Urban Planet store at 157 Bloor Street West in Toronto on Friday, October 11, 2024. Photo: Craig Patterson
Popular Toronto-based fast-fashion retailer Urban Planet has opened a storefront at 157 Bloor Street West in Toronto, in the space formerly occupied by Club Monaco. Known for offering trendy, affordable fashion, Urban Planet’s presence on Bloor Street represents a temporary shift in the retail landscape of one of Canada’s most prestigious shopping districts.
Parent company YM Inc. is said to have signed a lease for a two-year term for the Bloor Street space, while staff in the store say that Urban Planet will be “open for at least a year”. Signage at the front of the store refers to it as a “pop-up”.
Urban Planet’s product offerings include a wide range of apparel and accessories for men, women, and teens. The brand is known for keeping up with the latest fashion trends at price points that appeal to younger, fashion-conscious consumers.
Urban Planet store at 157 Bloor Street West in Toronto on Friday, October 11, 2024. Photo: Craig Patterson Inside the Urban Planet store at 157 Bloor Street West in Toronto on Friday, October 11, 2024. Photo: Craig Patterson Inside the Urban Planet store at 157 Bloor Street West in Toronto on Friday, October 11, 2024. Photo: Craig Patterson
Urban Planet Opens Amid Luxury Neighbours
Opening a fast-fashion retailer like Urban Planet in such a high-end retail district is notable. The Bloor-Yorkville area is home to some of the world’s top luxury brands, including Bulgari, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Gucci, and many more. With its affordable, trend-focused offerings, Urban Planet presents an intriguing contrast to the upscale retailers nearby.
Urban Planet’s move into Bloor Street West aligns with YM Inc.’s broader strategy of expanding its presence in high-traffic, urban locations. YM Inc., one of Canada’s largest privately-held retail companies, owns and operates several well-known brands, including Stitches, Sirens, Bluenotes, and Urban Behavior. Urban Planet, launched in the early 2000s, has become one of YM Inc.’s leading banners, with over 100 stores across Canada. The brand’s focus on providing trendy fashion at affordable prices has resonated with young consumers nationwide.
Staff at Urban Planet said that the store had been busy on opening day, which was Friday, October 11, 2024.
Inside the Urban Planet store at 157 Bloor Street West in Toronto on Friday, October 11, 2024. Photo: Craig Patterson Inside the Urban Planet store at 157 Bloor Street West in Toronto on Friday, October 11, 2024. Photo: Craig Patterson Inside the Urban Planet store at 157 Bloor Street West in Toronto on Friday, October 11, 2024. Photo: Craig Patterson
Historic Lillian Massey Building Welcomes New Retail
Urban Planet’s new store occupies a notable space in Toronto’s retail history. The store is located in the Lillian Massey Building, a Neoclassical landmark completed in 1912. Designed by architect George Martell Miller, the building originally served as part of the University of Toronto’s Household Science program, funded by Lillian Massey Treble, daughter of prominent businessman Hart Massey. Victoria College owns the building.
The Lillian Massey Building’s elegant Indiana limestone facade, topped with Ionic columns, is a striking backdrop for Urban Planet’s fast-fashion offerings. This historic building has housed prominent retail tenants over the years, including Club Monaco, which occupied the space from 1996 until its closure in 2021, and most recently Brooks Brothers, which operated there from February to May of 2024 before its Canadian parent company filed for bankruptcy.
See more photos of the new Urban Planet at 157 Bloor St. W. in Toronto below.
Inside the Urban Planet store at 157 Bloor Street West in Toronto on Friday, October 11, 2024. Photo: Craig Patterson Inside the Urban Planet store at 157 Bloor Street West in Toronto on Friday, October 11, 2024. Photo: Craig Patterson Inside the Urban Planet store at 157 Bloor Street West in Toronto on Friday, October 11, 2024. Photo: Craig Patterson Inside the Urban Planet store at 157 Bloor Street West in Toronto on Friday, October 11, 2024. Photo: Craig Patterson Inside the Urban Planet store at 157 Bloor Street West in Toronto on Friday, October 11, 2024. Photo: Craig Patterson A friendly customer greets us at the Urban Planet store at 157 Bloor Street West in Toronto on Friday, October 11, 2024. Photo: Craig Patterson
John Paul Interiors, established in 2020 in Toronto’s trend-setting Yorkville neighbourhood, is a boutique interior furnishings showroom specializing in European luxury fashion houses.
Emily Peluso Lopes
Emily Peluso Lopes, the retailer’s CEO and part owner, said the brand’s mission is to help clients rediscover their interior spaces with an exclusive selection of designer furnishings, fabrics, and accessories.
“We focus on high-end luxury goods, mostly for the home, particularly Made in Italy. One of our biggest brands is Missoni Home, we have the largest assortment in North America for Missoni Home. That’s our core,” she said.
“We’re the official Toronto store for Assouline which is a luxury publisher. It’s a family business celebrating its 30th year anniversary but is partially owned by the LVMH Group (Louis Vuitton Group). A new brand for us which is just launching this month is Kartell Home. The brand is an Italian heritage-design focused brand from Italy, which is world renowned in the design community.
“We definitely tailor to interior design firms but also to the end user. We also carry other high end furniture from Italy, like family-owned brands that do customization. We also carry Versace Home.”
Lopes said the brand might be opening a pop-up location for the holiday season but the location has not yet been released.
Its current store location is in a high traffic area in Yorkville.
“We’re in a great location walking distance to Bloor St, ( Mink Mile) where all the high end luxury fashion brands have their flagship stores,” she said.
On its website, the retailer says: “We proudly offer the latest home furnishings from renowned European brands, imported directly from Italy, and inspired by the fashion runways of Paris and Milan.
“Our showroom features collections from iconic brands like Missoni Home, Assouline, Kartell, Versace Home, Alexandra Von Furstenberg, Roberto Cavalli Home, with custom order and design options available. Whether you envision colourful textural chevron fabrics, unique home accessories, or one of a kind custom furniture, we can bring your vision to life.
“We invite you to visit John Paul Interiors to experience the interiors of some of the world’s most iconic home brands.
“At John Paul Interiors, we define fashionably dressing your interiors.”
Ken Otto knows that to have a truly great company, one must lead by example.
“I am committed to being respectful of how we interact as a team and with our guests. I know that we are at our best when we celebrate each other’s uniqueness and provide a safe environment to offer positive feedback and to grow and thrive together,” says the CEO of Redberry Restaurants, which owns and operates almost 200 restaurants under the Burger King, Taco Bell, and Jersey Mike’s brands.
Otto was born in Winnipeg but moved to Mississauga at a young age.
He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Hotel and Food Administration from the University of Guelph.
Ken Otto
“I knew I wanted to study business and my father was in the foodservice industry. He said there was a different type of program at the University of Guelph where you get your commerce degree but you’re going to learn a little bit about hotelling and running restaurants. And here I am in the restaurant business,” says Otto.
“The appeal was simply it was very dynamic. I thought very early on that the study of restaurants and hotels and food, there’s a lot of art and science to it. Hospitality in general. Travel. Hotels. Running restaurants. It just seemed to be way more interesting than maybe other industries. And lo and behold it is more interesting I think because it’s so dynamic and it’s always changing.
“It is a fascinating, dynamic, unpredictable, artful industry.”
Prior to joining Redberry, he worked with several iconic QSR and franchise restaurants (including Boston Pizza, Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s, Montana’s and East Side Mario’s), which provided him with unique insight into what it takes to prosper in the vast Canadian landscape.
“Through my past experiences at Boston Pizza, Swiss Chalet and Harvey’s to name a few, I am able to offer a unique insight into what it takes to prosper in the vast Canadian landscape. I feel successful when people are excited to see the Redberry brand break ground; knowing we will bring quality jobs where people want to go to work each day, and a restaurant that provides consistent, speedy service with a smile. I also feel fulfilled when our employees feel valued and see that their opportunities with our company are truly limitless,” he says.
“Challenge number one (in today’s food industry) is how fast consumers expect their retail industry to change and how do running restaurants keep pace with the expectations of that change,” says Otto. “I compare us to other retail industries . . . In most retail sectors, the pace of change is measured by year and almost by season. And when you look at running Burger King or Taco Bell or running any kind of restaurant, consumers are expecting these industries to be perpetually evolving.
“And that is hard. When you’re evolving your menu, when you’re evolving technology, when you’re evolving your physical plant . . . If guests keep expecting you to change, what does change look like? People will often talk about labour and I get it. Labour’s been hard since I first went to school and that was over 40 years ago. And labour will always be hard. There’s inflation. There’s always going to be inflation. I get all that.
“But the biggest challenge I see in the industry that restaurateurs have to face is just how do I stay relevant in a world that is demanding change, sees change around other things they consume. That’s job number one.”
Otto says he wouldn’t describe himself as a “foodie.” He does enjoy food and he likes retail in general and the art of connecting a brand to consumers.
“What is intriguing and what interests me is that it is an art,” he explains. “And art comes in many forms. There’s high end restaurants and steakhouses and there’s the beauty of a Jersey Mike’s sub sandwich. All of it is great food. No different than a Whopper at Burger King or a Chalupa at Taco Bell. And you’ve got to connect that art with what people are looking for.”
He studies restaurant concepts throughout North America, perpetually reading about hot concepts making their way into the market. Otto tries to figure out why certain concepts work.
Is there a recipe for success in the food industry?
“There is. The first part of the recipe is understanding why guests connect with what you’re offering and staying true to that . . . And then there’s the art of consistency. I think that’s probably the hardest part of our industry and one where a lot of people get wrong. They may make one meal super awesome on Monday at lunch but that meal has to be super awesome seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, a million times a year. And that’s hard,” explains Otto.
“So how do I design my systems and my processes around delivering what the guests want consistently.
“The other thing is the art of hospitality. We call it the hospitality industry. Today, people have very high expectations of how they’re treated, how they’re acknowledged and of course they’re connecting with your brand differently. They could be connecting online, at a kiosk, on an app, in person, at the counter. I think great companies have a very welcoming approach to taking care of you. People want things fast, they want things that have value. But they want it in a way that kind of acknowledges that they came there and they want to feel good about their occasion. At Redberry we teach the importance of a smile. Yes, you have to be fast and your Whopper has to be hot, but you want to serve them with a sense of hospitality. That means a lot to people these days.”
Ken Otto
Otto says he could talk about his leadership style and philosophy for days.
“I’ll tell you what wakes me up in the morning. I do believe I have an opportunity to bring a positive influence to people every day. I think leaders have a very wide reach and I have a responsibility to use that to help people out,” he says. “We have lots of people in our office here. We have 5,000 people that work at Redberry. My attitude matters. Doesn’t mean I have good days and bad days. Doesn’t mean that there are issues to be resolved and problems to fix.
“But all that can be done with a measure of respect and all that can be done with a measure of fairness and optimism . . . I love being curious about our industry and what makes things work. There are in this business a thousand moving parts. If all those parts could be understood, if all those parts could be made a little bit better. I want to teach people the art of curiosity and how that’s fun. You’re learning and you’re challenging yourself when you do that.
“We’re not splitting atoms here. I think we want to have a little bit of fun along the way and enjoy each other’s company. Make your eight or 10 hours in the restaurant or the office, and just make it a good day. I’ve always had great success in that. It brings out the best in people and I really believe it works.”
A small town in Muskoka, Port Carling, has become a thriving hub for female entrepreneurs. Kathyrn McNally, founder of Poppy’s Collection, discusses the community, challenges, and future outlook on not just her brand, but other businesses in the area.
“Almost every single one of these businesses I can see around me are female-owned. We have done a really good job of stopping the trend of huge retailers coming in, and it is a lot of really cool small businesses that are thriving in Port Carling,” says Kathyrn McNally. “Retailers really do support each other. We really believe in Port Carling – if one store is successful, the other stores will also be successful.”
Poppy’s Collection
McNally started Poppy’s Collection after a desire to offer something that was missing in the community – high-quality children’s clothing. The inspiration behind the brand came from witnessing her mother have difficulties finding good clothing options for her nephew.
McNally quickly realized that while the market offered plenty of fast-fashion options, it lacked durable, long-lasting products
Female entrepreneur Kathyrn McNally
“Poppy’s Collection started about ten years ago, I was inspired by seeing my mom shop for my nephew, and we were kind of disappointed in the offerings. A lot of the stores were like big massive retailers, and most of the stuff my mom wanted to buy was made in Europe so you could pass it down kid to kid,” says McNally. “I am the youngest of four children, and I wore hand-me-downs from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, and that is how my mom wanted to shop for my nephew and my nieces.”
Poppy’s Collection carries products for infants, toddlers, children, and women. McNally says she aims to provide children’s apparel that will last from the first child to the last.
After several pop-up shops, McNally says she found the perfect location in Port Carling and opened the store in 2020. The brand carries products for infants, toddlers, children, and women.
“I opened the doors in 2020, which was an interesting year to start a store in Port Carling because it was the height of the pandemic. We opened our doors in June 2020, and we have been here ever since then. We actually bought the building two years ago because it was a really great location for us, and we really wanted to invest in Poppy’s being there for years to come and continue to have great local businesses.”
Women supporting women
McNally says Port Carlings is a thriving hub for female entrepreneurs, with a strong sense of community, mutual respect, and support.
Rather than competition, the female entrepreneurs understand that the success of one business helps others. McNally says retailers rather support each other in various ways including cross-promotion, sharing advice, or participating in joint events. This allows the storefronts to share resources, ideas, and opportunities; ensuring everyone has a fair chance of growth.
Inside Poppy’s Collection
“There was a ladies night in July, so we messaged all the other businesses around us to tell them about it and to ask if we can all stay open later so everyone can benefit from it. If one of us stays open, we all stay open, that way we can attract more people to come into our shops. And so, we were able to organize all the businesses to stay open later that night.”
McNally says they also help each other with joint events and activities, social media promotions by promoting each other’s businesses online, sharing knowledge and resources, providing feedback, collaborating on new initiatives, and having emotional and practical support for working moms.
People often fail to take female entrepreneurs seriously
While the women of Port Carling have built a supportive community, McNally says they still face challenges as female entrepreneurs. One of the main challenges is the biases women face while trying to establish their businesses.
“I think female entrepreneurs suffer from not being taken seriously. I think Port Carling is kind of a haven for small businesses, so we don’t really face that too much here, but I do think female entrepreneurs struggle with not being taken seriously and not having the same access to resources that other entrepreneurs have.”
Other challenges include the responsibility to balance their business with family responsibilities such as taking care of their children.
Joys and challenges
McNally is experiencing the joy and challenges that come with being a new mother.
“I have more of an appreciation of female entrepreneurs who are mothers, because I think it is just harder to do it all and still kind of be the primary parent. My husband is very hands-on and he is a fantastic father, but I will have to stop my work every two hours to pump to feed my baby because she can’t be on formula due to allergies – I don’t think that is something a man would obviously would ever have to balance.”
Other female owned brands on the street mentioned by McNally include Snapdragon, Lemonwood, York & Mason, Imala, and Open Court. “These shops are not just businesses; they are the heart of the community.”
Services going beyond retail
McNally says she evolves her business on what the community is seeking.
“This year, I actually had a focus group of local moms, and I was like, ‘ what do you want Poppy’s to be? What do you wish we didn’t do? What do you want us to do?’” McNally says the insights from this focus group provided her valuable information into what exactly her consumers are looking for, this way, she will be able to stay on-top of new trends and expectations.
McNally also has been offering in-store activities such as designing hats, story times for kids, manicures for moms at the store, and more. The list of activities creates a family-friendly space that allows McNally to serve the community’s needs beyond retail.
Going forward, McNally says she will look for new ways to connect with the community.
“We are not afraid to take risks and we will continue to learn from different experiences,” says McNally. “I think consumers can expect going forward from the brand is more services for the customer. So listening to those people who want somewhere to go with their kids on the weekend and listening to their challenges. So more story times, more events that can really help cater to the community. Consumers can expect us to continue to listen to them about what they need and what they want for future years to come.”
Retail Insider is streamlining its Canadian retail news from around the web to include a handful of top news stories that can be viewed quickly during the day. Here are the top stories from the past 24 hours.
John Elliott store at 83 Yorkville Avenue in Toronto on Wednesday, October 10, 2024. Photo: Craig Patterson
Los Angeles-based luxury brand John Elliott, known for its pricey minimalist apparel, has unexpectedly and suddenly closed its first international flagship store at 83 Yorkville Avenue in Toronto. The store opened in the summer of 2023 in a retail space formerly occupied by Off-White.
As of the evening of Wednesday, October 10, 2024, stock had been removed from the store and John Elliott signage had been removed from the building. Several pieces of mail could be seen on the floor of the store, having been pushed under the main glass entry door. The Toronto store is also no longer listed on John Elliott’s website.
At the same time, a sign on the door blames its closure on a ‘downed computer system’, while on Google the store is listed as being ‘temporarily closed’.
Sign on the front door of the John Elliott store at 83 Yorkville Avenue in Toronto on Wednesday, October 10, 2024. Photo: Craig Patterson John Elliott in Yorkville, September 2023, with signage on the building (Image: Dustin Fuhs)
John Elliott’s Brief Toronto Presence
Spanning 2,407 square feet, the Yorkville flagship was designed by architect Stephan Wiemer, following John Elliott’s signature minimalist aesthetic. The store was intended to be a key addition to Toronto’s luxury retail scene, offering a full range of the brand’s high-quality pieces, including Japanese denim, artisanal leather goods, and Italian-produced footwear.
The store’s clean, modern design featured natural elements such as bamboo plants and stone accents, aiming to create a serene and upscale shopping environment.
Looking inside the former John Elliott store at 83 Yorkville Avenue in Toronto on Wednesday, October 10, 2024. Photo: Craig Patterson Looking inside (zooming in) the former John Elliott store at 83 Yorkville Avenue in Toronto on Wednesday, October 10, 2024. Photo: Craig Patterson
Neighbouring High End Retail
The immediate area has seen a transformation over the past eight years. Since 2016, luxury brands have opened in the immediate area including Christian Louboutin, Chanel, Brunello Cucinelli, Stone Island and Balenciaga. In 2023, luxury resale store Mine & Yours opened two doors down from John Eliott, and earlier that year US-based Reformation opened its Canadian flagship next door.
John Elliott continues to operate four stores in the United States, in Los Angeles, New York City, Miami, and Aspen. It appears that a second store in New York City closed since Retail Insider reported on John Eliott’s Toronto opening last year.
In Canada, John Elliott fashions continue to be carried in retailers such as Holt Renfrew, SSENSE, Kith in Toronto, and Roden Gray in Vancouver.
Mail piling up at the former John Elliott store at 83 Yorkville Avenue in Toronto on Wednesday, October 10, 2024. Photo: Craig Patterson
Vancouver-based Aritzia Inc. has reported its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2025, showing strong growth in revenue and profitability.
Net revenue for the quarter reached C$615.7 million, a 15.3% increase from the same period last year, driven by growth in the U.S. and a successful fall product launch. However, the company issued a cautious forecast for the rest of the year, anticipating a softer performance in its Canadian market.
U.S. Growth Drives Q2 Results
Aritzia’s performance in the U.S. was a standout in the second quarter. Net revenue in the U.S. rose by 23.9% to C$345.4 million, accounting for more than half of the company’s total revenue. The growth was primarily fuelled by the opening of new stores and significant gains in e-commerce. Aritzia’s e-commerce revenue increased by 10.4% to C$190 million, while retail revenue saw a larger 17.6% increase to C$425.6 million. The strong demand for its fall catalog and a well-executed digital marketing strategy helped boost sales across both channels.
“Although we’re navigating a softer consumer environment in Canada, we’re pleased with the positive client response to our fall launch on both sides of the border,” said Jennifer Wong, Aritzia’s Chief Executive Officer, in a statement.
Aritzia at Vaughan Mills, photo provided by Vaughan Mills.
Profitability and Margin Improvements in Q2 2025
Aritzia’s profitability saw a significant boost in Q2 2025. The company reported a net income of C$18.2 million, reversing a loss of C$6 million in the same quarter last year. Earnings per diluted share rose to 16 cents, compared to a 5-cent loss per share last year. Gross profit margin improved by 520 basis points, reaching 40.2%, up from 35% in Q2 2024. This was largely due to reduced markdowns, inventory management improvements, and lower warehousing costs.
Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter surged by 160.7%, reaching C$55.2 million, or 9.0% of net revenue. These results reflect Aritzia’s efforts to control costs while continuing to expand both its physical retail presence and online capabilities.
A-OK at Aritzia Fairview (Image: Aritzia)
Cautious Outlook for Full-Year Fiscal 2025
Despite the strong second-quarter results, Aritzia issued a more cautious outlook for the remainder of fiscal 2025. The company expects third-quarter sales to be between C$675 million and C$700 million, falling below analyst expectations. Full-year revenue guidance was also revised downward, suggesting slower growth ahead as Aritzia faces a more challenging retail environment in Canada.
Looking ahead, Aritzia plans to continue its U.S. expansion, with 12 to 13 new stores expected to open by the end of fiscal 2025. The company is also focused on enhancing its digital presence, including the upcoming launch of a new and improved website.
British-famed doner shop, I Am Döner, is making its Canadian debut with a brand-new flagship location at the corner of Queen West and Spadina in Toronto on October 17.
Dishing out a reimagined version of the traditional döner kebab, the Toronto outpost will be the award-winning restaurant’s first location in North America. Two additional locations are also confirmed: Yonge/ Sheppard to open in November 2024 and Pickering to open in January 2025, the company said in a news release.
Paul Baron
“Döner kebab is a classic late-night indulgence,” said I Am Döner founder, Chef Paul Baron. “But a really excellent döner—warm flatbread, fragrant meats, creamy garlic sauce dripping everywhere—is so much more than something to scarf down before heading home to bed. And we’re super pumped to bring our famed shop to Canada, a first for North America!”
The company said notorious for gaining popularity in the UK during the 90s Britpop era, crowds would clamour for late-night döners.
“Seeing the potential, Chef Baron took his Michelin-star-kitchen-training to the can’t-resist phenomenon that is the kebab. In 2016, Chef Baron opened the first I Am Döner in Headingley, UK, marking a new chapter in the döner’s 60-year history in British late-night culture. There are now nine locations in total, spread across the UK and Dubai, with the new Toronto shop being the 10th opening,” said the company.
“The kebab shop quickly turned into a local hot spot, as crowds dared venture over even before heading out for the night. With more than 53 fresh and high-quality ingredients in I Am Döner’s nine award-winning kebabs and bowls, every meal walks the fine line between nutrition and mouth-watering indulgence.”
The brand said Canadian franchisees of the first three Canadian locations, Faisal Husnain and Syed Danish, are gearing up for British invasion beyond just döner.
“British-inspired interior design and a full British and Irish playlist (including the Ramones, the Verve, Blur, and other nostalgic favourites) will leave you feeling like you’re pleasantly stuck in an episode of Skins, the Inbetweeners, or cult fave Heartstopp. Just leave your fake British accent behind when you’re singing your rendition of Wonderwall at Buskers’ Corner, their London Underground-inspired stage to showcase new local talent,” it said.
“While the 18+ crowd stays for a kebab with a side of Johnny Rotten impressions, I Am Döner hasn’t forgotten how desperate parents want a cool place to hang, too. “We are opening a family-first restaurant. If the kids are happy, the adults are happy: we’ve got power sockets for iPads, colouring books, a top-notch kids menu, and every meal comes with free seasonal soft-serve ice cream,” said Husnain
Photo: I Am Döner
With its entry into the Canadian market, I Am Döner is thinking outside the takeout box, committing to a focused recycling program and conscious sourcing, with 100% plastic-free packaging and a partnership with Earth Water. As a nod to the döner kebab’s roots and Husnain and Danish’s background, Canadian I Am Döner restaurants will offer a fully halal menu and serve original, fresh beverages with surprise local-twists, added the company
New RONA+ store at Emerald Hills in Sherwood Park, Alberta. Photo: Christa Patterson
RONA inc., one of Canada’s leading home improvement retailers operating and servicing some 425 corporate and affiliated dealer stores, has announced the conversion of 18 stores to the RONA+ banner, including the last 16 Réno-Dépôt stores, the RONA L’Entrepôt Québec store and RONA Home & Garden Winnipeg.
This is an important step for the company, which is turning a page in its history by putting an end to the Réno-Dépôt banner to better position RONA as its sole retail brand across the country, said the retailer in a news release.
J.P. Towner
“It’s an important milestone in our history that we’re celebrating as we make RONA our only coast-to-coast retail banner a strong brand with 85 years of history. I’m extremely proud of the work of our teams, who brilliantly carried out this major milestone for our company. It’s particularly exciting to be part of the expansion of this homegrown brand,” says J.P. Towner, President and CEO of RONA inc.
RONA+ offers new opportunities to improve the way Canadians shop for their construction and home improvement projects by focusing on renovation, expertise, serving PROs, and products at great prices, said the retailer.
The newly converted RONA+ stores are located in the following areas:
Anjou – 10200, rue Renaude-Lapointe, Anjou (QC)
Beauport – 225, av. Joseph Casavant, Québec City (QC)
Sainte-Dorothée – 800, aut. Chomedey, rue Desserte Ouest, Laval (QC)
Vaudreuil – 3010, boul. de la Gare, Vaudreuil-Dorion (QC)
Québec City – 1500, rue Bouvier, Québec City (QC)
Winnipeg – 1333, Sargent Avenue, Winnipeg (MB)
The retailer is one of Canada’s leading home improvement retailers headquartered in Boucherville, Quebec. The network operates or services some 425 corporate and affiliated dealer stores under the RONA+, RONA, and Dick’s Lumber banners. With a long and rich history, the brand has supported Canadians in their home improvement and construction projects since 1939.
Canadian specialty pet retailer Ren’s Pets has partnered with Affirm, the payment network that empowers consumers and helps merchants drive growth, to offer approved customers the option to use Affirm’s flexible, transparent payment options when shopping on the Ren’s website.
Ren’s carries premium food, treats, and toys for your pet’s best life, plus a wide assortment of professional grooming products.
Larissa Wasyliw
“We’re thrilled to bring this payment option to our customers through Affirm,” said Larissa Wasyliw, VP of Ecommerce & Marketing at Ren’s Pets. “Pet parents may find it a good solution for their shopping needs, especially when bringing a new pet home, and our pet professionals will be able to utilize Affirm for their purchases. We’re always looking for ways to bring more value to our customers and providing them with additional payment options is a great way to do so.”
When shopping on the Ren’s website, approved customers can select Affirm at checkout to pay over time in biweekly or monthly payments. They are shown the total cost of their purchase up front and Affirm never charges customers any late or hidden fees, said the retailer.
Yvonne Herrera
“Pets are a beloved member of the household for many families, so we’re proud to partner with Ren’s Pets to offer approved Canadians the option to pay over time with Affirm,” said Yvonne Herrera, Vice President, Sales & Client Success at Affirm. “While life with pets can sometimes be unpredictable, Affirm can help owners take control of their finances so they can focus on helping their pet live its best life.”
“This is an excellent option for our customers,” added Wasyliw. “We’re excited for them to shop on the Ren’s website and be able to use Affirm’s flexible payment options at checkout.”
Source: Ren’s Pets
Ren’s Pets has 60 stores in Ontario and Atlantic Canada plus a best-in-class ecommerce site shipping nationally.
Affirm said its mission is to deliver honest financial products that improve lives.
“By building a new kind of payment network – one based on trust, transparency and putting people first – we empower millions of consumers to spend and save responsibly, and give thousands of businesses the tools to fuel growth. Unlike most credit cards and other pay-over-time options, we show consumers exactly what they will pay up front and never charge any late or hidden fees,” it said.
