Craig and Suzanne Sears, CEO and founder of Luxury Careers Canada, discuss Ontario’s salary disclosure legislation. Suzanne provides valuable insights into the origins of this legislation, its initial cancellation by the Ford government, and its recent revival. The conversation delves into the legislation’s primary intent – addressing the gender pay gap and fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the retail sector.
The discussion further explores the potential repercussions for retailers, who may now be compelled to disclose salary ranges in job postings. Suzanne highlights the concerns within the industry, including the possibility of companies exploiting broad pay bands to avoid transparency. Craig raises the question of whether this move towards salary disclosure will indeed lead to increased costs for retailers and a necessary adjustment in employee compensation.
Shifting gears, the conversation touches on a fascinating trend in the employment landscape – the return of baby boomers to part-time retail positions. Suzanne sheds light on how this demographic, driven by the need for supplemental income amid rising costs of living, is becoming an untapped talent pool for retailers. The duo discusses the advantages and challenges associated with hiring older individuals, emphasizing the potential benefits for both employers and experienced part-time workers.
The Interview Series audio podcasts by Retail Insider Canada are available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Also check out our The Weekly audio podcast where Craig and Lee discuss popular content published on Retail Insider which is part of the The Retail Insider Podcast Network.
Drop us a line at Craig@Retail-Insider.com. You can also rate us in Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show!
Background Music Credit: Hard Boiled Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Entrepreneur Justin Louis has launched his first SECTION 35 retail store in Chilliwack, B.C.
Justin Jacob Louis
Louis, Creative Director and Owner of the brand, said the first physical space is about 500 square feet and gives him a smaller scale opportunity to get his foot into a retail location with the goal of expanding to a Vancouver flagship in the future while it can plan and search for the right location.
“The goal is to 100 per cent to open a flagship in Vancouver. The brand has a strong customer base in Chilliwack and gives us an opportunity to serve those customers directly,” he said of the brand.
“We are a streetwear brand based out of Vancouver. We make a wide range of products – hoodies, T-shirts, outerwear, bottoms, headwear. Just about everything. We’ve been in business since 2016.
“We’ve been strictly e-commerce but we do wholesale with places like Foot Locker and some other wholesale accounts. So we do have a small retail presence and we’re hoping to expand that and we’re also looking to expand into our own locations in some key places.”
SECTION 35 in Chilliwack, BC (Image: SECTION 35)
Louis said it’s important to offer physical locations to reach the brand’s customers where they can actually come into a store and interface with the brand – touch the products.
“One of the big things I think misses with wholesale is that we don’t get an opportunity to really share our full offering and our full story. Accounts will only buy certain stuff and sometimes they’re not carrying the whole breadth of what we offer,” said Louis.
“And for me as an artist and a creator, it’s really important that we create a space where we can really showcase everything we do and we’re not constrained to things that major retailers may have in place. So it’s really about telling our full story ourselves and creating a space to do that.”
The Chilliwack store carries SECTION 35 collections and a small, curated footwear offering starting with Saucony and looking to add other brands which compliment the store and brand.
Louis is a member of the Samson Cree Nation and was born and raised in Nipisihkopahk (Samson) on Treaty 6 Territory. He now calls Unceded Stó:lō Territory his home. His work blends the past with the present and finds inspiration in the juxtaposition between these elements. He launched SECTION 35 in 2016 with the intention to use art and fashion to tell his peoples’ stories.
Louis was a finalist for Menswear Designer of the Year at the 2022 Canadian Art and Fashion Awards (“CAFA”) in Toronto. His work has seen features in numerous publications from Vogue to Complex and was included at “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” at the Metropolitan Museum of New York in 2022.
Image: SECTION 35
Image: SECTION 35
SECTION 35 is an Indigenous owned streetwear brand based on the Unceded Territories of the Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
SECTION 35 has been featured in Vogue, Complex and numerous other publications over the last year. In 2022, SECTION 35 had work featured at the Metropolitan Museum of New York’s “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” Exhibition alongside some of biggest designers in America. The brand has shown on numerous runways from Indigenous Fashion Arts in Toronto and most recently Yamaava Fashion Daze in California which was produced by Kelly Cutrone. In February of 2023, the brand attended the prestigious White Milan Trade Show in Milan, Italy during Milan Fashion Week. SECTION 35 has also collaborated with brands such as OxDx out of Phoenix, Arizona to The Hundreds based in Los Angeles, California and just recently launched its first collaboration with Mitchell & Ness alongside powerhouse Salish Artist Debra Sparrow.
“Right now we’re a B.C. brand and we’re starting with this small store but our goal is to open a spot in Vancouver. That would be our next goal because we are a Vancouver-based brand originally. We’ve got a strong following and customer base out there and I think it’s important for us to have a presence out there. That would be the next move for us ideally.
“And then we’d love to have a presence further East. In the Toronto market. And potentially in the Prairies where we have a strong following as well. We’re taking our time. We’re not rushing into this and so this Chilliwack location really gives us an opportunity to get our toes wet so to speak with a smaller risk, a lower risk profile, for something in a market where I live and we have a strong following out here. So it’s a chance for us to kind of test the waters and wrap our heads around retail.
“I started designing in 2014 when we founded the brand. There wasn’t a lot of Indigenous-owned streetwear brands. There was none that I was aware of in Canada. They were all in the States. And there was maybe a handful of Indigenous-owned fashion brands in general that I was really aware of. I felt there was a place for it in the market, being Indigenous and being a consumer, I didn’t see a lot out there that really kind of resonated with me from where I come from and from the way we view the world. It really was just kind of the catalyst for me thinking maybe there was an opportunity for me to create something. I felt there was a void in the marketplace for something like this.”
People tend to ‘panic buy’ in times of crisis, which often leads to shortages of essential items. (Shutterstock)
Fear can cause people to behave irrationally in times of uncertainty. During the pandemic, this took the form of panic buying as people flocked to stores to stock up on essential goods. Some even sought to profit off of shortages by price gouging toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
This phenomenon wasn’t just limited to a few countries or communities, either; it was a global occurrence that emptied supermarket shelves and caused significant disruptions in supply chains.
But what drives people to behave in such ways during times of crisis? Is it a basic survival instinct, a herd mentality influenced by social pressures or something more complex?
During the onset of the pandemic, we conducted a study aimed at understanding the complex web of factors that compel us to act or overreact in the face of uncertainty.
Psychological traits of consumers
We examined the following factors in our study: narcissism, psychological entitlement, status consumption, fear of embarrassment, and fear of missing out. Narcissism is a trait characterized by a heightened sense of self-importance and a lack of empathy for others.
Psychological entitlement refers to the belief that one is inherently deserving of special treatment or privileges. Status consumption is the tendency to purchase items that confer social prestige or dominance.
Fear of embarrassment is anxiety about being negatively judged by others. Fear of missing out is the worry over missing out on rewarding experiences that others are taking part in.
Unique types of consumers
Our study identified four distinct consumer groups, each with unique psychological traits that drove their purchasing habits.
1. Egalitarians. Egalitarians displayed low levels of narcissism and psychological entitlement compared to the other groups. They tend to have a more community-oriented and balanced approach to life. They likely have a strong belief in communal responsibility and fairness. Egalitarians are the type of individuals who volunteer at local food banks or participate in community clean-up events.
In terms of purchasing, egalitarians did not hoard as much as other groups. While others might hoard hand sanitizers, for example, an egalitarian might buy just one or two bottles and leave the rest for others in the community.
People stand in an aisle of empty shelves in a supermarket in London in March 2020, amid panic-buying due to the coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
2. Conformists. Conformists are influenced by a moderate fear of missing out and a high fear of embarrassment. Conformists are the type of people who follow dress codes and rarely question authority.
When it comes to purchasing, conformists prioritized items that aligned with public health guidelines, like disposable masks. They are usually the first to buy masks in bulk when a new public health advisory is released.
3. Communal egoists. Communal egoists display moderate levels of narcissism and psychological entitlement. For example, this kind of person might organize a community event, but will insist on being the centre of attention during the event.
This group is particularly interested in food-related items like bottled water and snacks. A communal egoist might stock up on these products, not only for themselves, but with the intention of sharing with their neighbours in an effort to stand out.
4. Agentic egoists. Agentic egoists are characterized by high levels of narcissism and psychological entitlement. For example, an agentic egoist might cut in line because they believe their time is more valuable than others.
In terms of purchasing, agentic egoists are willing to spend more on items that directly benefit them. For instance, they might buy the last three bottles of an expensive, brand-name cough syrup, without considering that others might need it, too.
What this means for consumers
A significant lesson we’ve learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the subsequent global turmoil, is the importance of being ready for the unexpected.
If you’ve ever found yourself filling your shopping cart to the brim in a moment of panic, you’re not alone. But understanding who we are, why we make certain decisions and how we can be more considerate is the first step toward making better consumer choices.
Are you an egalitarian, thinking of the community while only buying what you need? Or perhaps you identify as a conformist, sticking strictly to items advised by health authorities? Recognizing these traits in ourselves can be a wake-up call, encouraging us to shop more responsibly, especially in times of fear and panic.
Understanding our motivations and behaviours as consumers can help us make wiser decisions. (Shutterstock)
What this means for retailers
Understanding the traits of different customer groups isn’t just about boosting profits. It’s a way to guide businesses in serving communities ethically and effectively, especially in times of crisis.
For example, if most of your customers tend to follow the crowd (conformists), consider offering reliable public health information in your stores. If your clientele leans towards fairness (egalitarians), make fair distribution of essential items a core part of your community support strategy.
If you cater to individuals who focus on their self-interest (agentic egoists), think about the long-term impact of promoting high consumption and how to encourage responsible buying. If a large portion of your customers are community-focused (communal egoists), think about setting up ongoing community-sharing programs or donation drives.
As we reflect on the challenges we’ve faced, retailers have an opportunity to plan for a future where their actions benefit not only their business, but society as a whole. Enhancing our self-awareness enables us to handle chaotic circumstances more gracefully and make decisions that are advantageous for everyone in our vicinity.
By Seung Hwan (Mark) Lee, Professor and Associate Dean of Engagement & Inclusion, Ted Rogers School of Management, Toronto Metropolitan University and Omar H. Fares, Lecturer in the Ted Rogers School of Retail Management, Toronto Metropolitan University.
The four-level commercial building at 202 Queen Street West is for sale and has seen a significant price reduction. The building, housing Ontario’s first legal cannabis store, is asking $5 million, considerably less than its appraised value of $6.6 million.
202 Queen is located on a busy stretch of Queen Street West, about a block west of University Avenue, Osgoode TTC subway station and the Financial District. This particular stretch of Queen Street has seen various redevelopments, and is lined by a mix of local, national and international retailers.
202 Queen Street West in Toronto. Photo supplied202 Queen Street West in Toronto. Photo suppliedInside the retail space at 202 Queen Street West in Toronto. Photo supplied
The total above-ground area of 202 Queen Street West building is 4,647 square feet, which includes a two-level retail area of 3,098 square feet and a third-level 1,549 square foot flex space that can be used for an office, apartment or other use. There’s an additional 800 square foot basement level. The building’s lot spans 20.16 feet on Queen Street and is 102 feet deep, with rear access onto Renfrew Place. There is parking at the rear of the building that it protected by gates.
Third floor office/apartment on the third floor of 202 Queen Street West in Toronto. Photo suppliedLuxurious bathroom in the office/apartment on the third floor of 202 Queen Street West in Toronto. Photo supplied
Prior to securing a permanent retail tenant, 202 Queen was home to numerous lucrative pop-up activations and prior to that, hat retailer New Era’s Canadian flagship occupied the building.
For more information and to contact the owner of 202 Queen Street West, you may contact Joseph Gatto, Sales Representative at Chestnut Park Realty, at: ggatto@chestnutpark.com or 416-723-6081.
The building also has a website that includes more photos and a Matterport 3D tour: www.202queen.ca
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.
Grand Opening of Lastman's Bad Boy in Ancaster, Ontario in 2019. PHOTO: Lastman's Bad Boy (Facebook)
Liquidation of inventory is proceeding for iconic Canadian retailer Bad Boy Furniture.
Infinity Asset Solutions has been appointed to oversee the total liquidation of Bad Boy’s entire $25-million inventory.
KSV Restructuring Inc. is the proposal trustee for Bad Boy Furniture. The decision to hold the liquidation sale is part of Bad Boy Furniture’s strategic restructuring plan providing customers with a unique chance to enjoy extensive savings on a wide range of brand name furniture, electronics and home decor items, said officials in a news release.
Blayne Lastman at Bad Boy in 2018. Photo: Lastman’s Bad Boy Twitter.
Man who minds the store while Mel (Bad Boy) Lastman is away being mayor of North York in 1973, is brother Allen, vice-president and chief financial officer of Bad Boy Appliances and Furniture Ltd. Photo: Toronto Public Library Digital Archives.
“The story of ‘Bad Boy’ began in 1953 with Mel Lastman, a flamboyant Toronto appliance salesman who went on to become mayor of Toronto. That year, his future wife, Marilyn, got her husband a salesman job at an appliance store in Toronto. A year later, he purchased the ‘Heather Hill Appliance’ store. With advice from a friend in marketing, 1955 saw the birth of the first Bad Boy store. By 1990, Bad Boy had a chain of over 40 stores. In 1991, Mel’s son Blayne revitalized the image of stores including the now famous slogan: “noooobody”! Mel died in 2021. Now, his legacy of stores is closing forever,” according to the release.
Officials said the liquidation marks a significant opportunity for consumers to acquire high-quality furniture and home goods at unprecedented price cuts. Discounts will start at 20 per cent to 50 per cent off the lowest marked price storewide. These massive discounts include a diverse selection of furniture, including sofas, bedroom sets, dining tables, mattresses, electronics and more.
“This is an excellent opportunity for consumers to enhance their living spaces with stylish and functional furnishings. All sales are for a limited time only and consumers are encouraged to shop early for the very best selection,” said the news release.
“Infinity Asset Solutions is known for its expertise in asset dispositions, ensuring a seamless and organized shopping experience for all Bad Boy customers. Bad Boys knowledgeable staff will be on hand to assist with any inquiries and provide guidance throughout the sale.”
Court Approved Liquidation Announcement from Bad Boy Website on November 22, 2023. Photo: Bad Boy Website.
Bad Boy Showroom. Photo: Blue Link ERP.
Documents filed November 9 to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) in Bankruptcy and Insolvency said:
“The Company is significantly in arrears to many of its vendors, including substantially all appliance vendors. The Company is also in arrears to most of its furniture suppliers. The Company is presently having significant challenges sourcing inventory, which is affecting its retail business and its Builder Business. Certain developers in the Builder Business have purported to terminate their contracts with the Company.
“In the ordinary course of business, the Company takes deposits from customers at the time of sale for the future delivery of merchandise. Customer deposits received by the Company are deposited into the Company’s bank account and then applied in reduction of the Operating Facility. The Company’s records reflect that it has received customer deposits totalling approximately $4.5 million. It is the Company’s intention to advise its retail customers who paid deposits and have not yet received their order to contact their credit card company to attempt to obtain a refund of their deposits. Where possible, the Company, in consultation with the Proposal Trustee, also intends to work with customers to complete orders if the cost of the merchandise is less than the balance owing, or if other arrangements can be made with the customer.
“The Company was incorporated under the laws of Ontario on July 17, 1990. The Company is wholly-owned by Lastman Furniture Inc., which is wholly-owned by Blayne Lastman, the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer and sole director. The Company sells furniture, appliances and electronics through 12 retail stores across Ontario and through an e-commerce platform. The Company also sells appliances to real estate developers and property managers (the “Builder Business”). The Company’s head office and main warehouse is located at 3550 Sideline 24, Pickering, Ontario. The Company’s flagship store is located at 1119 Kennedy Road, Scarborough, Ontario . . . The Company presently has approximately 275 employees, including head office, warehouse and store employees. The Company’s workforce is not unionized and the Company does not offer a pension plan to its non-director employees.”
Canadian retailer Sleep Country has introduced its latest concept, the rest, with the first store opening at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto.
The new ultra-premium concept offers customers with a discerning taste for the finer things in life, a collection of luxurious, hand-crafted and exclusive products. The 2,100-square-foot retail boutique intends to immerse customers with a bespoke shopping experience providing them with the utmost personal care and guidance to find their absolute best rest.
“Our new brand, the rest, will redefine luxury and sleep for those who know a good night’s sleep is priceless,” said Stewart Schaefer, President and CEO, Sleep Country.
Stewart Schaefer, President and CEO, Sleep Country, in the new Yorkdale store. Photo suppliedthe rest at Yorkdale Shopping Centre (Image: Sleep Country Canada)
“From the moment you walk in the door, customers will be transported by the sheer luxury we have carefully curated. Our team has been focused on getting every little detail right within the collection – meticulously selecting the world’s most exquisite materials, artisanal designs, and sophisticated technology for our discerning customer – these beds are a work of art.”
He said the rest’s luxury sleep experience is expected to be rolled out in other key markets across the country.
Schaefer said premium luxury bedding is a growing segment of the market – about a $10 billion market.
“And it’s actually accelerated dramatically since COVID because people started to invest more in health and well-being and they started to invest more in premium bedding. We’ve seen it in our normal Sleep Country stores but there’s been little specialty, premium bedding boutiques popping up throughout the United States and Europe. So this is something we’ve had an eye on for a while,” he said.
“The timing of this worked out really well because there was a location that we wanted literally on the footsteps of Restoration Hardware which is in the Yorkdale mall – one of the nicest premium malls in the entire country and location wise it was perfect. We believe that the premium bedding market is a huge opportunity for us and Sleep Country is a great brand that transacts anywhere from call it $299 up to $5,000 and the rest will continue and be anywhere from $3,000 up to $50,000. So it’s a step up.”
Schaefer said the company will likely grow the rest brand to between six to eight locations in Canada in the next three years.
the rest at Yorkdale Shopping Centre (Image: Sleep Country Canada)Yorkdale mall map with ‘the rest’ location circled in red. Click image for interactive mall map
Sleep Country is Canada’s leading specialty sleep retailer with a purpose to transform lives by awakening Canadians to the power of sleep. Sleep Country operates under the retailer banners; Sleep Country Canada, Dormez-vous, Endy, Silk & Snow, Hush and most recently acquired, Casper Canada. The company has omnichannel and ecommerce operations, including 300 corporate-owned stores and 19 warehouses across Canada.
“Yorkdale Shopping Centre is known for embracing innovation, luxury and style, and provides an elevated consumer experience you can’t get anywhere else,” said Robert Horst, Vice President, Retail, Oxford Properties. “The rest is a first-to-market concept at Yorkdale that complements our exclusive range of luxury home décor retailers. We’re delighted to welcome the rest among the new brands opening at Yorkdale this year.”
Sleep Country describes the new concept as “sophisticated, and elegant with an exclusive and carefully curated selection of only the finest in sleep offerings.”
The rest at Yorkdale in Toronto. Photo suppliedthe rest at Yorkdale Shopping Centre (Image: Sleep Country Canada)
“Exclusive products, curated collections. With a selection of hand-crafted products only available at the rest, customers will be able to choose from the world’s most luxurious mattresses. Across the curated collection, many of the mattresses are hand tufted and made from the highest-quality materials, including horsehair, with its natural antibacterial properties, soft durable Joma wool, moisture-wicking Alpaca, and Cashmere,” it says.
“Works of art, the finest attention to detail. Beyond mattresses, the rest’s sleep concierge will help customers choose the perfect bed and accessories from a finely curated selection of ultra-premium quality brands. From SFERRA’s Italian master crafted bedding collections to personalized duvets, the rest will allow customers to truly tailor their at-home sleep experience.
“White glove, concierge service. Located in Canada’s premier shopping centre, the rest’s first store will be just steps from the largest collection of global prestige brands available in the country. In keeping with discerning expectations, from the moment a customer interacts with the brand, the rest will deliver a tailored, personal service, providing guidance and care in helping customers find their absolute best rest.”
Exterior of the new Kith store at 78 Yorkville Avenue in Toronto. Photo: Kith
Retail Insider recently had the opportunity to tour the new KITH store at 78 Yorkville Avenue in Toronto with one of the heads of the design-build firm that brought the project to life. The stunning new KITH space sets a benchmark for luxury retailers in Canada in terms of retail design and quality materials.
Jon Guerrera, SAJO
SAJO’s Jon Guerrera explained how each of KITH’s stores are different, sticking to the retailer’s ethos of being unique while creating engaging experiences. Part of that experience is creating an impressive space to house merchandise within the 11,000 square foot store which took about nine months to build out, according to Guerrera. Porto Architecture designed the space.
The tour began with lunch at Sadelle’s, a restaurant concept from New York City that is part of the new KITH space. KITH is one of the pioneers of integrating food and beverage into fashion retail. Jon Guerrera talked about the store build-out over lunch, describing the store’s ample use of marble, wood and other high-quality materials. Also included in the restaurant area on the second floor is KITH Treats, which is an ice cream/cereal bar concept developed by KITH’s founder Ronnie Fieg.
Second level entrance to Kith Treats/Sadelle’s restaurant at the new Kith store at 78 Yorkville Avenue in Toronto. Photo: KithSecond level Kith Treats/Sadelle’s restaurant at the new Kith store at 78 Yorkville Avenue in Toronto. Photo: KithSecond level Kith Treats/Sadelle’s restaurant at the new Kith store at 78 Yorkville Avenue in Toronto. Photo: Kith
Large brass doors lead to the separated food and beverages space, which features plush light blue velvet seating, walnut wood and ample use of Rosa Aurora marble flooring which is also found in washrooms nearby. White Mountain Danby marble from Vermont was also used on dining tables, the dining bar, and the coffee/service counter.
After lunch, the tour took us to an expansive footwear area in the store with brass and ash wood shelving showcasing a wide range of sneakers and other styles. Greenery is showcased in large planter areas at the centre of the footwear floor, while a collection of books and other items are found near a dedicated wood/stone paneled cash desk area. Children’s clothing and other items are on display upstairs, featuring a range of styles that appear to be for miniature adults.
Second level of the new Kith store at 78 Yorkville Avenue in Toronto. Photo: KithSecond level of the new Kith store at 78 Yorkville Avenue in Toronto. Photo: KithSecond level of the new Kith store at 78 Yorkville Avenue in Toronto, including kid’s fashion area. Photo: Kith
High-quality stone was used throughout the second-floor space, including Travertino Bianco flooring in the sales area as well as Alba Chiara marble used on perimeter millwork and a niche. Emerald quartzite was used on the second floor as border tile in the sales area as well as a perimeter millwork niche and point of sales counter area, as well as with a free-standing display case. The ceiling was created with recessed lighting, and a unique chandelier is featured in the Sadelle’s space. The look is luxurious and high-quality.
A stunning sweeping walnut staircase led us downstairs to the main floor of the store – the curved and dynamic movement of the stairs gives a sense of a free vibe, contrasting the main floor from the second one. The main floor houses edgy and unique ready-to-wear fashions and accessories for both men and women. Again, wood and marble play prominently in the design of the main floor, which is flooded by sunlight with its south-facing windows. Another impressive cash desk area, encased in wood and stone, anchors the space.
Stairway leading to the second level of the new Kith store at 78 Yorkville Avenue in Toronto. Photo: KithStreet level of the new Kith store at 78 Yorkville Avenue in Toronto. Photo: Kith
Varias Green is a key material on the main floor of the store, including border tile on the sales area flooring, a freestanding millwork display case as well as a perimeter millwork niche and point-of-sale counter area.
Guerrera also toured us through the dressing room area of the store, which is near a dedicated elevator that connects the two floors. One thing visitors will notice is cream-coloured KITH-embossed wallpaper that is also a characteristic in other KITH stores.
The clean and modern design of the store includes ample use of Venetian plaster. White, blue, brown and green are the primary colours used in the interior.
Wood millwork was used throughout the store, chosen to compliment the type of stone used for each floor. Brass was used to elevate the millwork on each level as well.
Street level of the new Kith store at 78 Yorkville Avenue in Toronto. Photo: KithStreet level of the new Kith store at 78 Yorkville Avenue in Toronto. Photo: Kith
Guerrera noted that SAJO had created a virtual reality experience for the brand and architects as part of the design-build of the Toronto KITH space. He said that seeing the store virtually helped finalize design decisions for all involved.
SAJO was founded in Montreal in 1977 and now does design-build work for luxury and other retailers in markets globally. The company has worked on various projects in Canada, and Guerrera says more will be coming — that includes some of the luxury brand stores at Yorkdale in Toronto and Royalmount in Montreal that will be opening next year, as well as Oakridge Park in Vancouver that will open sometime in 2025.
KITH opened its Toronto location in September in Bloor-Yorkville. The two-level Yorkville Avenue space housed an Anthropologie store that shuttered several years ago. SAJO also built the former Anthropologie store on the site.
The Toronto KITH construction began near when SAJO was completing the beautiful KITH store that opened in the Miami Design District in February. KITH operates 12 other standalone stores globally in the New York City area (four locations), Los Angeles area (two locations), Miami area (two locations) and in Honolulu, Aspen, Paris and Tokyo. The retailer also operates concessions at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City, Hirshleifers in Manhasset New York, and at Selfridges in London.
*Retail Insider worked with SAJO on this editorial content.
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.
Since the pandemic, pedestrian traffic on Yonge Street has steadily increased. Pauline Larsen, the executive director and chief operating officer of the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area, shares insights on the evolving pattern of foot traffic, the retail landscape and forthcoming developments in the area.
Pauline Larsen
“Foot traffic is running about ten to 15 percent below 2019 levels, so we are not 100 percent back at full pedestrian counts where we were before the pandemic. We are seeing flashes of it starting to show up, especially over the holiday weekends. We got really excited over Thanksgiving weekend in 2022 as it was the first time since the pandemic we have seen it go above 2019 levels overall,” says Larsen.
This past Thanksgiving, Larsen says they saw an increase of five percent compared to last year with 2.5 million people visiting the area in one week. Foot traffic has also increased outside of holiday seasons.
What is influencing the increase?
Yonge and Richmond in Toronto (Image: Dustin Fuhs)
Larsen says the increase of foot traffic is due to the university being back to normal, employees returning to offices, new retailers and the diverse experience the area provides. So far, 55 percent of office buildings are occupied on any given day of the week.
“It is just a little but more than half and it is growing slowly and people returning to offices has had a positive impact towards it as well. In regards to our diversity, we have a diverse experience people can have in this neighbourhood and it is important because they can come down here and do something different every time.”
The increase of community events has also led to the increase of foot traffic as Larsen says they have had more events compared to before the pandemic.
“We did 60 events during the first ten months of the year, which is actually more than we had in 2019. So the events and activities we had in this neighbourhood are more than they were pre-pandemic, so something to celebrate too. It brings an ongoing excitement around what you will find when you come here, so there is always something new happening in downtown Yonge and that helps boost foot traffic too.”
Retail Landscape Evolution
Healthy Planet Yonge Dundas (Image: Dustin Fuhs)
With over 700 retailers in total: 420 in the mall and 300 on the street front, Larsen says she is still seeing an overall vacancy rate of about 12 percent.
Larsen says the area has seen new retailers entering the area, not just retailers reopening after the pandemic lockdowns – but entirely new retailers to the neighbourhood: “I think that has provided quite a lot of excitement and foot traffic.”
Future ‘The North Face’ at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)
The following retailers have recently opened or announced openings in the area:
“One thing everyone is excited about, and I do not have the exact opening date yet, is the T&T supermarket is currently moving in on Edward Street right behind Atrium on Bay. The space is ready to go and I know there is a lot of excitement. There are also some new tenants going in such as the Ballroom. So there are a bunch of new things happening and a lot of diversity in different offerings.”
Larsen says with the variety of offerings available, more people will be attracted to visit as they can decide to go to theatres, restaurants, shops, or visit bars in the evening. Every store opening is “enhancing the overall experience for people.”
T&T Supermarket on Edward Street in Toronto Coming 2025 (Image: Dustin Fuhs)Nordstrom Signage Removal at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Image: Dustin Fuhs)
Along with these new openings, the neighbourhood has also seen retailers close, including Boston Pizza, Rexall, Champs, Lids, and Nordstrom.
Larsen said she has been tracking retail closures throughout the pandemic and started in 2021.
“In the first six months of 2023, we had 46 businesses close doors: retail both in malls and on the street. But interestingly enough – we also saw 46 open, so the impact was actually zero.”
Larsen says retailers on the streets tend to have a higher closure rate than retailers inside the mall. The number is much lower than during the pandemic, but is still not back to normal. At the peak of Covid, Larsen says the vacancy rate was as high as 19 percent but now it is around 12.
“We have been seeing a five percent increase in the street front vacancies over the last two years or so and believe me – I will take it as a good trend that is going in the right direction.”
Filling empty spaces and new developments
To attract new retailers to fill up empty spaces, Larsen says the BIA updates its website to include monthly updates on retail opportunities, and a summary of pedestrian and vehicle counts. Larsen says retailers focused on residential opportunities should look out for spaces as the neighbourhood is looking at expanding its residential population as there are around 17,000 condo units that are currently being planned.
“Retail and services gearing towards the residential population are going to be very important. I know in the past year, we have seen something of an increase in things like entertainment, attractions, gaming. I would suspect that is probably something we would watch going forward.”
Ontario Line Construction on Queen Street (Image: Dustin Fuhs)Ontario Line Construction on Queen Street (Image: Dustin Fuhs)
Along with new developments of residential buildings in the area, Larsen says the construction of the Ontario line will have an impact on the area as it will take several years to complete. To create less frustrations among visitors, Larsen says the BIA will communicate through the construction process.
“The BIA is focused on construction mitigation and communicating with shoppers, drivers and people coming into the neighbourhood to make sure they are up to date with any closures that might impact them. The worst disruption is the one you experience when you were not expecting it – no one wants that, but in a way lots of people already know about it and they can work around it.”
Once completed, it will provide a new and easier way for people to visit the neighbourhood and make the neighbourhood more accessible – “I only see that as a good thing.”
