Vancouver-based large format outdoor consumer cooperative retailer MEC has secured a former Future Shop location in London, Ontario for its next new store, replacing an existing MEC location. The Future Shop nameplate was shuttered by parent company Best Buy in March of 2015.
MEC will double the size of its London operations when it relocates to 1051 Wellington Road, in a 24,000 square foot space that has sat vacant for over a year. According to MEC, the new store will “have a broader and deeper assortment of quality products for budding and experienced backcountry and urban adventurers alike”.
The new store is less than a kilometer away from its present address at 1230 Wellington Road. That store location is currently the second-smallest in Canada and offers a limited range of products. Construction will begin on the new store in early May, in anticipation of completion and opening this fall. Until then, MEC will continue to operate from its present location.
The completely refurbished building will include a distinctive floating canopy to mark the store’s entrance, and wood-infused interiors to define the store and display merchandise. As part of MEC’s green building program, the store will operate on renewable energy.
According to MEC, the new store will provide a wide variety of apparel and gear for activities such as running, hiking, climbing and camping. Cycling will occupy the largest area in the retail space, and seasonal activities like paddling and snow sports will also feature prominently. There will also be a full-service bike repair and ski-tech shop as well as an equipment rental program for boats, skis and camping gear. A community meeting room will be available for use by local outdoor clubs and environmental organizations.
Formerly known as ‘Mountain Equipment Co-op, MEC boast over 4 million Canadian members and 18 storefronts. The company donates 1% of revenues ($3.4 million donated in 2015) to Canadian non-profit organizations that help conserve ecologically and recreationally important areas.
Revenue can’t be correct. At that rate, each store is doing less than 200,000 in sales.
That’s $3.4 million donated on annual revenues of $340 million. We updated the wording and should have made that clearer.