Global commercial real estate advisor, Avison Young, announced Monday the lease of 120,000 square feet at 768 Warden Avenue in Scarborough, Ontario – marking Panda Mart’s first entry into the “active, exciting North American discount retail market” with its’ flagship Canadian location opening on Friday September 26.
Avison Young’s Semmi Liu was the exclusive advisor and agent for Panda Mart Canada in securing this location, said the commercial real estate company.
The global retail supplier of household goods, novelties home décor and furniture toriginated in South Africa and has since grown to 40 stores across 12 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Mexico – and now Canada.
“This Toronto store provides a key entry for Panda Mart into the Canadian market, and Avison Young was honoured to help select this location that will attract customers and remain highly visible for years to come,” said Liu.
Located at 768 Warden Avenue just south of Eglington Avenue, features of this property that make it highly desirable include its’ accessibility to public transit, as well as the nearby Don Valley Parkway and Highway 401, with ample on-site parking for shoppers. This is a thriving, busy mixed-use neighbourhood full of shopping, dining, and residential – making it an ideal spot for Panda Mart to call home, said Avison Young.
Retail investment in the Greater Toronto Area is booming, according to Avison Young’s latest report. In Q2, investment volume increased by 73% quarter-over-quarter and 60% year-over-year, as retail continues to demonstrate itself as an attractive, necessity-based asset in turbulent times.
Panda Mart’s Retail Concept
Panda Mart has built its reputation on a unique large-format discount concept that blends elements of warehouse shopping with the excitement of discovery. Stores are typically located in repurposed big-box spaces and can measure between 80,000 and 130,000 square feet. Each site carries between 28,000 and 53,000 products, offering an extensive assortment that spans home goods, kitchenware, hardware, furniture, toys, stationery, party supplies, electronics, artificial flowers, and more.
The brand differentiates itself from traditional dollar stores by combining an immense variety with pricing that often starts as low as forty cents. Panda Mart positions its outlets as destinations for exploration, encouraging shoppers to browse and uncover new finds at every visit. The approach has attracted significant social media attention, particularly from younger demographics seeking value-driven shopping experiences.
Origins and Company History
Founded in 2010 in South Africa, Panda Mart has grown from a regional chain to a global retail player. Its early expansion was fuelled by sourcing products from Yiwu, China, one of the world’s largest wholesale hubs. The company quickly reached over 100 stores in its domestic market while preparing for broader international growth.
By the early 2020s, Panda Mart accelerated its overseas expansion, entering new markets across Africa, Australasia, and now North America. The retailer has demonstrated a particular ability to repurpose spaces vacated by former big-box tenants, offering affordable variety in markets where other large-format retailers have retreated. This model has enabled Panda Mart to gain traction in diverse economies, from Kenya to Australia.
Today, Panda Mart operates in more than a dozen countries across multiple continents, with new openings announced at a rapid pace. In Africa, the retailer has become a major player, most notably with its flagship at Nairobi’s Garden City Mall, where it anchors alongside established international brands.
In Australasia, the chain has been expanding aggressively. Its first Australian store opened in Cranbourne in February 2025, followed by a second in Preston later that year. In New Zealand, Panda Mart has established popular sites in both Christchurch and Auckland.
Beyond these key markets, Panda Mart has also established itself across multiple African countries and is reportedly exploring opportunities in Asia and the Middle East as part of its ongoing expansion strategy.
It will be interesting to see Panda Mart adding locations in other parts of Canada. They have certainly chosen an excellent time to enter the market. The economy is challenged, so shoppers are looking for bargains. And the collapse of another major retailer has just released a massive amount of leasable space. A chain like Panda Mart is likely one of the only companies interested in the large-format premises which are currently sitting empty across the country. Yorkdale may not welcome a Panda Mart, but mid-market malls like Winnipeg’s St. Vital and Calgary’s Sunridge would probably be happy to lease out their former HBC space. And it’s good news if Panda Mart is willing to occupy former RONA buildings: there are two in Edmonton which have sat empty for years without any takers.
It will also be intersting to see if the new Zellers 3.0 concept expands out to new stores — we could have a big-box revival in Canada, at least for a bit, though nothing as dramatic as the entry of Target.
Hi, i saw your panda mart on Instagram. By any chance panda mart will open in vancouver or surrey.
Went there the other day with my daughter,had high hopes,but when I got there I saw nothing but junk,dollarama is way better.