*Article originally published April 16 2015, updated April 20, 2015.
H&M‘s upscale fashion brand COS will open Canadian locations, beginning with a flagship on Toronto’s ‘Mink Mile’ which opens this fall, and a location in downtown Montreal which opens this winter. Two other Toronto locations are said to be in the works as the brand expands into Canada. The potential for three Toronto locations is remarkable, given that the Swedish brand currently operates only two U.S. locations.
COS, which stands for Collection of Style, launched in Stockholm in 2007. The brand’s price point is marginally higher than that of H&M, and it says that its designs are timeless, tactile, functional, classic and modern. Collections include fashions for women, men and children.
COS recently signed a lease for Toronto’s 85 Bloor Street West, formerly occupied by jeweller Tiffany & Co. Spacelist.ca indicates that the entire 85 Bloor building is 13,451 square feet. COS will occupy three levels of the four level retail structure. 85 Bloor Street West is owned by Toronto-based real estate company Burnac Corporation, and is located next to Hugo Boss on Canada’s most prestigious shopping strip.
COS also secured space in an historic retail building at 1310 Rue Ste-Catherine Ouest in Montreal. The space was most recently occupied by fashion retailer Le Chateau.
Sources also say that COS continues to negotiate for space at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre, as well as possibly for a location at Toronto Eaton Centre. If both potential deals conclude, Toronto would be North America’s only city with three COS locations. We must be clear that we cannot confirm either of these locations at this time.
COS currently operates two stores in the United States. Its first location, measuring 5,680 square feet, opened on North Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills, CA, in October of 2014. A second 4,950 square foot location opened in December of 2014 in New York City’s Soho area. According to its website, COS currently has stores in 26 countries.
Thank you to Urban Toronto‘s ACT7 for this tip and related research.Â
