for providing information pertaining to this article.

Saks Fifth Avenue Hiring 365 Positions for 1st Canadian Stores

By
Craig Patterson
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Luxury retailer Saks Fifth Avenue just announced that it is looking to hire 365 full-time and part-time positions for its first Canadian stores, both located in Toronto. The Saks Talent Acquisition national team will be on-site daily at the new Saks Fifth Avenue recruitment centre on the sixth floor of 401 Bay Street (Simpson Tower) in Toronto, beginning August 3 and continuing into January of 2016. Applications can also be submitted to: SaksCanada@s5a.com or www.careersatsaks.com/sakscanada.

Saks is hiring for the following positions: 

  • Men’s and Women’s, designer and contemporary
  • Jewellery
  • Footwear
  • Cosmetics
  • Personal Shopping
  • Marketing
  • Visual Merchandising
  • Visual Stylist
  • Client Services
  • Alterations
  • Asset Protection
  • Greeters, and more

Saks’ first two Canadian stores will open in early 2016. Its Canadian flagship, measuring 150,000 square feet will open within the Hudson’s Bay building at Toronto Eaton Centre, and a second 130,000 square foot Saks will open at Sherway Gardens in suburban Toronto. 

Saks Fifth Avenue confirms that it intends to eventually open stores in Montreal and Vancouver  and as well, a Calgary location is a possibility. Saks also intends to open up to 25 off-price Saks OFF 5TH locations, with its first three locations confirmed to open in the spring of 2016 in Ontario. 

 

Coach Reveals 3 Canadian ‘Next Generation’ Flagships

By
Craig Patterson
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BURRARD STREET LOCATION. PHOTO: COACH

Upscale American fashion brand Coach has renovated three key Canadian flagships with a new look. Coach’s Toronto (131 Bloor Street West), Yorkdale Shopping Centre and Vancouver (755 Burrard Street) locations recently saw overhauls, featuring modern interiors by a world-renowned design firm. 

The new store design was developed by Coach Executive Creative Director Stuart Vevers, in partnership with creative firm Studio Sofield, led by Designer and President William Sofield. Interiors feature contrasting textures, and luxe materials, mirroring the company’s redesigned Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive flagship, which opened in late 2014. 

Interiors consist of iron spot brick pavers, reclaimed heart-pine wood flooring with custom hand-tufted wool carpeting. Powder rooms have Roman brick wall tile and granite flooring. Handbag walls incorporate seasonal artwork as backdrops, and cabinetry is fabricated from natural and ebonized ash, blackened steel, antique bronze and mahogany trim. Mid-century furniture features custom steel and leather counter stools, shoe benches in tufted leather with suede details, pearl lamb shearling upholstery on club chairs, and Pullman cloth fabric on sofas.

BLOOR STREET. PHOTO: COACH
YORKDALE. PHOTO: COACH

The three flagships carry Coach’s ready-to-wear collections — a first for its Canadian locations. Each flagship also features a wide assortment of Coach merchandise for women and men including bags, small leathergoods, footwear, watches, weekend and travel accessories, scarves and jewelry. 

NEW YORKDALE STOREFRONT. PHOTO: COACH
BURRARD STREET. PHOTO: COACH

“As the Coach brand continues on the path of transformation, I wanted to create something different – different for Coach and unique in luxury,” said Coach Executive Creative Director Stuart Vevers. “I believe the new incarnation of the Coach stores that William Sofield and I created will trigger a powerful change in the perception of Coach; it is sophisticated and refined, yet playful and authentic”, he said. 

How E-commerce Changed Canadian Retail

By
Retail Insider
-

By Kate Hiscox

According to a 2015 study conducted by Accenture, consumers feel the in-store experience needs the most improving when it comes to retail. The retail experience has become fragmented over multiple channels with inconsistent pricing and experiences. From the same study, 30% of retailers indicated the seamless shopping experience needs the most improving – that is, the same experience when making purchases online, from a mobile phone, tablet, or in-store. Given that, more and more consumers are turning to online stores for their retail experiences. Brick and mortar stores simply cannot compete with e-commerce.

E-commerce has empowered the consumer with new experiences that need to be integrated into stores. In the past 10 years, one of the biggest changes to retailers is Amazon. Amazon has effectively changed consumer behaviour through intelligent recommendations, one-click checkout, rapid shipping, and an end-to-end experience that in-store simply cannot provide. Additionally, e-commerce allows busy consumers to do this from the comfort of their own home.

Retailers are faced with declining interest in brick and mortar stores and an uptake in e-commerce. Last year, electronics retailer Best Buy, felt the ramification of such and closed 131 of their Future Shop stores across Canada citing more and more consumers are taking the retail experience online. Similar results were announced in 2015 for other chains closing stores including RadioShack, Target, Gap, and many others. Brick and mortar stores are challenged to compete with online stores that provide a seamless and ubiquitous experience across multiple channels.

While the trend for retailers to take to online has been prevalent over the past years, many online retailers have subsequently gone from “clicks to bricks”. Retail-insider.com previously covered Frank & Oak opening physical stores across Canada, but clothing retailer Frank & Oak is not the only online store making a physical presence. Warby Parker and Clearly Contacts are two other examples of online retailers moving from clicks to bricks with their own stores across North America.

Retail is rapidly changing. E-commerce has acted as a disruptive technology into the retail space forcing retailers to consider how they acquire their customers. Subsequently, online stores are faced with the challenge of competing in both an online and offline space. As e-commerce and physical retailers find equilibrium between the two spaces, expect to continue to see more closures from physical retailers and more openings of physical stores from previously online exclusive brands.

About the Author

Kate Hiscox has over 15 years of experience working in e-commerce. Both of the e-commerce stores she founded had been acquired, with her first e-commerce acquired in 2006 for $1.2 million USD. Kate is one of five children; all entrepreneurs with their own company. She is a serial entrepreneur and the CEO of Venzee, a rapidly growing SaaS platform based in Vancouver and accelerated by 500 Startups. Venzee replaces spreadsheets with real-time integration for SMB and enterprise customers in the retail industry.

 

Saks Fifth Avenue to Feature Upscale New Restaurant Concepts in Canadian Stores

By
Craig Patterson
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SAKS FIFTH AVENUE QUEEN STREET (RENDERING: HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY)

Saks Fifth Avenue‘s Canadian stores will feature upscale restaurants, with one dining option spanning an impressive three floors. Saks Fifth Avenue’s first two Canadian stores open in early 2016, with as many as seven planned for this country over the next several years. 

According to City of Toronto planning applications, Toronto-based restauranteur Oliver & Bonacini will operate restaurants in both the 150,000 square foot downtown Toronto Eaton Centre Saks flagship, as well as in the 132,000 square foot suburban Sherway Gardens Saks location. 

Image: City of Toronto Building Application

According to the application above, Olivier & Bonacini will operate a three-level restaurant space at the downtown Toronto Saks, spanning the store’s basement level, ground floor and second level. Saks’ basement will also feature a Pusateri’s Fine Foods-operated grocery floor, which will look similar to the rendering below. Saks’ ground level will include leathergoods, handbags, accessories and cosmetics, while Saks second-level will feature Saks’ men’s store. 

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE FOOD HALL. RENDERING: HUDSON’S BAY COMPANY

According to another planning application, Oliver & Bonacini will also operate restaurant space at Sherway Gardens’ Saks location. According to the application, the Sherway restaurant will seat in excess of 30 patrons. 

Image: City of Toronto Building Application

Saks’ parent Hudson’s Bay Company has an established relationship with Oliver & Bonacini, the latter operating several food concepts within existing Hudson’s Bay stores. Oliver & Bonacini also operates some of Toronto’s finest restaurants, under nameplates Canoe, Auberge du Pommier, Jump, Luma, Biff’s Bistro, Bannock (connected to the Eaton Centre Hudson’s Bay), O&B Café Grill and O&B Canteen. The company was founded in 1993 by Peter Oliver and chef Michael Bonacini. 

Saks Fifth Avenue plans to open as many as seven Canadian locations over the next several years. The company has confirmed intentions to open locations in Vancouver and Montreal, and it may also open a location in Calgary, according to sources at Saks. 

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