Louis Vuitton Opens Impressive Yorkdale Flagship Store in Toronto [Photos]

Date:

Share post:

LVMH-owned French luxury brand Louis Vuitton opened a flagship store at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre on Friday of last week. The impressive store spanning nearly 10,000 square feet features a first-in-Canada LED facade that changes colour as well as artwork and a unique selection of Louis Vuitton product for women and men. The standalone store is part of a bigger investment by Louis Vuitton in the Canadian market as the company continues to open standalone stores.

The Yorkdale Louis Vuitton spans 9,800 square feet, with an interior retail space spanning about 6,500 square feet, according to the company. The store is located in a prominent corner location in the mall near several other luxury brands. The Yorkdale flagship houses ready-to-wear clothing for men and women as well as bags, accessories, jewellery, travel items, fragrances, and footwear.

YORKDALE LOUIS VUITTON WILL FEATURE EXCLUSIVE PRODUCT & PRE-LAUNCHES OF UPCOMING COLLECTIONS

Given the clustering of luxury brands at Yorkdale which brings in high-end shoppers, the Louis Vuitton store will feature exclusive product and pre-launches of upcoming collections and capsules.

Louis Vuitton’s first ‘high jewellery’ collection pre-launched in the Yorkdale store around ‘Vivienne’, Louis Vuitton’s house mascot. Other luxury retailers at Yorkdale were said to be showcasing their own pricey jewellery collections after seeing what Louis Vuitton was showcasing in its store over the weekend. On its opening day, the Yorkdale Louis Vuitton store is said to have run up nearly $500,000 in sales — an impressive sum given the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other collections in the Yorkdale Louis Vuitton store include the women’s ready-to-wear ‘SINCE 1854’ capsule collection, the men’s Louis Vuitton LVÇ capsule collection in collaboration with Japanese artist Nigo®, and the unisex LV Volt jewelry collection.

A bespoke offering at the Yorkdale store includes a selection of Louis Vuitton’s most exceptional hand-crafted hard-sided trunks, exotic leather goods, and pieces from the Louis Vuitton Objets Nomades collection. Customization and personalization is also an important part of the store experience, including an on-site hotstamping service which offers clients the opportunity to personalize a variety of leather goods, and a fragrance engraving service which allows for the customization of an assortment of fragrance bottles within the Les Parfums Louis Vuitton collection.

The Yorkdale Louis Vuitton store is hard to miss for those passing by. A grand facade is wrapped with an illuminated two-storey LED screen that feature animations of Louis Vuitton’s monogram flower motif in ever-changing colours. The facade is punctuated with dramatic double-height display windows which showcase product from the store in a busy area of the mall. The facade alone is said to have cost in excess of $1-million to build.

The store is split up into men’s and women’s areas, with two separate entrances. The women’s entrance at the corner of the store features a double-height atrium with a skylight and canopy of Concertina Shades by Raw Edges from the Louis Vuitton Objets Nomades collection which hangs over the top. The men’s entrance at the south end of the store facing into the mall features a sweeping wooden ceiling leading into the more masculine space. The men’s and women’s sections are separated by a retail space including the ‘travel room’ which is decorated with a luggage-tag wall in locally inspired colours, as well as a watches and jewelry display featuring a backlit mesh screen.

Columns throughout the store are wrapped in emblematic Louis Vuitton leathers with stitching, while floors are finished in limestone and oak wood.

Local artists created pieces for the new store. Canadian artist Rebecca Bayer created a bespoke ceramic tile art piece, with wall art inspired by Toronto-based street artist BirdO. Sculptural tables were created by Floris Wubben, rounded chairs were created by Pierre Paulin, petrified wood tables were designed by Andrianna Shamaris, and a display table was created by Carlo Mollino, and seating from the House’s archival collection.

A large sculpture of cherries by Japanese artist and Louis Vuitton collaborator Takashi Murakami serves as a whimsical centerpiece, while a Tiles La Samaritaine art piece adorns the space as well. Seating in the store is from Louis Vuitton’s archival collection.

Toronto-based dkstudio designed the Yorkdale Louis Vuitton store.

OTHER RETAILERS MOVED TO MAKE ROOM FOR LOUIS VUITTON AT YORKDALE

To make room for Louis Vuitton, retailers at Yorkdale such as Tumi, Spring, and Indochino relocated while Thomas Sabo shut its Yorkdale store several months ago. Italian luxury brand Mr. and Mrs. Italy is located next door, and across from the new Louis Vuitton is Ladurée, Sephora, and Zara. Other nearby luxury retailers include Saint Laurent and Richemont Group’s clustering of jewellery and watch brands. The hall southward, toward the recently opened Furla store, will also be positioned to house luxury retailers, according to sources at Yorkdale’s landlord Oxford Properties. Already, hoarding is up for Canada’s first standalone Thom Browne store and an Italian brand will soon be announced for the space next to Louis Vuitton’s men’s entryway. Recently the former Links of London space across from the new Louis Vuitton was leased to a luxury beauty and fragrance brand which will open its first Canadian storefront next year.

RED ARROW INDICATES THE LOCATION OF LOUIS VUITTON FLAGSHIP IN YORKDALE

Louis Vuitton has operated a 4,000-square-foot concession at Yorkdale’s Holt Renfrew store for about a decade, and the boutique will remain open. Sources say that the Yorkdale Holt Renfrew Louis Vuitton concession was the highest-selling Louis Vuitton location in Canada last year with sales “well above $40 million a year”, outperforming larger standalone Louis Vuitton ‘Maisons’ on Bloor Street in downtown Toronto as well as on Burrard Street in downtown Vancouver. Holt Renfrew will likely see less revenue in 2020 and 2021 at Yorkdale given the expansive assortment in the standalone unit in the mall — part of Holt Renfrew’s business model is to provide leased space to luxury brands while collecting a percentage of sales as rent.

Louis Vuitton has been investing heavily in its Canadian operations over the past several years, most recently having opened two standalone stores in Alberta. In October of 2018, Louis Vuitton opened a standalone 4,500-square-foot store at Calgary’s CF Chinook Centre, while at the same time shutting its concession space within the Holt Renfrew store in downtown Calgary. In Edmonton, Louis Vuitton opened a standalone 4,600-square-foot store at West Edmonton Mall in June of 2019 and shuttered its concession at the downtown Edmonton Holt Renfrew store. Holt Renfrew closed on January 11th of this year partly because of Louis Vuitton’s exit from the store.

Louis Vuitton also recently made a major investments in Vancouver where it operates a 10,000-square-foot ‘Maison’ flagship at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver facing onto Burrard Street. At the nearby Holt Renfrew store, Louis Vuitton expanded the men’s concession to house ready-to-wear clothing as well as footwear, bags, and accessories. A women’s ready-to-wear boutique was added on the third floor of Vancouver’s Holt Renfrew store several months ago — both are firsts for Canada for Louis Vuitton and Holt Renfrew. A Vuitton bag and accessory concession on the main level luxury hall at Holts is also quite large and last year was said to sell more bags than the standalone Vuitton flagship with a 730 Burrard Street address.

In Montreal, Louis Vuitton opened a replacement store at Holt Renfrew Ogilvy in the spring. The concession is located in a corner space on the main floor of Holt Renfrew Ogilvy, facing both Ste-Catherine Street West as well as Rue de la Montagne. In Toronto, Louis Vuitton opened a 2,650-square-foot accessory concession on the main level of Holt Renfrew’s 50 Bloor Street West store in November of 2018, replacing a smaller location nearby within the flagship store. It was part of an overhaul of the main floor of Holts, which has become something of a luxury brand mall with several significant luxury boutiques operating within. Nearby at 150 Bloor Street West, Louis Vuitton operates an 18,000-square-foot ‘Maison’ which spans two levels.

Louis Vuitton once operated a 2,500-square-foot boutique at the Cascade Plaza shopping centre in downtown Banff, Alberta. The boutique opened in 1996 and closed in May 2011.

Louis Vuitton is one of the world’s top-selling luxury brands, with sales well surpassing $10 billion annually. Top rivals include Chanel and Gucci, with Hermes also seeing billions of dollars a year in sales. At least one more standalone Louis Vuitton store is said to be coming to a major Canadian city and we’ll update readers when more details are available.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

More From Retail Insider

Elevating Canadian Retail: How JLL’s Expertise Reshapes Property Management [Interviews]

Landlords are increasingly turning to JLL for pioneering property management solutions that prioritize both enhanced customer experiences and sustainability.

Gen Z’s Digital Upbringing Meets a Passion for Tangible Retail and Authentic Brands [Interview]

A new report on Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, provides insight into consumer behaviours as well as a look into the upcoming Generation Alpha.

Interview with Giant Tiger’s New CEO Gino DiGioacchino on the Future of the Iconic Canadian Retailer [Interview]

DiGioacchino speaks to Retail Insider after being appointed as the new President and CEO of Giant Tiger, and discusses the future of the business and importance of maintaining strong connections with local communities.

Purdys Chocolatier Expands Footprint with Pop-Up Stores [Interview]

The strategy involves providing customers with a taste of Purdys' renowned chocolates in areas where the brand hasn't had a presence before.

Colliers Report Emphasizes the Retail Advantage of Bridging the Digital-Physical Divide [Interview]

A recent report by Colliers Real Estate Management Services reveals that retailers who effectively blend their online and physical store operations are 35% more likely to achieve profitability, with the study emphasizes the importance of omnichannel strategies, convenience, property maintenance, and retailer-driven ESG initiatives.

Preview of ICSC@CANADA Conference 2023: Retail, Technology, and Networking Opportunities in Toronto [Interview]

Craig and Kyle Tomlin, Director of Events in Canada for ICSC, discuss the highly anticipated ICSC@CANADA 2023 conference, set to take place from October 2nd to 4th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre North Hall in downtown Toronto.

Canadian Grocers Take a Page from Carrefour’s Playbook to Tackle ‘Shrinkflation [Op-Ed]

French supermarket chain Carrefour has labeled products impacted by reduced size, and similar measures may be adopted in Canada to enhance transparency in food pricing, says Sylvain Charlebois.

Jeweller Mejuri Debuts Personalized App and Innovative Membership Program; Plans Expansion with 5 New Stores [Co-Founder Interview]

The popular brand's personalized mobile app and membership program aim to enhance customer engagement and personalization, as Mejuri enters major markets with stores.

Fast-Casual Restaurant Concept MightyBird Opening 1st Location in Toronto in a Partnership [Interviews]

The new concept at Union Station will be the first of many in a partnership between Eat Up Canada and Open Concept Hospitality.

KIT + ACE Launches Store Expansion in Canada Under New Ownership [Interview]

The Vancouver-based retailer will open two locations this fall in Toronto and Calgary, with plans for a substantial expansion into 2024 says CEO David Lui.

Casual Steakhouse Chain MR MIKES Expanding Further in Canada [Interview]

With plans for continued expansion into Western Canada and Ontario, the restaurant chain is evolving its concept and targeting smaller markets to establish itself as a hub for local communities.

Canadian Retail Sales: A Slight Recovery Amidst Economic Challenges [J.C. Williams Group Analysis]

The analysis explores the noteworthy trends in the health and wellness sector, the resilience of certain retail categories, and the impending holiday season's strategic considerations for retailers.

Bloor Street Retail Transformation: Luxury Brands, Renovations, and New Openings in Toronto [Podcast]

Craig and Lee take a deep dive into the dynamic changes occurring on Toronto's Bloor Street West, noting the street's resurgence as a thriving hub for luxury shopping in the city.

Ricardo’s Kandy Korner to Open Flagship Candy Store at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in Toronto [Interview]

Entrepreneur Ricardo Rizaie says he’s planning to take his experiential candy retail concept across Canada after opening a third Canadian storefront in downtown Toronto.

PizzaForno Expands Into Toronto’s Public Transit System, Sets Sights on Airport Locations for Automated 3-Minute Pizzas [Interview]

This innovative move marks PizzaForno's entry into the public transit sector, and demonstrates its commitment to becoming the fastest-growing pizza chain in North America by 2024.

Calgary’s Retail Space Crunch Drives Surge in Rental Rates and Demand [Report]

A variety of complicated factors are at play as Calgary retail space sees demand given market growth, while new supply is limited due to factors such as construction costs.

Lush Cosmetics Sets Ambitious Expansion Plans for Canada Including New Spa Locations, Services, and Entertainment Partnerships [Interview]

The UK-based retailer is innovating with its Canadian operations with enhanced customer experiences and unique treatments, while launching a new app to facilitate bookings and provide more information about products and services.

Canadian Consumers Adjust to Higher Cost of Living [Survey/Video Interview]

An Angus Reid survey asked Canadians how they're navigating elevated inflation, a higher cost of living and a potential recession.

Canadian Shoppers Embrace Generative AI for Shopping Suggestions: Report

The groundbreaking Salesforce report focuses on the growing importance of AI-driven personalization in the retail sector.

Inside the New KITH Store on Yorkville Avenue in Toronto [Photos]

The stunning storefront took months to build, features Kith Treats and a restaurant concept from New York City, and could be a game changer for the Bloor-Yorkville area. 

RECENT RETAIL INSIDER VIDEOS

Advertisment

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe

* indicates required

RECENT articles

Elevating Canadian Retail: How JLL’s Expertise Reshapes Property Management [Interviews]

Landlords are increasingly turning to JLL for pioneering property management solutions that prioritize both enhanced customer experiences and sustainability.

Gen Z’s Digital Upbringing Meets a Passion for Tangible Retail and Authentic Brands [Interview]

A new report on Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, provides insight into consumer behaviours as well as a look into the upcoming Generation Alpha.

Interview with Giant Tiger’s New CEO Gino DiGioacchino on the Future of the Iconic Canadian Retailer [Interview]

DiGioacchino speaks to Retail Insider after being appointed as the new President and CEO of Giant Tiger, and discusses the future of the business and importance of maintaining strong connections with local communities.

Purdys Chocolatier Expands Footprint with Pop-Up Stores [Interview]

The strategy involves providing customers with a taste of Purdys' renowned chocolates in areas where the brand hasn't had a presence before.

Colliers Report Emphasizes the Retail Advantage of Bridging the Digital-Physical Divide [Interview]

A recent report by Colliers Real Estate Management Services reveals that retailers who effectively blend their online and physical store operations are 35% more likely to achieve profitability, with the study emphasizes the importance of omnichannel strategies, convenience, property maintenance, and retailer-driven ESG initiatives.

Preview of ICSC@CANADA Conference 2023: Retail, Technology, and Networking Opportunities in Toronto [Interview]

Craig and Kyle Tomlin, Director of Events in Canada for ICSC, discuss the highly anticipated ICSC@CANADA 2023 conference, set to take place from October 2nd to 4th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre North Hall in downtown Toronto.

Canadian Grocers Take a Page from Carrefour’s Playbook to Tackle ‘Shrinkflation [Op-Ed]

French supermarket chain Carrefour has labeled products impacted by reduced size, and similar measures may be adopted in Canada to enhance transparency in food pricing, says Sylvain Charlebois.

Jeweller Mejuri Debuts Personalized App and Innovative Membership Program; Plans Expansion with 5 New Stores [Co-Founder Interview]

The popular brand's personalized mobile app and membership program aim to enhance customer engagement and personalization, as Mejuri enters major markets with stores.

Fast-Casual Restaurant Concept MightyBird Opening 1st Location in Toronto in a Partnership [Interviews]

The new concept at Union Station will be the first of many in a partnership between Eat Up Canada and Open Concept Hospitality.

KIT + ACE Launches Store Expansion in Canada Under New Ownership [Interview]

The Vancouver-based retailer will open two locations this fall in Toronto and Calgary, with plans for a substantial expansion into 2024 says CEO David Lui.

Casual Steakhouse Chain MR MIKES Expanding Further in Canada [Interview]

With plans for continued expansion into Western Canada and Ontario, the restaurant chain is evolving its concept and targeting smaller markets to establish itself as a hub for local communities.

Canadian Retail Sales: A Slight Recovery Amidst Economic Challenges [J.C. Williams Group Analysis]

The analysis explores the noteworthy trends in the health and wellness sector, the resilience of certain retail categories, and the impending holiday season's strategic considerations for retailers.

Bloor Street Retail Transformation: Luxury Brands, Renovations, and New Openings in Toronto [Podcast]

Craig and Lee take a deep dive into the dynamic changes occurring on Toronto's Bloor Street West, noting the street's resurgence as a thriving hub for luxury shopping in the city.

Ricardo’s Kandy Korner to Open Flagship Candy Store at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in Toronto [Interview]

Entrepreneur Ricardo Rizaie says he’s planning to take his experiential candy retail concept across Canada after opening a third Canadian storefront in downtown Toronto.

PizzaForno Expands Into Toronto’s Public Transit System, Sets Sights on Airport Locations for Automated 3-Minute Pizzas [Interview]

This innovative move marks PizzaForno's entry into the public transit sector, and demonstrates its commitment to becoming the fastest-growing pizza chain in North America by 2024.

Calgary’s Retail Space Crunch Drives Surge in Rental Rates and Demand [Report]

A variety of complicated factors are at play as Calgary retail space sees demand given market growth, while new supply is limited due to factors such as construction costs.

Lush Cosmetics Sets Ambitious Expansion Plans for Canada Including New Spa Locations, Services, and Entertainment Partnerships [Interview]

The UK-based retailer is innovating with its Canadian operations with enhanced customer experiences and unique treatments, while launching a new app to facilitate bookings and provide more information about products and services.

Canadian Consumers Adjust to Higher Cost of Living [Survey/Video Interview]

An Angus Reid survey asked Canadians how they're navigating elevated inflation, a higher cost of living and a potential recession.

Canadian Shoppers Embrace Generative AI for Shopping Suggestions: Report

The groundbreaking Salesforce report focuses on the growing importance of AI-driven personalization in the retail sector.

Inside the New KITH Store on Yorkville Avenue in Toronto [Photos]

The stunning storefront took months to build, features Kith Treats and a restaurant concept from New York City, and could be a game changer for the Bloor-Yorkville area.