Two years after launching its first international store in Canada, India-based fashion retailer Soch has expanded westward with a new location in Surrey, British Columbia, strengthening its presence in two of the country’s largest South Asian consumer markets.
The 1,500-square-foot store marks Soch’s second Canadian location and fifth international store overall. Located in Metro Vancouver, the store carries a range of apparel including silk sarees, salwar suits, tunics, kurta sets, lehengas, fusion wear and kaftans.
“The Indian population in Canada has embraced Soch with remarkable warmth,” said Soch CEO and Co-Founder Vinay Chatlani in a statement announcing the opening. “With its vibrant South Asian heritage and strong sense of community, Vancouver is the perfect home for our second store in Canada, and fifth international location.”
The Surrey opening continues a Canadian expansion strategy that began in 2024 when Soch selected Brampton, Ontario, for its first store outside India. The choice of Surrey is notable because it reflects a targeted approach to growth, with the retailer establishing its first Canadian locations in communities where demand for Indian fashion is already deeply rooted.
Building on a Canadian Expansion Plan
Retail Insider interviewed Chatlani in 2024 following Soch’s Canadian debut in Brampton. At the time, Canada had been selected as the company’s first international market, with Chatlani pointing to the country’s growing South Asian population, multicultural consumer base and demand for Indian fashion as key factors behind the decision.
Metro Vancouver was also identified as a market with long-term potential.
The Surrey opening suggests the company is continuing to execute on that vision.
Founded in Bengaluru, Soch has grown into one of India’s largest women’s ethnic fashion retailers, operating more than 175 stores across approximately 70 cities. While the company continues to explore opportunities in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, the United Kingdom and the United States, Canada remains a visible part of its international growth strategy.
The retailer also operates a dedicated Canadian e-commerce platform, allowing it to serve customers nationwide while supporting growth in key metropolitan markets.
Why Surrey Makes Sense
Surrey is one of the most compelling expansion markets in Canada for a retailer such as Soch.
The city had more than 568,000 residents in the 2021 Census and is among Canada’s fastest-growing large municipalities. It is also home to one of the country’s largest South Asian populations, with Punjabi among its most widely spoken languages and Sikhs representing more than one-quarter of local residents.
Those demographics have helped establish Surrey as a major commercial hub for businesses serving South Asian consumers. The city has seen significant growth in fashion retail, jewellery, grocery, dining and professional services catering to a population with strong cultural ties to the Indian subcontinent.
For an ethnic fashion retailer, the opportunity is especially significant. Weddings, festivals, religious celebrations and family gatherings continue to support demand for traditional and occasion-based apparel, creating a customer base that shops for cultural fashion throughout the year.
The retailer’s first two Canadian stores now serve two of the country’s most significant South Asian consumer markets: Brampton in the Greater Toronto Area and Surrey in Metro Vancouver.
Canada Continues to Attract International Retailers
The Surrey opening also reinforces Canada’s appeal as a growth market for international brands.
Population growth, immigration and increasingly diverse consumer demographics continue to create opportunities for retailers looking beyond their home markets. For brands from India, established diaspora communities can provide a natural foundation for expansion while introducing products and concepts to a broader audience.
Two years after entering Canada through Brampton, Soch is building a bicoastal presence around two of the country’s most important South Asian consumer markets. As international retailers continue to evaluate opportunities in Canada, the company’s expansion offers a reminder that some of the country’s most compelling growth markets are being shaped as much by demographic trends as by traditional retail metrics.
