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Knix Growing Business with New Stores and Wholesale Expansion at Sporting Life [Joanna Griffiths Interview]

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Knix (Image: Mario Toneguzzi)

Underwear and apparel retailer Knix has opened six new stores since last fall, bringing its total store count to 14 now, as well as launching a wholesale initiative with products being sold in Sporting Life.

Joanna Griffiths

More store expansion is in the works and the brand is also looking at more retail partners for its wholesale strategy.

The latest two Knix stores to open were CF Market Mall in Calgary and CF Polo Park in Winnipeg.

“We’re cautiously optimistic. We’re just in the process of working through some leases but we should be opening another couple of locations in Canada this year,” said Joanna Griffiths, Founder and President of the company.

Knix (Image: Mario Toneguzzi)

“We go off the ecomm data that we have to sort of look for high penetration markets where there’s a loyal Knix following. That’s probably the first step to help us hone in on what regions and then it’s all a matter of finding the right vacancies with the right co-tenants which is the part that can have things take a little bit longer depending on what’s available.

“We have three different concepts in market right now. So Toronto Premium Outlets is our one premium outlet model. We have some community streetfront locations. So that would be for example West 4th in Kitsilano or Queen Street West in Toronto. Westboro in Ottawa. And also Robson Street (Vancouver). So we’re still looking for the right community streetfront locations. Those spots are kind of few and far between now. And beyond that we’re primarily looking at the malls and then it’s really waiting for the right real estate within the mall that has the co-tenancies and is in a good location.”

Griffiths launched Knix with the goal of transforming an underwear market that had too much frill and not enough function. A trailblazer with the creation of Leakproof Underwear, she continues to focus on listening to what people want and bringing revolutionary solutions to life.

In 2013, Knix introduced Leakproof Underwear to the world. In 2015, Knix released their first wireless bra. In 2016, Knix is the first brand to use real women–of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds–on their site. In 2017, Knix launched the first period underwear brand for teens and tweens, Kt by Knix. In 2019, Knix is the first brand to release a lingerie campaign exclusively featuring women from ages 50 to 81. And in 2022 Knix launched the first of its kind Confidence Tour, empowering people to be their most confident selves on a live runway in their intimates.

“We’re doing a lot of technology infrastructure projects at the moment to be more omnichannel but we still think that’s going to be the big unlock for us. We get over three million visitors a month to our site,” explained Griffiths. “And so if we can make it really easy for them to understand where’s the nearest store, what inventory is available in that store, that’s when I think we’ll really start to see things pick up in an even more significant way.”

Knix (Image: Mario Toneguzzi)

Beyond this year, Griffiths said more stores are planned for Knix, continuing to build in Canada and the United States. Currently, it has two stores in the U.S. in Santa Monica and in San Diego.

“We have about half of our sales coming from the U.S. right now so we still feel there’s significant upside for us to continue to build south of the border,” said Griffiths.

“Recently over the past couple of years we’ve entered into some newer categories like swimwear, activewear and so we see both retail and also strategic wholesale partners being important for us as we continue to build out those new categories.”

Kate Camenzuli of CBRE represents Knix for its retail expansion.

Knix at Sporting Life (Image: Mario Toneguzzi)

Griffiths said the partnership with Sporting Life is a great opportunity for Knix to promote its intimates collection as well as its activewear and swimwear because there’s a great consumer in those locations looking for those specific products.

“It’s our first (wholesale partnership) in a very long time. When I started the brand we were a wholesale first business. We did a Nordstrom pop-up program in 2019 into 2020. This is our first true wholesale partnership since then,” she said.

“We’re really looking for meaningful brand building wholesale partnerships. And so we’re having a number of conversations right now to find the right partners that make sense for the business. I think the Sporting Life partnership has proven to be a really good one for us. There’s a  lot of mutual respect between both of us. We have great presence within the stores.”

How the Super Bowl Impacts Retail Sales

By
Retail Insider
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The Super Bowl is the peak event of American football every year and fans all around the States give it the proper attention. Many of the football enthusiasts travel to the hosting city of the Super Bowl to watch their favorite team’s final match and potentially their win. There are several activities that people do when the Super Bowl time comes, such as hosting Super Bowl parties, trying their luck on Super Bowl betting or constantly supporting and posting their favorite team on social media.

Surely, retail companies take advantage of this interest to not only give fans the best experience ever during this huge event but also raise their profit goals. Hence, there are many sectors in retail where the sales skyrocket during the Super Bowl period.

We will show you in this article today how the Super Bowl impacts retail sales in different ways. Let’s hop on!

  1. Food and drinks

Expectedly so, food and drinks are leading the list of the retail sector that benefit during the Super Bowl. I mean, is that even a surprise to anyone? It is pretty common to see fans watching the game in the stadium while munching on some snack or drinking their favorite beverage. It seems as if this activity has become a part of every match in other sports as well, and at this point is essential to bring something when going to the stadium.

Nevertheless, people who stay at home and decide to watch the Super Bowl from TV spend just as much on food and drinks right before the event. The party hosts spend crazy amounts at the grocery store for food, drinks and decorations. According to the National Retail Federation, the spending for Super Bowl 2024 was expected to reach $17.3 billion, or $86.04 per person. Grocery stores do look forward to the yearly Super Bowl event!

  1. Electronics

This one might be a surprise for some readers, but people buy a lot of TVs the week before the Super Bowl. The intent behind this purchase is mainly because the better the quality of the TV, the more exciting is the whole experience. In addition to that, electronic retail shops have created “The Super Bowl Sale” where prices go down significantly and of course everyone loves a good bargain. For example, it was reported that Best Buy had TVs listed for crazy prices, where you could save up to $2500.

Rightfully so, the Super Bowl is considered as one of the best times throughout the year to buy a new TV. Getting a TV during a crazy sale is one of the best deals, especially during those inflation times that we’re living in. This trend doesn’t only help retail stores financially, but also make it possible for them to get rid of older TV models to make space for newer ones. So, it’s honestly a win-win situation for everyone involved.

  1. Jerseys and merch

A nice jersey or some merch from one’s favorite team is also really nice to have during the Super Bowl. If you are to attend one of the Super Bowls in person you will see everyone either wearing a jersey, a hat or some sort of merch that finds them with their favorite team. Fans usually take pride in belonging to a team which made it to the Super Bowl, and that’s why they want to show it off as much as possible. Those jerseys, by the way, are not cheap at all. For example, the official store of Kansas City Chefs, which was one of the teams of Super Bowl 2024, has jerseys going from $99.99 to $369.99.

However, it should be mentioned that those stores also have crazy sales during the Super Bowl, so watch out because these prices will definitely go down right before the event. Jerseys and merch are a top purchase because you can have it also for later as well. Thus, you can make use of it as much as possible, also in other matches when your team plays. Apart from that, those items are cool, and people also wear them in their daily lives.

Conclusion

To conclude, it is true that the Super Bowl makes those retail sales go up. However, the stores also treat their customers by putting items related to the Super Bowl on sale during that period. As a result, both the stores and the customer are content. Sometimes during those sales people go crazy because they all want to get stuff while it’s still in stock and this might be a bit overwhelming for the store workers. Nevertheless, one could say that Harry Gordon Selfridge’s good old saying that “the customer is always right” still stands because most of the retail workers respect and try to best serve their customers even during chaotic times like the Super Bowl sale!

Canadian Retail News From Around The Web For June 3rd, 2024

By
Retail Insider
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Canadian Retail News From Around The Web

News at a Glance

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 48 hours.

One month into Loblaws boycott what effect has it had on grocery store giant? (CityNews)

Summer interest rate cut could prompt rebound in consumer spending: experts (CTV)

Loblaws testing smaller No Frills stores (CTV)

Shop on the Temu app? Why class-action lawsuits have been proposed over privacy (Global)

Korean bakery chain Paris Baguette looks to open six cafes in Ottawa (Ottawa Business Journal)

Community helps Glad Day Bookshop raise $112K to stave off eviction (CBC)

Fredericton Co-op store marks half a century in business (Yahoo)

Eau Claire Market closes after 30 years in business (CTV Calgary)

Nespresso opens at Montreal Eaton Centre (press release)

Quebec cannabis stores now sell poutine sauce, jerky and nuts; sales remain miniscule (CTV)

Steveston Chinese dress shop shutters after five months (Richmond News)

Winnipeg police defend response times after bake shop robbery (MSN)

Canada’s 1st full-scale free grocery store to open in Regina (CBC)

Kinton Ramen to Launch ‘Kinton Express’ Concept, Rapid Expansion Planned [Interview]

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Kinton Ramen Express at 1 Richmond St W (Photo: Dustin Fuhs)

Popular food establishment brand Kinton Ramen continues to aggressively expand its footprint in Canada and is soon launching a new concept called Kinton Express in a smaller format.

Currently there are over 40 Kinton Ramen locations across Canada, United States and Japan and the first Kinton Ramen Express is scheduled to open in the coming weeks at 1 Richmond St W in Toronto.

Karalyn White

Karalyn White, Senior Director of Franchising for the Kinka Family which operates the Kinton Ramen brand, said about 10 new Kinton Ramen locations are expected to open this year.

The first Kinton Ramen opened in 2012 on Baldwin St in Toronto. Today more than half of the locations are in southern Ontario with a presence as well in Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, Victoria, Tokyo, Chicago and New York.

Kinton Ramen Express at 1 Richmond St W (Rendering: Kinton Ramen)
Kinton Ramen Express at 1 Richmond St W (Rendering: Kinton Ramen)

Eli Vladimirsky, Director, Advisory & Transaction Services and Sari Samarah, President, CEO and Broker of Record for Value Insight Realty, works with the Kinka Family to handle its real estate needs. 

“High density neighborhoods or areas with good daytime and evening traffic” is what Value Insight Realty looks for when scouting out potential locations for Kinton Ramen.

For Quebec, Corey Bessner, President and CEO of Core Consultants Realty handles the Kinton Ramen real estate selection.

“Ramen is something you can enjoy during lunch or dinner,” he said. “Our ideal size for a typical Kinton Ramen is about 1,800 to 2,200 square feet with dine in, with an average of 50 seats. We do have stores that are larger and smaller but that’s the typical size.

“For the Express concept that we’re starting and have implemented into some locations, we can go as low as 500 to 600 square feet for a food court or even as small as 1,000 to 1,500 square feet.”

Kinton Ramen Express at 1 Richmond St W (Rendering: Kinton Ramen)

White said the Express will offer a quicker version of getting the noodles with self-serve kiosks. 

“1 Richmond is going to be our flagship express store that will have a smaller seating area without table service and with emphasis on grab and go, take-out and delivery.” she said.

As Kinton Ramen expands its footprint, it will expand with both full size locations and the Express versions.

“If we go to enclosed malls, airports, The Path or destinations in more urban territories like the heart of downtown it would make sense to do an Express version. In Japan, it’s quite popular to actually go and have ramen and stand, eat and go. So the idea of quick served ramen is already popular around the world. For us to implement that here – the plan would not be every Kinton Ramen – but where it would work and make sense we would want to implement this version,” said Samarah, adding that it would be a faster food option at a quality offering.

“In the food courts we’ve  seen over the years and for fast food options, there’s good quality options but if we can take the Kinton Ramen dining experience and bring it in a faster, casual atmosphere then it becomes fine casual dining.”

Kinton Ramen at One York (Photo: Dustin Fuhs)
Kinton Ramen at 396 Church Street (Photo: Dustin Fuhs)

White said there has been a demand from franchisees and from guests for the new concept. 

“We’re able to go into various types of real estate opportunities,” she said.

White said two locations for the brand have been signed for Calgary to open in 2025 and the company is on the hunt for more locations in Calgary and in Edmonton.

“We’re also expanding all over Canada. In Quebec, Ottawa, as well as potentially in the Maritimes, Saskatchewan, Winnipeg. We’re working on expansion to those markets,” added Samarah. “And we believe that Kinton Ramen in the next few years will have 100 stores in Canada at the current pace of growth we are experiencing.”

Pekoe Co-founder Daniel Lewis Spills the Tea behind Canada’s Evolving Tea Culture [Feature Interview]

By
Shelby Hautala
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Pekoe (Image: Pekoe.Life)

In recent years, with an increasing focus on health and fitness, Canada has seen a shift in beverage preferences, with tea emerging as a popular choice. While coffee still dominates many morning routines, tea is being embraced as a drink for any time of the day. Daniel Lewis, co-founder of PEKOE.LIFE, discusses the evolving tea landscape, highlighting consumer trends, innovation, and the future of tea in Canada. 

Image: Daniel Lewis

“I am very happy to see the tea industry in Canada growing, with people becoming more receptive to exploring different teas. Right now, you are really seeing a big push towards ethical and sustainable tea brands, showing me that Canadians are really interested about not just the tea, but where it comes from and who is producing it. We are starting to really just emphasize those stories,” says Lewis. 

This change in consumer habits is because of the increase of diverse tea options. Lewis says as Canadian tea drinkers are no longer limited to the supermarket, they can explore teas from around the world, brought to them locally by brands. 

Evolving tastes and preferences 

Lewis is noticing a shift in consumer tastes from sugary, flavoured teas to a preference for the natural qualities of tea leaves: “Consumers are increasingly seeking authentic, high-quality teas that offer genuine taste of their origins.”

Consumers are increasingly looking for teas with natural tastes, authentic, and high-quality.  

For newcomers to tea, Lewis recommends starting with flavours that are similar yet authentic: “If you are transitioning from coffee, try a robust black tea. If you prefer lighter, herbal flavours, start with a genuine Japanese green tea.” 

Lewis says going forward, consumers will have more mature palates, driving the demand for more specialized high-quality tea offerings. Lewis says this would bring more people to steer away from mass-produced blends to more artisanal selections, supporting more small-scale tea farmers and sustainable farming practices globally. 

“Consumers are not just buying a beverage; they are exploring a piece of the world with each sip and they are curious about where it comes from. Each of these places offer a distinct narrative that is expressed through the flavour of its tea, providing a sensory journey that is as enriching as it is enjoyable.” 

Storytelling and consumer engagement 

The Royal Encounter (Image: Daniel Lewis)

Lewis emphasises the importance of storytelling and consumer engagement in connecting with tea brands. 

“Storytelling is number one for us. We invite consumers to learn more about the tea and how we are ‘people expressing kindness over everything.’ This opens the door for us to share impactful stories about our ethical initiatives and the communities we support.” 

Storytelling also enhances the consumer’s shopping experience, engagement, and loyalty while exploring different teas. 

“Every package of tea we sell tells a story, not just about the tea itself, but about the people behind it. When our customers buy our tea, they learn more about the background of where the tea is coming from, who is making it, and how we support communities such as our partnership with farms in Malawi.”

To bring tea stories to life, Pekoe uses digital platforms such as its website and social media channels to share stories visually and through content. Lewis says this allows consumers to understand the process of tea making, the people behind the tea, and how their purchase impacts the community – bringing trust to the brand, showing how it is sustainable, and increasing success as they are not just telling, but showing what is happening. 

Ethical and sustainable practices 

Pekoe (Image: Pekoe.Life)

As the demand for tea grows in Canada, so does the interest in its ethical and sustainable sourcing.

“Ethical and sustainable tea sourcing means ensuring fair wages for tea farmers and good living conditions. It is about verifying the journey from the moment the tea is plucked till it ends up in your cup and make sure everyone is treated fairly.” 

Pekoe’s commitment to being ethical and sustainable extends to its partnerships, such as a tea farm in Malawi, which supports local communities by providing daycare for workers with children – bringing social benefits into business.

“You can’t just claim your product is sustainable – you have to prove it. We are seeing companies use technologies like Blockchain to ensure transparency and traceability from farm to cup. This approach allows every consumer to see the entire journey of their purchase, not just where it comes from, but how every step contributes to ethical practices. By embedding this technology into our supply chain, we are not only providing a window into the path of the tea, but also ensuring that every hand involved, from the tea pickers to the packers, is recognized and rewarded fairly. This level of transparency is what today’s consumers expect and it is what will set apart the brands in the future.” 

AI and robotics 

Youtube video

Looking ahead, Lewis is excited about integrating technology to enhance the consumer experience. 

“We use AI to make personalized recommendations, simplifying the shipping process and ensuring satisfaction by aligning products with individual tastes. AI helps us guide consumers through our extensive selection, making personalized recommendations based on their preferences and past interactions. This not only simplifies the buying process, but also enhances customer satisfaction by closely matching products to individual tastes.” 

Lewis also anticipates the potential for robotic tea cafes, which would further personalize the experience: “Looking ahead, we might see robotic tea cafes where machines prepare your perfect cup of tea, programmed to your preferences, available at the touch of a button.” 

These technologies will offer tea brands to engage with consumers, personalizing experiences, and streamline the process. As these innovations continue to evolve, Lewis says it promises to increase personalization and accessible tea-drinking experiences to consumers and potentially transform the tea industry for the future. 

Simplifying the brew 

Pekoe (Image: Pekoe.Life)

In an effort to make tea as convenient as coffee, Pekoe is introducing high-quality, single-use tea bags filled with premium loose leaf teas – without compromising the tea quality. 

“We are introducing high-quality tea leaves in convenient, single-use bags. This allows consumers to enjoy the full flavour and health benefits of loose leaf teas with the ease of a tea bag. Our goal is to bridge the gap between convenience and quality – it will bring ease and speed.” 

Lewis says the new tea bags will be available in the upcoming quarter and will cater to those who have a busy lifestyle who may not have time for traditional tea brewing: “We understand mornings are rushed and people are looking for quick options, good tea doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming.” The new concept, Lewis says, will challenge the outdated thoughts on tea and will hopefully introduce more people to the beverage. 

Additionally, Lewis is eager to change perceptions about tea, promoting its health benefits. 

“Tea is more than just a soothing drink; it offers a range of health benefits, from reducing stress with black tea to anti-aging properties from the antioxidants in green tea. Green tea for example is packed with powerful antioxidants, which helps combat aging. These antioxidants are also linked with lower risk of heart disease and can enhance metabolism. Each variety of tea brings its own unique set of health benefits, making tea not only a delightful beverage choice, but a smart one for maintaining good health overall.” 

Through these innovations and educational efforts, Lewis is aiming to transform how Canadians think about and consume tea, making it a healthier, easier, and ethical choice for today’s consumer. 

Canadian Retail News From Around The Web For May 31st, 2024

By
Retail Insider
-
Canadian Retail News From Around The Web

News at a Glance

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 48 hours.

Indigo Receives Final Court Approval for Arrangement with Trilogy (Yahoo)

Elegy From The Department Store (Everything Zoomer)

Purdys Chocolatier announces passing of former owner, Charles Flavelle (Yahoo)

Beer and wine could cost up to 50% more when it hits Ontario convenience stores, experts say (Toronto Star)

New No Frills location opens in Toronto’s King West neighbourhood (Grocery Business)

New Value Village proposed where Vancouver store burned down (VIA)

Kingsway Mall rooftop garden looking to help Edmonton Food Bank (CityNews)

Police defend robbery response after bakery owner was told officers might not get there until next day (CBC)

‘We will not stand idly by’: Manitoba government to pay overtime hours to help curb retail theft (CTV)

Baggins shoe store in Victoria closing shop, warehouse to stay (Vancouver Island Free Daily)

B.C. food manufacturers see losses as grocers profit, say reports (BIV)

WHSmith North America inaugurates two stores at Edmonton International Airport (Moodie Davitt Report)

Anatomy of a Leader: Jean-Christophe Bédos, President and CEO of Maison Birks

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Anatomy of a Leader: Jean-Christophe Bédos, President and CEO of Maison Birks

When Jean-Christophe Bédos was going to university in Europe, he was very interested in law and intellectually very stimulated by it. 

But when he finished his law studies in Paris, Bédos got a part-time job with luxury retail brand Cartier in Paris. 

“I completed my law degree and then they offered me a job. That’s exactly when I thought okay I will probably not be a lawyer, let me try this. And the rest is history because I’ve stayed in the luxury industry ever since,” said Bédos, President and CEO of Maison Birks.

Image: Jean-Christophe Bédos

At the head office of Cartier, he was working in product development for luxury watches. It included brand management, merchandising, marketing and communication.

“This is where I made my way through the world of Cartier and luxury goods. Retail came later as I became Managing Director of Cartier in France and then I moved on to become the CEO of Boucheron, another great jeweler in Paris. This is when retail came on my radar.”

Bédos was born in Morocco but he was raised in France from when he was two years old. His father was a judge, working with the justice ministries in Morocco and France. In France, Bédos grew up in Toulouse, which is in the southwest part of France. 

He has a Sloan MSc in Strategy & Business Management from London Business School. Law degree from Paris Sorbonne University. Business Administration degrees from Nottingham and Toulouse Business Schools.

But Bédos was drawn to the luxury retail side of business. 

“The products were exceptionally beautiful. Very carefully manufactured. High quality. Precious materials. Precious metals. Precious stones. And the history, the heritage of those brands. In retail, the whole point is to translate to the consumer the brand essence and the style and character of the brand so that the brand experience in the store reflects what the brand is about. Its philosophy, its values and retail has to make sense from that point of view. It cannot just be a store. It has to be a store that expresses all the attributes of the brand,” he said.

Image: Jean-Christophe Bédos

Bédos became President and CEO of Birks in 2012, joining the leading manufacturer and retailer of prestigious jewelry and timepieces since 1879 in Canada.

He said he wasn’t brought up in luxury as a child but discovered luxury with his first job at Cartier.

“My parents were not consumers of luxury brands but my mother was very sensitive to aesthetics because she had a spa in Toulouse with a beauty salon and she used to subscribe to every ladies’ magazine you can think of. So as a kid I grew up watching all those fashion magazines and women magazines. It was part of my family. On the coffee table. Whether it was Elle or Vogue or many different magazines, I grew up looking at those pages which inspired me a lot because they were magnificent couture and makeup and beauty,” he said.

“But luxury goods as such like watches and jewelry I discovered later only when I worked with Cartier and then Boucheron. This was an area I got very much inspired. And I’m still working with watches and jewelry today with Birks because in my view there’s a lot of substance in those brands.

“Quality is a must for luxury watches and jewelry. But what really inspired me was the history, the essence of the design, the inspiration. The design language for each brand is very specific to every brand. When you look at the culture around those brands, heritage, design language, brand personality, the brand essence, all of this is very coherent when you look at Cartier or Boucheron. Those fabulous brands with immense history have become legends because they have been very coherent in their expressions and in their striving for excellence. There is always, always a distinction. You can identify a Cartier watch or a Cartier piece of jewelry just at a glance. Same as Rolex. All the great brands have that strength in them. It’s not a coincidence. It all comes from a very, very robust and meticulous obsession for expressing the brand, the brand values, and style and character. Brand management in the luxury goods industry is extremely deep and profound.”

Image: Jean-Christophe Bédos

Bédos said leaders in the luxury space, beyond all the necessary qualifications and experience, also need to have a high sensitivity to history, culture, style and beauty.

“If you are indifferent to those things I don’t think you can be successful in the luxury goods industry,” he said. “You have to be able to be emotionally moved by those products and it’s not just about managing the PNL (profit and loss), managing the balance sheet and the cash flow statement. It’s not only about that.”

When asked to describe his leadership style, Bédos said he is collaborative, especially when he moved to Canada. It’s one of the qualities of Canadian management. He’s learned that here.

“I’ve become definitely a team player, consulting my team, listening to my team and as a CEO I sometimes say I work for them rather than them working for me,” he said.

Image: Jean-Christophe Bédos

Drawing on an analogy with acupuncture, Bédos said a needle is put where there is a need for the energy to flow and those spots have been identified by the health practitioner because there is an absence of energy flow.

“And I like to believe that the CEO has that role. I only intervene and I only plant the needles where there is a need for a flow of energy, communication, initiative and in project management I don’t believe that the CEO should be omnipotent and always there with authority. Sometimes the CEO should listen, sometimes the CEO should not necessarily be present. When everything goes well, why interfere?

“I believe Chinese medicine is quite inspiring from that point of view. The CEO is the acupuncture of the company’s energy.”

Image: Jean-Christophe Bédos

​​Bédos loves to spend time with his family when he’s not working. He loves simple things like cycling, hiking, gardening, music, dinners with friends, art, going to the cinema and opera and classical music. 

“We are foodies. We go to restaurants a lot. So I am busy. I am never bored,” he said. 

“I think there are phases in life when you can be dedicated to your job and be a workaholic and I’ve had those years especially at the beginning of my career when I would be working 16, 18 hours a day. But those years are gone and I consider that in a job like mine it’s about people, it’s about managing people. You have to interact with people. It’s not just about numbers.

“In a job like mine also because we deal with luxury brands it’s important to be nourished with culture, with trends and be exposed to what’s happening, going to exhibitions, museums, going to see the latest films in the cinema. It’s important because we sell culture. Luxury goods are part of our modern culture and you can’t be disconnected from that.”

Wellington Market Opens at The Well in Downtown Toronto [Photos]

By
Craig Patterson
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The Pier Bar at the Wellington Market in Toronto. Photo supplied

The Wellington Market food hall has opened at The Well in downtown Toronto, which is expected to significantly increase the vibrancy and overall foot traffic in the new 7.6-acre mixed-use complex. The Well opened to the public in November of 2023, and the Wellington Market is considered to be a key component to its ongoing success. 

Currently the first phase of the Wellington Market is open to the public, having about 35 tenants. Included is a small grocery market with fresh fruit and various other convenience items, as well as sit-down and vendor stalls featuring a range of food and beverage offerings. 

When the market is completed, which includes a yet-to-be-revealed second phase, its capacity will be 3,400 people in a 70,000 square foot area that is fully liquor-licensed. The fully accessible environment will have 900 seats and will house over 50 vendors. 

The Well in Toronto, photo supplied
The Wellington Market at The Well in Toronto. Photo Supplied

“Creating the ideal mix of merchants resulted from a thoughtful, curated, and strategic process informed by extensive culinary research and outreach beyond Toronto’s borders,” said Oliver Harrison, SVP of Leasing and Tenant Experience at RioCan REIT. “This collection of food options cannot be found under one roof anywhere in the city. It pays tribute to the city’s rich culinary history and offers an inspiring balance of new and well-known staples to its food scene.”

The Pier Bar, located at the heart of the Wellington Market, references the shores of Lake Ontario that once came up to Front Street where The Well is located. The Pier has a signature cocktail called The Well 76, referencing the site’s 7.6 acre size. 

Other new tenants in the Wellington Market include Vancouver-based Japadog, which opened its first Toronto location at the Wellington Market selling Japadog’s popular Japanese-inspired hot dog. Rosie’s Burgers was founded by three brothers in 2020 with a range of food, and La Cubana is a Cuban food concept also featuring cocktails. 

The Wellington Market at The Well in Toronto. Photo Supplied
The Wellington Market at The Well in Toronto. Photo Supplied

GPA Architects designed the space, which was intended to be a “European-inspired” and “authentic” market experience with energy and excitement. Reclaimed wood from the original site is used throughout the Wellington Market, and oil drums were repurposed to create lighting fixtures. 

The Wellington Market is expected to significantly increase the vibrancy of the retail component of The Well. The retail podium was unveiled to the public about six months ago, and since then some have commented about a lack of vibrancy while revelling in the dramatic architecture. The Wellington Market was carefully designed with numerous entrances, including a series of folding glass walls that open to create seamless transitions to the lower ground level of The Well’s Retail Walk, creating a seasonally open-air experience. 

A variety of events, workshop, meetings and culinary experiences will be held at the Wellington Market throughout the year, including in its event venue which spans about 5,000 square feet.

The Wellington Market at The Well in Toronto. Photo Supplied
The Wellington Market at The Well in Toronto. Photo Supplied

The Well will serve the about 11,000 residents and employees who will live and work on-site, as well as about 80,000 residents living within walking distance — many of those order take-out food weekly and represent an important potential consumer base for The Well and the Wellington Market. About 22,000 daily visitors are expected at The Well.  

Twelve new restaurants have opened on the perimeter of The Well, some featuring outdoor patios which are already busy as the warmer summer months are finally upon us. Several of the restaurants line Wellington Street while at the top of the 8 Spadina Tower is Area, a restaurant on the 38th floor with stunning views of the city. On Front Street is the first Canadian location for New York City-based Prince Street Pizza. 

The Well is a joint venture between RioCan REIT and Allied Properties REIT. Bordering Front, Spadina and Wellington Streets, it is a mixture of retail, commercial and residential space in downtown Toronto that includes 1.2 million square feet of office space and 320,000 square feet of retail and food service. It also has 1,700 residential units spread throughout six purpose-built rental and condominium buildings, plus one office building connected to a three-level Retail Walk.

Additional photos of the Wellington Market at The Well in Toronto:

The Wellington Market at The Well in Toronto. Photo Supplied
The Wellington Market at The Well in Toronto. Photo Supplied
The Wellington Market at The Well in Toronto. Photo Supplied

T&T Supermarkets Announces New Stores Opening in Burnaby BC and Seattle [CEO Interview]

By
Mario Toneguzzi
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Future T&T Supermarket Gilmore Place (Rendering: T&T Supermarket)

Asian grocery chain T&T Supermarket will be opening two new stores in the summer of 2025.

The popular brand will open its second store in the Seattle area as well as its second store in Burnaby, B.C., at Gilmore Place.

No store is open yet in the US. Its first store in Bellevue will open later this year. Lynnwood will be the second store in the Seattle area.

T&T has 33 stores in Canada – in Ontario, B.C., Alberta and Quebec.

The Seattle location at  Lynnwood Crossroads Shopping Center, 6218 196th Street SW, is one of the busiest intersections in the area. The location offers great exposure and accessibility off of Highway 99, allowing it to serve the rapidly growing community in Lynnwood and the northern Seattle area, said the company.

T&T Lynnwood New Store Rendering (CNW Group/T&T Supermarkets)

“We never stopped looking at locations in Washington after the announcement of our flagship store in Bellevue,” said Tina Lee, CEO of T&T Supermarkets, in a statement. 

“There’s excellent growth potential here, and although we originally planned on only committing to a second location after Bellevue opens, we just couldn’t resist this opportunity. It’s a great location in a former grocery box – at 30,000 square feet, it’s a fitting size for Lynnwood.”

Last year T&T announced their expansion to the US with a flagship store in Bellevue, Washington, scheduled to open this summer.

“Today we have good news and bad news,” said Lee. “The good news is we have signed our second location. The bad news is our first store is delayed. Unfortunately, our electrical panel – a critical piece of equipment – is on backorder. We do not have an official opening date for Bellevue yet, but we are determined to open later in the year.”

T&T leadership team visited Lynnwood City Hall (CNW Group/T&T Supermarkets)
Image: Gilmore Place

The new Burnaby store is part of a new mixed-used development by ONNI Group which will feature a diverse assortment of retail concepts, restaurants, and B.C.’s tallest residential tower.

Located at #110 – 4112 Lougheed Highway, in one of Burnaby’s most up-and-coming neighbourhoods of Brentwood, the new T&T is strategically positioned to serve the surge in high-rise developments and growing population density, where over 28,000 new residential units are currently in development, said the company.

Situated near the busy intersection of TransCanada Highway No. 1 and Lougheed Highway, and seamlessly connected to the Gilmore SkyTrain Station, a major stop on the Millennium SkyTrain Line, this new location is well poised to serve customers across the region, it added.

“We’re so excited to expand our presence in Burnaby with a second store,” explained Lee. “Currently, we have one T&T in Burnaby, and that’s at Metrotown Mall. If you’ve ever been there on a weekend, you’ll know it’s jam packed. This additional store will allow us to better serve such a rapidly growing urban hub.

“Being on the SkyTrain line, getting to the new store could not be easier. Plus, we’ll have plenty of parking.”

“We are very excited to welcome T&T Supermarkets to Gilmore Place,” added John Middleton, Senior Vice President of Leasing for ONNI. “Given our experience with T&T Supermarkets at Ora in Richmond, we have seen firsthand the vibrancy they bring to a community. New home buyers at Gilmore Place have highly anticipated a quality grocer within the project and I know they will be thrilled with this announcement. As will residents throughout North Burnaby. Looking forward to opening day!”

Image: Gilmore Place
T&T Supermarket at CF Fairview Mall (Image: Cadillac Fairview)

At 55,000 square feet, this location will feature the full range of T&T’s assortment, including Asian snacks, produce, live seafood, bakery, skincare, gifts, and in-store prepared foods. In addition, T&T at Gilmore will have distinguishing features such as popular street foods like popcorn chicken, sticky rice wraps and Chinese crêpes.

T&T Supermarkets was founded in Vancouver in 1993 and is headquartered in Richmond, BC, with offices in Toronto.

The brand is under the Loblaw Companies umbrella. 

Canadian Swimwear Brand ‘Left On Friday’ Expanding with Retail Stores and Athletic Sponsorship [Interview]

By
Shelby Hautala
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Left On Friday Ossington (Image: Left on Friday)

Left On Friday, a premium Canadian swimwear brand, has opened two pop-up stores for the summer months, is going to be adding to its collection, and is looking at expanding. The brand designs swimwear with athletes in mind and is sponsoring the Canada’s National Women’s Beach Volleyball team in 2024. 

“We believe that the best life is an active life. This philosophy drives everything we do at Left On Friday, our mission is to create swimwear that not only looks good, but also performs exceptionally well in any active setting. Whether you are swimming, playing beach volleyball, or simply enjoying a day at the beach – our products are designed to support and enhance your active lifestyle. We are committed to inclusivity, ensuring that our swimwear fits a wide range of body types, so everyone can feel confident and comfortable – we strive to make every day feel like a Friday,” says Shannon Savage, the co-founder of Left On Friday. 

The two new pop-up locations are in Toronto on Ossington Avenue, open through til mid-September, and in Muskoka on Port Carling, open through til Labour Day weekend. 

Left On Friday Ossington (Image: Dustin Fuhs)

Both locations are designed to stand out with its colourful swimwear and provide an opportunity for consumers to try on products. The stores will be featuring Left On Friday’s top selling products as well as new collections. As the location in Muskoka is in cottage country, the store aims to provide a summer cottage vibe with an all-white interior showcasing the colourful swimsuits. Both locations also have custom made surfboards from a collaboration with Jimmy Lewis. 

“Toronto was an obvious choice and it was the top city we wanted to be in as well along with the Muskoka location. Our goal has always been to make the shopping experience easy, and people want to try the suit on. We know what happens once a customer comes into the space, touches the bathing suit, and tries it on – typically, they leave with one. We will also be running community activations out of the store and that is really exciting that our customers and community can participate in,” says Laura Low Ah Kee, the co-founder of Left On Friday. 

Left On Friday will have similar events as last year in Muskoka which included pilates on the deck, water ski clubs, and different workouts. 

About the brand 

Left On Friday Ossington (Image: Left on Friday)

Left On Friday was founded six years ago when Savage and Kee, with an extensive background in the apparel industry, particularly with Lululemon, wanted to create swimwear that is not only stylish, but also highly functional and is suitable for a variety of activities from swimming to beach sports. 

“We both left Lululemon for different reasons and we entered into the market with our swimsuits. We got really clear that no one was making beautiful bathing suits to sell for both fashion and function that you can be active in and hang out in, and nobody was applying the knowledge of fabric and fit that we knew from Lululemon to the industry, so that is how we got the idea,” says Kee. 

The brand offers a wide variety of sizes to meet each consumer’s needs, ensuring everyone who walks in can find a swimsuit that will be comfortable and match their needs. 

“In a world of bathing suits, there are fashionable bathing suits and then there are functional bathing suits. Our goal is to make one bathing suit that sells for fashion and function in a really premium way. Can you be active in it? Do you feel powerful in it? Is it cute enough? Will you wear it to a pool party and on vacation? It is really about that one suit that can do everything,” says Kee. 

Left On Friday Ossington (Image: Left On Friday)

Savage says consumers are able to also mix and match to create their own bathing suit style: “It is an amazing opportunity to put their suits together. We never set out to create the one hit wonder of the season, our point was to create a line that she could count on and come back to again and again, so it’s like the timeless classics.” 

In addition to bathing suits, the brand has recently added clothing options such as “beach essentials” including tops, pants, and accessories. 

“The best life an active life” 

Youtube video

All swimsuits at Left On Friday are made for both activity and casual wear, Savage says they place a lot of time into designing the swimsuits to ensure the suit is appropriate for both. To ensure quality, Savage and Kee say they use a variety of athletes to test products for sports such as volleyball, surfing, kayaking, and more. 

The fabric used on products is Smoothing Dream and is sourced from Italy. Savage says the fabric is compressive, both when wet and dry. The fabric is also resistant to fading in the sun and can survive in chlorine, salt water, and hot tubs: “Our first point of innovation was really just about the fabric that we chose and we placed a lot of effort into defining the fabric that we launched our product with,” says Savage. 

As finding a bathing suit can be a difficult process for women, Left On Friday not only makes the process painless, but leaves customers feeling comfortable and excited about their new bathing suits. 

“Finding a bathing suit can be a painful process, and our goal is to make the process better and to also make a swimsuit that makes you feel amazing. People are obsessed,” says Kee. “That is why we are so passionate about retail, because the product experience that women have when they actually see the product in person, feel it, and try it on – it is a transformative experience for them and they have just never felt swimwear that makes them feel so good, people have even cried in changing rooms because of how they feel.”  

Team Canada sponsorship 

Volleyball Canada x Left On Friday (Image: Left On Friday)
Volleyball Canada x Left On Friday (Image: Left On Friday)

Left On Friday is again sponsoring the Canadian Beach Volleyball team at the Olympics. This collaboration has led to new innovations, such as the development of the one-shoulder top designed specifically for each volleyball player. The brand also customizes each swimsuit for the players. Left On Friday has been sponsoring this team since 2022. 

“We are sponsoring the entire team and we are super proud of products as it really is the definition of fashion and function. Shannon designed a one-shoulder top, which was based off of their feedback that they love to play in the one-shoulder top and they found it so beautiful to wear. So we designed a custom one-shoulder top, and one girl hits with her right arm, so her strap is on her left. So it is truly an innovation of function and fashion in one,” says Kee. 

Expansion plans 

Left On Friday Ossington (Image: Left On Friday)
Left on Friday Ossington (Image: Dustin Fuhs)

Currently, Left On Friday has two pop-up locations, one showroom in Victoria, one location in Vancouver, wholesale locations, and online shopping but Savage and Kee say they would like to expand across Canada.

The brand would be considering opening more locations in Toronto and Vancouver and are looking at Alberta as another possible location as “the products would be a great fit for the activities and lifestyle in the province,” says Kee. The brand would also be exploring the idea of seasonal pop-up stores in various lake towns and other popular summer destinations across Canada and would operate for two or four months. 

Outside of Canada, Left On Friday is opening retail locations in Las Vegas and New York with long-term leases of three to five years. Overall, Left On Friday aims to be present in key cities and popular destinations across Canada and internationally, providing a unique and engaging shipping experience for consumers. 

“There are so many places where people go where there are big bodies of water, so it would be amazing to have more pop-ups. Women want to do more than just sit in their swimsuits. They want to run around and go on really cool adventures and we believe that the best life is an active life,” says Kee.

Kate Camenzuli of CBRE represents Left On Friday for its retail expansion.

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