Edmonton's demographics and market dynamics are attractive to US retailers and foodservice businesses looking to expand, and the city has an advantage over Calgary for several reasons according to an expert.
The opening is part of the highly anticipated redevelopment of the north side of Southgate which was once home to a large department store. London Drugs itself features wider aisles and unique offerings meant to create efficiency for visitors.
This week Craig and Lee discuss challenges for retail in downtown Edmonton and its retreat over the past couple of decades, as well as the situation and projections for downtowns in cities across Canada. Craig is also an advisor at the University of Alberta Centre for Cities and Communities.
A reduction in foot traffic and a perceived lack of safety are among issues faced by a downtown core which has lost retail space over the years as suburban centres dominate the market.
Alberta's capital city saw vacancies increase due the pandemic, and now things are changing as retailers and foodservice businesses negotiate deals for new locations.
The massive three-level store is the next chapter for the retailer which continues to operate in the struggling downtown core which recently saw the exit of Hudson's Bay and Holt Renfrew.
The mega retailer will occupy much of Kingsway’s former Sears space. The opening will coincide with the closure of a Walmart store at the struggling Westmount Centre nearby.
The new store will replace a former location that recently shut at Southgate Centre and will be a fourth location for the storied retailer with an interesting history.
The attractive store could be the best of its kind in Alberta, and is part of an expansion for Alberta's largest family-owned independent grocery chain.
The loss of the last department store in downtown Edmonton is a blow to the city’s core which saw Holt Renfrew exit earlier this year, as well as Woodward’s and Eaton’s in years past.
Edmonton correspondent Christopher Lui took photos of the now shuttered Holt Renfrew store in downtown Edmonton as it prepared to close last week. It’s the end of an era for the luxury retailer in the city.