Vancouver-based Purdys Chocolatier is once again expanding its national presence through a new series of Purdys Chocolatier pop-up stores launching across Canada. Beginning October 25, 2025, the century-old Canadian chocolate maker will open eight new pop-up shops in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. The initiative marks the third consecutive year of Purdys’ successful temporary retail program, which has evolved into a strategic growth driver for the brand.
The new pop-up stores will be located in shopping centres including Central City Shopping Centre in Surrey, Totem Mall in Fort St. John BC, Brentwood Commons Shopping Centre in Lloydminster AB, Cornerstone Shopping Mall in Okotoks AB, Cornwall Centre in Regina, Quinte Mall in Belleville ON, Lansdowne Place in Peterborough, and Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener. The shops will operate through early April 2026, ensuring coverage across the key holiday and Easter retail periods.
Building on Three Years of Pop-Up Success
According to Kriston Dean, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Purdys Chocolatier, customer engagement has been central to the success of these temporary stores. “We are so fortunate to have such strong connections with customers who love our chocolates, which allows us to expand our pop-up strategy again this year,” said Dean.
Two of last year’s pop-ups in Courtenay, British Columbia, and St. Catharines, Ontario have now transitioned into permanent locations at Driftwood Mall and Niagara Pen Centre respectively. The company has also opened a new permanent store in Medicine Hat, Alberta, further reinforcing the success of its pop-up to permanent model.
“We recognize there are regions across Canada where we have yet to establish a physical presence,” Dean added. “We combine customer feedback and data from our sales channels to strategically identify locations and opportunities for growth. There is much more to come as we continue to strive to deliver connection and joy through our chocolates, both in our retail locations and through digital commerce.”
A Data-Driven Approach to Local Growth
The company’s approach to pop-up expansion blends customer analytics with local market engagement. Using insights from online sales, social media interactions, and fundraising program data, Purdys identifies communities with high brand awareness but limited access to physical stores. This analytical process ensures that Purdys Chocolatier pop-up stores are strategically located in areas with strong potential for long-term success.
By focusing on both qualitative and quantitative feedback, Purdys has refined a formula that balances corporate growth with community connection. The result is a retail model that prioritizes accessibility, familiarity, and customer experience, all while maintaining operational flexibility through modular store design.
Pop-Ups as a Strategic Retail Model
Purdys first began experimenting with seasonal pop-ups in 2023, testing locations in Fort McMurray, Alberta; Cranbrook, British Columbia; and Courtenay, British Columbia. These trial sites were designed to operate through high-demand periods such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter, before being evaluated for long-term viability.
The early experiments were a resounding success. By early 2024, two of the pilot stores had exceeded sales expectations and transitioned into permanent shops. The format quickly became a cornerstone of Purdys’ retail growth strategy, allowing the company to test new markets efficiently without the long-term risk of traditional store leases.
The Design of the Purdys Experience
Each Purdys Chocolatier pop-up store is built to deliver the brand’s hallmark in-store experience within a flexible footprint. Modular fixtures, signature purple branding, and curated product displays ensure that even temporary locations feel like full-fledged Purdys stores.
While some offerings, such as loose chocolates and ice cream, are unavailable due to logistical limitations, the pop-ups feature the company’s most popular items, including boxed assortments, gift collections, and specialty bars. This streamlined product mix helps optimize operational efficiency while maintaining the premium, handcrafted quality that defines the Purdys experience.
The design philosophy behind these pop-ups also speaks to Purdys’ adaptability in the evolving retail landscape. With many shopping centres undergoing tenant turnover and redevelopment, modular pop-up formats provide landlords with attractive short-term tenants while giving brands like Purdys the ability to quickly scale presence during peak seasons.
Heritage Rooted in Canadian Craftsmanship
Founded in 1907 by Richard Carmon Purdy in Vancouver, Purdys began as a small artisan chocolate shop on Robson Street. The brand’s reputation for handcrafted quality and fresh ingredients quickly made it a local favourite. More than a century later, Purdys remains a family-owned business, operating over 80 retail outlets across five provinces and producing all its chocolates in Vancouver.
Signature products such as Sweet Georgia Browns, Hedgehogs, English Toffee, and Himalayan Pink Salt Caramels continue to define the brand’s identity, while newer innovations like ruby chocolate lines have kept it at the forefront of confectionery trends.
The company’s commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainable cocoa has been a key part of its philosophy, with initiatives like Purple Partnerships and its Seasonal Fundraising Program helping communities across Canada. These programs not only reinforce Purdys’ social responsibility but also deepen its connection with customers who view the brand as a symbol of Canadian quality and care.
