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Canadian Retail Sales Gaining Strength (Despite What You May Have Heard)

By
Ed Strapagiel
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By Ed Strapagiel

The latest reports are that retail sales in Canada declined 0.1% in July 2014 versus June, but this could be misleading. The result is based on Statistics Canada’s seasonally adjusted data, but the seasonal adjustment factors are estimates. For July, the adjustment factor applied was 5.9%, and even a modest misestimate here could significantly change the end result. 

Another way of looking at it is the year-over-year change. July 2014 total retail sales on a not seasonally basis were in fact up 6.6% over July 2013, the highest single month gain in 2½ years. More broadly, for the 3 months ending July total retail was up 5.3% year-over-year, another 2½ year high. Furthermore, the 3-month trend (orange line in the chart above) continues to track above the 12-month trend (green line), indicating increasing retail sales. 

Another positive sign is that the Automotive & Related is now much less dominant as the driver of total retail sales gains. Recent improvements are due to the pick-up in the Food & Drug and Store Merchandise sectors. 

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Food & Drug Stores

Although the numbers are relatively modest, the Food & Drug sector has had sustained retail sales growth in the last few months. The 3-month trend is tracking at a higher level and is pulling up the underlying 12-month trend. 

Health & personal care stores (i.e., drug stores) are strong performers in this sector, with retail sales up 6.8% for the 3 months ending July 2014 versus a year ago. Specialty food stores’ sales are also increasing at an above average pace, but they account for only a small portion of the dollars in Food & Drug. 

Mainstream supermarkets & other grocery stores continue to be one of the slower subsectors in Canadian retail. For the 3 months ending July, year-over-year sales were up 1.3%, well below the overall retail average. This reflects the highly competitive conditions in food retailing. 

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Store Merchandise

Retail sales for the Store Merchandise sector were up 5.3% for the 3 months ending July versus a year ago, equal to the overall retail average and a 4 year high. The 3 month trend (orange line in the chart above) still appears to be improving and is pulling up the underlying 12 month trend (green line). 

A number of store types are contributing to the improving sales in Store Merchandise. Above average 3-month gains were recorded by other general merchandise stores, sporting goods, hobby, book & music stores, home furnishings stores, and shoe stores. 

On the other hand, electronics & appliance stores gained only 0.3% in July, and were down 0.8% on a 3-month basis. Sales at miscellaneous store retailers also declined. 

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Retail sales for the Automotive & Related sector have settled down and the underlying 12 month trend has been flat for several months. Nevertheless, this is still at a level above the overall retail average. 

Gasoline stations have had above average retail sales gains for most of the year. In July however, this cooled off to a 4.8% year-over-year gain with moderating pump price increases. 

After a dip in June, new car dealers bounced back with an 11.7% year-over-year sales increase in July. On a 3 month basis, their sales are up 7.4%, which is about the range they’ve been in since early 2013. 

The other motor vehicle dealers group (e.g., motorcycles, recreational vehicles, etc.) is the only weak spot in this sector, but it accounts for a small portion of total dollars in Automotive & Related. Retail sales declined 2.6% for the 3 months ending July. 

By The Numbers:

For definitions of store types, see Statistics Canada. 

Target low-balls Walmart in Canada: Expert Discussion

By
Retail Insider
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By George Anderson, RetailWire

Canadians have had a lot of problems with Target since it first opened for business in their country in 2013. Aside from out-of-stocks, Canadians have been particularly peeved that Target’s prices in Canada have been higher than in the U.S. Now, however, Target has an independent source to assure consumers up north that its prices are not only in line with what Americans pay, but are lower than what Walmart charges.

According to a market basket study of 33 identical national brand products conducted by Kantar Retail, Target Canada’s prices were 3.9 percent lower than Walmart. Customers who paid for these goods with their REDcard would have paid 8.7 percent less than Walmart.

In the company’s second quarter earnings call, Kathee Tesija, Target’s chief merchandising and supply chain officer, said, “While both our own studies and external surveys show that we are already priced very competitively, the team has made decisive changes to ensure we respond even more quickly to pricing dynamics in the Canadian marketplace, including comparison shopping our prices versus competitors on more items more frequently, implementing enhanced tracking of competitor promotions to ensure we react quickly, and implementing a price match policy, which includes online and local competition with a more flexible process for guests.”

Kantar’s findings may not be enough, at least not yet, to convince Canadians of the deals to be had at Target, where Robin Sherk, director of retail insights at Kantar, told the Financial Post, the chain faces an uphill battle.

Target does appear to be making progress in Canada. The chain reported sales had picked up substantially from the first to the second quarter.

DISCUSSION QUESTION: What will it take for Target to convince Canadians who are no longer shopping it its stores that it has fixed its problems? Are you more or less optimistic now than earlier this year that Target can get it right in Canada?

Dick Seesel, Principal, Retailing In Focus LLC: Short-term, it’s an important tactic for Target to advertise its price advantage vs. Walmart, especially when using the REDCard. But this works only as long as Walmart chooses not to respond. History suggests that Walmart will not sit still for very long being beaten on price by somebody else.

Long-term, Target has a branding story to tell that helps differentiate itself from Walmart. It has the same challenge in the U.S. right now, and the new CEO recognizes that less focus on food and consumables will shift the spotlight toward Target’s core strengths. But before any of these steps can be put in place—short-term or long-term—the execution of in-stock rates must continue to improve.

Bill Davis, Director, MB&G Consulting: Much more than a basket of only 33 national brands being priced lower than Walmart. Target could offer a price match, and I am sure they considered that, but they probably decided this wouldn’t be feasible from a business standpoint. I don’t think Target has the chops to get into a price war with Walmart, but we’ll see how this plays out.

Steve Montgomery, President, b2b Solutions, LLC: Old retail strategy—make friends and then make money. Making friends is not possible if you can get them into the store and the universal way of doing that is via pricing. This is especially true if you are perceived as a “value” retailer like Target.

The other part of making friends is not disappointing them. Target did that by having higher prices than customer expected and, perhaps more importantly, having products out of stock. Someone might forgive you if your price is a little higher than anticipated, but when they made a trip to buy items and find that they are not there, that takes a greater degree of forgiveness.

Walmart will likely move to counter Target’s pricing claims but it won’t matter if Target doesn’t fix its out of stock issues. They will have exceeded most of their customers’ forgiveness quotient by making a dual promise they couldn’t fulfill.

Brian Numainville, Principal, The Retail Feedback Group: Competing with Walmart on price isn’t a winning strategy. Focus needs to be more on how Target can differentiate their offering based on their core strengths. Otherwise, Walmart will simply adjust on pricing and Target will once again be at a disadvantage.

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Through a special arrangement, presented above is the discussion from an article originally published on RetailWire. Read the entire RetailWire discussion here: http://www.retailwire.com/discussion/17798/target-low-balls-walmart-in-canada

Saks Fifth Avenue Preparing to Build 1st Canadian Stores

By
Craig Patterson
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Saks Fifth Avenue has commenced preparations to build its first two Canadian locations. Room is being created for its Canadian flagship in Downtown Toronto, and hoarding is up for Saks’ Sherway Gardens store. Both locations are scheduled to open in the spring of 2016. In total, Canada is expected to house seven Saks stores, with Montreal and Vancouver each confirmed for at least one Saks location. Speculation persists that Saks could also open stores in Calgary and Edmonton. 

Saks’ Canadian flagship will occupy an estimated 150,000 square feet within Hudson’s Bay‘s 850,000 square foot Toronto Eaton Centre location. Sources at Hudson’s Bay say that space is being created on the store’s second floor for Saks, currently occupied by menswear. The store’s licensed TopMan department has been relocated and will eventually be housed on the store’s fifth floor, and we’re awaiting further details as to the exact configuration of Saks’ Toronto Eaton Centre flagship. Nordstrom’s 213,000 square foot Toronto Eaton Centre store will open several months after Saks, in the fall of 2016. 

Saks’ Sherway Gardens store will occupy about 132,000 square feet of a former Sears location. Hoarding is already up, as evidenced by the above photo by Toronto Shopkeeper. Other mall anchors include a 223,000 square foot Hudson’s Bay store and a 33,670 square foot Holt Renfrew location. In the spring of 2017, Nordstrom will open a 138,000 square foot Sherway Gardens store, and a mall expansion will eventually see a 40,000+ square foot Sporting Life store join a new flagship 24,000 square foot Harry Rosen menswear store. We’re uncertain if Holt Renfrew will expand its current Sherway Gardens store or exit the mall altogether. Regardless, we don’t expect Holt’s to maintain its Sherway store at its current size, given the retailer’s strategy to operate larger store locations. 

Saks’ Canadian stores are expected to feature sizeable luxury food halls, modelled on those of Harrod’s in London. According to Hudson’s Bay Company CEO Richard Baker, these food halls will measure approximately 25,000 square feet each. 

Saks Fifth Avenue plans to open seven Canadian locations. So far we can confirm these two Toronto stores, and Hudson’s Bay Company representatives have said that Saks will open stores in Montreal and Vancouver. We’re unsure if any other Canadian cities will see Saks locations, though speculation persists that Saks could open in Downtown Calgary, and possibly at West Edmonton Mall. Recently, Richard Baker confirmed that Saks will not open in Ottawa or Quebec City and upon reviewing Winnipeg’s demographics, we doubt Saks will consider a location in Manitoba’s capital city, either. 

Sources reveal that Saks could open two stores in each Montreal and Vancouver. A source at the company says that they expect Saks will open stores in excess of 100,000 square feet within Hudson’s Bay’s downtown Montreal and Vancouver flagships. Speculation continues that Saks could also open at Le Carrefour Laval in suburban Montreal and at Vancouver’s Oakridge Shopping Centre, though neither is confirmed. We’re unaware if talks have progressed for a 120,000 square foot Saks at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre, though Richard Baker confirms talks have taken place with Yorkdale’s landlord, Oxford Properties. 

We’ll update this article when we learn more specific details pertaining to the construction of Toronto’s first Saks Fifth Avenue stores, as well as its other Canadian locations. 

Target Faces Unique Challenges in Quebec

By
Retail Insider
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By Eric Blais

Like many U.S. retailers entering the Canadian market, Target expected that its reputation would precede it. It created hype and high expectations promising Canadians that they would not be offered a Target Lite version of what they’d experienced south of the border.

Creating expectations.

Much of Target’s strategy leading up to its first store opening was therefore predicated on a majority of Canadians being already favourably predisposed to the retailer and eager to finally experience “Tarjay” closer to home.

“No one was more excited about Target entering Canada than the Canadians themselves” according to retail advisor Anthony Karabus quoted in a Fortune article last March. 

Canadians were giddy but what about French Canadians living in Québec?

Findings from a survey of 1,000 Canadian women by Headspace Marketing indicate that Quebeckers were significantly less familiar with Target than Canadians in the rest of Canada when it launched last year. Today, only a quarter (23.7%) of Quebec women have ever shopped at a Target store in the U.S. compared to more than half (54.4%) in the rest of Canada (and as high as 77% in Manitoba and 62% in B.C.).

This might be good news for Target in Québec as the bar was likely not set as high. While Canadians in the ROC were expecting the bright clean stores, wide aisles, trend-right merchandise, great guest service, short checkout lines and unbeatable prices they experienced in the U.S., three in four Quebeckers had never experienced this while shopping in the U.S.. Instead of a Target Lite, Quebeckers may have simply discovered a better Zellers where the lowest price is not always the law on some items.

Adapting Target’s store opening strategy for Québec.

While the Target brand did not have the same level of awareness and familiarity in Québec as it did in the ROC, the retailer opened  its stores in the province by adopting essentially the same formula (translated in French of course) for its launch. It took some steps to speak more directly to Quebeckers through events featuring local celebrity Mitsou posing next to Bullseye – Target’s bull terrier mascot. It leveraged associations with local designers and taste makers like Sakia Thuot. And the retailer ensured it complied with Quebec’s French language laws across its operations.

Failure to exceed expectations.

First impressions are everything. And when you’ve so publicly raised the bar, you better not just meet expectations. You need to delight the folks you’re calling your “guests”. It’s worth noting that Target has had to call its guests “clients” in Québec where the French equivalent – invités – would have been a bit too personal. Our survey reveals that nine in ten Canadian women were guests at a Target store at least once in the past year. This is consistent across the country. 

We asked these women shoppers to rate their overall experience. Despite all the negative publicity about Target’s failed launch in Canada and the public apologies, six in ten Canadian women (61.7%) rate their experience as either good or very good and only 7.3% rate it as bad or very bad. Still, Target appears to have only managed to delight one in five shoppers with 21% rating the experience as very good.

Quebeckers are unsure about Target.

They are less likely than Canadian women in the ROC to rate their experience at Target favourably. 52.1% of Quebec women rate it as good or very good compared to 64.7% in the ROC. Almost one in ten Quebec women rate their experienced as bad or very bad. What is most revealing however is how many Target female shoppers in Québec rate their experience as neither good nor bad. 38.4% in Quebec compared to 28.7% in the ROC. 

With fewer Quebeckers already familiar with the Target experience in the U.S. and a launch strategy that in many ways relied on its reputation preceding it, many Quebeckers may not know what to make of Target at this point. This is both an issue and an opportunity for Target. It’s an issue because if you don’t define your brand, someone else will do it for you. Target needs to be crystal clear about what it stands for and how it’s different from other shopping destinations in Québec. The experience is either neutral or bad for one in two Quebeckers who have shopped at Target. It’s also an opportunity. Quebeckers are more likely to be neutral about a brand they knew less about before it opened its doors, promised much and wasn’t able to deliver fully on its promise. The data suggest that Quebeckers are giving Target the benefit of the doubt despite rating their experience so far not as favourably as Canadians in the ROC.

Giving Target another chance.

We asked Canadian women if they were planning to shop at Target this fall given the retailer’s public pledge to fix its inventory problems and offer more competitive prices. Canadians must be forgiving. 73.7% said they would likely or very likely do so. 67.2% of Quebec women said they would, slightly below the ROC at 75.8%. But the retailer has its work cut out in Quebec where one-third (32.8%) say they are unlikely or very unlikely to shop at Target this fall compared to 24.2% in the ROC.

Creatures of habits

When Target announced its plans for Canada, it boldly declared its objective to change the way Canadians shop. Tony Fisher explained how he was surprised by the “lack of one-stop shopping” in Canada. Target’s strategy was therefore predicated on changing habits and consumers’ mentality. Despite all the talk about adapting to Canadians’ needs, this signalled an intent to “teach” Canadians how to shop at Target for all their needs. Easier said than done. And it’s an even greater challenge in Québec where consumers are generally more brand loyal and set in their ways. Borrowing from President’s Choice slogan, it takes a lot in Québec for a retailer to offer something “worth switching supermarkets for”.

A narrower focus

The one-stop shopping strategy now appears to have been set aside as Target attempts to get back on track. Its new CEO is intent on re-energizing what he calls signature categories such as “design and style”; the fashion, furniture and other products that once gave Target its edge. What’s been described as a focus on the areas guests most commonly associate with the Target experience should help bring greater clarity to the brand and give it cachet.

Our survey asked Canadian women in which department they would likely shop at Target. Clothing and accessories lead with 61.8% saying they would shop in that department. Home decor and everyday items follow with 48.6% and 49.9% respectively. Grocery and beauty get 44.0% and 31.5% respectively. Only 20.4% say they would shop for electronics at Target but that number would likely be higher if men had been surveyed as well. Quebec stands out from the rest of Canada on this front as well. Quebeckers are less likely to consider Target as a destination for clothing and accessories, home decor, groceries and everyday items. The new CEO’s strategy focused on signature categories also makes sense in Québec but converting Quebeckers into loyal Target guests won’t happen overnight. Jean Coutu already caters to their health and beauty care needs. Metro and IGA have stepped up their game to appeal to their inner foodie. And Walmart has built a strong position in a market in which it initially struggled.

Canadians in the ROC were told to “expected more and pay less”. Quebeckers were told something slightly different. They were promised “better” since Target’s slogan in Québec translates into “Find Better. Pay Less.” (Trouvez Mieux. Payez Moins.) Target still has a chance to offer Quebeckers something better but it needs to do much more than what it has done so far to become TarJay to Quebeckers.

Eric Blais is President of Headspace Marketing – a Toronto-based marketing-communications consultancy helping clients build their brands in Québec.

*****The survey was conducted online among 1,000 Canadian women adults residing in the FSA’s of Target stores across Canada between September 8th and 12th, 2014 using ResearchNow’s online panel. Regional quotas were set according to the regional distribution of Canada’s population.*****

List of Luxury Retailers Opening and Expanding in Canada

By
Craig Patterson
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The following is a list of 30 luxury retailers which are either new to Canada, or expanding their operations nationally. Some are confirmed, while others are more speculative. It’s sponsored by Vancouver-based Peregrine, which custom designs and fabricates retail, display, furniture and architectural features for some of the country’s top retailers. 

To have your luxury brand added to this list, email Craig Patterson at: insider@retail-insider.com

STORE NAMELOCATIONS TO OPEN IN CANADANEW OR EXPANDINGESTIMATED # LOCATIONS POST-EXPANSION
Agent ProvocateurToronto (free-standing)ExpandingAt least 1, plus multiple concessions at Holt Renfrew
BerlutiVancouverNew1
Brunello CucinelliToronto (Yorkville)New1 or more – we’re awaiting further details
BulgariToronto (inner core), VancouverExpanding3+, including 1st at Toronto’s Yorkdale
BurberryToronto, Montreal, VancouverExpanding6-7 freestanding, 10 concessions
CartierVancouver (replacement location(s))Expanding3-5+
ChanelVancouver, suburban Toronto?Expanding7+
Christian DiorVancouver, Toronto (Bloor St)New2 freestanding flagships, 5-6 concessions
David YurmanToronto (inner core), VancouverExpanding3+ including 1st at Toronto’s Yorkdale
De BeersToronto (Yorkville)Expanding2 (including Vancouver) + concession at Holts Yorkdale
Fendi CasaTorontoNewAt least 1 is confirmed – article to follow
Giorgio ArmaniTBANewTBA
Jimmy ChooToronto (inner core), VancouverExpanding3+ including 1st at Toronto’s Yorkdale
John VarvatosVancouverExpanding2+ including 1st at Toronto’s Yorkdale
LaduréeToronto (speculated)New1+ anticipated
Max MaraCalgary, Vancouver, MontrealExpanding6 (estimated)
Miu MiuTBAExpanding5+ concessions anticipated
MonclerVancouver, possibly 2nd Toronto storeExpanding2-3+, including 1st at Toronto’s Yorkdale
MontblancTBAExpanding6+
MulberryVancouverExpanding3+ (including 2 Toronto stores)
PradaVancouver, others TBAExpanding2+ freestanding + multiple concessions.
PomellatoVancouver (Pacific Centre)NewAt least one is confirmed – article to follow
Porsche DesignCalgary, Ottawa, Montreal & possibly EdmontonExpandingAs many as 8
Salvatore FerragamoToronto (Yorkville), others TBAExpanding3+ freestanding
Sandro/MajeTBANew3+ freestanding + concessions at Hudson’s Bay
StrellsonToronto, Ottawa, VancouverExpanding4+
TheoryTBANewTBA
VersaceToronto, Montreal, VancouverExpanding4-5
Versace HomeVancouverNew1

Londonderry Mall Commences $130 Million Renovation

By
Craig Patterson
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Edmonton’s Londonderry Mall is undergoing a $130 million renovation that will see an overhauled interior and several new retailers, including a new anchor. Londonderry is the latest mall to see substantial improvements in Alberta’s booming capital city. 

The mall’s common areas, mall entrances, flooring, storefronts, escalators, elevators, washrooms, ceilings and seating areas will be fully renovated. A new full-service dining experience will be added, relocating the mall’s existing food court to the west side of the mall. Interior and exterior lighting will be converted to energy efficient LED, and a state of the art security surveillance system will also be added. The project involves a partnership between MMC Architects and GH+A Design. 

According to mall floor plans, a new 75,000 square foot anchor store will also be added to the mall’s second level. 

Renovations coincide with the completion of Edmonton’s Anthony Henday Drive ring road in 2016. The surrounding area is growing substantially and the mall’s trade area feeds from affluent surrounding communities. Londonderry is the latest Edmonton mall to see substantial renovations, following improvements at Southgate Centre, Kingsway Mall and extensive renovation plans for West Edmonton Mall. 

The 779,000 square foot two-level Londonderry Mall currently houses about 150 retailers and features anchors Hudson’s Bay (118,000 square feet), Army & Navy (60,200 square feet), Save-On-Foods (38,300 square feet), Winners (31,800 square feet) and Shoppers Drug Mart (17,000 square feet). It boasts in excess of 3,500 parking spaces. 

When it opened in 1972, Londonderry was Canada’s largest mall west of Toronto, and the only two-level mall in Western Canada. The 85 store mall was anchored by Eaton’s, The Bay, Woolco, Safeway, and a movie theatre. In 1984, the mall added 65 additional stores and services. 

 

Max Mara Opens Expanded Vancouver Store

By
Craig Patterson
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Italian luxury fashion brand Max Mara‘s Pacific Centre store in Vancouver has more than doubled in size, annexing adjacent retail space formerly occupied by a watch retailer. Vancouver sells more Max Mara clothing than any city in North America, and also has the most Max Mara stores of any city on the continent. 

Max Mara’s former 975 square foot boutique expanded by adding almost 1,200 square feet of a former La Swiss watch store. The new 2,150 square foot location reflects the brand’s updated design by Duccio Grassi Architects. It’s the first Canadian location to feature custom tailoring, and features the Max Mara, Max Mara Elegante, Max Mara Studio, Max Mara Accessories and ‘S Max Mara lines. 

Established in 1951, Max Mara is known for its womenswear as well as accessories and shoes, and has stores around the world. The company also retails other fashion lines including Weekend Max Mara, Sportmax, Sportmax Code, Marella, Pennyblack, iBlues, Max & Co., and Marina Rinaldi, among others. 

Vancouver is North America’s top-selling city for luxury Italian fashion brand Max Mara, even surpassing sales in New York City. Vancouver also has the highest number of Max Mara stores of any North American city, with a sixth location scheduled to open next year.  

Vancouver has three Max Mara stores and two (soon to be three) Weekend by Max Mara stores. Located on Vancouver’s tony South Granville strip, Vancouver’s largest Max Mara store (at 3,850 square feet) boasts North America’s first Max Mara bridal salon. Last year, its Oakridge Centre location relocated to a 2,475 square foot space. Its lower-priced Weekend Max Mara brand currently has two Vancouver locations: a 1,240 square foot Oakridge Centre store and a 2,060 square foot store at Burnaby’s Metropolis at Metrotown. A third Weekend store will open in September of 2015 below Pacific Centre’s Nordstrom store, beside a large new Apple Store. 

Vancouver’s Max Mara stores are franchises owned by Catherine Guadagnuolo, founder and owner of Vestis Fashion Group. We asked Ms. Guadagnuolo why Vancouver does such high sales for Max Mara, and she replied to us that her company puts great effort into working with its customers, and has done so for almost 30 years. Vestis is expanding beyond the Vancouver market, opening two locations in Calgary: a Weekend Max Mara store next month at Chinook Centre, and a Max Mara store in the same mall in October of 2015. 

Max Mara’s only other Canadian store location is at 151 Bloor Street West in Toronto. The company will also open an outlet store next year at the Montreal Premium Outlets. 

 

Inside Canada’s First Nordstrom Store

By
Craig Patterson
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Last night we attended the gala opening of Canada’s first Nordstrom location, and we’ve included some photos in this article. The store is stunning. The Calgary store is only the second in the chain to feature the retailers’s new store design, which other Canadian Nordstrom locations will follow. The Chinook Centre store opens to the public at 9:30 am tomorrow (Friday, September 19). The following is a description of our first impression of Chinook Centre’s Nordstrom, as well as various photos from the gala. 

Overall, the interiors of Calgary’s Nordstrom are brighter and more contemporary than most of its American locations. Smooth white ceilings characterize much of the store, as opposed to the tiled ceilings and tract lighting common in most American Nordstrom locations. Calgary is the retailer’s second location to adopt such contemporary interiors, following the recent opening of a Nordstrom location in suburban Houston, Texas. 

The store’s flooring is primarily tile, as opposed to carpeting which covers much of Nordstrom’s American store locations. Tiled floors allow flexibility to shrink or expand each department with carpeting according to demand. Carpet over the tile can be moved and is held with adhesive.

Footwear features prominently on the store’s ground floor. Prices vary from the affordable to well in excess of $1,000 per pair. 

The women’s handbags department features a wide variety of designers. Along the wall are shops for Burberry, Valentino, and Chloé. Each shop has its own register. 

The store’s top-priced womenswear department, Collectors, features designers such as Missoni, Akris Punto, Michael Kors, and St John Knits. As is the case with most departments, it is open and characterized only by carpeting. 

The store features ample dressing rooms in various departments. Personal shoppers are on hand to assist customers. 

Menswear ranges from the trendy to the professionally conservative. Prices vary. We spied a beautiful Salvatore Ferragamo jacket but decided against the $2,150 purchase price. 

The store features artwork from various Canadian artists, especially around dressing rooms and other common areas. 

The store’s cosmetics department features an open-sell concept. Experts are on hand and, interestingly, are available to assist shoppers for the entire department, not just from one brand. 

The store is far more open than Nordstrom’s US locations. It’s possible to see clear across the store from various departments. 

Nordstrom was founded in 1901 as a shoe store and naturally, its footwear selection is exceptional. We couldn’t resist buying this pair of patent leather dress shoes. They’re from Nordstrom label, Calibrate, and were reasonably priced at at $120. 

The store features an upscale full-service restaurant on its second floor, called Bazille. It features bistro cuisine and a full bar. Fresh salads, speciality entrées, signature cocktails, a wine list and house-made desserts are featured. Calgary is Bazille’s fourth location, and here’s its American menu:  [American Bazille Menu, PDF]

The gala saw over 1,800 people attend, and raising over $180,000 for  the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, as well as the Calgary United Way. Tickets went on sale last summer for $100 each and sold out in exceptional time. The entire cost of the gala was underwritten by Nordstrom, meaning that all proceeds from ticket sales went to these charities. 

Anchoring the north end of Chinook Centre, Calgary’s Nordstrom spans two floors and measures about 140,000 square feet. It replaces part of the mall’s former 172,000 square foot Sears store. 

Nordstrom’s second Canadian location, measuring 157,000 square feet, opens March 6, 2015 at Ottawa’s Rideau Centre. Its 230,000 square foot Vancouver (Pacific Centre) store opens September 18, 2015 and in the fall of 2016, two Toronto stores (Toronto Eaton Centre – 213,000 square feet, Yorkdale Shopping Centre – 191,000 square feet) will open, followed by a third Toronto store (Sherway Gardens – 138,000 square feet) in the spring of 2017. 

Next week we’ll provide a more in-depth description of each Nordstrom store department, following its Friday grand opening. 

Will Holt Renfrew Build a New Store on Bay Street?

By
Craig Patterson
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Submitted plans to rebuild Toronto’s Cumberland Terrace suggest that a 36,754 square foot, three level retail space will connect to the neighbouring Holt Renfrew flagship on Bloor Street. If Holt Renfrew has indeed secured this space, it could be best utilized for a separate men’s store or possibly for a new food concept. 

Oxford Properties recently submitted plans to the City of Toronto’s Planning Department for the new retail podium at Cumberland Terrace, which will be joined by an adjacent 54-storey residential tower. Holt Renfrew’s 185,000 square foot flagship at 50 Bloor Street West sits across the laneway (called Mayfair Mews) from the new Cumberland Terrace. 

According to plans, the 36,754 square foot Cumberland Terrace retail space will include an 8,090 square foot lower level, an 11,894 square foot ground floor, and a 16,779 square foot second level. The lower level and the second level both appear to connect to Holt Renfrew via passages below and above Mayfair Mews. 

If Holt Renfrew has indeed secured this new retail space, it could be best served for one of two purposes. A new 37,000 square foot Holt Renfrew men’s store could feature a Bay Street entrance, and multiple sources say that Holt Renfrew could be working with Eataly to bring its Italian food concept to Canada. The 37,000 square foot Cumberland Terrace space may be too small for Eataly, however, as its Chicago location measures 63,000 square feet and its New York City location measures in excess of 50,000 square feet. 

Holt Renfrew recently revealed plans to expand and renovate its Bloor Street flagship, including the addition of a new facade. This fall, Holt’s will also open a 14,000 square foot men’s store at 100 Bloor Street West, directly across the street from luxury menswear retailer Harry Rosen. Holt Renfrew is in the process of renovating and expanding its store base as it anticipates increased competition from Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom, both opening multiple Canadian locations over the next several years. 

We’ll update you when we learn more on Cumberland Terrace’s new retail component, including whether or not Holt Renfrew has secured this retail space. 

[Link to City of Toronto Cumberland Terrace Application PDF]

Oakville Place Adds Pusateri’s as part of $30 million redevelopment

By
Craig Patterson
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RioCan is investing $30 million into Oakville Place in Oakville, Ontario. Upscale grocery store Pusateri’s will be the mall’s newest anchor, and this will be Pusateri’s fourth store location. The following is from a press release. 

RioCan is set to break ground in June 2015 on the re-development of Oakville Place, led by the addition of a new Pusateri’s Fine Foods. The opening of Pusateri’s is part of a $30 million dollar renovation that RioCan Oakville Place and is scheduled to be complete late 2016. 

Centrally located with visibility from major highways, RioCan Oakville Place is the only enclosed shopping centre in the area. Its attractive architecture, spacious and diverse food court, and desirable merchandise mix are all tailored to attract both frequent locals and visiting tourists. 

Pusateri’s is expected to create approximately 150 jobs and is scheduled to open in time for the holiday season, 2015.

“We are pleased to see that our  recent investments in a thriving centre, with a strong loyal following of shoppers and tenants, has drawn the attention of a high quality retailer such as Pusateri’s” says Edward Sonshine, Chief Executive Officer of RioCan. “Pusateri’s brings their reputation of being one of the finest specialty food shops in the Greater Toronto Area to the retail mix at RioCan Oakville Place. With world-class offerings and superior, knowledgeable service this will certainly be something that the Oakville market will be happy to discover.”

“We are pleased to be expanding Pusateri’s to four stores in Ontario with our newest location at RioCan Oakville Place. This location will be the first Pusateri’s in Oakville and in the West GTA, and the fourth location in Ontario for the Canadian-owned fine foods store,” says Frank Luchetta, President of Pusateri’s Fine Foods. “We travel the world exploring new and distinct culinary experiences to share with customers. It is our unmatched passion for food and commitment to quality that inspires the diverse and exceptional selection of our products, and we are so pleased to be bringing this experience to the Oakville community.”

About Pusateri’s

World-renowned for exceptional products, superior quality, freshness and customer service: Pusateri’s has built an enviable reputation as one of the best fine food shops today. Pusateri’s staff has traveled the globe in search of the unknown, with the determination and desire to share their passion for food.  Family-owned and operated for over 45 years, Pusateri’s remains a one-of-a-kind shopping destination for food enthusiasts. It has three locations in the Toronto area: Yorkville, Avenue Road and Bayview Village and a location opening at RioCan Oakville Place in late 2015.

About RioCan Oakville Place

RioCan Oakville Place is located in the Town of Oakville, at the corner of Trafalgar road and the QEW. The centre boasts attractive architectural features, a spacious food court, a sophisticated shopping experience and a desirable merchandise mix that currently features over 100 key retailers including Hudson’s Bay, SportChek, H&M, Nine West, Mexx, Oliver & Bonacini Café Grill and many more. Visit riocanoakvilleplace.com for more information.

About RioCan

RioCan is Canada’s largest real estate investment trust with a total capitalization of approximately $14.9 billion as at June 30, 2014. It owns and manages Canada’s largest portfolio of shopping centres with ownership interests in a portfolio of 340 retail properties containing approximately 81 million square feet, including 47 grocery anchored and new format retail centres containing 13 million square feet in the United States as at June 30, 2014. RioCan’s portfolio also includes 16 properties under development in Canada. For further information, please refer to RioCan’s website at www.riocan.com.

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