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Retail Profile: CrossIron Mills in Calgary (March 2021)

March 21, 2021

CrossIron Mills sign next to Highway 2 freeway connecting Calgary and Edmonton. Photo: Pop-up go | Zenergy Communications

Retail Insider continues its Photo Tour series of Canadian malls to provide a glimpse into shopping centres which may be less frequented lately due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This edition takes us to CrossIron Mills next to Calgary, Alberta. The shopping centre is often referred to as being a ‘hybrid outlet’ model as it combines 191 full price retailers under the same roof as 100 outlet and factory stores. The shopping centre has affiliated ‘Mills’ located in the greater Toronto area (known as Vaughan Mills) and the greater Vancouver area (known as Tsawwassen Mills).

CrossIron Mills location on Google Maps — CrossIron Mills location (between Airdrie and Calgary city limits) on Google Maps. Photo: Google Maps

Aerial photo of CrossIron Mills just north of Calgary, Alberta. Photo: CrossIron Mills.

CrossIron Mills Mall Map. Photo: CrossIron Mills Website

As with most Canadian retail spaces, CrossIron Mills is an indoor shopping centre which was developed — and is now owned and operated — by Ivanhoé Cambridge. The retail and designated tourist attraction has resulted in 9.4 million annual visits (as of December 2019), $689 sales per square foot (as of December 2019), and $547 million gross sales volume (as of December 2019). The shopping centre sprawls across 1.2 million square feet and boasts 17 large format anchors which includes:

Bass Pro Shops (148,911 square feet)
Toys “R” Us (51,069 square feet)
Sport Chek (38,990 square feet)
Bed Bath & Beyond (31,950 square feet)
Winners (30,941 square feet)
Saks OFF 5TH (30,009 square feet)
Pro Hockey Life (25,306 square feet)
HomeSense (24,141 square feet)
Skechers (20,901 square feet)
H&M (20,708 square feet)
Indigo Books (20,585 square feet)
Designer Shoe Warehouse (20,565 square feet)
The Children’s Place (20,536 square feet)
Old Navy (20,145 square feet)
Tommy Hilfiger Outlet (20,069 square feet)
Laura Outlet (20,003 square feet)
Urban Planet (20,003 square feet)

History of CrossIron Mills

Vaughan Mills near Toronto, the predecessor and sister shopping centre to CrossIron Mills, was designed and built by Ivanhoé Cambridge and the Mills Corporation in 2004 based on the highly-successful ‘race track’ format for outlet malls in the United States. Mills Corporation was subsequently acquired by Simons Property Group in 2007; however, Ivanhoé Cambridge completed the sale of its interest in Vaughan Mills in October 2006 prior to the acquisition. Ivanhoé Cambridge planned for four Mills shopping centres in Canada, including:

Toronto (Vaughan Mills in Vaughan, Ontario which opened in November 2004)
Calgary (CrossIron Mills)
Vancouver (Tsawwassen Mills in Delta, B.C. which opened in October 2016)
Montreal (Laval Mills in Laval, Quebec which was abandoned in May 2011)

Ivanhoé Cambridge continued riding its success from its now wholly-owned Vaughan Mills and began construction of its second Canadian “Mills” in Calgary. CrossIron Mills opened in phases throughout 2009 and its final phase, the Entertainment Neighbourhood, opened in the summer of 2010.

A $60 million major renovation was announced by Ivanhoé Cambridge in 2014 to relocate the original food court (located off the “Happy Trails Entrance” circled in red below) and opened the new food hall in the Entertainment Neighbourhood in July 2016. The original food court location was then converted into 46,000 square feet of additional retail space.

CrossIron Mills Map with Food Court relocation.

Breaking up CrossIron Mills

Retail Insider has done several retail mall tours and one of the major distinguishing features of a Mills concept centre is the design. With over 1.4 million square feet on a single level, connected by 2.7 km of internal raceway, visual appeal, and architectural variation. The concept was to divide the centre into “Neighbourhoods” that have themes representative of the local area. The architecture of CrossIron Mills is innovative, contemporary, and reflects Alberta’s unique heritage. We will follow the following neighbourhoods in our retail tour:

THE NEIGHBOURHOODS OF CROSSIRON MILLS

Fashion Neighbourhood – The latest fashion trends at their finest.
Ranch Neighbourhood – A salute to Alberta’s rich western history.
Resources Neighbourhood – Celebrating Alberta’s resources: oil, wind, agriculture, natural gas ,and more.
Fossil Neighbourhood – Recognizing the history of the badlands of Alberta.
Sports Neighbourhood – Commemorating Alberta’s athletic accomplishments.
Entertainment Neighbourhood – A nod to Alberta’s industrial growth.

CrossIron Mills Map (updated by Retail Insider with relocation of Food Court by Exit 5 in 2016).

In addition to each neighbourhood, there are six ‘courts’ spread amongst the six neighbourhoods with artwork symbolizing different characteristics of the Albertan way of life.

Zone 1 – Fashion Neighbourhood

Entrance 1 leading to the "Fashion Neighbourhood" at CrossIron Mills — “Gumby Girl” at Entrance 1 leading to the “Fashion Neighbourhood” at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Pop-up go/Zenergy Communications

The Fashion Entrance is on the far northwest side of the centre and is characterized by what is colloquially known as the ‘Gumby Girl’ outside and leads into the Fashion Neighbourhood which has 12-foot-tall store fronts.

CrossIron Mall Map - Fashi on Neighbourhood — CrossIron Mall Map – Fashion Neighbourhood

Fashion Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

Fashion Neighbourhood. Photo: CrossIron Mills

Key anchor retail tenants for this neighbourhood include Bass Pro Shops, Sport Chek, Bed Bath & Beyond, Laura, and Saks OFF 5TH The Saks OFF 5th opened in fall 2016 measuring 30,000 square feet.

Bass Pro Shops at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

Major Anchor Mall Tenants in Fashion Neighourhood

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Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

Other select retailers in the neighbourhood include Coach, Oak + Tonic, Tommy Bahama, Brooks Brothers, Michael Kors, Brown’s Outlet, Melanie Lyne, Lacoste Outlet, Kate Spade, Geox, Tip Top, Cleo, Little Burgundy, Fairweather, Naturalizer, La vie en Rose, Lenscrafters, Miniso, The Shoe Company, GNC, Michael Hill, Ben Moss, Lush, Guitarworks, and Mountain Warehouse.

Other select retailers in Fashion Neighourhood

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Select retailers in Fashion Neighbourhood

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Fine Arts Court – The Fine Arts Court transitions from the Fashion to Ranch neighbourhoods and features geometric shapes, bright colours, stark white abstract sculptures, and a coffee shop with spacious seating area. This area is a nod to Alberta’s trendy art scene.

Zone 2 – Ranch Neighbourhood

Entrance 2 leading to the "Ranch Neighbourhood" at CrossIron Mills — Entrance 2 leading to the “Ranch Neighbourhood” at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Ledcor Group

CrossIron Mall Map - Ranch Neighbourhood — CrossIron Mall Map – Ranch Neighbourhood

Ranch Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

The Ranch Neighbourhood is a nod to the Old West. It is often referred to as the Ranch Spine as it runs through the middle of the centre. The Ranch Neighbourhood boasts 8 different types of hardwood flooring with theatrical western store fronts and huge sheriffs badges in-set in the floor at either end. Also at opposite ends of the Ranch Neighbourhood are the “Good Guy” and “Bad Guy” gunslingers that stand at 23 feet tall, and customers walk beneath them as they enter the space.

The two retail Anchors in the Ranch neighbourhood are Tommy Hilfiger and H&M.

Tommy Hilfiger at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

H&M at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

Select retailers in the Ranch neighbourhood include True Religion Outlet, ECCO shoes, Johnston & Murphy Factory Store, Banana Republic Factory Store, Guess Accessories, TUMI, Call It Spring, Logo Gifts, Nike, Levi’s, and Zumiez.

Select retailers in Ranch Neighbourhood

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Washrooms between Purdy's Chocolates and Aveda at CrossIron Mills — Washrooms between Purdy’s Chocolates and Aveda at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

Campfire Court in Ranch Neighbourhood at CrossIron Mills

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Campfire Court – Back to the basics of nature. The Campfire Court is at the west end of the ranch spine and is designed as a night sky with stars, the moon, and embers from the blown glass fire which is surrounded by tall trees and rustic log furniture. The ceiling treatment transitions from this court through the Ranch Neighbourhood, getting lighter and lighter toward the far end where the rodeo court is in full sun.

Additional select retailers in the Ranch neighbourhood include a Lululemon pop-up, TELUS, No Excuses Perfume, Vision Quest, and Saneal Cameras.

Select retailers in Fashion Neighbourhood

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Wind Court – The Wind Court transitions between the Ranch and Resources Neighbourhoods and is inspired by the Chinook winds that are part of southern Alberta’s culture. Here you find the “Chinook Girl” gently blowing wind across ribbons and banners at the ceiling level to create activity. In this court is a central seating area of wave-shaped benches and if you look up you’ll see several banners with facts and lore about the Chinook winds.

Zone 3 – Resources Neighbourhood

Entrance 3 leading to the "Resource Neighbourhood" at CrossIron Mills — Entrance 3 leading to the “Resource Neighbourhood” at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Travel Alberta

CrossIron Mall Map - Resources Neighbourhood — CrossIron Mall Map – Resources Neighbourhood

Resources Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

The Resource Neighbourhood highlights the importance of agriculture, wind and, of course, oil & gas in Alberta. With an enormous stylized oil derrick as the entrance icon, this neighbourhood contains sculptures representing fields of grain, hay-accented store fronts, giant overhead ceiling fans, and an interactive piece of modern art modelled after a working oil rig.

The key retail anchor tenants in the Resources Neighbourhood include The Children’s Place, Indigo, HomeSense, and Winners.

A Children's Place at CrossIron Mills — A Children’s Place at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

Winners at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

Indigo at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

HomeSense at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

Other retailers include Zumiez, Guess, Disney Outlet, Hot Topic, Milk Run, Below the Belt, Van Heusen Outlet, Discovery Hut, Just Cozy, Ricki’s, Underground, Foundry, Urban Behaviour, Footlocker, Stokes, QE Home, Urban Kids, Lindt, Zwilling J/A/ Henckels, and Clogs for Comfort.

Between the Resources Neighbourhood and the Fossils Neighbourhood is a court/play-area where children can turn the wheels and watch the ‘oil’ bubble through the rig.

Zone 4 – Fossils Neighbourhood

Entrance 4 leading to the "Fossil Neighbourhood" at CrossIron Mills — Entrance 4 leading to the “Fossil Neighbourhood” at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Wolsey Structural Engineering Ltd.

CrossIron Mall Map - Fossils Neighbourhood — CrossIron Mall Map – Fossils Neighbourhood

Fossil Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

The Fossil Neighbourhood was designed as a tribute to the badlands of Alberta. With Drumheller and the Royal Tyrrell Museum mere hours away, they deemed it to be an important aspect of Alberta history to incorporate. Natural Cork linoleum represents the strata of earth as you dig for fossils. This area also features two more unique sculptures, the ‘Layers of Time’ statue representing the fossils left behind from various eras, and the ‘CrossIron Caveman’ holding a coffee and shopping bags frozen in a block of ice.

The main retail anchor tenants for the Fossils neighbourhood included Urban Planet, Sketchers, Toys “R” Us, and DSW Shoes.

DSW at CrossIron Mills — DSW Shoes at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

Urban Planet at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

Toys "R" Us at CrossIron Mills — Toys “R” Us at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

Other select retailers in the Fossils neighbourhood include Scentsitively, Claire’s, EB Games, Aldo, Dynamite, Le Chateau, American Eagle, Portage & Main, Bath & Body Works, GAP Factory, Roots Outlet, Labels, Sunrise Records, Softmoc, Globo, Suzy Shier, Show Warehouse, Ardene Outlet, Bentley, All Pretty Things, Saje, Sparkle, Asics, Polo Talph Lauren, Aritzia, Aerie, Sephora, Garage, and Hugo Boss Outlet.

Select retailers in Fossil Neighbourhood

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Select retailers in Fossils Neighbourhood

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Rodeo Court at CrossIron Mills — Rodeo Court. Photo: CrossIron Mills

Rodeo Court – Between the four connections where Fossils, Sports, Entertainment, and Ranch Neighbourhoods meet is the Rodeo Court where hard-fought rodeo battles are paid homage. It is bright and airy, depicting many of the rodeo events with 4 metal sculptures of a saddle bronc rider, a roping cowboy, a bull rider, and a steer wrestler. Stylized cowboys look down on the Rodeo Court from their perch on the coral rail above.

Zone 5 – Sports Neighbourhood

Entrance 6 leading to the “Sports Neighbourhood” at CrossIron Mills

The “Court of Champions” can be found in the Sports Neighbourhood entry court. A suspended ring hangs centre court with stadium seats below, displaying still and broadcast imagery representative of the diversity of Sport. The trophy cases and hanging medals above give interesting facts and recall the pay‐off of the hard-fought competitions of days past. Calgary is known internationally for having hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics.

Winter is also represented throughout the Sports Neighbourhood, with a prominent chairlift feature incorporating embossed graphic wood chair slats featuring names and locations of Alberta’s best. The summer sport seating “oasis” area includes a nod to Spruce Meadows and the equestrian world, while the ceiling beyond showcases a tight race, as stylized rowing skulls battle toward the finish.

Sport Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

The Sports Neighbourhood hosts three main retail anchors including Old Navy, Victoria’s Secret, and Pro Hockey Life.

Victoria's Secret at CrossIron Mills — Victoria’s Secret at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

Hockey Life at CrossIron Mills

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Old Navy Outlet at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

Other select retailers in the Sports Neighbourhood include a VANS outlet, The Running Room, Showcase, Puma Outlet, Under Armour, Boathouse, Jack & Jones Outlet, International Clothiers, Jersey City, Torrid, Adidas Outlet, West 49 Outlet, Blue Notes, Sully’s, Bootlegger Outlet, Carter’s Osh Kosh, Journeys, Oksana, RW&CO, Fossil Outlet, Watch Station, La Senza, Exmore, Calvin Klein Outlet, Oakley Vault, Swarovski Outlet, and Sunglass Hut.

Select retailers in Sports Neighbourhood

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Sports Courtyard in Sports Neighbourhood. Photo: Jessica Finch.

Select retailers in Sports Neighbourhood

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Wildlife Court – The Wildlife Court transitions from the Sports Neighbourhood to one of the major anchor tenants, Bass Pro Shops, and acknowledges the beauty and natural diversity of Alberta. Along each side of the water you’ll find a clearing where visitors can rest on rustic style furniture, and almost hear the sleeping bear snore. Animal images etched in bronze tiles dot the surrounding floor, artfully displaying different styles to capture their image. Above, rear illuminated transparent blue images of Alberta wildlife represent some of the great diversity that can be found. Flying gracefully above the trees, carved geese sculptures transition from simple forms to detailed representations as they exit the Court towards Bass Pro Shops.

Zone 6 – Entertainment Neighbourhood

Entrance 5 leading to the "Entertainment Neighbourhood" at CrossIron Mills — Entrance 5 leading to the “Entertainment Neighbourhood” at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Pop-up go | Zenergy Communications

Sports Neighbourhood and Food Court Map at CrossIron Mills

Entertainment Neighbourhood Entrance at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

The Entertainment Neighbourhood adds approximately 200,000 square feet of additional retail space and common area which is modelled after a dynamic 1930’s urban area. The state-of-the-art SilverCity entertainment area features more than 1,300 stadium seats and 7 auditoriums with wall-to-wall curved screens and digital surround sound. In addition, guests can enjoy the amenities in the approximately-13,000-square-foot XSCAPE Entertainment Centre which features a variety of the latest games and activities as well as a licensed lounge. Select auditoriums have RealD 3D technology where guests will be able to enjoy a totally immersive 3D experience like no other.

Nestled in with the restaurants and theatres is the main retail anchor, Shoppers Drug Mart.

Shoppers Drug Mart at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Jessica Finch

The Entertainment Neighbourhood is home to the 45,000-square-foot SilverCity entertainment centre, three fully licensed sit-down restaurants; Boston Pizza, Fionn McCool’s, and Milestones.

Anchor Restaurants in Entertainment Neighbourhood

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Food Hall entrance in "Entertainment Neighbourhood" at CrossIron Mills — Food Hall entrance in “Entertainment Neighbourhood” at CrossIron Mills. Photo: Pop-up go | Zenergy Communications

The new-and-improved food hall now offers 1,400 seats and 24 restaurants and features a new entrance located on the north side of the property. This access features a 40-foot-high (12-metre) glass vestibule, a curved metal roof, and a glass curtain wall with metal columns and masonry accents. Its strategic location and the food hall’s numerous skylights improve brightness as well as enhance the overall shopping experience at the centre.

We had a very interesting photo walk around CrossIron Mills in Calgary and we hope you enjoyed coming along with us. Don’t forget to check out our other retail photo tours over the past few months. Thank you for taking this tour with us.

BRIEF: Spanish Fashion Brand Opens 1st Store in Canada, ba&sh Opens 3rd Canadian Location

Retail Insider

March 18, 2021

News Brief Mar 18 — Retail Insider Brief

Spanish Women’s Fashion Retailer Punt Roma Opens 1st Canadian Store in Montreal

Exterior of new Punt Roma store in Rockland Centre in Montreal. Photo: Rockland Centre

Spanish fashion brand Punt Roma recently opened its first Canadian store at the Rockland Centre in Montreal. It’s the latest international retailer to open a brick-and-mortar store in Canada, signalling confidence in the market despite the pandemic.

The Punt Roma store at Rockland Centre spans 1,376 square feet in a space between a Foot Locker store and Yves Rocher stores. Barcelona-based Punt Roma features women’s fashions in sizes 8 to 24 at a mid price-point, with dresses priced in the $90-$120 range and shirts in the $50-$60 range, for example.

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Prior to the pandemic, the Montreal-based franchisee for Punt Roma said that he had planned to open five stores in Quebec and Ontario over a five-year period, and plans were halted once the reality of a changing world due to COVID-19 took hold. The franchisee is considering a downtown Montreal location amid a more gradual expansion. Rockland was chosen for the first store given the strong consumer base nearby.

Punt Roma has not yet entered the United States in terms of having stores. The brand has franchised locations in serval countries in Europe as well as the Middle East, Africa, Russia, the Philippines, as well as in Mexico and Panama. Punt Roma’s stores in Spain, Portugal, and Andorra are corporately owned.

ba&sh Opens 3rd Canadian Store at Yorkdale

Exterior of new ba&sh store in Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Photo: Aurora Realty Consultants Instagram

French women’s fashion brand ba&sh has opened its third standalone Canadian store at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre. It follows stores that opened last year in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood and in Montreal’s affluent Westmount shopping district.

The Yorkdale ba&sh location is temporary for now but a permanent store is anticipated. The ba&sh store at Yorkdale occupies a very coveted 785-square-foot spot formerly occupied by Mr. & Mrs. Italy, located between Canada’s only standalone Chloé storefront and a recently opened Louis Vuitton flagship.

The Yorkdale ba&sh opening follows the spring 2020 opening of a 1,300-square-foot store at the base of the Hazelton Hotel at 118 Yorkville Avenue in Toronto, and the fall opening of a ba&sh store at 4932 Sherbrooke Street West in Westmount which spans an impressive 3,300 square feet including a 1,000 square foot second level. The store also features a cafe space.

Jeff Berkowitz of Aurora Realty Consultants represents ba&sh in Canada and negotiated all lease deals on behalf of the retailer.

The ba&sh brand was founded in Paris by two best friends, Barbara Boccara and Sharon Krief, in 2003. The name ‘ba&sh’ is an abbreviation of their first names. The brand, described as being a hybrid of “rock and roll and bohemia” focuses on feminine clothing that is also comfortable. Collections include ready-to-wear, bags, accessories, and footwear. The price-point is in the ‘contemporary’ range with dresses generally in the $400-$1,000 range, blouses costing in excess of $300, bags priced over $500, and shoes priced into the hundreds of dollars, depending on style.

House of Vans Goes Virtual for the First Time Ever

Vans has announced the launch of the first-ever digital House of Vans, live on houseofvans.ca from March 22 – 25, 2021. The event brings together Vans’ brand pillars — skate, art, street culture, and music — for a celebration of creativity and individuality.

This year the concept has been adapted into an online experience featuring an interactive skatepark, community market, artist workshops, and a streamed musical performance.

“House of Vans is all about uplifting our creative community by providing them with a unique experience that champions self-expression. Since we can’t celebrate together in person this year, we’ve created an engaging digital platform to unite Vans fans – a place to learn, feel inspired and have fun,” says Alex Auchu, Marketing Director at Vans Canada.

To bring the event online, Vans teamed up with Ryan Thomas Monahan to handcraft a miniature, seven-story House of Vans. Over two months, Monahan built the miniature with specific attention to upcycling. In the skatepark, for example, the small ramps are made from recycled skateboards and the sides of the ramps are reclaimed broken decks. The structure was then photographed and digitized, allowing users to swipe and scroll through to explore different floors, each hosting a different program.

Available on desktop and mobile, admission-free and video tutorials will be viewable with French and English captioning.

Visit houseofvans.ca to get involved.

Black Suede Studio Teams Up with Caroline Stanbury on First Shoe Collaboration

Canadian brand Black Suede Studio has collaborated with TV personality and fashion icon, Caroline Stanbury, to launch a capsule collection of shearling sandals, lug sole ankle boots, and evening sandals.

The collaboration was released last month as Black Suede Studio kicked-off its Fall/Winter 2021 virtual showroom preview with luxury and premium retailers, with a retail launch scheduled this summer.

The capsule collection encompasses six shoe styles aligned with Black Suede Studio’s aesthetic and Caroline’s personal taste and lifestyle. Retail prices will average at $295USD (shoes) and $495USD (boots).

“Black Suede Studio’s shoes are modern, sophisticated, sexy and cool with a modern edge and I have no doubt that my new generation of followers will also embrace the capsule collection we designed together,” said Caroline.

While Caroline has years of experience as an entrepreneur and top stylist with some of the most sought-after designers & brands, this collaboration is her first official co-branded collection. Naturally, she felt footwear was the perfect first step into building her lifestyle brand portfolio as “most women are obsessed with shoes as I am,” she says. “I also wanted to collaborate with an accessible luxury women’s footwear brand for which reflects my personal style; mixing contemporary with luxury ready-to-wear looks, from day into evening, and that I can wear in the comfort of my home as well as on a night out”.

Available among some of the best luxury and premium retailers in North America, and with a strong customer following, Black Suede Studio is also looking forward to collaborating with an international celebrity that particularly resonates well in the U.K., Europe, and Asia.

Paris Jewellers Supports Indigenous Women with Limited-Edition Necklace

Edmonton-based Paris Jewellers, a Canadian-Vietnamese, women-owned-and-operated company, is releasing a limited-edition Arrowhead necklace, co-designed by Shayla Stonechild, to amplify the stories of Indigenous women.

The necklace is available for pre-order and features a double chain, three diamonds, and an arrowhead pendant made in sterling silver plated with 10k yellow gold. The necklace will retail for $149 plus applicable taxes. Anyone pre-ordering will receive a free gift, the Paris Jewellers Sparkle & Shine Stick valued at $15.

The arrowhead pendant holds significance to Shayla as her grandfather, Ray Oulette found an arrowhead in the backyard of her childhood home. The arrowhead signifies ties to her lineage, a form of protection and moving onward. Three delicate diamonds on the arrowhead symbolize our past, present and future. The lower four beads on the double chain represent the 4 directions, the 4 seasons, the 4 cycles within life and the 4 aspects to our wellbeing: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual; which are the foundations within the medicine wheel. The Medicine Wheel, which has been incorporated into the Matriarch Movement logo, represents the interconnectivity of everyone and everything.

For each necklace sold, 100% of the net proceeds will be donated to the Matriarch Movement. Their mission is to rewrite the mainstream narrative around Indigenous women. This donation will be used to provide accessible wellness workshops and resources focused on Indigenous peoples’ healing.

Cadillac Live Hosts Virtual Canadian International Auto Show

While the Canadian International Auto Show has traditionally been the way for Torontonians to see the latest in automotive, new car buyers during the pandemic are now looking for other ways shop amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, Cadillac Live is offering potential buyers the Cadillac Live auto show experience from the comfort of their own home.

Cadillac Live allows consumers to take a one-on-one video tour of any Cadillac vehicle and have questions answered by a live agent. Since launching in March 2019 at a 10,000-square-foot Toronto film studio, Cadillac Live has shown a consumer need for the customized at-home shopping experience. Shoppers can make one-way video calls with a live agent at cadillac.live using any mobile or desktop device. The showroom features models like the all new 2021 Escalade, as well as next generation CT4 and CT5 sedans.

After the Cadillac Live experience, one is connected with a local dealer who will drop-off a Cadillac vehicle at one’s home for a 48-hour test drive. A Cadillac Live agent will re-connect afterwards on the experience and participants also receive a gift.

As the acceleration of digital progresses during COVID-19, we can expect to see more virtual experiences. The brick-and-mortar model is still likely to continue to be important given the high-involvement nature of a vehicle purchase.

02.Market Helps to Streamline Online Shopping Amid Rise in E-Commerce

With the rise in online shopping since the start of the pandemic, many consumers are looking for a resource to streamline their online shopping efforts. 02.Market helps shoppers simplify their purchasing decisions by creating a platform that offers price comparisons to help people save money on any purchase.

With more than 1 billion products to choose from, 02.Market allows consumers to compare prices among popular online retail sites like eBay, Amazon, Walmart, and many more.

“We believe 02.Market is the future of online price comparison sites,” says Eli Ofel, founder, 02.Market. “We have taken much of the guesswork out of what can be a tedious process. During a time when people are getting laid off, hours are getting cut, but essentials still need to be purchased, sites like ours help consumers alleviate the stress of shopping and help them shop without breaking the bank.”

Although the site is new to the online price comparison space, it has some of the familiarity of the well-known retail sites. Users have the ability to create wish lists and recent searches so they can easily access previous items. Users can also see what others in their community are searching in hopes to spark some shopping inspiration.

As the site that offers the most products for review, 02.Market is the only site that includes eBay and Amazon on the same platform. The site’s technology and design are unmatched by any competitor.

The site offers both a free account, that allows users to make up to 200 searches, as well as a paid account for $7 per month that allows users to have an unlimited amount of searches in addition to power features that free account holders can not access, like carousel scrolling.

To learn more about 02.Market visit the site online here.