The “WeLoveModainItaly – La Moda Italiana@Toronto” event returned to downtown Toronto again this year and was held on February 13 and 14 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The two-day event connected Italian fashion brands and retailers, and featured several speakers.
Fifteen Italian small-to-medium enterprises in the Italian fashion sector were presented to Canadian fashion buyers, retailers and media. Italian brands attending included Aldo Brué, Andrea Cardone, Brador, Bun Italy, Colva, Double Firenze, Fabio Gavazzi, Landi Fancy, Lisa Conté, Missouri, Musetti-Musetti Cashmere, Paola Dotti, Paquito, Shaft Jeans, and Tosato1928.
An Italian brand vendor meeting at the event. Photo suppliedAn Italian vendor at the event. Photo supplied
On the event’s opening day, a networking breakfast was held at 10am, and an industry presentation session was held from 10:30am to 12-noon. That presentation featured talks from all exhibiting brands as well as Antonio Franceschini of CNA Federmoda Association, and Pietro Goglia of the Italian Trade Agency.
Canadian fashion designer Christopher Bates, and Alberto Scaccioni of Ente Moda Italia, engaged in a panel discussion about Italian manufacturing, the Canadian retail market and more.
Designer Christopher Bates with Vicki Milner, CAFA PresidentChristopher Bates speaks to the crowd. Photo supplied
The opening night concluded with a cocktail party from 6pm to 10pm, and included a DJ and dinner.
On the second day, February 14, from 11am to 12-noon, a presentation session was held featuring all exhibiting brands. Overall feedback from the event is that it was a success.
One of the brands at the event. Photo supplied
E.M.I. (Ente Moda Italia) arranges textile and clothing trade exhibitions overseas to facilitate the global expansion of small and medium-sized Italian businesses into both established and emerging markets worldwide. Established in 1983 as a non-profit venture by Centro di Firenze per la Moda Italiana and SMI Sistema Moda Italia – Federazione Tessile e Moda, E.M.I. collaborates with these entities to also advance the Pitti Immagine trade fairs.
The Italian Trade Agency (ITA) is a governmental organization dedicated to fostering the international growth of Italian enterprises and encouraging foreign investments within Italy. With a global presence spanning 79 offices across 65 countries, including two in Canada situated in Toronto and Montreal, ITA champions the quality of Made in Italy products and offers comprehensive support services such as information dissemination, advisory assistance, and promotional initiatives for both Italian and Canadian firms seeking to forge mutually beneficial business partnerships.
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 three days.
2023 Canadian retail sales ended in a lackluster way, growing only 0.9% YOY for All Stores in December. Discretionary spending decreased in December, decreasing -1.0% YOY for All Stores Less Automotive, Food, and Pharmacies. The year-to-date sales grew in 2023 over 2022 to 2.1% and 0.4% respectively. The economic conditions in December were not ideal considering inflation remained high, and there were numerous layoffs announced at the end of the year.
Regardless of deep Boxing Day sales, consumers were sticking to their budgets. As mentioned last month, Black Friday and Cyber Monday both experienced record sales, with increases of 7.5% and 9.6% YOY respectively. This likely resulted in the majority of consumers completing their planned shopping before Boxing Day, and the needs and wants within their budget had already been acquired.
Image: Lastman’s Bad Boy
Discretionary spending overall took a big hit in December, with various categories decreasing over 2022, and others down throughout the entire year overall, including:
Furniture Stores were down -7.9% YOY and -6.8% YTD as the category struggled throughout 2023. This is likely still related to the COVID-era highs the category experienced while we were spending more time at home. Major players, such as GTA’s Lastman’s Bad Boy have even filed for bankruptcy.
Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book and Music Stores were also down -7.2% YOY and -1.7% YTD, as the category that stood strong through COVID also continues to fall. Warmer weather through the winter is partially to blame, as skiing, skating, etc. have all been much more difficult to do throughout 2023. According to Canadian Tire, this was a contributing factor to their disappointing Q4 results.
Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores were down -7.1% YOY and -2.5% YTD as consumer preferences are clearly changing. This category, which is often popular for gifting, struggled as consumers attempt to lead healthier lifestyles and/or opt for options from Cannabis as an alternative vice. This will certainly be a category to watch over the next couple years, both because of lifestyle changes, but also since there are major changes coming to how the product is able to be sold in Ontario.
Bikes at Walmart Canada (Image: Dustin Fuhs)Image: 2024 Canadian International AutoShow
Last month we discussed the increased revenues in Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers, which continued to be up 5.2% YOY and 6.8% YTD. As the Canadian International AutoShow is currently on in Toronto at the time of writing this article, this category is top of mind. While the average price of a new vehicle in Canada remains high at $67,817, the AutoShow is reporting their third highest attendance in their 50-year history. The increased sales in this category may, however, be slightly misleading. With the average price of a new car rising almost 20% over 2022 in September 2023, this may be merely increased prices rather than increased demand. It may not be consumers shopping for new cars more frequently, but the prices being highly elevated.
2023 was a tumultuous year for retail sales in Canada. The exit of Nordstrom, the numerous layoffs/store closures, and inflation all made the market difficult to predict. 2024 has started similarly to how 2023 ended (in the US), but hopefully there are strong sales on the horizon. As we are now more than half way through the first quarter of 2024, JCWG is thinking about:
Through 2023, JCWG felt like we were seeing/saying the same thing month after month (lower discretionary spend, increased inflation, etc.). Will we continue to experience this status quo through 2024?
What major shifts will we see in the retail industry in Canada if interest rates come down?
With people moving back to cities, and therefore increasing their costs of living in most cases, what effect will this have on discretionary spend? Will smaller towns/suburbs experience sales decreases as a result?
Retail leadership, according to a survey conducted by the Ebeltoft group, is not optimistic about 2024 sales projections. Have smaller retailers been preparing for this to the extent of larger players?
How have YOU prepared for the uncertainties that 2024 brings?
Fairgrounds at Cloverdale Mall (Image: Fairgrounds)
The pickleball and padel craze continues to sweep North America and more and more courts are turning up in different places to meet the burgeoning demand.
For example, Fairgrounds Racket Club has partnered with QuadReal Property Group to open two new club locations, starting with Cloverdale Mall in Etobicoke, which opened February 17 with nine pickleball courts, and at Assembly Park in Vaughan, which opens in the near future.
Drummond Munro
“This partnership couldn’t have come at a better time and really benefits everyone,” said Fairgrounds co-founder Drummond Munro, who grew up playing racquet sports such as competitive badminton, squash and tennis.
“By working with QuadReal, we’re revitalizing unused spaces to become community-building destinations, like Cloverdale and Assembly Park. The whole idea is to make pickleball and padel more accessible to more people and keep up with the growing demand across the country. QuadReal is helping make that a reality.
“We started to see the pickleball craze about six years ago down in the U.S. and year after year it’s become increasingly more popular.”
Fairgrounds at Cloverdale Mall (Image: Fairgrounds)Fairgrounds at Cloverdale Mall (Image: Fairgrounds)
Fairgrounds was founded in 2022 by a team of Canada’s top forward-thinking entrepreneurs that includes Matt Rubinoff, founder of Stackt Market and Munro, co-founder of Superette.
Munro said Fairgrounds democratizes racquet sports by removing the exclusive membership and initiation fees of more traditional clubs. Each public location allows people of all ages and levels to play at an hourly rate with free membership, making pickleball and padel inclusive and available to the entire community. Beyond the courts, the Fairgrounds facilities will include food and beverage options with branded merchandise available for purchase.
“Not only is pickleball entering the cultural conversation, it’s actually more accessible to build. It’s easier to play. More people can play it. It’s not as hard to build as a tennis court,” said Munro.
“This all started with a pop up two summers ago at Yonge and Eglington. And for us we were sort of testing the waters to see if there is demand. We knew pickleball was blowing up in the U.S. but it hadn’t really entered Canada in a meaningful way. And after two months, it was oh we’re onto something here. How do we service this need?”
Fairgrounds at Cloverdale Mall (Image: Fairgrounds)Fairgrounds at Cloverdale Mall (Image: Fairgrounds)Fairgrounds at Cloverdale Mall (Image: Fairgrounds)visitfairgrounds.com (Image: Fairgrounds)Image: Fairgrounds
Munro said the Assembly Park location will have nine pickleball courts and one padel court. That will open at the beginning of March and will be outdoor in a bubble.
“We are working on locations in Calgary, Hamilton, and there’s conversations going in Vancouver, Ottawa, Halifax, that I think we’re going to get open for this year along with a few downtown Toronto locations,” he said.
Munro said the courts can be launched in a number of different locations. The shopping centre also makes a lot of sense as a community hub where mall owners are offering amenities and experiences.
“We’re also looking at where density is. Where can we offer this amenity where people are under-served with public amenities? Really, there’s no specific formula but I think this type of experiential offering in a mall will go a long way,” he added.
“It makes a lot of sense. It checks all the boxes. The human connection. It’s wellness. It’s activity and it’s really easy to play. And I don’t think we’ve had a sport come along that checks all those boxes in a really long time. So I don’t think it’s a fad. I think this growth is going to continue. And the reason we position ourselves as a public racquet club is yes the focus is very much on pickleball right now but we can very easily expand into badminton, padel, outdoor squash, tennis. Besides community rec centres and private clubs, there hasn’t been a lot of opportunities for people to build community around that sport.”
Fairgrounds at Cloverdale Mall (Image: Fairgrounds)
QuadReal, a global real estate management, investment and development company, worked with Fairgrounds to create an immersive, community-focused environment in each location that complements existing community amenities and programming. The partnership also helps revitalize and re-imagine spaces using sustainable development practices, while incorporating the latest technology to enhance the visitor experience, blending physical and digital elements.
“At QuadReal, we are committed to building communities where people want to live, work, shop and grow,” said Aaron Knight, Senior Vice President of Development and lead on the Cloverdale Mall redevelopment project.
“By establishing community focused partnerships, we can provide unique experiences at our buildings and enhance the ways members of the community engage with and connect in our spaces. We are thrilled to be supporting the incredibly popular sports of pickleball and padel alongside Fairgrounds at both Cloverdale Mall and Assembly Park.”
Walmart Canada at Gerrard Square in Toronto (Image: Dustin Fuhs)
The grocery market in Canada has changed a lot. Grocery shoppers have evolved into dedicated bargain hunters, as revealed by a comprehensive survey conducted by Dalhousie University and Caddle. This survey delves into Canadian grocery shopping habits, highlighting a pronounced shift towards discount-driven consumerism, accentuated using technology to secure savings.
The findings provide nuanced insights into the changing landscape of grocery shopping, marked by a 32% increase in shopping frequency since 2018, a strong inclination towards discounts, and the strategic use of food-saving apps. The average Canadian now visits the grocery store 7.20 times a month, up from 5.43 in 2018, signifying a notable change in shopping behaviour.
In the face of economic uncertainties, 62.2% of consumers are willing to switch their primary grocery store for better deals, with 29.8% choosing stores based solely on discount offerings. This discernment extends to expiring products, where a 50% discount would entice 47.3% of shoppers, showcasing a strong preference for substantial savings.
Costco in Edmonton, Alberta (Image: Field Agent Canada)
The Loblaw 50% discount flip-flop earlier this year on expiring foods raised concerns for many. Discounts on expiring or clearance items captivate consumers, with 59.2% actively seeking such deals. The survey reveals that 57.9% of purchases are influenced by familiarity with the product, while 57.2% are swayed by the magnitude of the discount. Flyers, mobile apps, and in-store signage play pivotal roles in alerting consumers to these discounts, with fresh produce and meat products topping the list of most-purchased discounted items. Consumers expect to be incentivized when buying expiring food at the grocery store, with 50% being the preferred benchmark for interest.
The survey also sheds light on the growing use of food-saving apps, such as FlashFood, Food Hero, and Too Good To Go. Despite a 57.6% non-use rate, these apps have garnered overwhelming approval from current users, with 95.1% recommending them. They cater to the desire to save money, with 73.2% citing it as a primary motivation, and contribute to waste reduction, an important consideration for 39.5% of users. Among app users, preferences for discounted items diverge from in-store choices, favouring baked goods, fresh produce, meat, and ready-to-eat items, indicating a distinct market for app-based food rescuing.
Saving food through apps is slowly gaining popularity, but the process still needs refinement. Buying expiring foods online means purchasing based on a picture or a mystery bag filled with potentially unwanted items. Over time, the interface of these apps will need to evolve to become more attractive to consumers who are still unsure.
Interestingly, Canadians view Loblaw, Walmart, Costco, Metro, and Giant Tiger as grocers offering substantial discounts, in that order. Surprisingly, Sobeys, the second-largest grocer, did not make the top 5 in the survey.
Given these findings, grocery retailers need to adapt by emphasizing percentage discounts and loyalty rewards, enhancing promotion visibility through varied channels, and forging proactive partnerships with food-saving apps. Such strategies aim to align with consumer preferences for savings and sustainability, potentially boosting customer loyalty and market share in a competitive industry.
Too Good to Go at Ponesse Foods in St. Lawrence Market in Toronto (Image: Dustin Fuhs)
The modern grocery landscape is marked by a robust appetite for discounts, shaping consumer behaviours and store preferences. The burgeoning popularity of food-saving apps underscores a shifting consumer mindset towards sustainable and cost-effective grocery shopping practices.
In essence, the survey offers a rigorous look into the preferences and behaviours shaping the future of grocery shopping in Canada. Sustained higher food inflation has programmed us to be discount seekers, and that may last a while. As the industry grapples with these trends, the strategic integration of discounts and technology emerges as a key avenue for retailers to meet evolving consumer demands while fostering sustainability.
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.
Flo's Diner at 70 Yorkville (Image: Craig Patterson)
After 33 years the iconic Flo’s family diner in Yorkville is being forced to shut its doors following a leasing dispute with the building’s landlord.
Co-owner Pierre Hamel said the decision to bid farewell on March 31 is “heart wrenching.”
It has been at its current location at 70 Yorkville Avenue for more than 33 years. Flo’s started in February 1991 at another location nearby.
Hamel said a legal dispute with the landlord reached its climax this month when Flo’s was denied the opportunity to extend its lease and not offered a new one.
Flo’s Diner at 70 Yorkville (Image: Craig Patterson)
And Hamel and his co-owner Peter Lau continue to be perplexed by that.
“Unfortunately, this is a question that I don’t understand . . . Maybe he has plans for the building. I don’t know. But right now we’ve been successful. We’re a thriving business. We came out of COVID really, really strong and we would like to stay as long as we can.
“It’s heart wrenching. Flo’s for me and for a lot of my staff is way more than a restaurant. It’s a place where stories are told, people grow. Some of our employees have been here for 30 years with me. My business partner, we started together as two employees 31 years ago. It’s really been an emotional roller coaster. It’s also the home of my employees that have been here for a long time. We have really high retention because my staff is really well treated and they love the place.”
The business has 15 employees who will be looking for work.
“When COVID ended, all the employees came back here except a couple who were part-time. But they all came back because Flo’s is their home. They’re happy here.”
Retail Insider reached out to the landlord but did not receive a response.
Flo’s Diner at 70 Yorkville (Image: Craig Patterson)
Flo’s operates in 2,109 square feet with seating of 87 inside and 47 outside on a patio.
Hamel said the company is looking for new space but that is challenging.
“Right now the area that we are in is in big transformation, meaning that there’s several buildings coming down and coming up. So there are few available places. We haven’t found anything so far,” he said.
The name Flo came from the mother of the original founder of the business years ago.
Hamel said it’s been months since he has had any discussions with the landlord.
“It’s a done deal but we’re hoping that maybe good media press will make him reconsider,” he said.
Flo’s in Yorkville at 10 Bellair Street prior to its relocation to Yorkville Ave in 2000 – (Photo Credit: Chris Wilkie)
Flo’s legacy will be as a place where families, devoted locals, A-list celebrities, and political figures that included mayors, premiers, and even prime ministers, came for breakfast and brunch.
“This legal challenge means we’re losing 15 valued staff members and hundreds of cherished patrons. We’re devastated and hopeful that the landlord will reconsider its decision not to renew our lease,” added Hamel.
Entering Flo’s was like stepping into a scene from a classic film – adorned with checkerboard floors, art deco counters and stools, plush leather-bound booths, and walls decorated with diner memorabilia.
Flo’s was anything but ordinary. With one of the highest staff retention rates in the city, “Once you worked at Flo’s, you stayed at Flo’s,” remarked veteran line cook Suresh, who has been crafting burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches for over a decade.
A perennial breakfast favourite among three generations of food enthusiasts was Flo’s Eggs Benedict, complete with a generous dollop of velvety hollandaise sauce and crispy home fries.
Image: Flo’s Diner
Young or old, everyone felt at home at Flo’s, where babies and young kids were never a bother.
“Our patrons are like family to us, and we are endlessly grateful for the vibrant memories and shared experiences. Each person who dined here was – and still is – part of the Flo’s family,” said Hamel.
In 1988, Hamel made the journey from Quebec City to Toronto with the aim of mastering English.
“I arrived with the goal of improving my English and found myself working as a busboy at 4’D Diner, which later evolved into Flo’s Diner in 1990 under the ownership of Bersani and Carlevale,” he said.
Flo’s Diner in Yorkville at 10 Bellair Street, prior to its relocation in 2000 (Image: Toronto Archives)
In 1994, Hamel became a partner in the renowned brunch spot at 10 Bellair Street. By 2000, Flo’s had relocated to its current location at 70 Yorkville Avenue, featuring a picturesque rooftop patio and lines stretching out the door. Lau became a partner in 2008.
Throughout the years, customers blossomed into friends, with many starting families and sharing life milestones with the owners.
“Just recently, a couple who frequents our diner pointed to one of our patio tables where they had their first date. Now, five years later, they’re expecting their first child. These stories epitomize what Flo’s is all about. It wasn’t just a place of business; it was a sanctuary for gathering, sharing stories, and laughter. We take immense pride in our incredibly loyal patrons,” said Hamel.
Brace for impact: RCC STORE 24 is set to shake up the retail world on May 28-29, 2024.
As Canada’s biggest retail event, RCC STORE 24 merges innovative insights with practical strategies. Hosted by the Retail Council of Canada, the 2024 agenda explores the industry’s most pressing topics, fostering a meeting ground for the brightest minds and influential networking. The event addresses today’s retail challenges and future trends.
The conference will cover a wide range of key themes, including AI applications in retail, sustainability through circular economy practices, global retail perspectives, the future of retail innovation, data privacy in marketing, and mastering adaptive strategies in a rapidly evolving retail landscape.
Highlight sessions and speakers include:
Tomorrow’s Customer: Strategizing for Growth and Community Engagement – Michèle Boudria, President & CEO, McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada: Explore growth strategies and community engagement insights
Turning GenAI Magic into Business Impact – Eric Morris, Managing Director and Head of Retail, Google Canada; Boston Consulting Group: Experience the transformative potential of generative AI in retail to enhance efficiency supercharge personalization.
Inspiring Innovation: European Retail Trends for Retailers in Canada – Diana Dimitian, SVP Managing Director South Europe, North Africa, Levi Strausse & Co.: Gain insights from European retail trends to inspire innovation and maintain strong customer connections in Canada.
Sustainable Strategies Achieving Customer Connection – Maya Colombani, Chief Sustainability & Human Rights Officer, L’Oreal Canada; Derrick Emsley, CEO & Founder, Tentree: Discuss the role of circular economy practices in inspiring innovation and strengthening customer connections.
Designing the Future: Insights from IKEA Canada on Adapting to Change – Selwyn Crittendon, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA Canada: Learn about brand evolution in response to constant change, balancing customer needs with commitment to affordability.
People, Culture and Belonging at Sephora Canada – Thomas Haupt, Country General Manager, Sephora Canada: Explore the dynamics of workplace culture and inclusivity in the retail sector.
Transforming Challenges into Your Future Competitive Advantage – Doug Stephens, Founder, Retail Prophet: Navigate the intersection of challenge, innovation, and disruption to build future competitive advantage.
Maximize Marketing Impact with Data – Jan Kestle, President and Founder, Environics Analytics: Discover ethical and effective ways to use data for brand building and sales enhancement.
Creating Exceptional Experiences – Peter Hughes, National Customer Experience Practice Leader, KPMG Canada, and Holt Renfrew: Investigate strategies for creating customer loyalty building experiences both online and in-store.
Closing Keynote with Canadian Tire Corporation CEO Greg Hicks: Gain insights and future perspectives from the leader of one of Canada’s most iconic retail brands.
RCC STORE 24 is an unmissable opportunity. With Early Bird rates offering savings up to $200 UNTIL MARCH 1, 2024 and a 20% discount on group purchases of 5 or more tickets, now is the time to buy tickets. https://storeconference.ca/buy-tickets/
Join the who is who of retail in Canada at RCC STORE 24 – where retail’s future is both envisioned and brought to life.
It wasn’t in the plan for Teresa Spinelli to take over the family business even though she pretty much grew up in the Italian Centre Shop her father Frank started in Edmonton in 1959.
“I had a brother. So a very traditional Italian family. My brother was going to take over the business. That’s just the way it was because he was the boy,” says Spinelli. “He was very smart. Way smarter than me for sure. That’s just the way it was.
“I was supposed to get married, have a bunch of kids and live happily ever after kind of thing.”
But her brother Pietro died suddenly just before his 33rd birthday in 1996 and a few months later her father was diagnosed with cancer. He died in 2000.
“I worked at the store since I was 13 years old. A cashier. And when I graduated university, trying to find my way, trying to figure out what I was doing, I was working with my dad in the office in accounts receivable, accounts payable, all that kind of stuff,” she says.
“I never had another job.”
Image: Teresa Spinelli
When Spinelli took over the family business in 2001, there was one Italian Centre Shop with $8 million in sales and 30 staff. Today, the chain has 672 people, five stores (three in Edmonton and one each in Sherwood Park and in Calgary) and $113 million in sales.
Spinelli was born and raised in Edmonton. She went to the University of Alberta and graduated with a degree in psychology.
“I wanted to be a social worker. When I did a lot of field placements, I wanted to take everybody home with me. To be an effective social worker, you want to take care of everybody. It was really, really hard. It was always depressing. I wanted to bring everybody home, I cried all the time. I knew it wasn’t for me. I just couldn’t do it. God bless those that can. It’s a hard job,” says Spinelli.
When she initially took over the running of the Italian Centre Shop, it was really tough.
“It was mostly males that worked at our store and most of them had been here longer than me. So they were long-time employees and very loyal to my dad and they thought of me as that little girl that used to play cashier,” says Spinelli. “So taking direction from me, they thought of me as a little kid, and a woman and it was really hard.
“But it was also really hard for me because I really admired them and respected them. There were some tough times.”
Image: Teresa SpinelliFrank and Teresa Spinelli
But Spinelli got through that initial tough time and put into practice all the things she had learned from her father while growing up in the store.
“I think the most important thing I learned was that you have to put in your time. That nothing happens overnight and you have to create loyal relationships. It took a lot of time, a lot of effort. Building those relationships was very, very important to my dad as it is to me whether it was relationships with our customers, our vendors, our team. All of them are equally important,” she says.
“My dad did that very well and I think that I do that pretty well too. My dad was more concerned about what our customers wanted. My dad had a big sign that said customers are always right. I don’t believe that customers are always right. I don’t believe anybody is always right. We all make mistakes. I just want to make sure that we’re all very safe and that we’re all treated respectfully.
“My dad was very much the boss. It was his way or the highway. I’m pretty much bottom up where he was top bottom. He was the boss and what he said went. And I’m the very opposite.”
Frank and Teresa Spinelli
When asked what that first year of running the business was like, Spinelli describes it as “horrible.”
“I had just gotten married. We were trying to start a family. We couldn’t have any kids. My brother died. My father died. My mother was severely depressed. I wasn’t sure I wanted to do this job. It was not something that I thought I would ever do,” she says.
“It was very tough times. A lot of soul searching. Why am I doing this? Was I doing this for my dad? All those kinds of things. So lots of battles with my team. I’d always have to scream and yell a lot. Things weren’t going my way and every time I did make a decision I always had to back it up because everybody would say ‘oh my God your dad wouldn’t do that, what a stupid idea, oh my God that’s not going to work’.
“There were always those doubts. And of course self doubt becomes more self doubt. It was a very difficult time for sure. Very difficult.’
Spinelli had some very big shoes to fill because her father was an amazing human being. Nobody thought she could fill them, especially her. Her father was always around the store for hours each day. Meeting and greeting customers.
Italian Centre Shop Sherwood Park (Image: Italian Centre Shop)
Today, Teresa Spinelli carries on that legacy, spending time with customers in the stores.
“I think it’s important because that’s where you hear what your customers are really looking for or your team,” she says. “Customers will tell me something whether good, bad or negative and I’m able to work on those things. And my team will tell me something that they probably wouldn’t pick up the phone to tell me.
“Life is very different from my office than it is at the floor level.”
Spinelli says being a business owner is a hard job and people who want to become entrepreneurs should think hard on whether they really want to do it. Why do they want to do it?
“I find a lot of people think they’re going to become millionaires overnight. It doesn’t work that way. So a lot of people start a business, they don’t become millionaires overnight and they throw in the towel,” she says. “It takes a long time. A long, long time. You have to put in the time. You have to build those relationships. You have to build the products. All those kinds of things. So it takes a lot of hard work and a lot of sacrifices for sure. You have to be really clear that you’re willing to do that.
“I’ve been very fortunate because my father had a very good business. I already had a good business. I just got the opportunity to make it even better. But he did an amazing job. And so if you start off with nothing, it’s really hard.
“I don’t think I’m ever going to retire. I love my job. I really really love what I do.”
Image: Teresa Spinelli
Spinelli is trying to finalize a second location in Calgary for the store and hopefully a third location in Calgary.
“We feel if Edmonton can do three stores, then Calgary can,” she says. “Calgary is a big challenge because it just doesn’t have as much retail space as Edmonton does. That’s the big struggle.
“We are now looking at a spot in Saskatoon. I’ve always wanted to go to Saskatoon. We think a good spot is coming up for us. And then we’ll see. I get lots of requests for stores in Victoria. I get lots of requests for stores in Grande Prairie.”
As Spinelli reflects back on her business career, she says being the child of an immigrant family was a big difference.
“When immigrants come to Canada with nothing, you watch them work hard every day of their life. You see the struggles that they put in. You see that they put family first. That makes a difference. Things I try to teach my son. Even though you have the money it doesn’t mean you have to spend it,” she says. “And it takes work to make money. Putting family first and putting health first. All those kinds of things are really really important.
“And enjoying life. My dad and mom worked really, really hard but they had good times. They had lots of family over. They went back to Italy. That’s really important that you remember to do that and I think immigrant families exemplify that the best. They come with nothing. They build houses, futures. They leave everything behind. It doesn’t matter if you’re Italian or from Uganda or from Ukraine.”
SMYTHE, a luxury women’s brand based in Toronto, is opening its second standalone store location in Calgary. The brand is recognized for its ready-to-wear fashion, and is evolving to meet consumer needs as it looks to continue to expand.
“We are super excited to be expanding our bricks and mortar in Calgary this week. We chose Calgary because we have a strong customer base there and actually, Alberta is our strongest customer base outside of Ontario where we are from so that is really exciting. We are chasing growth like everyone else is and we do it in a lot of different ways,” says Andrea Lenczner, co-founder of SMYTHE.
SMYTHE Calgary (Image: SMYTHE)
The new store, located in CF Chinook Centre and spanning 1,500 square feet, will offer an extensive assortment of SMYTHE clothing. This includes its latest seasonal offerings as well as SMYTHEHOUSE, the brand’s signature line featuring design updates, fabrics, and colours. The Calgary location is opening on February 23rd, 2024 and Lenczner says they will be hosting a grand opening where guests can explore the new space with treats and refreshments.
“We felt like there was a big hole in the market when Nordstrom Canada left, and so in we go to Chinook. We are very excited to work with a local designer there, Nam Dang Mitchell. She lives in Calgary and she is a designer Christie and I admired for many years. We showed her our Toronto store and we asked her to put her own spin on that and make us a sister store in Calgary, which she has done impeccably and beautifully and we are so thrilled with how it looks.”
Background and expansion
Image: SMYTHE
Launched in 2004, the brand opened its first location in Toronto two years ago, and has plans to expand. While Lenczner was reluctant to provide specific details regarding where or how many locations within the next few years, she said they “have expansion plans throughout North America.” In a past Retail Insider interview, Lenczner mentions interest in expanding standalone locations into areas such as Montreal, New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville markets: “The ideal SMYTHE storefront would be between 1,000 to 1,500 square feet and be located in upscale shopping areas near home furnishing retailers, fitness and cafes,” writes Craig Patterson in his article back in 2022.
The Toronto storefront is located at 1116 Yonge Street and is 1,250 square feet. The location was designed by Ashley Bottom and Tommy Smythe. The inspiration of SMYTHE began when the founders Lenczner and Christie Smythe wanted to create perfect blazers for women. Along with clothing, the brand is also known for accessories such as hats and scarfs, and fragrances which includes a partnership with the brand Fueguia 1833.
The brand is not solely focusing its efforts on store expansions, but is also looking to improve its digital presence and product offerings: “We are looking to grow, build our team, and build infrastructure to meet growth targets. And we also have product expansions always in the works, we are always developing new products.”
As the brand has seen a lot of success with its exclusive collection SMYTHEHOUSE, which is available through the brand’s channels, Lenczner says the brand will continue to grow the collection by listening to what consumers are looking for.
“We are just really growing that business because we have seen such a response to it. It seems to be really resonating with our customers … we are always working on collaborations to bring excitement, newness, and activations to our store and to our customers.”
Consumers can expect a new collection for every season and its collection for Spring 2024 is already out: “It is a seasonal business, there is always a collection … so there is constant newness to the stores.”
Making a difference
SMYTHE has a collaboration with Augden which celebrates the craftsmanship of indigenous incan artists who create each piece by hand using locally-sourced alpaca yarns from the Andes Mountains. Beyond the designs and products, the collaboration empowers women artisans and allows them to support families and their communities. The collaboration provides a step forward in fashion as the brand is not only luxurious, but is also ethically and socially responsible.
SMYTHE’s collections can be found in multi-brand retailers including Holt Renfrew, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Andrew’s, Carriage Trade, Simon’s, and more.
“The store itself is worth a visit, Nam Dang Mitchel from Calgary did an unbelievable job. We are super proud of it.”
