Jo Malone standalone store in The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens Fl. Photo: The Gardens Mall
UK-based luxury fragrance brand Jo Malone will open three standalone stores in Canada next year as part of the company’s global retail expansion. The three boutique spaces will open in 2021 with two stores in Toronto and one in Vancouver.
The stores are part of a growth strategy for the brand, which for years has been carried in Canada at Holt Renfrew, as well as Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Sephora.
The Jo Malone brand, founded by a well-known perfumer by the same name, is known for its unique customizable fragrances that include perfumes, candles, bath products, and room scents.
Jo Malone Picks 3 Leading Shopping Centres in Canada for Expansion
For the Canadian expansion, Jo Malone chose three of Canada’s leading shopping centres to open its first stores. In Toronto, Jo Malone will open stores at CF Toronto Eaton Centre as well as at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre. The 860-square-foot CF Toronto Eaton Centre boutique will be located on the third level of the shopping centre next to Club Monaco and across from jeweller European Boutique. The 600-square-foot Yorkdale Jo Malone boutique will be located next to Ladurée and across from the mall’s Chloé and recently-opened Louis Vuitton stores.
Exterior of future Jo Malone store in CF Toronto Eaton Centre. Photo: Dustin FuhsInterior of Jo Malone store at Palladium Mall in Mumbai. Photo: WWD
In Vancouver, Jo Malone will open an 800-square-foot boutique on the upper level of CF Pacific Centre in a retail space located between Canada Goose and a Zegna store, across from Harry Rosen. The upper level of CF Pacific Centre is home to other upscale retail tenants including Max Mara, Maje, and Mackage, with a large Holt Renfrew store across a pedway over Dunsmuir Street.
Jane Baldwin, Senior Vice President at Lennard Commercial Realty negotiated the deals on behalf of Jo Malone. Ms. Baldwin represents Estée Lauder brands in Canada as real estate representative. Cadillac Fairview is the landlord for CF Toronto Eaton Centre and CF Pacific Centre while Oxford Properties manages Yorkdale.
Jo Malone founded her eponymous brand in 1983 in London. The brand took off in the United States in the 1990s after Ms. Malone appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show. She sold the Jo Malone brand in 1999 to Estée Lauder which owns the brand to this day.
Eric Douilhet, General Manager at Estée Lauder Canada, spoke to Retail Insider about the expansion. He said that the new standalone Jo Malone stores are part of an effort for the brand to create a curated experience for customers.
Stores also act as a marketing conduit for Jo Malone to create brand awareness in markets. And in markets where Jo Malone has opened stores, sales in multi-brand retailers carrying the line also see a boost.
Mr. Douilhet said that the three Canadian Jo Malone stores will likely open in May or June of 2021, depending on when construction is finished. Jo Malone takes possession of the three retail spaces early next year he noted.
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Map of top level of CF Pacific Centre with red arrow indicating location of future Jo Malone store.
Map of third floor of CF Toronto Eaton Centre with red arrow indicating location of future Jo Malone store.
Map of Yorkdale Shopping Centre with red arrow indicating location of future Jo Malone store.
He also noted that the Jo Malone store expansion is part of a direct-to-consumer movement for the beauty industry that has been ongoing for the past 15 years or so. Estée Lauder-owned MAC Cosmetics has operated its own stores for years, and more recently Estée Lauder has opened standalone stores for its brands including Le Labo and Clinique among others. Estée Lauder also recently regained control of the company’s Aveda stores in Canada which for 25 years were operated by a Canadian distributor.
Besides Jo Malone’s wholesale accounts in Canada, the brand also has a dedicated Canadian e-commerce site. Jo Malone also operates a store at Pearson International Airport in Toronto as part of a travel retail division.
Mr. Douilhet said that Estée Lauder will review the productivity of the three new Canadian stores before deciding to open any more locations.
We will follow up on this article when Jo Malone begins opening its Canadian stores next year.
In February 2020, just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, DSV Global Transport and Logistics moved into their new 1.1 million-square-foot head office and warehouse facility in Milton, Ontario – the largest multi-client logistics facility in Canada. Also serving as the company’s head office, DSV’s Milton warehouse is almost at capacity less than a year after its opening.
Hungry for Space?
In response to the pandemic, DSV has kept supply chains flowing by providing clients with critical services and transporting key goods like PPE and medical supplies. With warehouse space at a premium, DSV’s Milton facility offers unique features such as 111,000-square-feet of climate-controlled space (15-25°C). Catering to the food industry and confectionary clients, DSV is ideally positioned to serve the Canadian B2B and B2C markets with proximity to Canada’s busiest Highway 401 and Pearson International Airport in Toronto.
Leading Logistics Through Change
Rob Chanona, Managing Director for DSV Canada’s Solutions Division, said the innovative and state-of-the-art facility will also serve as the model for other similar spaces, as the company expands its unique concept across the country.
Rob Chanona (Linkedin)
“COVID-19 has ultimately changed the way every business looks at their supply chain and its future. With rolling lockdowns throughout the country, e-commerce has grown exponentially, and businesses are looking to optimize the way they reach their customers on a multi-channel level. The ability to change and grow is defining a new logistics focus in 2020 and beyond,” notes Chanona.
“1.1 million square feet is definitely big, but there’s a value with being big that we’re trying to bring to the market. It’s a uniquely DSV initiative to create size, scale and flexibility, and the only way to do that is to go large,” he said. “It’s the largest multi-client facility in Canada. We’re the seventh largest physical warehouse building in Canada but we’re the largest multi-client facility.
“That is the essence of our strategy. Typically, if you’re a client in Canada that needs product distribution, regardless of the vertical you’re in, you typically need to find a facility to fit your business. The problem is, especially in a changing economy, you get that 100,000-square-foot space you need today, but then you’re constrained. You can’t grow within 100,000 square feet, and with the low vacancy rates that we’re seeing in the GTA, that’s becoming a more challenging problem for clients who are growing while also trying to distribute their products cost-effectively. The alternative that we’re bringing to the market is instead of investing in your own 100,000-square-foot space, our 1.1 million square-foot-facility is multi-client. We have more than one client in our Milton facility, giving our clients the potential to scale up and down as we flex with other clients that are in the same building. In this size and scale, we’re giving clients the flexibility of being somewhat transactional. If they grow, they pay more. If they decrease or must scale back, they pay less. It’s a way for them to manage the cost logistics in their business. Amplified by the pandemic, being able to scale your business to the market needs is critical, says Chanona.”
DSV, a global company with international headquarters in Hedehusene, Denmark (near Copenhagen), is a global transport and logistics service provider – with air and sea, road, rail freight, customs brokerage and warehousing services. The company has operated since 1976. Today, with over 55,000 employees in over 80 countries, DSV is the world’s 5th largest transport and logistics company.
“DSV encompasses the entire spectrum of supply chain services. We are segmented into three business units – Air & Sea, Road and Solutions (our warehousing),” said Chanona. “We provide the entire gamut for end-to-end supply chain management.”
DSV Milton Warehouse. Photo: DSV Solutions Inc.
What’s Next for DSV Canada?
DSV’s new facility in Milton provides a one-source solution for businesses. With fully racked shelving locations and 40-foot clear height, its size and scope can handle many client needs.
“As we look toward 2021, we know that many clients are redesigning their supply chains with a domestic focus. Investing in the future of Canadian logistics is where we want to be and grow,” says Rob Chanona.
“We have plans currently to expand in the lower Mainland of Vancouver, using a similar design model as Milton.. The reason for that is we have a lot of customers that want either a bi-coastal or a separate West Coast and East Coast distribution centre to address their supply chain requirements,” said Chanona.
“Based on the current needs and e-commerce growth in the Canadian marketplace, we could easily envision a Milton 2.0 in the next three to five years. Vancouver is going to be coming online in about two and a half years. It takes a little bit of financial strength to be able to invest in this type of strategy. It’s a sound strategy because we bring value to clients’ supply chains by having these large warehouses, so we’re convinced that this is the way to go.”
In Canada alone, DSV has over 2 million square feet of warehouse space.
Warehouse Automation. Photo: DSV Solutions Inc.
Automate to Innovate
“DSV is very big on automation. One of the additional things that we bring to the marketplace in these big facilities is the ability to implement automation. These large scale facilities allow DSV to invest in automation concepts such as warehouse robotics and moving goods to people,” said Chanona.
“One of the challenges with automation for a client in that 100,000-square-foot size range is automation is fairly capital intensive and you need a lot of volume to offset the costs. In a multi-client environment, what we do when we build partnerships in a certain vertical, like say fashion apparel, a retail fashion customer, is you put like-minded customers together and you build scale. It allows DSV to invest the heavy capital and then spread it over three to four clients that normally wouldn’t be able to do it on their own.”
Chanona adds that “Automation benefits everyone; clients and warehouse workers alike. It elevates the opportunities and showcases to clients how they can leverage efficiencies and scale to best suit their business.”
Bogner store at 131 Bloor St. W. in Toronto. Photo: Craig Patterson
German luxury fashion brand Bogner has opened its first corporately-run storefront in Canada on Toronto’s Mink Mile. The boutique opened in partnership with retail consultancy Flagship RTL and spells confidence in brick-and-mortar retail in Canada’s largest city.
Bogner’s ‘Winter Boutique’ to Stay Open on Toronto’s Mink Mile At Least Until March 2021
The Bogner ‘Winter Boutique’ pop-up store will remain open at least until March of 2021. Construction began earlier this month in a 3,320-square-foot space located in The Colonnade at 131 Bloor Street West. Bogner is located next to competitor Moncler, the Italian luxury outerwear and fashion brand which opened there in 2017.
Bogner on Bloor Street West in Toronto. Photo: Craig Patterson
Dark metal modular fixtures are used to showcase the product in the new Bogner store. Stock includes outerwear which Bogner is known for as well as ready-to-wear from the Bogner Sport and Fire & Ice collections. The store features LED video screens and ample use of mannequins to showcase various styles.
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Bogner Interior on Bloor Street West (Toronto). Photo: Bogner
Bogner Interior on Bloor Street West (Toronto). Photo: Craig Patterson
Bogner Interior on Bloor Street West (Toronto). Photo: Craig Patterson
Bogner Interior on Bloor Street West (Toronto). Photo: Craig Patterson
Bogner Interior on Bloor Street West (Toronto). Photo: Craig Patterson
Bogner Interior on Bloor Street West (Toronto). Photo: Craig Patterson
Bogner Interior on Bloor Street West (Toronto). Photo: Craig Patterson
“We’re very excited to extend our business in North America, especially during these exceptional times. With FlagshipRTL as our partner, Bogner has been able to test new markets and strategies seamlessly, and without the traditional long-term financial commitments associated with opening stores. Canada has been an opportunity for Bogner for years. We want to connect with our longtime Canada fans in a way that is real, and a stand-alone pop-up store at the iconic Colonnade in the heart of Toronto’s luxury district is the most impactful way to do that,” said Heinz Hackl, co-CEO of Bogner.
The 70 year old Bogner brand features pricey fashions that will be right at home on the stretch of Bloor Street in Toronto is known as the Mink Mile. Ski jackets are priced in the $1,000 to $3,000 range depending on style.
The resort town of Whistler near Vancouver is also home to a Bogner ‘partner store’ run by a local franchisee. The only other North American storefront for Bogner is a permanent store in New York City’s Soho area. Bogner operates stores globally with a focus on European cities and resort towns known for skiing.
Bogner was founded in 1932 by Willy Bogner who imported skis, equipment, and Norwegian knit wear. His wife Maria revolutionized fashion in 1948 when she designed trousers made out of stretch material with stirrups — the dictionary now refers to these as ‘Bogners’. The iconic “B” zipper was introduced to garments in 1955. Willy Bogner Junior launched Bogner’s first ski collection in 1971 called ‘Formula W’. Last year Bogner relaunched its classic jackets with a modern interpretation and is now in expansion mode.
Close up of Bogner’s display mannequin. Photo: Craig Patterson
Close up of Bogner’s display mannequin. Photo: Craig Patterson
Click for Interactive Google Map of Bogner open on the Mink Mile in Toronto.
Bogner’s New Store Spells Confidence for Brick & Mortar Retail Amid COVID-19
Bogner’s move onto Toronto’s Mink Mile spells confidence for brick-and-mortar retail. The Bogner storefront acts as a brand activation which educates and creates awareness for the Bogner brand in the affluent Bloor-Yorkville area and beyond. At the same time, Bloor Street has struggled with vacancies following spring shutdowns due to COVID-19.
David Wyatt, VP of Retail Leasing at Morguard, said that there’s a possibility that the Bogner lease could be extended and could become a permanent location depending on performance. Morguard owns heritage-designated The Colonnade which was Canada’s first mixed-use building when it opened in 1963. The Colonnade’s retail podium originally consisted of a two-level enclosed shopping centre with about 50 stores. Over the years the retail component was transformed into a street-facing row of luxury stores along with a second-level William Ashley store and a newly opened restaurant called Amal. Last year Dior opened its largest store in North America at The Colonnade, joining other tenants including Coach, Prada, Cartier, Black Goat Cashmere, and Escada.
The previous tenant in Bogner’s space was also a pop-up. William Ashley operated there for several months prior to opening its new store at The Colonnade in the spring of 2018. And prior to that, Sephora operated a store in the Bogner space as well as in the adjacent Moncler space — Sephora relocated to 77 Bloor Street West in the fall of 2016.
Exterior of Thom Browne store in Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Photo: Thom Browne
Luxury fashion brand Thom Browne has opened its first Canadian boutique at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre. It is only the fourth standalone Thom Browne location in North America and is part of Yorkdale’s move to solidify itself as the luxury retail epicentre of Canada.
The Thom Browne boutique spans about 1,430 square feet in a new luxury wing at Yorkdale which is anchored by a recently opened Louis Vuitton flagship at its north end. The Thom Browne boutique carries an expansive assortment of Thom Browne sportswear for both men and women as well as bags, accessories, footwear, eyewear, and Thom Browne Vetyver fragrances.
Thom Browne Opening Part of Yorkdale’s Move to Become Canada’s Luxury Retail Epicentre
Interior images of new Thom Browne Flagship at Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Photos: Thom Browne
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Interior images of new Thom Browne Flagship at Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Photos: Thom Browne
The space itself features ample use of marble, with high ceilings creating a sense of drama. The store’s design is reflective of a mid-century office with signature slat blind-covered windows, “fluorescent” LED tube lighting, polished grey and black terrazzo flooring, and banker grey Bardiglio and Carrara marble walls. Mid-century furniture by American and French designers is featured throughout, including pieces by Dunbar by Edward Wormley, Knoll, Paul McCobb, Karl Springer, Jacques Adnet, and Maison Jansen.
Stan Vyriotes and David Wedemire of DWSV Remax Ultimate Realty Inc. negotiated the Thom Browne lease deal on behalf of the retailer. Oxford Properties is the landlord for the Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
The Yorkdale Thom Browne store is the fourth standalone location for the brand in North America. The three other stores are in New York City at 100 Hudson Street, at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa CA, and at the Miami Design District in Miami. Globally, Thom Brown operates 40 retail spaces including a mix of standalone stores and concessions in department stores. The majority of Thom Browne’s locations are in Asia according to its website.
In Canada, Thom Browne has been expanding its presence over the past several years with wholesale partners. That includes retailers such as Holt Renfrew, Harry Rosen (menswear), CNTRBND, SSENSE, and others. The Room at Hudson’s Bay carries the women’s line in Toronto and Vancouver.
Floor plan of Yorkdale Shopping Centre marking location of Thom Browne flagship. Image: Yorkdale Shopping Centre
Another Standalone Thom Browne Store Could Follow in Vancouver
A Thom Browne representative noted the possibility of a second standalone Thom Browne store that would be located in Vancouver. It’s not yet known where it would locate, though the city’s luxury retail clustering for the most part is centred around the 1000 block of Alberni Street.
American fashion designer Thom Browne founded his brand in 2001 with made-to-measure menswear. His background prior to founding the clothing line included a position as a salesperson at Giorgio Armani in New York City before designing for Club Monaco. He was said to be instrumental in starting the trend of slim-fitting menswear with collections inspired by mid 20th century American style that included details such as grosgrain trim and short trousers shown with exposed ankles. His first line of ready-to-wear menswear launched in 2004 and he won several awards early on before launching womenswear for Brooks Brothers’ Black Fleece label in 2007. The first women’s Thom Browne collection debuted in 2011.
Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre has become the densest clustering of luxury brands in Canada, surpassing Toronto’s Bloor-Yorkville as well as Vancouver’s Alberni Street ‘luxury zone’. Yorkdale features locations for brands such as Valentino, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Chloé, Bulgari, TAG Heuer, Furla, David Yurman, and others which have no other standalone storefronts in Canada. Other luxury brands on the way include Celine and Golden Goose. And next week Yorkdale will unveil a 25,000-square-foot Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N entertainment centre that will operate for several months.
Defocused crowd of people shopping locally during the holiday period.
Consumers seem overwhelmingly in support of helping out Canadian retailers this holiday shopping season as the retail industry continues to struggle through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shopping local is of growing importance for Canadians indicates the Retail Council of Canada‘s (RCC) annual Holiday Shopping Survey of over 2,500 Canadians from coast to coast conducted in October 2020
90% of Canadians Believe Buying Local is Key this Holiday Season
It found that 90 per cent of Canadians say buying from a retailer in Canada is key and 83 per cent also agree that buying items made in Canada is important.
Diane J. Brisebois
“More than ever, Canadians understand the critical role retail plays in helping keep our communities strong,” said Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO Retail Council of Canada. “Retailers are doing everything they can to ensure Canadians have the products they want and are offering great promotions so consumers can confidently and safely begin their holiday shopping earlier this year. Canadians, in turn, are increasingly appreciating the role they can play in helping to support retailers and businesses in Canada during this pandemic.
“The most important highlights of the survey are the responses to the importance of buying from a retailer in Canada this holiday season and the acknowledgement that streetfront and main street small retailers need support now more than ever. That acknowledgement and that understanding is what’s stood out for us in the survey.
“That was encouraging in the sense that the message that we’ve been conveying throughout the pandemic is the importance of supporting our merchants across the country and it appears to be very much a front of mind for consumers in Canada. That’s very encouraging in light of the challenges that everyone is facing.”
Here are some of the key findings from the survey:
Holiday spending intentions are lower but 50 per cent still plan to spend about the same as last year: Canadians are planning to spend $693 in 2020 (versus $792 in 2019), with 57 per cent saying this is because there will be fewer get-togethers and 55 per cent saying it is because they have less money to spend;
Canadians plan to spend similar percentages of their budgets on Black Friday (37 per cent), Cyber Monday (25 per cent) and Boxing Day (27 per cent) as they did last year;
74 per cent of their budget will be spent on others, while 26 per cent will be spent on themselves. 41 per cent of those who will spend more on themselves this year will do so because they want to treat themselves;
The product categories Canadians will be spending their money on is shifting: The number one category remains food, alcohol, candy or sweets (19 per cent of overall spend). The second and third categories are, like last year, clothing and toys. However, the budget portion people are spending in these categories is shifting to other categories. More money this year will be spent on personal electronics, health and personal care, books and music, sports equipment, and furniture;
28 per cent of Canadians also say the ability to buy online and pick-up in-store or curbside is more important this year than in the past;
58 per cent of consumers will shop in store this year (a 14 per cent decline versus 2019) and 42 per cent will shop online (an increase of 14 per cent versus 2019). Mobile will see a huge increase in usage for both researching and ordering across all product categories;
A quarter of Canadians have already begun their 2020 holiday shopping. In terms of timing versus last year, 21 per cent this year say they will shop earlier in 2020 – the main reason is to avoid shipping delays, eight per cent will shop later, and 71 per cent won’t change when they begin shopping this year.
More Canadians Self-Buying than Ever Before
“Another finding that we thought interesting was the increase in the amount of Canadians who are saying that they will be self gifting this year. While we expected that consumers would say in the survey that they plan to spend a bit less than last year, we weren’t expecting to see that big a jump in regards to spending on themselves,” said Brisebois.
“We do expect to see consumers more conscious of budgets this year than they did in past years because of the pandemic and some of the security that exists within the community in regards to their financial situation.”
An explosion in consumer interest over recent years concerning exclusive, limited-run, branded product has resulted in an increased demand for the rare and hard-to-find, and a surge in growth of the secondary resell market that specializes in the transfer of these types of product. Fuelled by mass global use of social media platforms and the connectivity of the internet, exposure and accessibility to the wares available within this once niche segment has expanded exponentially. And, recognizing Canada as one of the major centres of growth and culture within the space, StockX recently announced the opening of its first Canadian authentication centre in Toronto.
An online marketplace featuring an impressive array of categories that include products from brands like Supreme, BAPE, Balenciaga, Off White, and many others, StockX is rapidly expanding. Touting itself as the “stock market of things”, it’s quickly becoming the go-to source for all items difficult-to-obtain. And, supported by an innovative authentication process in which the company and its people act as the facilitator and arbiter between buyers and sellers, the legitimacy of the products available on its website is always guaranteed. It’s an approach and strategy that’s reaped early rewards for the company, and is one that Greg Schwartz, COO of StockX, describes as the creation of a marketplace environment that enables a seamless, transparent and trustworthy experience for all.
A Different Kind of Marketplace Experience
“The hypotheses behind the idea of StockX was to develop an online marketplace that leverages stock market mechanics in order to create a more powerful buying and selling platform and e-commerce model for consumers,” he says. “When we looked at sneakers, which was the first product that we offered, we recognized deficiencies in the other marketplaces and platforms that were selling the same products. Buyers on the other platforms were never quite sure who they were buying from. The discrepancy in prices paid by customers was chasmic. And, some people might receive authentic product, while others would unfortunately receive counterfeit product. These are things that you don’t need to consider when buying a share of stock in a company. We wanted to borrow a lot of the principles from the world’s capital markets, which have been the most powerful forms of commerce for hundreds of years, and apply them to consumer goods.”
Launched in Detroit in early 2017, StockX has since quickly expanded its presence globally with authentication and distribution centres located throughout parts of North America and Europe, serving customers in more than 200 countries. And, in line with its tremendous expansion, it also broadened its product categories to include luxury and limited-edition streetwear, electronics, collectibles, accessories, and more. Valued today at more than US$1-billion, the company continues its rise and success, attracting more interest from an ever-widening segment of fans of what Schwartz calls the ‘relevant current culture’. It’s success that he attributes to the brand that StockX has managed to build around a model that’s gaining traction every day.
“On StockX, we offer incredible transparency of data for the user,” he asserts. “Each single product page displays all of the supply and demand and historical pricing history for that product. It aids both the buyers and sellers in making informed decisions about the products in question. And because we sit in the middle of every transaction, we’re able to validate the condition and authenticity of the products, taking a lot of the friction out of the process, creating a unique experience for the customer.”
Verified Expert Authentication
Transactions on StockX are not too dissimilar to those that occur on other marketplaces, in which sellers of items post them on the StockX website and await potential buyers to place bids on those items. What sets it apart, however, differentiating its offering from just about every one of its competitors on the online marketplace landscape is the authentication process that takes place once an item has been successfully bid on by a customer. Within two business days following the transaction on StockX, the seller of the product ships it to one of the company’s authentication centres where it is subject to a rigorous expert review concerning its condition and authenticity. And upon authentication and approval, the product is shipped to the buyer and funds are released to the seller.
The authentication process is at the core of the experience that StockX provides for its users. Leveraging a robust database of proprietary information, machine learning and a team of authenticators possessing a breadth of experience and expertise with respect to the items examined, each product undergoes a thorough inspection which involves multiple points of review, including the inspection of original product packaging among other things. And to further ensure the authenticity of the item for the buyer and to provide validation of the process through which products are subjected to, every shipment from StockX authentication centres includes one of the company’s ‘Verified Authentic’ tags, each containing a code unique to the individual item they are shipped with.
Screenshot of StockX website.
Canadian Expansion
In addition to the verification of each item that passes through its website, another key differentiator of the StockX offering is the simple fact that it provides a platform that helps make these often limited-edition, difficult-to-find, sometimes completely obscure products accessible to a mass audience and community around the world. It’s a way in which those within the community are benefitting. And for Canadian StockX users, the opening of the company’s Toronto authentication centre means even more, allowing the company to introduce ‘All in Pricing’ for Canadian consumers, significantly reducing fees that would, until now, be incurred related to import duties and other shipping charges. And, because the centre serves to increase local supply within the country, Canadian sellers and buyers are connected where possible, resulting in even lower shipping fees and shorter shipping times for buyers, and reduced shipping costs and faster payouts for sellers. It’s a development that Schwartz says StockX are excited and pleased to announce, providing greater service and a better experience for its Canadian customers on the heels of impressive growth within the country.
“We’ve got an incredibly passionate group of users in Canada,” he asserts, pointing out that the growth of sales from Canadian sellers increased by 155% in 2020 from the previous year. “The introduction of the Toronto authentication centre allows us to continue growing the market in a city and country that we consider to be one of the cultural hubs within this segment and create a duty-free marketplace for Canadians to buy and sell product. It removes further friction for the end-user in the country, creating a more seamless experience from checkout to the receipt of goods. We’re excited by the potential that our presence in Canada represents and the opportunities for us to further deepen our relationship with the Canadian consumer.”
Further Growth and Expansion
The opening of the Toronto authentication centre is just one of three new locations to be launched by the company this quarter and is a reflection of the dynamic opportunities that exist within the global resale market going forward. And, according to Schwartz, they are opportunities that the company, by virtue of its unique model, are well-positioned to capitalize on as it continues to forge ahead with aggressive plans for further growth and expansion.
“International expansion is a major priority for StockX. We have active users all over the world, and expanding our presence will allow us to offer faster delivery times and a more localized end-to-end experience for our customers in core markets. With respect to product categories, we’ve expanded our offering from what was originally sneakers to include more of what users of StockX are interested in. And we’ll continue to expand those categories wherever it makes sense. But, despite the ways in which we might be expanding, our focus and efforts are always directed toward continuing to provide customers with an incredible experience throughout their interactions with us, and investing in innovations in our supply chain and platform to help support those great experiences.”
Brief: Mexx Re-Entering Canada, Hudson's Bay Adds Brands
Mexx Returns to Canada in Walmart Partnership
Dutch fashion brand Mexx has relaunched in Canada after all stores closed in early 2015. This time it’s part of a partnership with Walmart which is stocking the Mexx brand in many Canadian stores as well as at Walmart.ca.
Taking inspiration from working at home and ‘cocooning’, Mexx developed a line of soft, comfortable, stylish fleece separates for women for the holiday season. More Mexx styles will be launched in partnership with Walmart Canada in 2021 including a range of apparel for both men and women. Prices have been kept affordable to keep in line with Walmart’s product offerings.
Exterior of Walmart Store. Photo: WalmartMexx logo. Image: Mexx Facebook
In March of 2018 we reported that Mexx was planning on re-entering Canada by opening standalone stores in the 2,150-3,230-square-foot range — smaller than Mexx’s former stores which were typically 8,600 to 13,000 square feet in size. That expansion ended up not coming to fruition.
Mexx operated more than 100 stores in Canada before the brand closed up shop in 2015. Mexx was founded in 1986 and Canada became one of the brand’s top markets. When the company went bankrupt in 2014, there were only 11 Mexx stores in the United States.
Yorkdale Unveiling 25,000-Square-Foot ‘Avengers’ Entertainment Centre Next Week
PHOTO: AVENGERS STATION
On Friday November 20 Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre will unveil an Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. themed entertainment centre in the mall. The initiative, launched by Paquin Entertainment Group and Victory Hill Exhibitions, will be open for several months with a first batch of tickets going on sale into January 2021. It’s part of an initiative to drive foot traffic to the mall and is a change from the Mattel family entertainment centre that was announced for the space in July of 2019.
The multi-room museum-like Avengers experience will be dedicated to the the ‘Marvel Cinematic Universe’ featuring original props and costumes from popular films, including Captain America’s shield, Iron Man’s various suits of armour and Thor’s hammer. Electronic displays will be found throughout the exhibit. Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. has had previous pop-ups in cities around the world including London, Seoul, Paris, Singapore, Beijing, Chongqing and Bangalore. The Toronto installation will be the first to feature a Black Panther exhibit.
A retail store, which will not require an admission purchase, will feature limited edition items and exclusive merchandise such as limited edition t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, collectable posters, toys and others. Various FUNKO, Beast Kingdom, Hasbro, TY, Diamond Comics toys and graphic novel products will be carried as well as licensed toys, games, action figures, and accessory products. A “very special collaboration with Roots Canada” will also be featured.
Given record-breaking cases of COVID-19 in Ontario, it’s unclear how much foot traffic the exhibit will get in the coming weeks. The exhibit and retail space will enforce COVID-19 related health and safety protocols including regular cleaning, hand sanitizer stations and limiting the number of guests allowed in at a time.
YORKDALE LEASE PLAN VIA OXFORD PROPERTIES
It’s unclear what will happen to the 25,000-square-foot space at Yorkdale long-term, given that Avengers will occupy the space for a bit over two months. In 2019, Mattel announced that it would be opening its first family entertainment centre in a press release. At the time Mattel didn’t reveal that Yorkdale would be the location for what would have included Barbie, Mega Construx and Hot Wheels brands targeting children ages 4-10 with immersive, hands-on play and entertainment experiences. Mattel was to have opened in the spring of 2020 in partnership with iP2Entertainment which would have brought family game nights, experiential retail and food/beverage options.
It’s also unclear if the Mattel deal is off the table for good — in early 2020 Eataly was said to have been scoping out the 25,000 square foot Yorkdale space after opening its first location at the Manulife Centre in downtown Toronto in November of 2019. Yorkdale’s landlord Oxford Properties was also set to open a National Geographic interactive centre at Square One in Mississauga this year and in the spring, construction signage was spotted by readers.
Furla Opens 2nd Canadian Store at Toronto Premium Outlets
Exterior of Furla Store at Toronto Premium Outlets. Photo: Jorge Cabrera
Interior images of new Furla Store at Toronto Premium Outlets. Photos: Jorge Cabrera
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The Toronto Premium Outlets location features an assortment of Furla bags and accessories at discounted prices. Furla was founded by the Furlanetto family in 1927, and it continues to remain family-owned. The company produces various product categories that include leather goods such as handbags and shoes, as well as an expanding category of accessories that include eyewear, jewellery, and watches. Furla’s headquarters are in Bologna, Italy, in a historic 18th-century villa. In 2015, the company opened a five-storey tall ‘Palazzo’ in central Milan.
Montreal-based licensee Halcyon Brands is behind the Furla brand expansion in Canada. Jeff Berkowitz of Aurora Realty Consultants negotiated the Toronto Premium Outlets lease and is working on a Canadian store expansion that could see Furla stores in several major Canadian markets. Furla is seeking retail spaces between 1,000 square feet and 1,500 square feet on high streets as well as in major shopping centres.
Hudson’s Bay Adding Brands and Departments
Mastermind Toys in Hudson’s Bay. Photo: David Pike
Hudson’s Bay is making some changes that include adding 35 new brands to its stores this fall/winter. That includes Club Monaco as well as kid-focused showrooms and pop-ups for brands such as Mastermind Toys.
Canadian founded, Ralph Lauren-owned fashion brand Club Monaco has found a presence at Hudson’s Bay stores for the first time. Dedicated Club Monaco departments launched earlier in the month at 21 Hudson’s Bay stores as well as on Hudson’s Bay’s e-commmerce thebay.com.
Men’s and women’s fashions are carried in the stores and online with a focus on comfortable fitting clothing — something more people are buying especially as many are still working from home. That includes hoodies, cashmere sweaters, comfortable pants, and other items Club Monaco has become known for. Club Monaco was founded in 1985 in Toronto and has a storied history in Canada. The brand has stores in Canada as well as in select global markets.
Screenshot of Hudson’s Bay website showing Club Monaco offerings.
Hudson’s Bay has also introduced baby-focused showrooms at 26 stores across Canada. Items for baby showers, preparing for a first child or upgrading nurseries and other products such as Graco strollers, Bugaboo play cribs, growth and development activities from LeapFrog, nursery furniture, decor, and more. Consumers can buy in-store and have purchases shipped to their homes.
Toronto-based Mastermind Toys has also opened pop-up stores at Hudson’s Bay stores including Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre and CF Sherway Gardens. Both boutiques are about 1,000 square feet and offer Mastermind Toys’ signature gift wrap.
Hugo Boss Opens Standalone Men’s Store in Suburban Montreal
Exterior of new Hugo Boss Store at CF Carrefour Laval. Photo: Hugo Boss
Upscale German fashion brand Hugo Boss has opened a 3,028-square-foot storefront for men at CF Carrefour Laval near Montreal. The store is part of Hugo Boss’ direct-to-consumer push which includes standalone stores as well as an e-commerce site that launched this year.
The Laval Hugo Boss men’s store features general and comfortable seating areas arranged to make the product stand out. Granite flooring is used throughout the space. Digital elements such as the latest brand-related campaign videos and fashion shows will also be prominently displayed on a digital LED screen. The store is located between retailers B2 and La Vie En Rose and is a short walk from the mall’s Harry Rosen store. CF Carrefour Laval is home to several upscale retailers such as Montblanc and Mackage.
Exterior of new Hugo Boss Store at CF Carrefour Laval. Photo: Hugo Boss
Interior of new Hugo Boss Store at CF Carrefour Laval. Photo: Hugo Boss
“The opening of this location was envisioned prior to the onset of the global pandemic shutdown. We are thrilled that we are still able to open as planned with our Fall Collection. The Greater Montreal Area has always been a strong market for the Boss Brand. The Province’s culture and lifestyle is a perfect match with the Brand’s European heritage. We are excited to showcase an enriched, modern assortment curated for the new world, where elegant and smart are blended beautifully with sporty and casual. We are here to serve the community of Laval to dress for success!” Says Endre Pech, Managing Director for Hugo Boss Canada.
Hugo Boss operates stores across the country including the greater Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal markets. The brand also wholesales in retailers across the country including Holt Renfrew, Harry Rosen, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Hudson’s Bay, and others.
Reitmans Opens New Store at WEM After Turbulent Year
Exterior of Reitmans at West Edmonton Mall. Photo: Reitmans
Canadian women’s apparel and accessories brands Reitmans has opened a new location at West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton. The store is located in a premium spot on the second floor of the mall and features Reitmans’ full range of products in all categories including women’s tops, bottoms, dresses, lingerie, sleepwear and HYBA activewear. Customers can find their styles in inclusive sizes ranging from 0 to 22, XXS to 3X, in Tall, Regular, and Petite.
“We are thrilled to be back at the West Edmonton Mall and to open our fifth store location in Edmonton”, said Jackie Tardif, President of the Reitmans brand. “While we are investing in our online channel to adapt to the rapid growth we have experienced in ecommerce activities over the past few months, we also continue to strategically evolve our brick and mortar network in Canada as we believe in the importance of being rooted in the communities we serve”.
Interior images of new WEM Reitmans store. Photos: Reitmans
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The new 5,200-square-foot Reitmans is designed using a combination of wood elements, with white fixtures to complement the warm wood tones. The store features the La Conciergerie service by appointment, with in-house experts offering one-on-one personalized styling sessions tailored to customers’ needs. The menu of service offerings can be found in the store or online.
This WEM Reitmans opening comes after a difficult year for the brand that saw store closures and bankruptcy.
In May, Reitmans obtained protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act to “facilitate its operational, commercial, and financial restructuring” as it reacts to the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortly thereafter, in June, the brand closed all its women’s Thyme Maternity and Addition Elle stores in the country, as well as chopping its workforce by about 1,100 employees in its retail stores and about 300 employees at its head office in Montreal.
Nordstrom Canada Invites Customers to Make Merry this Holiday Season
Nordstrom holiday offerings. Image: Nordstrom
Nordstrom’s 2020 Holiday website launched in October with an optimistic call-to-action that focuses on gift giving, convenient services, and festive experiences (in-store and online) to make the season joyful.
The company encourages customers to “Make Merry” with moments of connection which occur through gift exchanges, expressions of love, and the time we share with family and loved ones throughout the Holiday season. With elevated curbside services — such as Curbside Surprise & Delight and complimentary curbside gift wrapping — to extensive gift guides to an array of holiday events, Nordstrom is rounding off a difficult year in high spirits. New deals will be added to Nordstrom’s offerings daily in the lead up to the holiday season.
MUJI Canada Launches Online Retail in Canada for the 1st Time
Screenshot of new MUJI online store.
Japanese lifestyle brand MUJI has debuted its first online shopping platform for Canadian customers. With the introduction of ecommerce, MUJI’s Canadian customers will have a new and convenient option for ordering MUJI’s home goods, clothing, and other essentials directly to their homes. As part of the initial launch, MUJI Canada’s online store features 250 of the brand’s most popular homeware products, including reusable face masks, 2021 planners, and new gel ink pen colour sets, in addition to 50 items of clothing and accessories. MUJI intends to continue adding stock to the online store in the coming months, with the goal of having MUJI Canada’s entire product line available to order in 2021.
“We are so excited to launch our first ecommerce platform in Canada, and we know that our customers will appreciate having a new way to shop for their favorite MUJI products,” said Toru Akita, President of MUJI Canada. “While we are starting with a limited number of products and shipping to two provinces, we have ambitious plans to bring all of our items to customers across Canada in the near future.”
Currently, shipping is limited to Ontario and British Columbia, but MUJI intends to expand the shipping area in the near future. Customers will also have the option to order online and pick up in-store.
EXTERIOR ROW OF RETAILERS AT HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE. PHOTO: HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE
The 2020 global pandemic has presented us all with a host of challenges to overcome, tribulations that have resulted primarily from the vast amount of change that has been imposed on communities all over the world. In the case of mall landlords, the virus’ quick and indiscriminate spread has altered the conventional mall environment, creating a dilemma for them as physical distancing protocols force a shift in consumer shopping behaviour and preferences highlighted by a hesitancy in Canadians to gather in crowded indoor spaces. For this reason, and others, outdoor retail shopping concepts like Heartland Town Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, which provide quick and easy access to an array of street-front stores that offer curbside pickup options, are providing consumers with a safer and more convenient alternative to the traditional mall shopping experience.
“The impacts of COVID-19 have obviously been severe and have been felt by everybody across nearly every sector,” says Paola Caldaroni, Marketing and Leasing Manager at Orlando Corporation – Canada’s largest privately-owned industrial real estate developer and Heartland Town Centre landlord. “It’s really shaken everything up and has forced us all to revaluate how we do things. It’s caused disruptions to the customer shopping experience, particularly to the conventional experience that we’ve all become so used to at indoor mall locations. Because our Heartland Town Centre property is in such a great location and offers such a wide range of retail options, from fashion and home goods to specialty food and grocery, combined with the fact that it’s an outdoor experience with each of our tenants operating exterior street-facing storefronts, it’s performed quite well during the pandemic period.”
EXTERIOR OF NORDSTROM RACK HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE. PHOTO: HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE
EXTERIOR OF HARRY ROSEN OUTLET HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE. PHOTO: HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE
Google Map of Area Surrounding Heartland Town Centre
Everything You Need Is At Heartland Town Centre
One of Canada’s largest and most successful power centres, Heartland Town Centre is conveniently located off Highway 401 at the corner of Mavis Road and Britannia Road in Mississauga. Sprawling 210 acres across all four corners of the busy metropolitan intersection, it offers a mix of nearly 200 full-priced and outlet stores covering over 2 million square feet of retail space. Some of the brands available at the Centre include Adidas, Nordstrom Rack, Sephora, Seafood City, Best Buy, Costco, Canadian Tire, Banana Republic, DSW, H&M, Homesense, JYSK, Harry Rosen Outlet, Loblaws, Marshalls, PetSmart, The Brick, The Keg, Krispy Kreme, Tommy Hilfiger, Wal-Mart, Winners and, of course, many more. It’s a mix of offerings and brands that Caldaroni suggests is second to no other mall location. And, she points out that by operating within an outdoor concept, the benefits available to all of the tenants on the site are immense.
“With the mix of brands, products and services that Heartland Town Centre offers, everything that today’s consumer needs can be found here,” she asserts. “Whether you’re picking up groceries, dining at your favourite restaurant, or purchasing a birthday gift for a loved one, you can do it all at the Centre. Our mix also draws a range of shopping behaviours, too, from those who know what they want and where they want to get it, to those who are just browsing the storefronts for deals. We find that the type of traffic that the Centre generates presents opportunities for other retailers on the property, providing them with a chance to capture incremental traffic and sales. Because each retail location has an exterior storefront, everything on the property is highly visible and accessible. It’s a concept that allows consumers the freedom to stroll the property and peruse the brands on offer, attracting traffic and lending to the success and financial strength of the retail locations we have on site.”
A VARIETY OF RETAILERS AT HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE. PHOTOS: HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE
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EXTERIOR OF BEST BUY AT HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE. PHOTO: HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE
EXTERIOR ROW OF RETAILERS AT HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE. PHOTO: HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE
EXTERIOR OF HOMESENSE AT HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE. PHOTO: HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE
EXTERIOR OF THE KEG AT HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE. PHOTO: HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE
EXTERIOR ROW OF RETAILERS AT HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE. PHOTO: HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE
EXTERIOR OF PANERA BREAD AT HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE. PHOTO: HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE
A Safer Shopping Alternative
In addition to the ease of storefront accessibility, Caldaroni acknowledges the fact that a location like Heartland Town Centre is also able to offer consumers a different shopping option and experience during a time when public health concerns are rampant.
“Most people are currently very concerned about visiting areas where there are a lot of bodies in crowded spaces,” she says. “Heartland Town Centre provides the same great shopping experience as other malls in the country, with the same high calibre of brands and offerings, but in a safer environment. Our visitors don’t have to walk through crowded mall corridors or busy food courts. Access to all of our stores are outside. We’re also leveraging the concept and the parking lot space that we have in order to seamlessly integrate curbside pickup into the Heartland Town Centre offering. We’re strongly encouraging all of our tenants to take advantage of the option. It helps support and satisfy the needs of today’s consumer, while adding an extra layer of safety and convenience to the Centre’s shopping experience.”
In order to cater to and support the park-and-shop type of shopping experience that the Centre offers, there are no less than 28 electric vehicle charging stations located throughout the property, which are available for visitors to use free of charge. And, with a wayfinding mobile app that features a store directory, an interactive map to help visitors navigate from store to store, the offer of exclusive promotions, as well as additional Heartland Town Centre information, Caldaroni suggests that it’s the perfect place for people to, “arrive, plug-in, explore the shops and grab a bite to eat”.
ELECTRIC CHARGING STATION AT HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE. PHOTO: HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE
HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE APP ON SMARTPHONE. PHOTO: HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE
HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE APP SHOWING MAP ON SMARTPHONE. PHOTO: HEARTLAND TOWN CENTRE
Amazing Opportunities Available
And, based on the success of the outdoor mall, it seems as though consumers are doing just that, embracing the Heartland Town Centre offering and concept that’s helping to simultaneously address their concerns and meet their needs. Despite the Centre’s growth during the difficult pandemic period, however, not all of the Centre’s tenants managed to survive the grim impacts of COVID-19, resulting in some lucrative vacancies on the property. They are vacancies that Matthew Kaplan, Leasing Manager at Orlando Corporation, describes as a reflection of the harsh reality of the current retail environment. But he explains, too, that they represent potentially extraordinary opportunities for future tenants.
“It’s actually quite incredible that we’ve got these locations available,” he says. “We have a range of high-profile street front retail leasing opportunities, including spaces from 2,000-16,000 square feet in size, that I’m sure will be coveted by any brand looking to get in front of consumers and become involved in the Heartland Town Centre experience. We’re obviously looking to secure permanent agreements with tenants, but we’re also considering unique pop-up retail concepts that might appeal to our visitors. But, more so, we’re excited to find the right retail partners that can help support the amazing mix of brands and offering that the Centre already offers, and to help them take advantage of a great opportunity.”
Kaplan has no doubts that the current vacancies will soon be filled by some of the Centre’s future success stories, recognizing a need for brands to offer a safer, contactless shopping option for consumers as the industry continues to wade through the murk of the pandemic. Looking forward, however, he also suggests that Heartland Town Centre and other offerings like it represent the way of the future when it comes to the retail shopping experience.
“The outdoor concept is growing in popularity. It’s reflective of evolving consumer behaviour and more accurately addresses their needs and the demands that they have today. People are increasingly desiring and expecting an easy, seamless, convenient and exciting way to shop with their favourite brands, making other amazing discoveries along the way. We’re confident that Heartland Town Centre delivers on these expectations, and more, elevating the shopping experience for our visitors while helping to support the success and growth of our retail partners and tenants.”
For more information about the incredible retail leasing opportunities available at Heartland Town Centre, contact Paola Caldaroni, Marketing and Leasing Manager or Matthew Kaplan, Leasing Manager, Orlando Corporation at 905.677.5480, or email leasing@heartlandtown.com.
Changing demographics with aging population numbers increasing has spurred Canadian retailers to increasingly adopt additional products, services, and initiatives to meet that growing demand.
Ken Keelor, CEO of Calgary Co-op, said the grocery chain serves a very broad demographic and the company has been around now for almost 65 years, with the senior demographic a key customer base.
“It’s a very loyal clientele for Calgary Co-op. They are the people who know Calgary Co-op really well. They know our team members really well, sometimes personally having shopped in the store for 15, 20, 30 years. In many cases, their member number is being used by multiple generations,” said Keelor.
Ken Keelor
“And it’s the only place I have seen in the world really where a grandchild might be using the grandparents number and then the grandparents collect the annual equity cheque and shares mailed out in their name. So a lot of our younger population sees that as an annual gift to their senior parents or grandparents.
“So having an older member number is a big source of pride. We know that that demographic is who built Calgary Co-op. We serve all the demographics but we always remember our roots. Our roots are in those people who are seniors today who’ve been loyal to us and shopped for many, many years with us. The older generation identifies with Calgary Co-op and shops with us more frequently than many other generations. So when we make change to adapt to technology or other things oftentimes we’ll hear from that older generation.”
Calgary Co-op website
Calgary Co-op Focuses on Core Senior Demographic
Bearing in mind those roots and the growing senior population, Keelor said the grocery retailer tries to find things focused on that demographic but others can also avail of it.
Through COVID, it launched senior shopping hours where three days a week seniors were given access to a freshly sanitized, fully stocked store first thing in the morning. It also launched care packages to seniors who were isolated.
Co-op for the past few years has also tied in with the Calgary Seniors Resource Society in assisting seniors in shopping. The grocery chain also works with Meals on Wheels which supports seniors throughout the community.
The company has also launched a number of health care initiatives to look after seniors including a virtual care platform, a web portal to book appointments, flu shots, get prescription refills online. Through COVID, the company launched curbside pickup for prescriptions which seniors love.
Seniors have also been taking advantage of a delivery service of essential items to their homes.
“We work with Alberta Health Services and hospitals to ensure that seniors have appropriate equipment. Wheelchairs and so on. A lot of that we’ve been doing for years but we know that’s very seniors’ focused and a lot of our members as they get older they look for those services and Calgary Co-op is one of the most trusted providers,” said Keelor.
“Culturally, our team members go out of their way for seniors and you see that every day.”
Co-op has three Home Health Care locations. Keelor said he does foresee the company opening more of these locations in the future.
“The thing with home health care is that’s not about how many locations. It’s really how far are you able to service clientele,” he said.
“We believe with our expertise there’s an opportunity. We continue to look for opportunities to acquire new locations, new geographies. But right now we’ve got pretty good coverage for Calgary. But we might look to geographies that are even beyond or any players in the Calgary market who are choosing to exit. A lot of people have left that home health care market because it’s very high labour and it’s very high knowledge. You really have to know what you’re doing. We stayed in there because we think it’s a very, very solid business and Calgary Co-op has always done really well at it.”
Shoppers Drug Mart Opens Edmonton MediSystem Location. Photo: CNW Group/Loblaw Companies Limited
Shoppers Opens MediSystem in Edmonton
Recently, Shoppers Drug Mart Inc. announced the opening of its new MediSystem location in Edmonton. Owned and operated by Shoppers Drug Mart, MediSystem Inc. is an established specialty pharmacy that provides pharmaceutical dispensing and clinical pharmacy consulting services to the senior housing community and group home facilities.
Shoppers said the MediSystem Pharmacy is committed to optimizing the health, wellness and safety of all facility residents through the introduction of innovative technologies, continuing education, enhanced clinical services and seamless medication delivery.
“Since our inception in 1988 we’ve been bringing leading edge technology and personal care to long term care residents across Canada,” said Sandra Daniel, Vice President of Operations and Clinical at MediSystem Pharmacy. “The opening of our new location in Edmonton will allow us to continue to support the health and well-being of the growing number of seniors in long term care and retirement home facilities through the most advanced, dependable, and personalized pharmacy care. Our investment today also reflects confidence in the future direction of health care in Alberta.”
The Edmonton MediSystem staff will include a dedicated pharmacy team, including operational and consultant pharmacists to provide on-site, end-to-end support including one-on-one counseling.
“MediSystem sees great opportunity to bring our advanced, dependable, personal pharmacy and clinical services to clients in the Edmonton long term care and retirement home housing market,” said Daniel.
“MediSystem already operates nine other pharmacy sites across Canada, and has been proudly servicing clients for over 20 years. This is an expansion of our service offering in Alberta and reflects our commitment and confidence in the future direction of health care in the province.
“At this time we are focused on our Calgary and Edmonton sites in the Alberta market. We assess market demand regularly, and look at expansion opportunities based on the individual needs of the community.”
A little more than a year ago, US-based Beyond Meat went public on the NY Stock Exchange and, through an intensive marketing and distribution strategy, raised the visibility and the availability of plant-based meat products throughout North America.
Modern Meat is a women-led vegan food tech company that offers vegan meat substitutes such as burgers, meat crumbles, crab cakes, and meatballs created from pea protein, chickpea flour, mushrooms, and brown rice. All ingredients are free of soy, gluten, nuts, and GMO’s.
Modern Meat Products. Photo: Modern Meat
Last week, Modern Meat announced its acquisition of two of the three Victoria’s Health & Organic Bar retail locations. The plant-based food manufacturer will rebrand them as Modern Health and Wellness Bar.
Interior of Victoria’s Health & Organic Bar. Photo: Victoria’s Health & Organic Bar
For 18-years, Victoria’s Health & Organic Bar has consistently grown to have a strong and loyal following, with 2019’s gross sales from all locations (including the third store in North Vancouver, BC) totalling approximately $4.3 million. Products included vitamins, herbal supplements, healthy minerals, and an organic smoothie and juice bar with cold-pressed juices.
“This is a significant step forward as we advance the Modern lifestyle brand and further supports our goal of making plant-based nutrition more accessible,” said Tara Haddad, CEO of Modern Meat. “Over the past two months, we have been working through some extensive renovations and permitting to rebrand the stores with a focus on offering unique plant-based products. Our team is ready to drive new growth opportunities that are fully aligned with consumers’ preferences for nutritious plant-based alternatives that taste great, are sustainable and good for the environment.”
The stores will continue to focus on vegan products and supplements, as well as a broad offering of premade and grab-and-go plant-based meals as consumers today are looking for foods that are healthier and convenient to acquire.
Modern Meat x PlantX
In April 2020, Modern Meat offered a pre-made meal delivery service throughout the Greater Vancouver area in partnership with PlantX, an online community and lifestyle platform for everything plant-based.
Plant Box Delivery. Photo: Plant Box
They launched with a menu of 15 protein-packed plant-based meals to choose from. PlantX.com is the leading online community for the world to learn and share about everything plant-based. From fresh catered meals delivered direct to non-perishable goods available via same or next day delivery, a development of a powerful local search to find vegan and plant-based resources nearby, and a rapidly growing helpful online community.
Modern Meat x SPUD
In October 2020, Modern Meat announced its products would be available through SPUD (Sustainable Produce Urban Delivery), an online grocery service operating in BC and Alberta that predominantly focuses on selling sustainable, fresh, local, organic produce and groceries from farmers and nearby producers.
SPUD delivery van. Photo: SPUD
The Vancouver-based company was founded in 1997 and has expanded into the largest online grocery company in Canada, employing over 700 people across all its markets. Vertically integrated secondary product lines such as Be Fresh and Organic Acres allow SPUD to reduce food costs and waste, both environmentally responsible and financially attractive.
Plant-based Meat Market in Canada
In March, Google Trends 2020 reported that interest in veganism and plant-based food is at a record high with vegan meat sales in the US soaring by 280%. This surge in plant-based nutrition isn’t new and has been years in the making. The Government of Canada reported in 2016/17 that internationally the plant-based beverage market had grown approximately 33% annually over the past five years. In Canada, plant-based protein products’ sales rose 7% to more than $1.5 billion in the 2016/17 fiscal year.
In June of this year, the Trudeau government announced a $100M investment in the plant-based food industry for Merit Functional Foods in Winnipeg to produce plant-based proteins from peas and canola.
Leading in an In-Demand Niche
Modern Meat is expanding rapidly, fueled by consumer demand and curiosity. During the pandemic, businesses were forced to improvise and get creative to reach their markets, and the team behind Modern Meat did that solidifying distribution with 38 retailers including Stong’s Market, Pomme Natural Markets, Vegan Supply, and Meinhardt Fine Foods, and 8 restaurants including both locations of the acclaimed Heirloom Vegetarian.
By launching and completing their IPO, securing distribution, partnering with Canada-wide PlantX and regional delivery service SPUD, and this month product inclusion in Vancouver-based vegan upstart PlantCurious Subscription Box, Haddad continues to guide the company forward through these uncertain times.
