Apparel Retail

KIT + ACE is expanding to 18 Canadian locations with a new store at The Amazing Brentwood in Burnaby. CEO David Lui also confirms the Vancouver-founded apparel retailer is working toward finalizing its first U.S. store under Unity Brands.

Aritzia now operates more boutiques in the United States than in Canada as the Vancouver-founded retailer directs most new-store growth south of the border. Its mature Canadian network offers a useful template for the company’s push toward a potential 180-to-200-store U.S. footprint.

Retail Insider’s Q2 2026 Apparel & Fashion Report examines how premium brands, value retailers, resale concepts and specialists are reshaping Canadian apparel retail while mid-market chains face growing pressure.

Canadian apparel retail is increasingly polarized as premium brands, value retailers, and specialists outperform generalized mid-market chains through selective expansion, differentiated positioning, and investment in high-quality retail locations.