Nordstrom management has just confirmed that it is still interested in coming to Canada, but it is struggling with Canadian law relating to their bringing-in full-time American management to run Canadian operations. A Nordstrom insider confirms that this is a challenge, despite their being interested in three Cadillac-Fairview owned Sears locations: Pacific Centre in Vancouver, BC, Chinook Centre in Calgary, Alberta, and the Rideau Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. A Toronto location is speculated to be in a suburban mall, either Yorkdale Mall or Sherway Gardens.
Lease negotiations continue, but the company is currently grappling with how it will bring Americans to run Canadian operations. Lease negotiations for a Toronto Eaton Centre store recently stalled, much to the dismay of Toronto commercial leasing insiders. Efforts will continue to secure leases for a Downtown Toronto Store, as well as one or two suburban locations.
Nordstrom is currently seeking approximately 220,000 square feet in Vancouver and about 150,000 square feet in both Ottawa and Calgary. If Nordstrom succeeds in securing Canadian locations, Canadian headquarters would likely be located in Vancouver, BC. We will provide more information and developments as they come available.
Nordstrom website: www.nordstrom.com
