[SpongeG]

Pop-up retail a new marketing ploy to combat consumer fatigue

TORONTO (CP) - Everyone knows there is no free lunch, but what about a free spa treatment or hugely discounted designer shoes?

The trend of businesses popping up unannounced in unexpected places, drawing in consumers by offering them an exclusive experience, is starting to make inroads in Canada.

"It's still relatively new ... I'm expecting to see a lot more," said Stan Sutter, editorial director for Marketing magazine.

"If the consumer won't come to the mountain, take the mountain to the consumer," he said adding that it is the best way to get one-on-one contact with consumers.

Making the most of a city at its busiest, the folks at Evian set up a pop-up spa in the heart of downtown Toronto, at Bay and Bloor Streets, during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Patrons could either book an appointment or walk in for a bottle of water, a hand massage, a hot stone treatment, a facial or reflexology. The minimalist white spa had a fountain of Evian water and televisions that showed features about the history of the French water company. With no crowds and lilies everywhere, the place reeked of exclusivity.

On the first day, the lineup for the spa was almost a city block long even before the doors opened.

While the Evian brand is popular, it was the price that really got consumers excited: The spa is free - until October, anyway.

After that Evian will pack up shop, and the only place to get an Evian spa treatment will be in Paris, Buenos Aires or Shanghai.

Evian isn't the only retailer to harness public buzz.

A few years back, U.S. fashion discounter Target, with no retail space in Manhattan, set up a temporary store near New York's Hudson River to make the most of the Christmas season.

Some designers rent downtown spaces for a weekend and send e-mails out to the city's fashion industry, telling of the improptu location and the unbelievable prices.

Other brands have stuffed vans, truck and Hummers full of their products and trekked across Asia and Europe hawking everything from shoes and clothes to designer toys.

Rumour has it the Joe Fresh brand will be taking the discount clothing line across Canada to cities and towns that don't have a Loblaws Super centre.

"It's definitely an attention-getting buzz ... word-of-mouth ... all of those things are where marketers are investing these days. They are not stopping doing the other stuff, but they just find they've got to find something else that builds a little interest," said Sutter.

"The old newspaper ad, magazine ad and television spot don't quite have that engagement."

The purpose of setting up a spa in Canada's most populous city was to create brand awareness, said Michael Thouin, brand manager for Evian in Canada.

"We are taking the money we usually spend on a regular campaign and putting it to something that's a little more non-traditional," he said. "Yes, it is expensive to put together a spa but what we're getting back makes it an effective spend."

Are these pop-up retailers responding to consumer fatigue, or is it simply an age-old marketing ploy all tarted up and strutting her stuff?

"There's always been pedlars and travelling little wagons going around ... tinkers selling pots and pans, travelling bazaars, farmers and flea markets," said Len Kubas, a Toronto-based retail consultant.

"That's probably more of the retail tradition ... as opposed to firm buildings and stalls locked in place forever. Having stores and firm places of business is more recent than the history of retail would have you believe."

http://www.cbc.ca/cp/business/060916/b091608.html

[malek]

H&M will open its second store in the Rockland Center in Montreal.

Parasuco unveiled its 5M$ flagship store on the corner of Crescent and St-Catherine.

[SteelTown]

Today in the newspaper it released some information on the redevelopment of Centre Mall, which will cost $100 million and will be the largest inner-city redevelopment in Canada.

Some stores apparently coming to Centre Mall:

Ron Jon Surf Company
Abercrombie & Fitch
Hollister Co.
Panera Bread Company
Crate and Barrel
Apple Computer
Italy's Geox (shoes)
Lush Cosmetics and Diva (jewellery);
Mango and Zara from Spain
H&M from Sweden (opened at Lime Ridge this month)
Oil & Vinegar from the Netherlands (food)
Rip Curl from Australia (surf wear)
Inglot from Poland (cosmetics)
Luxottica from Italy (optical fashion chain bought Shoppers Optical in Canada)

Surprised about H&M, which just opened one in Hamilton so I guess there going for 2 H&M in Hamilton.

[miketoronto]

Basically stores that should be opening up in downtown Hamilton instead of another mall. When is Hamilton City Council going to stand up for downtown.

Why would you redevelope a mall that is like 5min from downtown and put stores in like that.

[Simcoe]

I keep hearing a Crate and Barrel is going to open in Toronto, but so far I've seen nothing. What is Miss Sixty? What a terrible name... sounds like it is for little old ladies who never got married.
If Le Chateau intends to go the route of Zara, they have a long way to go. They are notorious for poorly made clothing, and have catered in the past to teenage club kids. That is a hard rep to shake.

[realcity]

Basically stores that should be opening up in downtown Hamilton instead of another mall. When is Hamilton City Council going to stand up for downtown.

Why would you redevelope a mall that is like 5min from downtown and put stores in like that.

exactly. It is a backwards step into a Power Centre no less.

[SpongeG]

I keep hearing a Crate and Barrel is going to open in Toronto, but so far I've seen nothing. What is Miss Sixty? What a terrible name... sounds like it is for little old ladies who never got married.
If Le Chateau intends to go the route of Zara, they have a long way to go. They are notorious for poorly made clothing, and have catered in the past to teenage club kids. That is a hard rep to shake.

Miss Sixty is an italian label - quite pricey and trendy

http://www.bluewater.co.uk/webimages/Store%20Images/M/Miss_Sixty_new.jpg

http://www.m-semba.com/images/shop_img/misssixty.jpg

http://www.coventgardenlife.com/images/photos/large/misssixty.jpg

they have a "trendy" hotel now

http://www.molblog.nl/trends/images/upload/1156412947miss%20sixty%20hotel.jpg

http://www.molblog.nl/trends/images/upload/1156412430miss%20sixty%20hotel%202.jpg


I read that Crate And Barrel plans to open in Canada in 2007 and was looking for two locations in Toronto/Ontario - it was a few months ago i read that

[SpongeG]

Canadian Tire accelerating rollout of new Concept 20/20 stores this year
TORONTO (CP) - Strong sales growth has prompted Canadian Tire Corp. (TSX:CTC.A) to accelerate the rollout of its new larger-format Concept 20/20 stores this year, says its chief financial officer.

Huw Thomas made the remarks Wednesday at a retail conference sponsored by Scotia Capital (TSX:BNS), noting the auto parts and hard goods retailer plans to undertake 300 store projects by the end of 2009.

"It really does underpin our excitement basically about our future," Thomas told delegates.

Concept 20/20 stores range in size from 65,000 to 100,000 square feet and about 90 per cent of Canadian Tire's existing store portfolio can accommodate the new format - eliminating the need for more land.

Canadian Tire Retail's store investment is $850 million to $900 million between 2005 and 2009 - its current outlook period.

Corporate investment per 20/20 store ranges from $400,000 for a basic retrofit, $2 million to $4 million for a more detailed retrofit expansion and $6 million to $8 million for a new store.

About 200 of its 300 planned store projects are expected to be retrofits, Thomas said, adding the new format is proving popular with shoppers.

"Our replacement stores are driving close to a 70 per cent increase in sales - obviously dramatic increase in an existing market," he said, referring to first-year sales growth data.

"Perhaps most pleasing is our retrofit expansion where we've expanded the store and we're seeing close to a 30 per cent increase in sales."

While most of its new stores are earmarked for suburban powercentres, the retailer also plans to pursue more "inner city development."

Observers say Canadian Tire is preparing for sharper competition from big-box rivals Home Depot (NYSE:HD), Rona (TSX:RON) and American home-improvement retailer Lowe's Cos. Inc. (NYSE:LOW) which plans to open its first slate of Canadian stores in 2007.

For its part, Lowe's was scheduled to give an update on its progress in the Canadian market Thursday, while unveiling its new executive team in Toronto.

"I think that Canadian Tire has recognized that they've got a winner in that 20/20 and you want to get them out as quickly as you can before competitors come out with something that might steal some of that thunder," said John Chamberlain, a retail analyst with Dominion Bond Rating Service.

Canada's home improvement market is worth about $28 billion and is considered "the sweet spot of retail."

But Canadian Tire's expansion drive also extends to its other banners including Mark's Work Wearhouse, PartSource and its petroleum sites, Thomas said.

Overall, Canadian Tire will undertake about 500 to 550 store projects between 2005 to 2009 to drive sales and increase its market penetration.

Its accelerated 20/20 expansion comes about a month after it boosted its full-year earnings guidance. It forecasts that earnings per share will be in the range of $4.25 to $4.40, excluding non-operating items, compared with the previous range of $4.20 to $4.35.

Canadian Tire operates more than 1,100 stores, gasoline stations and car washes. Its shares were ahead 98 cents to $69.85 during afternoon trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

http://www.cbc.ca/cp/business/060920/b092068.html

[SpongeG]

cabela slated for nov 3 opening
Mark your calendars - the great outdoors surges indoors in a big way when Cabela's opens to the public on Nov. 3.

Many moons have passed since city officials and company honchos huddled over plans for this promised land. Many rains have fallen since contractors, electricians, bricklayers and forklift drivers began their labor on the mammoth structure.

But each day's toil has realized steady progress and when the mountain-sized boutique-for-the-rugged launches its opening at 12703 Westport Parkway that Friday morning, La Vista may never be the same.

According to a press release last week, Cabela's expects 1.5 million people to visit the store annually and, in turn, campers, hunters, hikers, fishing people, birdwatchers, outdoor fashion buffs and the simply curious can expect a tourist and retail paradise - nearly three football fields worth of education, entertainment and shopping.

Along with aisles and aisles of Cabela's catalog items, two major attractions await visitors.

A 22-foot Conservation Mountain stands inside the front doors, with dozens of wild game mounts from Alaska, the Yukon Territory, Wyoming and Canada displayed among waterfalls, streams, a trout pond and even a beaver dam.

A 34,000-gallon walk-through aquarium stocked with hundreds of fish indigenous to the region will sport information kiosks with interactive touch-screens that identify and explain each species.

Company statistics show that half of Cabela's customers come from more than 100 miles away and that an average visit lasts three and a half hours.

Take those numbers and apply some Marketing 101 concepts - it's a turkey-shoot conclusion that since shopping tends to make fellers and gals tired and hungry, nearby hotels and restaurants will prosper and area retailers will be blessed by the accompanying while-we're here-let's-see-what-else-there-is-to-do attitude.

An imperfect but revealing calculation of income generated just by sales taxes shows why city and state officials might also feel economically exalted.

Estimate on the paltry side that each customer (1.5 million of them, remember) purchases $25 of merchandise. Do the math figuring in city and state sales tax - La Vista's at 1.5 percent and Nebraska's at 5.5 percent - and $2.6 million dollars ostensibly clang into city and state coffers.

Unless you're a mayor, a city administrator or an economic forecaster, knowing how government entities will split this enormous amount probably doesn't cruise front and center in customers' minds.

Here's a more understandable concept - 43 days 'till you can cruise through Cabela's.


Other adventures at Cabela's:

· Displays of hundreds of big-game trophies and other wildlife mounts throughout the store - including western prairie, northern woodlands, Alaskan tundra and Arctic ice settings.

· Walking path through landscaped grounds with native trees and plants.

· An indoor archery range where archers can test their equipment.

· Full-service fly-fishing shop

· World-class gun library

· Dog kennels so customers can shop while their animals are cared for.

· Conference rooms and educational center for school groups, seminars, conferences and conventions.

· Bargain cave of discounted merchandise, laser arcade, specialty furniture store, art gallery, country store with homemade fudge.
http://images.zwire.com/local/Z/Zwire2712/zwire/images/2006/09/story/WEB9-21Cabela's_6201--mb_story.jpg


http://www.bellevueleader.com/site/tab5.cfm?newsid=17225293&BRD=2712&PAG=461&dept_id=556329&rfi=6#music%20begins%20here

[SpongeG]

Goodbye department store, hello superstore
Over the coming months, superstores will be beefing up their product lines and stocking their shelves with some surprising items in an attempt to stay on top of the ever-diversifying Canadian marketplace.

In the past decade, department stores have struggled for survival as consumers flocked to a growing number of niche-market superstores. Now, in an ironic twist, superstores are answering customers' demands for one-stop shopping by expanding their product lines.

Retailers have been forced to adapt to changing shopping patterns and intensely fierce competition, Peter Sharpe, the vice president of the Canadian division of the International Convention of Shopping Centres, told delegates Tuesday at their annual conference in Toronto.

"In this competitive environment, it's not surprising to see large retailers adopting and testing new strategies — including diversification, adding new and exclusive lines of products and increasing sales from offshore sourcing — in efforts to win new customers and improve sales performances," Sharpe said.

The supermarket chain Loblaws, for example, is expanding its product line beyond groceries to include a wide range of discount general merchandise items including clothes for men and women.

Wal-Mart has also forced competitors to make changes as it continues to make inroads in the food and pharmacy markets.

Shoppers Drug Mart has responded with plans to enlarge 75 per cent of its existing stores, Sharpe told delegates. The drug store chain has begun stocking a wider variety of general merchandise, including food.

Despite a bustling economy these are trying times for Canadian retailers who must continually attempt to remain relevant to consumers, said Bill Gregson the president and CEO of the Forzani Group, which operates Sport Chek, Sport Mart, National Sports and Coast Mountain Sports.

"The Canadian consumer gives you zero sympathy for being a Canadian company," Gregson said at a panel discussion at the conference Wednesday. He noted that Canadians are unwilling to protect homegrown companies on the basis of patriotism alone if there are better deals elsewhere to be found.

Despite being a late entry to the home improvement market in Canada, U.S.-based home improvement store Lowe’s has big plans for the Canadian market. Doug Robinson, president of the Canadian division of Lowe's, said the company is scouting out new locations and searching for the products that appeal to Canadian consumers.

"It's a very complicated art, it's not a science," Robinson said of carving out a place in the crowded Canadian market.

Meanwhile, Home Depot is attempting to strengthen its position with plans to open more superstores and smaller urban stores that offer a blend of traditional and high-end products.

Rona similarly plans to add convenience stores and gas bars to one-third of its outlets.

Retailers must also contend with e-commerce pressures. Canada’s 2,298 shopping centres have been forced to diversify in part because of moderate but growing competition from online retailers. A 2003 Statistics Canada survey found that an estimated 3.2 million households actively participated in e-commerce, up from 2.8 million the year before.

"Consumers have so much choice," said Indigo CEO Heather Reisman at the conference. She noted that it's a challenge to meet and anticipate consumers' needs. "The reality of the information age is upon us and I think it's a challenge and an opportunity."

http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2006/09/20/superstore-consumer.html

[officedweller]

I heard that H&M will be leasing the former Caban space on Granville Street (South Granville) in Vancouver.

[miketoronto]

Goodbye department store, hello superstore



I am sorry, but if people want one stop shopping then go to a department store. I see no use in a place like LOBLAWS having to sell clothing and all that stuff. If I want to go clothes shopping, I will go shopping for that.
I don't need to do it while buying food at a supermarket and choosing from what really is not even a good selection.

These stores have gotta focus on what they are good at. For LOBLAWS that is clothing. Trying to be everything does not work in my opinion.

Actually I noticed REXAL DRUGSTORES has a commerical on TV actually stating that all they do is drugstore stuff, and how its so better to go to them where people know about the stuff, then a place like LOBLAWS trying to sell everything. Interesting commerical but very well done, taking a jab at the supercentres who really can't decide what they want to sell.

[Simcoe]

Actually I noticed REXAL DRUGSTORES has a commerical on TV actually stating that all they do is drugstore stuff, and how its so better to go to them where people know about the stuff, then a place like LOBLAWS trying to sell everything. Interesting commerical but very well done, taking a jab at the supercentres who really can't decide what they want to sell.

But ironically, Rexall stores sell all sorts of foods. One night I walked past a
Rexall pharmacy with a big sign in the window.. it was a photo of peaches, and the text went something to the effect of "Why would you buy your medicines in a place that sells peaches?", and right below it they had stacks of Campbell's Soup on special. They sell cookies, and all sorts of foods now.

[SteelTown]

Lowe's breaks ground with women-friendly Home Improvement Warehouse opening next fall

By Deirdre Healey
The Hamilton Spectator
(Sep 22, 2006)
http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/images/hs/hs1480247_1.jpg

Nothing is sacred. Not even a man and his home improvement projects.

Women are taking over the do-it-yourself phenomenon and changing it to do-it-for-me.

The men who once marched into a home improvement store in search of nails and 2 X 4s are being replaced by women who sift through counter-top samples and pick out decorative light fixtures before making their way over to the store's installation service counter.

Chamberlains said Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse is the first to pick up on the important role women play in home improvement, leaving the two other giants, Home Depot and RONA racing to catch up.

"Lowe's is to Home Depot what Target is to Wal-Mart," he said. "The demographic is more female."

Local women will be happy to hear the North Carolina company is opening its first Canadian store in Hamilton next fall. The official groundbreaking ceremony was held yesterday at the future location for the 145,000 square foot store at the corner of Barton Street and Woodward Avenue.

Canadian Lowe's president Doug Robinson told the crowd gathered at the construction site that Hamilton was chosen as the site for the $20.5-million project after a one-year study of the local market. Population growth, home construction, home ownership and renovation spending were all considered, he said. The future Red Hill Expressway also made the chosen corner an accessible location.

Lowe's also plans to build four more stores in Brantford, south Brampton and Toronto by the end of 2007. The expansion into Canada is the company's latest move in the home improvement battle with all three giants -- Home Depot, RONA and Lowe's -- fighting for a piece of Canada's $28-billion market.

While Home Depot is the largest of the three home-improvement goliaths, Lowe's is ahead of the game with its female-friendly stores.

Lowe's stores are eye driven with bright lighting and displays, Torella said.

"They are moving away from the warehouse setting," he said.

Products are pulled out of boxes, assembled and put on display because women like to know what the product will look like in their home. Women are also comparison shoppers and like to stand back and compare one product to another, said Chris Ahearn, Lowe's spokesperson.

The aisles are wider so carts or baby strollers can easily pass each other. And more feminine products like carpeting and cabinets are placed at the front.

[bc2mb]

I can see Lowe's buying Rona within the next few years...

[neilson]

But Rona's gonna be expanding into the USA next year.

[pegcity]

I enjoy choices and options, but do we really need another hardware store. I mean if I can't find it at Canadian Tire wouldn't Rona,Home Depot, Home Hardware or Mcdiarmard lumber have it, now I guess Lowes will have it too. Someone will eventually pack up shop, and i'm thinking it will be canadian.

P.S. Can someone explain to me the Candian Tire smell...

later
pegcity

[Simcoe]

I'm happy that BestBuy is opening a location downtown in Toronto. I don't have a car so have never gone to one. Also handy having a new Canadian Tire store downtown. Could spend hours walking around a CT.

[furrycanuck]

P.S. Can someone explain to me the Candian Tire smell...

later
pegcity

Tires?

[SpongeG]

I like Lowes

go to the one across the border often

[Simcoe]

Tires?

Bingo. Got it in one, furry!:tup:

[SpongeG]

i was at a CT yesterday looking for am air filter

and i couldn;t find the one i needed so i left

walk into wal-mart and had no trouble finding what i needed

its sad that CT is such a mess and unorganized - they had open boxes, misplaced things on the shelves etc. and no one around to help and the parts guide book was missing

[SSLL]

From: http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2006/09/18/daily14.html?b=1158552000^1348080
_________________
Canadian chain expanding to state
Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle) - September 19, 2006

A Canadian Greek restaurant chain, Mr. Greek, said it plans its first U.S. restaurant in Puyallup.

The Mr. Greek chain expanded from its first Toronto location in 1988 to 22 locations in southern Ontario. The Washington restaurant will be located at 4301 Meridian St. S. in Puyallup and is expected to open in December. Two others are planned for the area by franchisee Nadar Morcos, according to a statement.


"Greek cuisine is right behind Italian, Asian and Mexican food in popularity but unlike those saturated segments, the Greek segment is wide open with very little competition," said George Raios, president and CEO of Mr. Greek Restaurants Inc., in a statement.

[SSLL]

From: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060922.wxrwalmart22/EmailBNStory/Business/home
___________________
Wal-Mart is trying to go chic, by George
MARINA STRAUSS
From Friday's Globe and Mail
It's a destination for cheap underwear, pyjamas and children's overalls, but now the country's largest discounter wants to be known for cheap chic too.

After all, shoppers are already heading to Wal-Mart Canada Corp. for a wide range of their everyday needs, said Chris Johnston, vice-president of apparel. Why not entice them to spend more by offering more stylish clothing at low prices?

So Wal-Mart is quickly expanding its edgy George line to more of its stores, and moving into more categories. But it's not just pitching the fashions in its usual way, by showing its own staff wearing the styles in its flyers.

Instead, Wal-Mart for the first time has hired svelte models to showcase the styles. They're appearing in separate catalogues within its flyers, and in a wide-ranging advertising campaign. The George tagline: "It's about style."

On the shop floor, the apparel sections are changing too. Fewer styles are being displayed, in a bid to give each one more prominence. Five racks of the George clothing are labelled "fast fashion." The pieces are replaced every four to six weeks with updated looks, copied from the runways by in-house designers.

"Wal-Mart historically has done a great job in addressing the needs of the consumer in apparel," said Mr. Johnston, an apparel retailing veteran who arrived at Wal-Mart early last year to help boost the business. "But there are 'wants' out there that we should address as well if we're going to be what we've set out to be, which is the total apparel destination for the Canadian consumer."

As rival Loblaw Cos. Ltd. beefs up its apparel sections with the trendy Joe Fresh Style line, Wal-Mart is stepping up its quota of fashionable offerings. It's competing with specialty stores, many of which are specializing in the cheap chic sector.

Kaileen Millard, fashion director at market researcher NPD Group, said Wal-Mart is making headway in its rush to capture more of the apparel market. "It is providing strong competition for Joe Fresh."

She said Wal-Mart's core customers, between 30 and 55, are in the stores anyway for their purchases. But they don't want the frumpy clothes that the chain has often been associated with.

"I wouldn't say it's risky," she said. "Wal-Mart already has a strong hold on this age group." What's more, it's an age group that has been underserved, she added.

The George line targets women between 25 and 45, Wal-Mart spokeswoman Christi Gallagher said. However, it's finding that customers beyond this age group are embracing the styles because "today fashion is more about attitude than it is about age."

By next year, the fast-fashion line will be in all 272 Wal-Mart stores. It was launched last November in 50 outlets and now is in 150.

Wal-Mart decided to put more emphasis on the George line after its research found that its customers wanted more styling, colour, timeliness -- as well as affordability -- in its clothing, Mr. Johnston said.

[SSLL]

From: http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financialpost/story.html?id=e57e9259-0828-48a4-b4f0-9894c1c3c9bf&k=89712
_____________________
Slew of U.S. retailers scouting Canadian sites
Seeking untapped niches

Hollie Shaw, Financial Post
Published: Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Spurred on by the success of Abercrombie and Fitch and American Eagle, a new slate of U.S. retailers, including Brooks Brothers, Pacific Sunwear and the owner of the Lane Bryant plus-size women's clothing chain, have been looking at locations in Canada, says the country's biggest shopping mall owner.
"Lane Bryant is interested," Peter Sharpe, chief executive of Cadillac Fairview Corp., confirmed yesterday in between leasing sessions at an International Council of Shopping Centres convention in Toronto.
"Brooks Brothers also sees an opportunity in between the [upscale] Holt Renfrew/Harry Rosen segment and the Tip Top/Grafton Fraser/Moores market" for men's suits and dress casual wear, he said. "I think it's a big niche that has great potential and there's nobody hitting that middle spectrum on the national scale."
Brooks Brothers, one of the most storied brand names in men's suits that has expanded more recently into men's and women's casual fashions, is owned by Retail Brand Alliance Inc., a spinoff of Italian conglomerate Luxottica Group, SpA. It has 170 outlets in the United States and another 70 worldwide.
Lane Bryant is owned by Charming Shoppes, Inc., the largest specialty retailer of plus-sized clothing in the United States, with 2,265 stores. It also owns the Fashion Bug and Catherine's Plus Size banners.
In Canada, Lane Bryant would face stiff competition from Montreal clothing giant Reitmans Canada Ltd., which is the top retailer of plus-sized apparel in Canada and owner of the Penningtons and Addition-Elle banners.
"A huge portion of youth are overweight and when you look at Addition-Elle and Penningtons combined, they have captured about 40% to 45% of the plus-size market in Canada," said David Howell, president of retail consultancy Associate Marketing International.
"Sears has really backed away from it, so somebody new like a Lane Bryant would have a huge opportunity."
While Brooks Brothers and Lane Bryant cater to older customers, Pacific Sunwear targets the 18-to-30 demographic most coveted by advertisers.
The success of youth fashion retailers Abercrombie and Fitch and its teen surfwear banner Hollister in Canada has inspired many U.S. retailers to consider the market, Mr. Howell noted.
Gar Jackson, director of investor relations for Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc., said the company "hasn't really made any public comment about our expansion plans in Canada."
Retail leasing experts have also been searching for sites to expand U.S.-based teen retailers Forever 21 and Aeropostale into Canada.

[SSLL]

From: http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1159221038964&call_pageid=968350072197&col=969048863851
______________________
George, Joe in fashion fight
Sep. 26, 2006. 07:35 AM
DANA FLAVELLE
BUSINESS REPORTER

You could call it Joe versus George in the latest battle of the goliaths.
As two of Canada's largest retailers — one a supermarket chain, the other a discount department store — prepare to duke it out on each other's turf, more than the price of lettuce will be at stake.
As Loblaw Cos. Ltd. pushes into Ontario's general-merchandise market in a bigger way and Wal-mart Canada Ltd. prepares to add fresh food to the aisles this fall, one of the battlegrounds will be fashion: not just any fashion, but high fashion at low prices.
In a grocery store and a discount mass-merchandise retailer?
You bet.
Wal-Mart has "George," its fashion-forward line designed in Britain, while Loblaws has Joe Fresh, named for Canadian designer Joseph Mimran, known from Club Monaco.
The implications for other retailers could be enormous as two of Canada's largest retailers aim to take a bigger bite out of the $18.7 billion a year apparel market. Even Sears Canada, the leader in women's wear, is watching the contest closely.
"There's a lot more competition in retailing than there was 10 or 15 years ago," said Sears spokesperson Vince Power.
It's partly the H&M effect. The fast-growing Swedish specialty retailer built a global empire making runway knockoffs at cutthroat prices and using celebrity models to flog them. The season's must-have Madonna tracksuit springs to mind as the latest example.
Now, it seems that every apparel retailer worth its salt, from Fairweather to the Bay, feels it has to have an entry in the "cheap chic" category. Fairweather is touting Isaac Mizrahi, a designer label that Target launched in the United States. The Bay has borrowed a page from Bloomingdales by adding edgier lower-priced labels, like I.N.C., to the high-fashion floor.
Both Loblaws and Wal-mart are putting big pushes behind fashion brands this fall.
Joe Fresh, first unveiled in March, will finally hit some Toronto-area Loblaws stores in the next few weeks. Wal-Mart, meanwhile, is promoting George with ads in hip urban magazines such as Toronto Life and a fashion show in Toronto's funky theatre district.
George is dressier, while Joe Fresh is more casual and everyday, but they have things in common: the low price point, good design and exclusivity to the stores. The idea is to discourage consumers from comparison shopping national brands to get the best price.
The low price tags on Joe Fresh and George could make some eyes pop out.
From Joe Fresh, this season's grey, down-filled vest is just $29. Or, for a little fun, how about the "fur-ocious" tote — a fake-fur-covered handbag — for just $12? A website, http://www.joe.ca, shows you how to wear it and an email list will keep you current.
From George, there's a grey checked jumper for $39 over a $17 white turtleneck and short black-patent boots for $29.
Blouses run $15 to $20, while outerwear is $79 to $99, Wal-mart said.
Consumers appear to like what they're seeing.
George is Wal-Mart's fastest-growing clothing brand, said Chris Johnston, the company's vice-president of apparel. Looking at sales in stores open more than a year, without the impact of new stores, "We've had double-digit growth," he said. "We're frankly excited and chasing that right now."
George aims to capitalize on the "fast fashion" trend by bringing the latest looks from the catwalk to the floor within eight to 12 weeks, he said.
Loblaws plans to expand Joe Fresh into more stores, including two former Caban locations, one at Queen's Quay and Jarvis St., the other at St. Clair Ave. and Bathurst St.
Industry watchers say it's too soon to tell how well either brand will perform. It depends on how much of the merchandise the stores actually stock and in what sizes, said Kaileen Millard, vice-president of apparel for market-research firm NPD Canada. The fastest-growing market for women's wear in Canada is women over age 45, who can't always wear the smallest sizes, she noted.
While younger women still like to shop, the impact of the "fast fashion" trend has driven prices so low that, even though people are buying more items, they're spending less.
As a business model and from a consumer perspective, fast fashion is a really neat concept, said Rick Wolfe, a retail consultant with PostStone Consulting, in Toronto.
For the retailer, it's a way to drive traffic to the store on a regular basis, by promising something new and fresh every time, he said. For the style-conscious customer, it's attractive "because I don't have to buy only four items a season. I can stay current on a monthly basis, and I can do it affordably."
Whether Joe Fresh and George will appeal to the same customer is doubtful, he added.
"Certainly, the Joe Fresh customer and the George customer is someone looking for `cheap chic.' But, arguably, the Wal-mart customer is lower income than the Loblaw customer," he said. "My hunch is that in one way their targets overlap, and in another way they don't."
NPD's Millard said not all consumers even want cheap chic. Some are just looking for good old-fashioned basics that fit and wear well.
One of the fastest-growing Canadian clothing chains is Mark's Work Wearhouse, Millard noted. Mark's sells what many would consider wardrobe staples, from relaxed fit denims to pre-shrunk canvas shirts. Other retailers, such as Sears, maintain their positions by offering something for everyone, in every size, from petite to plus.

[furrycanuck]

From: http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2006/09/18/daily14.html?b=1158552000^1348080
_________________

I don't get why they are skipping over western Canada before they open in WA state.

[harls]

I am sorry, but if people want one stop shopping then go to a department store. I see no use in a place like LOBLAWS having to sell clothing and all that stuff. If I want to go clothes shopping, I will go shopping for that.
I don't need to do it while buying food at a supermarket and choosing from what really is not even a good selection.

These stores have gotta focus on what they are good at. For LOBLAWS that is clothing. Trying to be everything does not work in my opinion.


huh? you mean food, right?

I wouldn't go clothes shopping in Loblaws either, but I suppose some people who are too busy to run from store to store and don't care about where their clothes come from like to do it. What's the difference if your 'one stop shopping' is in a department store or not? Most people spend more time buying groceries than shopping for clothes. Seems weird to put a shirt and a pound of ground beef in the same shopping cart though.. but that's just me.

[MolsonExport]

The real fashionable people know that Canadian Tire is where to go for high fashion.

[SpongeG]

they sell Columbia clothing at Canadia Tire here

superstore is cool - they have some good stuff beside groceries

has anyone been to Fred Meyer? they are a groecery store, clothing store, hardware store, garden, home etc. all on one

[SpongeG]

btw H&M doesn't seem to be opening in the old Caban spot on granville - a clothing store called urban planet has already opened there

[SSLL]

I don't get why they are skipping over western Canada before they open in WA state.

It does seem strange. I don't even recall them in Ottawa!

Maybe some of the owner's family live there? Or there are an astonishing large amount of Greeks in Seattle?

[SSLL]

Eww...Urban Planet? I haven't gone down to Queen Street to see what's happening to the Caban site there. If Crate & Barrel were sharp, they would've snatched the flagship sites in Toronto and Vancouver, since they've announced their entry into Toronto already. There's no H&M in Queen Street either, but already a Zara. I wonder if they're just waiting for the right location to free up.

[Taller Better]

I am sorry, but if people want one stop shopping then go to a department store. I see no use in a place like LOBLAWS having to sell clothing and all that stuff. If I want to go clothes shopping, I will go shopping for that.
I don't need to do it while buying food at a supermarket and choosing from what really is not even a good selection.

These stores have gotta focus on what they are good at. For LOBLAWS that is clothing. Trying to be everything does not work in my opinion.

Actually I noticed REXAL DRUGSTORES has a commerical on TV actually stating that all they do is drugstore stuff, and how its so better to go to them where people know about the stuff, then a place like LOBLAWS trying to sell everything. Interesting commerical but very well done, taking a jab at the supercentres who really can't decide what they want to sell.

The man that owns Loblaw's also owns Holt Renfrew, and Selfridges in England, so I think he is a good person to deal with a low end line of clothing like Joe to be sold in a place like Loblaw's.

[CMD UW]

i was at a CT yesterday looking for am air filter

and i couldn;t find the one i needed so i left

walk into wal-mart and had no trouble finding what i needed

its sad that CT is such a mess and unorganized - they had open boxes, misplaced things on the shelves etc. and no one around to help and the parts guide book was missing
Sorry about your luck, but I've had good experiences at CT.

In fact Canadian Tire is a very well run company, just take a look at its stock you'll know what I mean.

[CMD UW]

The man that owns Loblaw's also owns Holt Renfrew, and Selfridges in England, so I think he is a good person to deal with a low end line of clothing like Joe to be sold in a place like Loblaw's.
Loblaws is owned by the George Weston Group

http://www.weston.ca/en/abt_corprof.html

[neilson]

Loblaws is owned by the George Weston Group

http://www.weston.ca/en/abt_corprof.html
And they own Holt Renfrow and some Department Store chain in Ireland.

[SpongeG]

the Caban store in Vancouver is pretty small - far too small for a Crate and Barrel - the C&B's in Seattle must be 4 or 5 times the size that Caban in Vancouver was

[SpongeG]

Sorry about your luck, but I've had good experiences at CT.

In fact Canadian Tire is a very well run company, just take a look at its stock you'll know what I mean.

well i never have any good experiences with them

they never have enough flyer sale items in stock - you get there and its all sold out and you ask someone and they say sorry.

Once while thinking about paint the girl at the paint counter stayed talking on the phone the whole time we waited at the thing trying to grab her attention. so we just left and got it at home depot.

the stores i have been to here other than cambie are all very cramped feeling and the aisles are narrow and crowded - they have a lot to do to win me back

[Taller Better]

Loblaws is owned by the George Weston Group

http://www.weston.ca/en/abt_corprof.html

Yes, and they own Holt Renfrew, Selfridges (a very exclusive clothing
store in England) and Fortnum & Mason. Galen Weston is one of the wealthiest men in Canada, and is married to our former Lieutenant Governor
(and extremely stylish) Hilary Weston. I think the group has enough expertise in retail clothing to sell a low end fashion line like Joe in Loblaw's.

[SpongeG]

i don't know what a loblaws store is like - but the RCSS here in vancovuer are ver big - i would say the stores are split 50% groceries/produce/deli/meat etc and 50% home goods, bedding, bath, electronics, pharmacy, clothes, toys, car things, soaps etc.

they have over the last few years been expanding and renovating the stores

so the new joe line fit in no problem - the stores that have renovated to fit them in look very nice - the older ones have the Joe stuff but its just in with the clothes

[SSLL]

I went by the Toronto Caban store. It's now an Urban Barn or Planet or something like that.

[alps]

King of Donair, a popular pizza/donair chain in Halifax, will expand beyond Nova Scotia by opening 70 new stores across Canada soon. (As well as 30 more stores in N.S.)

[Boris2k7]

My little brother is working at Crappy Tire right now. Always have to laugh at crappily run companies. The management in this particular store is piss-poor (read: non-existant), the merchandise is shit, the staff at a minimum, and organized in such as a way that it is impossible to find anything.

CT is such a joke. It's the same at most stores here.

Seriously, if I actually needed help with my car, I went to Auto Value, where there are people who actually know what the hell they are talking about, and a large stock.

[SpongeG]

I went by the Toronto Caban store. It's now an Urban Barn or Planet or something like that.

is it clothes or Furniture?

Urban barn is a western company that i heard was planning to expand into ontario

they do furniture

[BlackRedGold]

King of Donair, a popular pizza/donair chain in Halifax, will expand beyond Nova Scotia by opening 70 new stores across Canada soon. (As well as 30 more stores in N.S.)


There are already King of Donair locations outside of Nova Scotia. I know there's one in downtown Saint John.

I just hope that one shows up in Ottawa.

[Arriviste]

Nothing worse than a chain Donair place. I doubt that it will ever make it out to Calgary. The thought of it gives me chills. I'll stick to Sammy's on 17th. Jimmy's A and A is a gem aswell.

[furrycanuck]

Arriviste- did you notice that Falafel King is opening where grabbajabba vacated (16th St/10 Ave)? With Sammy's, Shawarma King on 14th and now Falafel King we might rename the west side of 17th the Donair District.

[neilson]

Nothing worse than a chain Donair place. I doubt that it will ever make it out to Calgary. The thought of it gives me chills. I'll stick to Sammy's on 17th. Jimmy's A and A is a gem aswell.
What's a Donair? Looks like a Taco Salad to me.

[furrycanuck]

Donair=Gyro, but with this kind of sweet sauce instead of tzaziki. Personally, I always get shawarma with real chicken, beef or lamb, not donair mystery meat (now a good GYRO can tempt me but I've never had anything close to a good gyro, as at Parthenon in Madison Wisc, in Canada).

[malek]

King of Donair, a popular pizza/donair chain in Halifax, will expand beyond Nova Scotia by opening 70 new stores across Canada soon. (As well as 30 more stores in N.S.)


donair:haha::haha::haha::haha::haha::haha::haha:

[malek]

donair:haha::haha::haha::haha::haha::haha::haha:


how do you guys say it ??:haha::haha:

[BlackRedGold]

Nothing worse than a chain Donair place.

Then you've never eaten at King of Donair. Their donairs are the best donair/schwarma/gyro sandwich that I've ever had. The only sandwich experience I've had that can compare to it is an authentic Philly cheesesteak.

[Built Form]

Re: Pacific Centre Shoppers' Drug Mart.
Spoke to the pharmacist and she said the new Shoppers' (northeast corner of Granville and Dunsmuir) will open end of November. However the old location will continue to operate till the end of their lease sometime in the new year.

[SpongeG]

ah

they had a shoppers drug mart on scott rd and than they built a brand new shopping plaza thing and in went a brand new shoppers drug mart - but the old one had a different franchisee owner - so he was competing with the same store but his store was old and crappy and the new one was nice and all that. His store closed down after a few months

not that this relates to anything but it made me think of that

[SteelTown]

Mark's likes women
By Carmela Fragomeni
The Hamilton Spectator
(Oct 19, 2006)

Hamilton's retail market is supersizing again.

The largest Mark's Work Wearhouse store in Canada opens today on Upper Wentworth Street.

Shoppers at the new flagship store that sells casual and work clothing will see more women's casual wear among the work clothing that gave the company its name.

Helen Kanold, a company district manager for the Golden Horseshoe, said that while demand for the store's work clothes hasn't diminished, the call for women's wear has skyrocketed.

That demand, coupled with the city's continued growth, was the driving force in choosing Hamilton for the flagship store, said Kanold.

"We chose Hamilton because the demographics are telling us it's a very fast growing community."

The women's section at Mark's Work Wearhouse was small 15 years ago, accounting for less than 10 per cent of a store's space. Work clothes and work boots made up most of the merchandise.

Today, one-third of the new store across from Lime Ridge Mall is devoted to women's wear and that department at the new store "is larger than in most retail stores," said Kanold.

The rest of the merchandise is divided evenly between men's wear and industrial work clothes.

Mark's Work Wearhouse stores in Ancaster, Stoney Creek and on Upper James Street will remain open.

The super store is part of a trend to large store developments in Hamilton, including the expanded 170,000 sq. ft. super Wal-Mart in Ancaster which has added a full grocery complement and the new 145,000 sq. ft.

Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse currently under construction in Hamilton is also catering to women.

[Plus15]

Harry Rosen sets sights on Calgary's 'premier' market
'We are very, very bullish' about the city

Mario Toneguzzi, Calgary Herald
Published: Thursday, October 19, 2006

Canada's largest retailer of high-end men's fashion wear is planning an ambitious and aggressive expansion in the Calgary market to take advantage of the city's growing wealth and youthful population.
"We are very, very bullish about Calgary," said Larry Rosen, chairman and CEO of Harry Rosen Inc., in an interview with the Herald on Wednesday. "This is a city that has really come into its own. It's a very unique city. It's got a very strong business, head-office component. It's got a youthfulness to it. It's a young city.
"We see the opportunities for growing our business in the city. Certainly it's the premier market for growth in the country for us."
The Harry Rosen location in downtown Calgary in TD Square has doubled in business in the last five years and Rosen said the company would like to "substantially" expand the current store from its 18,000 square feet to about 30,000 square feet. It is in negotiations with TD Square administration to expand the store.
"Clearly it's a hot market in getting the kind of space we want downtown. It's not easy, but we'll find a way of doing it. We're determined to do it because there's an old adage 'you've got to fish where the salmon are swimming.' Calgary is an exciting market. It goes without saying it would make perfect sense for us to invest a good chunk of our capital budget here," said Rosen.
The company also wants to open one or two new stores in the city in late 2007 and in 2008.Rosen said the company has seen a "remarkable change" in Calgary since the store's opening more than 20 years ago.
"Calgary has truly become a very world-class city," he said. "The people here are looking for good wines. They're looking for the good cars. They're looking for the good theatre. Good restaurants. And obviously quality clothing. And they're prepared to pay for it. It's a city that's really matured."
Lynne Ricker, marketing professor at the University of Calgary's Haskayne School of Business, said Calgary is a very attractive market for a retail store like Harry Rosen.
"Calgary is a head office town so it's very business oriented and they sell a lot of business clothing. So there's a market for them there," said Ricker.
"The demographics in Calgary are it's younger and quite affluent. That group tends to like higher-quality products. They have an interest in style and lifestyle."
Naheed Nenshi, a marketing instructor specializing in retail at Mount Royal College's Bissett School of Business, said Calgary is an appealing market these days for any retailer because of its booming economy with its population explosion and increasing levels of disposable income.
Harry Rosen has 16 stores across the country, with a presence in seven major markets -- Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.
The company is projected to surpass $200 million in sales this year and is aiming to hit $300 million in annual sales within five years.
Rosen said the company estimates it has about 40 per cent of the quality men's fashion market in the country and is projecting that within five years its share will increase to 50 per cent.
A $50-million capital plan includes the expansion of seven or eight of its existing stores and the opening of four or five more.
"Our intention is to invest a lot of our capital in enlarging our business here in Calgary," said Rosen. "We think the opportunities are wonderful."
The Calgary store was established in the early 1980s and it has expanded three times.
"We have obviously here a major flagship. This is considered one of our key flagship stores," said Rosen.
Rosen said Calgary is a city that has a "great sense of confidence."
"Quite frankly, it's being underserviced in that (high-end retail market)," he said. "That's why we feel so bullish about it.
"We know cities like for example Toronto, where we've operated since 1954, are not going through the renaissance that Calgary is in. . . . It's got a lot of younger executives because there's a lot of people who have been transferred here or moved here. It's quite a cosmopolitan city.
"It is the lowest-taxed jurisdiction in Canada and it has the same number of household incomes over $100,000 as for example Vancouver, which is a city with twice the population. So per capita it's a relatively wealthy city and obviously we cater to the better end. It makes sense that we would expand here.
"One of the things that's happened to Calgary is that it's become so much more sophisticated that they're very appreciative of an international perspective like we bring."
Rosen said the most remarkable change for the company in the last few years has been a growing interest by the younger consumer.
"We describe our clients -- we call them MOPES: managers, owners, professionals, entrepreneurs. And to that we add athletes and entertainers," said Rosen. "We've been very, very pleased in the last five years about how much interest there is in the new younger fashion. And Calgary has been a bit of a leader in that because it is really a remarkably young city."
mtoneguzzi@theherald.canwest.com
Harry Rosen Inc.

- 16 stores across the country in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal;
- Calgary store located in downtown TD Square;
- The company's stores combine for a total of 240,000 square feet of retail space;
- Annual sales for 2006 are projected to surpass $200 million;
- Company has a $50-million capital plan to add new stores and expand several current ones;
- Founded in 1954 by Harry Rosen as a single 500-square-foot store in Toronto;
- Current average store size is 15,000 square feet.
© The Calgary Herald 2006

[miketoronto]

I like Harry Rosen. I had to buy something there a couple weeks ago and their service is amazing.

I don't like the idea that they want to expand outside of downtown Calgary though. Harry Rosen is the kind of store that it makes sense to make the trip downtown to visit, because they have amazing flagships. The Toronto flagship has like three floors.

[neilson]

I like Harry Rosen. I had to buy something there a couple weeks ago and their service is amazing.

I don't like the idea that they want to expand outside of downtown Calgary though. Harry Rosen is the kind of store that it makes sense to make the trip downtown to visit, because they have amazing flagships. The Toronto flagship has like three floors.
Harry Rosen is good, but why shop there when you've got Moore's all over the place?

A Suit's a Suit, and Moore's proved that concept.

[SpongeG]

harry rosen sells more than suits

they sell designer and casual

at least here in Vancouver they do

[neilson]

harry rosen sells more than suits

they sell designer and casual

at least here in Vancouver they do
Well, Moore's does more then just suits too.

[miketoronto]

Harry Rosen is good, but why shop there when you've got Moore's all over the place?

A Suit's a Suit, and Moore's proved that concept.


A suit is not just suit. There are all different kinds of patterns, cuts, etc. And Harry Rosen has the best :)

[neilson]

A suit is not just suit. There are all different kinds of patterns, cuts, etc. And Harry Rosen has the best :)
And what does that make Moore's?

[SteelTown]

Wal-Mart goes gourmet

By DANA FLAVELLE
Toronto Star
(Oct 20, 2006)

From sushi to organic baby food, Wal-Mart's newest Canadian store is a notch above what some analysts say they expected from a discount mass merchandiser.

The Ancaster store is the first Wal-Mart in Canada to offer fresh food alongside frozen and packaged goods and general household merchandise.

Called Your Fresh Market, it's one of several the country's biggest retailer plans to open between now and the end of January.

One analyst said the new stores may take a bigger bite out of the $70 billion a year grocery industry than originally expected.

"We would describe it as discount plus," Perry Caicco, an analyst with CIBC World Markets, wrote in a research note to clients. "This will be a formidable grocery entry."

A Wal-Mart spokesperson declined to comment on the report, which was written after Caicco got a sneak peak at the Ancaster store.

The focus of the report was the store's impact on supermarket leader Loblaw Cos. Ltd., which Caicco immediately downgraded to underperform.

Caicco was one of four analysts to issue reports on Loblaw this week, including Michael Van Aelst, at TD Newcrest, who initiated coverage of the company with "reduce" recommendation.

Scotia Capital's Ryan Balgopal rated it "underperform" while National Bank Financial's James Durran maintained his "sector perform" rating. The other analysts' reports were not immediately available.

The Ancaster store is remarkably different from any other Wal-Mart in Canada, or any of its U.S. formats, with the exception of its upscale experiment in Plano, Texas, Caicco said.

Eschewing the Supercentre name, the company instead called the grocery side of the store "Your Fresh Market" and gave it a separate entrance off the parking lot.

The store is bigger than its nearest discount competitor, which is a Food Basics, and charges lower prices than the nearby full-service supermarket, a Fortino's, Caicco said.

Recently, Loblaw Cos. signed a new four-year contract with its unionized workers across Ontario. The deal gives Loblaw the right to convert more stores to lower-cost formats and bought four years of labour peace, moves that should have been good news for retailer.

The company also announced plans to begin reinvesting in its traditional food stores, which have been languishing since Loblaw shifted its focus two years ago to adding more general household goods in a bid to compete with Wal-Mart.

Instead, Loblaw's stock continued to slide in each of the four days since the contract was ratified.

[Taller Better]

I despise that corporate cliche: "We are very bullish on".. makes me ill.

[neilson]

Can someone get some pics of the new Ancaster Store?

[SteelTown]

Here's the new supermarket Wal-Mart in Ancaster

http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/photos/2006/10/18/walmart-yourmarket.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v174/Appster/ancasterwalmart.jpg

I dunno just doesn't seem right to shop for fresh food at a place that sells clothes too.

[neilson]

Here's the new supermarket Wal-Mart in Ancaster

http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/photos/2006/10/18/walmart-yourmarket.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v174/Appster/ancasterwalmart.jpg

I dunno just doesn't seem right to shop for fresh food at a place that sells clothes too.
Nice, and if any pics of the full front of the store show; that'd be awesome too.

Eh, it's all good to have 1-stop shopping. Look at how well Superstore's been doing that.

[SpongeG]

Well, Moore's does more then just suits too.

but they don't carry designer like Rosen

you can get Iceberg, Versace, hugo boss, ralph lauren, armani etc. at harry rosen

[SpongeG]

Nice, and if any pics of the full front of the store show; that'd be awesome too.

Eh, it's all good to have 1-stop shopping. Look at how well Superstore's been doing that.

yeah - i like to go to the super walmart in marysville - just north of seattle - the deli food is so cheap compared to other places

and its handy to get everything you need in one place it seems as its always jam packed even at 11 pm

plus its open 24 hours.

is the one in Ancaster open 24 hours?

[SteelTown]

Honestly I've only been to Wal-Mart once so I haven't got a clue if the Ancaster Wal-Mart is 24hrs. All I know is when I drive by the place it was pretty big and now after construction it's a monster size.

[neilson]

but they don't carry designer like Rosen

you can get Iceberg, Versace, hugo boss, ralph lauren, armani etc. at harry rosen
At Moore's you can get Alfred Sung, Wilke-Rodriguez, Lineage, Pronto-Uomo, and Joseph & Feiss International.

http://www.mooresuit.com/english/moores.htm

I just don't see the point of hyping Harry Rosen when Moore's has been around for a long time too.

[miketoronto]

Moores is totally different. They don't have a nice 30,000 sq foot flagship like Harry Rosen with a vast selection. Moores is very small. Its an o.k. place. But it does not have the same style or selection like Harry Rosen.

[bc2mb]

superstore is really going to have to step it up with wal-mart doing fresh food now..
their pricing is a joke.. always changing, and the quantity thing? wal-mart is going to trample them.

[CMD UW]

Here's the new supermarket Wal-Mart in Ancaster

http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/photos/2006/10/18/walmart-yourmarket.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v174/Appster/ancasterwalmart.jpg

I dunno just doesn't seem right to shop for fresh food at a place that sells clothes too.
/\ Then you should dislike shopping at Superstore / Loblaws among other 'large' grocery / retain chains.

[Coldrsx]

walmart and tim hortons...the death of our world as we know it.

[SteelTown]

I go to Fortinos for groceries, which was later taken over by Loblaws. Fortinos is a Hamilton based grocery store that's expanded all over the Greater Hamilton area. But with Fortinos they don't sell clothes, toys, appliances, electronic, etc. They do sell pots and pans but not clothes, well Halloween costumes counts?

[SpongeG]

Moores is fine - i don't shop at harry rosen or moores so i could really care less

but moores is down market and harry is up market

its like comparing jimmy choos and nine west

[miketoronto]

What amazing looking district. I think these pics prove that Winnipeg has energy and is not dead like people think :)

Great pics.

[BlackRedGold]

I go to Fortinos for groceries, which was later taken over by Loblaws. Fortinos is a Hamilton based grocery store that's expanded all over the Greater Hamilton area. But with Fortinos they don't sell clothes, toys, appliances, electronic, etc. They do sell pots and pans but not clothes, well Halloween costumes counts?

According to Fortino's website, the Main St W store in Hamilton sells both electronics and clothes.

[CorporateWhore]

Harry Rosen is good, but why shop there when you've got Moore's all over the place?

A Suit's a Suit, and Moore's proved that concept.

man, you'be obviously never tried on a good suit. it totally changes your outlook....and believe me, i'm not a suit person by any means.

[neilson]

man, you'be obviously never tried on a good suit. it totally changes your outlook....and believe me, i'm not a suit person by any means.
Which is why I can get a good quality suit at the American Cousin to Moore's.

Down here we call it Men's Warehouse and the quality and value are unbeatable. If they have good suits at Men's Warehouse, then I would expect the same at Moore's.

[SSLL]

From: http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1161294617554&call_pageid=968350072197&col=969048863851
_____________
Retailer takes aim at Loblaw
Wal-Mart enters fresh food market
Analyst predicts pressure on prices
Oct. 20, 2006. 07:25 AM
DANA FLAVELLE
BUSINESS REPORTER

From sushi to organic baby food, Wal-Mart Canada Corp.'s newest Canadian store is a notch above what some analysts say they expected from a discount mass merchandiser.

The store, which is the first Wal-Mart in Canada to offer fresh food alongside frozen and packaged goods and general household merchandise, opened this week in Ancaster, a suburb of Hamilton.

It is one of several the country's biggest retailer plans to open between now and the end of January, including stores in London, Ont., Stouffville, Scarborough, Sarnia and Orleans.

The Ancaster store is remarkably different from any other Wal-Mart in Canada, or any of its U.S. formats, with the exception of its upscale experiment in Plano, Tex., analysts said.

Eschewing the Supercentre name, the company instead called the grocery side of the store Your Fresh Market and gave it a separate entrance off the parking lot.

The store is bigger than its nearest discount competitor, Food Basics, and charges lower prices than the nearby full-service supermarket, a Fortino's, said Perry Caicco, an analyst with CIBC World Markets.

And he said the new stores may take a bigger bite out of Canada's $70 billion a year grocery industry than originally expected.

"We would describe it as discount- plus," he wrote in a research note to clients.

"This will be a formidable grocery entry."

The focus of the report was the store's impact on supermarket leader Loblaw Cos. Ltd., whose stock Caicco has downgraded to "underperform."

He was one of four analysts to issue reports on Loblaws this week, including Michael Van Aelst, at TD Newcrest, who initiated coverage of the company with a "reduce" recommendation.

Scotia Capital's Ryan Balgopal rated the stock "underperform" while National Bank Financial's James Durran maintained his "sector perform" rating. The other analysts' reports were not immediately available.

In the short-term, each new Wal-Mart is likely to spark a price war in its immediate market, Caicco said, though he also forecast that Wal-Mart won't necessarily be the low-price leader in all categories.

Instead, the new stores would likely try to match existing food discounters, such as No Frills or Food Basics, on a range of goods, Caicco said.

But the new Wal-Marts offer more fresh fruit and produce than a typical food discounter, along with a full-service bakery and deli counter, he said.

The Wal-Mart opening comes days after Loblaw Cos. signed a four-year contract with its unionized workers across Ontario. The deal gives Loblaw the right to convert more stores to lower-cost formats. The company also announced plans to reinvest in traditional food stores, which have languished since Loblaw shifted its focus to adding more general household goods in a bid to compete with Wal-Mart.

The pact also bought four years of labour peace, which should have been good news for the retailer.

Instead, Loblaw's stock continued to slide in each of the four days since the contract was ratified.

Wal-Mart had to do more to compete in Canada's sophisticated grocery industry than simply replicate its U.S. supercentres, Caicco wrote in his report, referring to the large combined food and household goods stores that it operates south of the border.

Canadian consumers expect a more sophisticated offering, are more culturally diverse and already well served by discounters, like No Frills, Price Chopper and Food Basics, Caicco said.

[SSLL]

From: http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1161467438882&call_pageid=968350072197&col=969048863851
__________
One-stop shopping a myth: Grocery guru
Retail's big players are sold on it, but this researcher argues picky consumers do what they always did - shop around
Oct. 22, 2006. 07:51 AM
DANA FLAVELLE
BUSINESS REPORTER

It has become a cliché that the time-pressed modern consumer is looking for value, price and convenience.
That's why you see firms like Loblaw Cos. Ltd. adding everything from furniture to shoes to their aisles, while retailers like Wal-mart Canada Corp. are bringing fresh food to their newest stores.
Yet, despite efforts by a growing number of retailers to be all things to all people, some experts believe one-stop shopping is a myth.
Most consumers actually split their weekly errands among a bunch of different stores, says Shelley Balanko, an ethnographer and consultant with The Hartman Group.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the grocery business, Balanko said in an interview. Today, she will deliver the keynote address at Grocery Innovations Canada.
The industry's annual trade show is taking place amid unprecedented change in Canada's $71.8 billion a year food retailing industry.
"The idea of the traditional marketplace is pretty much dead," said Balanko, who came to the conclusion by observing differences between what consumers say they want and what they actually do.
Though consumers say they like one-stop shopping, that's not the way they behave, said the Canadian-born Balanko, whose research is from the United States but is probably relevant to Canadians.
The days when mom or dad did a week's worth of groceries in a single trip is pretty much over, she said.
Instead, we see the modern family stocking up on staples such as toilet paper at large discount retailers but turning to local fruit stands or bakeries to buy fresh items, she said.
It's driven partly by consumers' changing tastes in food. Instead of buying mainly processed and packaged foods they want more organic, exotic, and fresh ingredients, Balanko's research has found.
"Whereas many years ago consumers were actually attracted to the convenience, predictability and reliability of processed and packaged foods," those same features now repel (if not repulse) most consumers, she suggested.
And, despite the intense time pressure on modern family life, people are willing to spend time getting what they want.
"Consumers' pickiness supersedes their sense of time famine," Balanko said.
Many modern families substitute some home-cooked meals with take-out food, she noted. Other nights, dad prepares the steak and salad he picked up on the way home from work.
Does that mean food retailers, like Loblaw and Wal-Mart, who are trying to be all things to all people, are headed in the wrong direction?
Not necessarily, Balanko said.
"You should concentrate on what you do best. As you add more things, consumers will continue to shop your store, but every consumer will shop your store for different reasons," she said. "Some people might be doing their weekly shop, others might be grabbing a quick product for workout fuel, and others might be picking up the fixings for a party."
All retailers need to be aware that consumers' tastes are changing. And that globalization is driving new tastes in food.
While some of our grandparents might have considered ethnic food weird, the baby boomer thinks nothing of ordering in Pad Thai, and their children have grown up with sushi and want to know how to make it at home, Balanko said.
Consumers care less about brand names, she maintains, finding they're looking for fresh and interesting experiences and that those who can fill that demand will get their business.
Balanko suggested stores try getting rid of candy and magazines at the cash register, and put grab-and-go fresh foods, such as bakery bread or cheese, near the front of the store.

[SSLL]

From: http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1160475127021&call_pageid=968350072197&col=969048863851
____________
Quebec pharmacy chain eyes Ontario
Oct. 10, 2006. 03:45 PM
LUANN LASALLE
CANADIAN PRESS

MONTREAL — Quebec-based drugstore chain Jean Coutu Group Inc. (TSX: PJC.A) is looking to Ontario for expansion after announcing Tuesday a quarterly loss of $108.8 million (U.S.) related to the pending $2.55-billion (U.S.) sale of its stores in the United States.
Francois Coutu, president of Canadian operations, said drugstores are changing and his organization has to keep an eye on trends and opportunities in Ontario.
"We're getting prepared," he told a conference call with analysts about expansion in Ontario. "There's no question about this.
He said the pharmacy chain has to "make the required analysis for our expansion into the very neighbouring markets for us, which would make sense."
Jean Coutu Group, which reports in U.S. dollars, said the net loss amounted to 42 cents per share in its first quarter ended Aug. 26. This contrasted with year-earlier net income of $11.1 million or four cents per share.
The major asset writedown and restructuring charge is related to the recent sale of 1,859 Eckerd and Brooks stores to Rite Aid Corp. (NYSE: RAD) in the United States.
Earnings per share before one-time items were reported at seven cents, up from five cents a year ago. The analyst consensus expectation was 11 cents, according to Thomson Financial.
The sale of the group's Eckerd and Brooks stores to Rite Aid Corp. resulted in an asset impairment of $120 million after taxes, or 46 cents per share, plus restructuring charges of $10.6 million.
Under the deal — announced in August and still under review by U.S. competition regulators, with a shareholder vote expected in December — Jean Coutu gets $1.45 billion in cash and a 32 per cent equity stake in the expanded 5,000-store Rite Aid operation, and Rite Aid assumes $850 million of Jean Coutu debt.
Analyst Cynthia Rose-Martel said that once the Rite Aid deal is closed, the issue will be whether Rite Aid can generate a profit.
"We all know that these U.S. assets are out the door, it's old news," said Rose-Martel, of Jennings Capital Inc. "We're waiting for the deal to close."
As for possible expansion into Ontario, Rose-Martel said there's not much choice for Jean Coutu Group because "they're kind of landlocked."
"If they're going to grow, they've got to go east and west," she said, adding that Ontario is the biggest market in Canada.
"You're not going to hopscotch over Ontario and go to Alberta. So by default, that's what they're going to have to do."
She noted that Jean Coutu has a distribution centre in Hawkesbury in eastern Ontario and that could facilitate expansion, but she said ``Ontario is a well-developed, highly competitive market."
It could be challenging to differentiate its stores from Shoppers Drug Mart (TSX: SC) pharmacies, she said, adding, "To me, one pretty much looks like the other."
Francois Coutu also told analysts the quarter showed "improved trends in pharmacy." However, sales of higher-margin front-of-store items lagged — largely because of the continued rapid fading in the photographic film category.
"Other than that, all categories are up, and that's a very good sign," he said.
The Canadian store network recorded a 9.1 per cent year-over-year increase in pharmacy sales and a 3.5 per cent rise in front-of-store sales, focusing on health and beauty products.
The front-of-store segment is "truly a women's world, I would say," Coutu said, and the cosmetic department "needs to improve even more."
Jean Coutu Group shares were off 20 cents to $11.90 in afternoon trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange, with a 52-week high and low of $18.60 and $9.91.

[SSLL]

From: http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1160475127021&call_pageid=968350072197&col=969048863851
_______________
IHOP lines up Ontario franchisee
Oct. 23, 2006. 10:10 AM
CANADIAN PRESS

GLENDALE, Calif.—IHOP Corp. (NYSE: IHP), the operator of the International House of Pancakes restaurant chain, is spreading into Eastern Canada with the announcement of an Ontario franchisee.
IHOP said Monday that Pancakes Canada Ltd., controlled by the Alfieri Group, a longtime operator of Italian-themed family restaurants in Niagara Falls, Ont., will develop three IHOP locations over five years in the Niagara region and Barrie, Ont.
IHOP said it signed agreements covering a total of 20 new franchise locations during the third quarter, adding to its roster of 1,278 restaurants in the United States and British Columbia.

[SpongeG]

i heard H&M just opened in London Ontario

[malek]

Banana Republic s'installe sur Ste-Catherine
Michel Munger (michel.munger@lapresseaffaires.com) http://www.lapresseaffaires.com/images/logo/logo_lpa.gif (http://www.lapresseaffaires.com/)
27 octobre 2006 - 10h02Le détaillant états-uniens de vêtements Gap (GPS (http://www.lapresseaffaires.com/accueil/cotes/index.php?sym=GPS)) annonce vendredi qu'il ouvrira son magasin-phare montréalais portant la bannière Banana Republic sur la rue Sainte-Catherine dès le 31 octobre.



(http://www.lapresseaffaires.com/accueil/cotes/index.php?sym=GPS) En s'installant dans un édifice historique situé à l'angle de l'avenue McGill College avec une superficie de 20 000 pieds carrés sur trois étages, le détaillant de luxe à prix plus populaire promet une expérience de magasinage «unique».

Banana Republic y vendra ses collections pour hommes, femmes ainsi que des accessoires et produits personnels.

«Le luxe au quotidien s'est avéré si populaire au Québec que nous avons choisi Montréal pour ouvrir un espace phare», explique Marka Hansen, présidente de Banana Republic.

«Nous pensons que ce lieu est parfait dans le sens où non seulement, ajoute Mme Hansen, il représente une partie de l'histoire de Montréal mais aussi parce qu'il procure un environnement dont le niveau d'architecture est à la hauteur du design d'autres magasins phares tels que ceux du centre Rockefeller à New York, de l'Avenue Grant à San Francisco ou encore de l'Avenue Michigan à Chicago.»

Quatre magasins de la bannière sont déjà ouverts au Québec, soit au Centre Rockland, au Carrefour Laval, aux Promenades Saint-Bruno et à Fairview Pointe-Claire.



=========



Banana Republic brings modern design and affordable luxury to Ste-Catherine Street flagship location

TORONTO, Oct. 27 /CNW/ - Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS) today announced the opening
of a flagship Banana Republic location in Montreal. Located on the corner of
Ste. Catherine Street and McGill College Avenue, the 20,000 square foot store
will house three levels of the women's collection, men's collection,
accessories and personal care products. The new Banana Republic will open on
October 31.
Banana Republic's elevated designs and luxurious fabrications have found
a home in one of Montreal's most historic buildings. In partnership with the
Historical Review Board, Banana Republic Store Design worked to create a
shopping environment that would preserve the history of the building while
showcasing the modern design elements of the brand, providing customers with
the ultimate shopping experience.
"Banana Republic's affordable luxury offerings have proven to be so
popular in Quebec that we've selected Montreal to open a flagship space," said
Marka Hansen, President of Banana Republic. "We believe this setting is
perfect because not only does it represent a part of Montreal's history, but
it provides an eminent architectural setting that elevates this location to
the design realm of other flagship stores such as Rockefeller Center in New
York, Grant Avenue in San Francisco and Michigan Avenue in Chicago."
On the main floor, dark stained walls and custom wood cabinetry offer a
rich setting for Banana Republic's holiday palette. Many of the building's
classic details have been retained and new modern design elements have been
added such as a contemporary carrera marble floor.
The store will feature new warmer furnishings with detailed fixtures,
sophisticated stone tables and embossed leather furniture and props. Special
artwork and custom designed wallpaper are being added to enhance the space and
give the distinct architecture a residential feel.
The top floor mezzanine features a custom designed smoked glass
guardrail. This modern element is juxtaposed with the traditional wood
architecture. A series of gold leaf carved Coats of Arms represent each
Canadian province along the mezzanine wall. The mezzanine's open windows are
intended to create visual allure from the outside, specifically at night.
In renovating this flagship space, Banana Republic retains the building's
rich history while adding both contemporary and traditional elements to evoke
the brand's essence of modern luxury.
There are currently four Banana Republic stores in Quebec including
Carrefour Laval, Fairview Pointe Claire, Promenades St-Bruno and Centre
Rockland.
Banana Republic, which currently has nearly 500 stores and annual sales
of more than $2 billion in North America, is known for offering modern
interpretations of classic fashion for women and men through elevated design
and luxurious fabrications at affordable prices.

About Gap Inc.
Gap Inc. is a leading international specialty retailer offering clothing,
accessories and personal care products for men, women, children and babies
under the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy and Forth & Towne brand names. Fiscal
2005 sales were $16.0 billion. Gap Inc. operates about 3,000 stores in the
United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Ireland and Japan. For more
information, please visit gapinc.com.

[CorporateWhore]

Which is why I can get a good quality suit at the American Cousin to Moore's.

Down here we call it Men's Warehouse and the quality and value are unbeatable. If they have good suits at Men's Warehouse, then I would expect the same at Moore's.

I've never been to Men's Warehouse so I can't comment on that, but if they are anything like then suits at Moore's, then I still stand by my statement that you haven't tried on a good suit. Moore's is alright, but it definitely doesn't transcend you into that category where you finally realize what a great suit truly is.

But who knows, perhaps Men's Warehouse is better.

[Coldrsx]

H&M has chosen its Edmonton location, it will be...drum roll....West Edmonton Mall..hahaha.

Looks quite large, cant tell how deep the store is, but the length is quite long.

Also, G-Star Raw and Lacoste just opened in WEM.

[m0nkyman]

I've never been to Men's Warehouse so I can't comment on that, but if they are anything like then suits at Moore's, then I still stand by my statement that you haven't tried on a good suit. Moore's is alright, but it definitely doesn't transcend you into that category where you finally realize what a great suit truly is.

But who knows, perhaps Men's Warehouse is better.
It comes down to appreciating quality. I'm in jewellery, so I'll relate it to that.
Men's Warehouse, Moore's is like People's Jewellers. It's mass produced crap. It's OK, and it's consistent and cheap.
Harry Rosen is like Birks, a step up in quality and service, but it's still a chain.
The next step up in solely in service, a good independent like Henry Singer in Edmonton has similar quality to a Harry Rosen, but much better service IMHO. The kind of independent jeweller that carries stuff by Scott Kay or Tacori.

The next step up from there is actually having a tailor, and up from that is haute couture tailoring. That last is where my store fits. ;)

[bc2mb]

are we still talking about cheap suits? :p

[neilson]

are we still talking about cheap suits? :p
I'm a college student; Moore's/Men's Warehouse is about all that I can afford.

I'm sure once I enter the jobforce and build up my income, I'll be able to upgrade to better suits; but for now I have to stick to the Moore's and Mens Wearhouses of the world.

[squeezied]

wen's vancouver gonna get its own H&M???

[Overground]

On Wiki it says expansion into Western Canada will start in 2007 with the first stores opening in Edmonton and Calgary, followed by Vancouver. I also read somewhere that a manager at a Toronto H&M said that the Vancouver location will not be until the end of '07. Presumably to do with the Pacific Centre Holt shuffle.

[malek]

Arc'teryx Flagship Lands In Montreal

« Back to Daily News (http://www.skipressworld.com/ca/en/)
October 31, 2006

http://www.skipressworld.com/images/daily_news/2006/10/arcteryx%20logo-thumb.jpg (http://www.skipressworld.com/images/daily_news/2006/10/arcteryx%20logo.jpg)
Vancouver, B.C. (Ski Press) – Arc’teryx is opening its flagship store in Montreal’s Ste-Catherine Street shopping district.
Why Montreal?
“We wanted to test a retail concept away from our home base in Vancouver,” says Director of Consumer Sales, Larry Pluimer. “But being a Canadian company, we also wanted our first store to be in Canada. Montreal seemed like a natural place to start; it has a large, active outdoor community and a high degree of appreciation for design and fashion,” Pluimer says.
Designers and manufacturers of technical apparel, backpacks and climbing harnesses, this is Arc’teryx’s first venture into full-scale retail. Housed within the architecturally renowned Concordia University Design and Engineering building, the store features a high-end boutique-like atmosphere with an emphasis on the design aesthetic of the brand.
“Arc’teryx sees itself as a design company dedicated to solving problems through artful innovation,” says Pluimer. “The pleasing architecture of the Concordia building provides an outstanding context from which we can present our brand. The Montreal store will be a showcase emphasizing the clean lines and colors of the signature Arc’teryx style.”
Along with its custom-built stainless steel floor merchandisers, the store features interactive informational kiosks where consumers can learn about products and inventory availability by scanning a product barcode. The store also hosts a 40-foot wall displaying the entire Arc’teryx line of Gore-tex products.
—Lori Knowles

[Taller Better]

uhmmm.... parkas n' tuques n' things? University would be the best place for a
sporting goods store. Smart move.

I want a Crate and Barrel!! NOW!

[SSLL]

From: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20061104.CHINATOWN04/TPStory/TPEntertainment/Ontario/
_____________
Chinatown blues
Business is down and For Sale signs are popping up on a once-vibrant strip

SARAH ELTON
Special to The Globe and Mail
The front window of the former Chinese bakery is thick with dust. The cardboard of a For Sale sign droops in the same spot where, not long ago, fresh egg tarts were sold. The bakery is one of more than two dozen buildings that are either for sale, for lease or simply lying vacant in Chinatown East, the strip of Asian grocers, bakeries and restaurants around Broadview and Gerrard.

The area's long-time residents, a mix of Chinese and Vietnamese-Chinese Canadians who started to buy aging Victorians on the nearby side streets in the 1980s, are leaving for the suburbs. The generation who grew up here is coming of age and, instead of buying close to home, settling in places like Scarborough and Mississauga. Those who did own houses are selling their downtown properties to trade up for newer homes in the 'burbs with backyards and even parking. The few who remain are largely the elderly, and so the area is hollowing out as landlords try to cash out and shopkeepers take their businesses elsewhere.

"The neighbourhood is dying," says Alex Lien, whose family owns the Tung Hing Bakery chain. Mr. Lien opened the Broadview location 15 years ago, and in the past five years has watched business drop dramatically. In the past year alone, he has personally seen a 30-per-cent drop in profits. In a few months, Mr. Lien plans to assess whether his profits in Chinatown East are high enough to warrant staying put for another season. Across the street at the Rose Café, a take-away joint selling spring rolls and Vietnamese subs, it's the same story. The owner, Rose Thi Hoa Pham, has also noticed a 30-per-cent slump.

Judging by the crowds that flock to buy the low-priced fruit and vegetables displayed in crates along the sidewalks, you'd never guess that business is down. But Mr. Lien says the new people who are moving in are predominantly recent immigrants from mainland China who don't have a lot of money.

"People aren't willing to spend. You have to sell everything cheap," he says. "And yet the cost of living has gone up. It squeezes your profits." His baked goods sell on Broadview for a third less than they do in the company's other locations in Mississauga, North York and at Dundas and Spadina.

The newcomers from mainland China who are drawn to Broadview and Gerrard tend to be refugee claimants or people sponsored by family members and have come with very little, says Lillian Li, a settlement counsellor at the Riverdale Immigrant Women's Centre, who is from mainland China herself. She says that in China, these people tended to be peasants or labourers, largely uneducated, who toiled for meagre earnings. For them, Toronto is Golden Mountain, an opportunity to break free from poverty by saving their money to buy a house.

And so the prices are cheap anywhere you go in Chinatown East. A haircut is $6, a sandwich at the Rose Café is $1.50 and bubble tea will set you back a mere $2, as compared with more than $4 downtown.

Some of the local real estate is also a bargain. In the so-called Riverdale Village, a brown brick complex just north of Dundas where tiny townhouses were built cheek by jowl in the 1980s, you can pay as little as $190,000 a unit -- as opposed to upward of $400,000 for a renovated semi on nearby side streets.

But if one group is moving out, that doesn't mean Chinatown East is on the road to extinction, says James So, a real-estate broker who has run an office on Broadview since 1976. Rather than a decaying neighbourhood and suburban flight, he sees a neighbourhood in transition as the old crowd moves out.

While the newcomers arrive with little money, Mr. So says, they are extremely hard-working. He has found that, in very little time, they are able to save up enough money to buy a home in the area.

And anyone who has lived in Toronto for a while has seen how the waves of history shape the city and its Chinese areas. The city's first Chinatown near Bay and Dundas has all but disappeared, buried under City Hall (residents and shop owners were relocated in the early 1960s). What is now Chinatown downtown used to be a Jewish district; its vestiges remained on Spadina until the late 1980s in places like Switzer's Deli. And Markham's Pacific Mall, one of the largest Chinese malls in North America, was a farmer's field not that long ago.

As for the future of Chinatown East, Mr. So believes it is on the cusp of major change. The Toronto (Don) Jail that looms on the corner is scheduled to close and Bridgepoint Health, the rehab and long-term care facility, is expanding. Condominiums are planned, and the restaurant chain Spring Rolls is about to open up on Broadview.

"This area, in no time, will come up again," he says.

[miketoronto]

That is so sad about Toronto's Chinatown on Spadina.

Yes I know cities are always in change, and that makes them unique and vibrant.

But it also is sad that Toronto can not maintain a central chinatown for the city. We have one of the largest asian populations in North America, but if this trend of chinatown fading continues, then you will never know it walking through central Toronto.

So while cities do change, I do feel bad that the inner city is losing most of its ethnic areas to the suburbs. There is something about having ethnic areas on nice walkable strips all clustered pretty close to each other in the inner city. And that just is not the same in the suburbs.

Other cities maintain vibrant downtown chinatowns. A shame Toronto's will probably not continue long. I believe Victoria's chinatown has been in the same general area for over a hundred years.

I think Chinatown retail sales could be helped if the transit commission ran express buses from Scarborough to downtown and Chinatown. On a Saturday in my area you see tons of older chinese residents cramming the subway for the one hour ride to Chinatown. I am sure many more would make weekly visits to Chinatown if they knew a bus could get them there in 20min instead of sitting on the subway for one hour.

Maybe thats something the Chinatown BID could fund?????

[furrycanuck]

That is so sad about Toronto's Chinatown on Spadina.


Mike, the article is clearly about the chinatown on broadview.

[Sacamano]

go to show you that miketoronto concerns of downtown's future are more likely desires of it failing just to say ... I told you so

[waterloowarrior]

Mike, the article is clearly about the chinatown on broadview.

:haha:

[Tony]

I think it's difficult for this city to support two Chinatowns in the general core area. The older, smaller one is bound to start declining, just like the chinatowns before that (ie: the old Dundas & Bay / University Ave. Chinatown), though that one was probably "pushed out" by development rather than financially dying.

Additionally, it's Spadina that gets all the attention and tourists, not many even know an East Chinatown exists and with it's proximity to the suburb of Scarborough, well it doesn't stand much chance. I also don't think it's as convenient to get to via TTC as the main Chinatown.

However, the article is good at telling you that stuff is cheap there.. I might just have to check it out now. :hmmm:

[SpongeG]

On Wiki it says expansion into Western Canada will start in 2007 with the first stores opening in Edmonton and Calgary, followed by Vancouver. I also read somewhere that a manager at a Toronto H&M said that the Vancouver location will not be until the end of '07. Presumably to do with the Pacific Centre Holt shuffle.

yes the rumour is H&M will be taking over the old Holt Renfrew space in Pacific Centre

there was an article a few months ago about the Holt Renfrew move and that they were in discussions with an exciting retailer but could not make any comments

[SpongeG]

It's never too cold to go shopping

Canadian winters unlikely to cool off hot retail trend

Canadian retailers have snow reason to avoid setting up shop in new outdoor shopping centres.

Ian Thomas, of B.C.-based Thomas Consultants, said the attraction of shoppers to centres with great, well-designed stores outweighs our annual battle with blustery weather.

He was speaking at the Outdoor Centres Forum hosted by the International Council of Shopping Centres in Toronto. The topic was the move from malls to mini-villages, or new outdoor shopping meccas chock full of outdoor shops, condos, offices, big box stores and restaurants.

"Each of us are guilty in Canada of complaining about the weather but it doesn't seem to be a factor anymore. What we are seeing is the proliferation of these large-scale outdoor centres in cold climates," he said, adding Cadillac Fairview is planning a "new urbanist centre" in Toronto.

These 'lifestyle centres' have gained a toehold in the Canadian retail industry, with three recently completed in Vancouver, Edmonton and Montreal.

And it could happen here, although it might mean tearing down old malls to make way for the new.

"I think that lifestyle centres could be a located in the downtowns of middle-sized cities," Don Watt, chairman and CEO of Toronto-based DW+Partners retail consultancy.

Cold weather cities such as Cleveland or Indianapolis in the northern U.S. have already integrated them into neighbourhoods.

Yet Perry Caicco is skeptical about how the trend will translate in the Canadian retail industry.

"There's a healthy dose of skepticism," said Caicco, managing director of institutional equity research for CIBC World Markets.

He said our climate is a deterrent to outdoor shopping, as is the massive amount of capital investment needed to move these massive projects forward.

Buying power also clouds the picture as Canadian income is spread more evenly among a large middle class. In the U.S., where lifestyle centres are thriving, polarized income classes play a role.

Lifestyle centres often cater to high-income consumers.

http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1162507818143&call_pageid=1020420665036&col=1112101662835

[SpongeG]

$3-million makeover to double store's size

EDMONTON - A stylish and assured clientele has convinced Harry Rosen Inc. to spend $3 million doubling the size of its West Edmonton Mall menswear store.

"There's a tremendous feeling of confidence in Alberta," says CEO Larry Rosen. "Young people are enjoying their incomes and they appreciate quality."

The 6,000-square-foot store annually sells "over $1,000 per square foot," he says -- estimating that other mall retailers average $200 to $300.

As Edmonton has become more affluent, shoppers "have gained a more international perspective," Rosen says.

While Harry Rosen is "a luxury brand," it attracts a range of ages and lifestyles. The enlarged store will have separate areas for designer lines, including Armani and Hugo Boss, weekend fashion, traditional sportswear, shoes and made-to-measure.

After closing a store in the former Edmonton Centre several years ago, Rosen hopes to open again in the downtown, perhaps in three years. "We have to get the right location."

A recent style shift is that "men are finally understanding how to use a sports jacket in their wardrobe," Rosen says.

One well-chosen jacket can be worn to the office with shirt and tie, with a sports shirt on casual Friday, and with jeans and sweater on weekends, he says. "It's so versatile."

Materials range from tweed to velvet.

"Velvet is hot," Rosen says -- but not in a gaudy, shoulder-padded look. "The jackets now are softer and unstructured."

Ten years ago, "we sold five suits for every sports jacket," he says. "Now the numbers are almost even."

The WEM expansion will be part of a two-year, $50-million upgrading and expansion of the 16-store chain.

Within five years, Rosen aims to build annual revenue to $300 million from $200 million and to expand market share, among high-end menswear stores, to 50 per cent from 40 per cent.

In Edmonton, he sees Henry Singer and Holt Renfrew as his major competitors.

Rosen's strategy depends on service. The company spends $1 million per year on training and achieves high staff retention, with an average seniority of 16 years.

That's crucial because "women tend to be search shoppers but men are reluctant shoppers," Rosen says. "If you can earn their trust, they become very loyal."

Harry Rosen founded the privately held chain in Toronto in 1954. Larry Rosen, his son, became president in 1997 and CEO in 2000. Harry Rosen retired from his position as executive chairman in 2004.

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/business/story.html?id=556945f0-13b6-4ce4-82a6-eb50bfe3bcd1

[Taller Better]

That Riverdale Chinatown is a pretty scuzzy area... run down quite badly. But, it has the best place in town to get lobsters... Bill's Lobsters on the south side of Gerrard, 1/2 block east of Broadview. I was there a few times this summer, and that area was hopping. I had no idea it wasn't doing well!

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/9404/july1606broadviewscenecyp0.jpg

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/9366/july1606broadviewscenecol2.jpg

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/9189/july1606broadviewscenechq2.jpg

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/6890/july1606broadviewscenecxk4.jpg

[Doug]

http://www.colliersmn.com/prod/cclod.nsf/city/5613B8F979F9A5B38725720B005DB870/$File/Q3+2006+Retail+Quarterly.pdf

Louis Vuitton, Tiffany’s, Lacoste, Abercrombie & Fitch, Apple and Crate & Barrel, Lowe’s, Cabela’s and Whole Foods Market for Calgary.

[Taller Better]

I can't read those darned Acrobat reports.. I hate Acrobat with passion. I can't see any reference to the above stores... Do you have any information?
The most interesting one seems to be Tiffany's. Louis Vuitton will probably open one of their small boutiques with just the basic handbags, etc.. and Crate and Barrel is supposed to open across the country. So, what is the dirt on Tiffany's in Calgary? I would have thought they would open in Vancouver instead...

[Doug]

^Calgary had ~50% higher retails sales per capita than Vancouver in 2004. The gap is likely even larger now.
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/info/MediaKit_Economy.pdf

[Built Form]

I can't read those darned Acrobat reports.. I hate Acrobat with passion. I can't see any reference to the above stores... Do you have any information?
The most interesting one seems to be Tiffany's. Louis Vuitton will probably open one of their small boutiques with just the basic handbags, etc.. and Crate and Barrel is supposed to open across the country. So, what is the dirt on Tiffany's in Calgary? I would have thought they would open in Vancouver instead...


You are right 'Taller Better' The 4800 sq. ft. Vancouver Tiffany's will open in 2 weeks at the corner of Alberni and Burrard. Louis Vuitton is across the street in the Hotel Vancouver and also in the hotel is Gucci which opened earlier this year and Hermes opened a large store across from the Tiffany location this year as well. Calgary will probably get these stores too, eventually. But all the luxury brand retailers are moving quickly to open or expand (as was the case for Chanel) in Vancouver first, especially with the Olympics coming. Sorry Calgary you'll just have to wait your turn before blowing your own horn.

[Plus15]

RE: Tiffany & Co. in Calgary:

Towards the very end of the report it briefly touches on the Chinook Centre expansion, and name drops. In the chart of proposed properties it lists "Tiffany's" as the proposed anchor tenant to this expansion.

I have heard rumours of this for a while, that the Chinook expansion is going to be super high-end. I don't think the deal is soldified in any way. I would be mildly dissapointed to see Tiffany's open at Chinook...that's the sort of thing that should be downtown.

Tiffany's or not, the new wing at Chinook will most certainly blow the doors off anything else in existence in Alberta.

[Taller Better]

You are right 'Taller Better' The 4800 sq. ft. Vancouver Tiffany's will open in 2 weeks at the corner of Alberni and Burrard. Louis Vuitton is across the street in the Hotel Vancouver and also in the hotel is Gucci which opened earlier this year and Hermes opened a large store across from the Tiffany location this year as well. Calgary will probably get these stores too, eventually. But all the luxury brand retailers are moving quickly to open or expand (as was the case for Chanel) in Vancouver first, especially with the Olympics coming. Sorry Calgary you'll just have to wait your turn before blowing your own horn.


Thanks, Built Form! Do you have any photos of the Tiffany's? Are they doing the classic storefront with red granite and the bronze statue? I'd love to see it. As for the Gucci and the LV boutiques, there are different kinds of shops..
there is the small boutique that opens in a hotel or within something like Holts and there is a full line free standing shop that sells the clothing as well as handbags/shoes, etc...Even those full sized shops vary in size and content in different cities of the world... the ones in Paris, London and New York are bigger than the ones in Toronto. Ditto for Cartier... they have a Le Must line of boutiques and they have the full sized shops that vary around the world. The Tiffany's in Vancouver sounds like a full sized store, while the shopping centre Tiffany's boutique in Calgary sounds like it will be a smaller type like you see in in some Australian cities.

[SpongeG]

vancouver's luxury brands are always changing too - mostly because they were franchises - i think the ones coming in now are corporate

years ago in the 90's we had 3 Versace Stores, Romeo Gigli, Valentino, Celine, Sonia Rykiel and Furla

The new Hermes store is really nice - and the Tiffanys should help that "luxury" block a lot

[SpongeG]

also - I go to Crate & Barrel quite often - there are 2 just a couple hours south of Vancouver - and I was just in a few in the San Francisco area - and it really isn't that exciting of a store - it looks good and its nicely laid out but overall its just kinda meh - if you look closely at the furniture it looks no better than the Brick kinda stuff - ie they use particle board and stuff - they just have nicer styling

[Built Form]

Thanks, Built Form! Do you have any photos of the Tiffany's? Are they doing the classic storefront with red granite and the bronze statue? I'd love to see it. As for the Gucci and the LV boutiques, there are different kinds of shops..
there is the small boutique that opens in a hotel or within something like Holts and there is a full line free standing shop that sells the clothing as well as handbags/shoes, etc...Even those full sized shops vary in size and content in different cities of the world... the ones in Paris, London and New York are bigger than the ones in Toronto. Ditto for Cartier... they have a Le Must line of boutiques and they have the full sized shops that vary around the world. The Tiffany's in Vancouver sounds like a full sized store, while the shopping centre Tiffany's boutique in Calgary sounds like it will be a smaller type like you see in in some Australian cities.

http://www.opulencemag.ca/vancouver/lifestyle02.html
The above link will take you to an article in Opulance magazine concerning the news Tiffany's Vancouver store.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/hirtus1/lifestyle02.jpg

[samne]

H & M is a more stylish Old Navy. The clothes are bad quality, dont fit properly and last a season or two depending on how many times you wash.

Zara has better quality Spanish designed wear for cheap prices. I still have stuff I bought 4-5 years ago.

[Claeren]

^ Yuck, i hate Zara's. I can't even go into their stores, the lighting literally makes me sick.

I find nothing there fits either, it is for very small builds only (all of my Asian friends shop there without any trouble). H&M i find fits normal builds much better.



Claeren.

[malek]

Zara's xtra large is barely a north american medium.

its crazy.

[samne]

Claeren, never noticed the lighting.

I know what you mean about the sizing, Im over 6' and not everything fits either. Toronto has a couple really big stores with alot of stock with crazy sales, so sometimes you just sort through. But for inexpensive euro imports, Zara is cheap for the quality.

[Taller Better]

vancouver's luxury brands are always changing too - mostly because they were franchises - i think the ones coming in now are corporate

years ago in the 90's we had 3 Versace Stores, Romeo Gigli, Valentino, Celine, Sonia Rykiel and Furla

The new Hermes store is really nice - and the Tiffanys should help that "luxury" block a lot

If they are boutiques within a hotel, or within Holt Renfrew they won't be a full range corporate shop. The full range shops are pretty much always free standing. A small Louis Vuitton will sell bags and small things, and the full range shop will sell the clothing. I remember shopping at a great place in Vancouver about 20 years ago... can't remember the name, was something like l'Uomo, and it was owned by some people from Hong Kong. There used to be a Versace store on Bloor, and it closed shortly after he was killed. There was a very cool Armani shop for men on Hazelton, but it closed a few years ago, too.

Builtform, thanks a lot for finding that picture for me! I appreciate it!

[squeezied]

years ago in the 90's we had 3 Versace Stores, Romeo Gigli, Valentino, Celine, Sonia Rykiel and Furla

vancouver had versace, let alone THREE versaces??? wow wat happened?

[SpongeG]

we still have one Versace - in Leone on West hastings - it carries the clothes and the home stuff

there was a Versace on Burrard and Georgia and a Versus - which was Versace's sportier line across from the VAG - they all closed in the late 90's

apparently the story is or was that Leone had the original Franchise for Versace and than some other family from hong kong got a Versace Franchise as well in the 90's and for a while the two families duked it out - but Leone prevailed and I don't know what happened to the other family but they shut down all their stores

the same family also brought Romeo Gigli to town which was next to the Versus store

Vancouver also has a Wolford - next to Coach on Burrard - a high end stocking label from Austria, St John - in the Vancouver hotel next to Louis Vuitton, chanel, hugo boss, cartier and roche bobois are on West hastings

there is also a French company that had a shop on Robson but it closed down and now there is only one in Metrotown and one in Richmond Centre and than one in toronto - Morgan De Toi - its sort of like a Zara from Paris - http://www.morgandetoi.com/ - i remember seeing them all over London - there are none in New York or the states at all

[SpongeG]

i just noticed that Vancouver is the only Canadian City to have an Armani Exchange store

[miketoronto]

That is weird about Tiffany's opening up in Calgary, considering they don't even have a Montreal store yet.

To be honest all these super high end chains I don't really think show class anymore.

Tiffany's use to be something when it was only the 5th Ave store, and they had high attention to detail, etc.

Now that it is a multinational chain, I personally don't find it that special anymore. You can now find a Tiffany's in any major city. So why go dump a couple grand there, when I can go to Yorkville and dumb a couple grand at a unique Toronto only store, and get a unique one of a kind bracelet or something?

Thats just my view. Same with Gucci, and all those names now. Its just mass produced main in china stuff now. No more special attention to detail or unique items.

[furrycanuck]

i just noticed that Vancouver is the only Canadian City to have an Armani Exchange store

Huh? What happened to the one by Holt Renfrew (on Bloor) in Toronto?

[samne]

^
gone, I think for at least 5 years. I dont know whats there right now.

[miketoronto]

HMV has taken over the space :)

[Taller Better]

That is weird about Tiffany's opening up in Calgary, considering they don't even have a Montreal store yet.

To be honest all these super high end chains I don't really think show class anymore.

Tiffany's use to be something when it was only the 5th Ave store, and they had high attention to detail, etc.

Now that it is a multinational chain, I personally don't find it that special anymore. You can now find a Tiffany's in any major city. So why go dump a couple grand there, when I can go to Yorkville and dumb a couple grand at a unique Toronto only store, and get a unique one of a kind bracelet or something?

Thats just my view. Same with Gucci, and all those names now. Its just mass produced main in china stuff now. No more special attention to detail or unique items.

Tiffany's is opening a free standing, 4000+sq ft store in Vancouver (I must admit though, I am not crazy about the look), and the one in Calgary is just going to be a shopping centre boutique. It doesn't surprise me that they chose Vancouver over Montreal to open a second proper Canadian Tiffany's store.

I don't agree with the Debbie Downer attitude toward international couture and jewelry shops opening in Canada. Gives people a choice. And frankly Birks needs a kick in the ass to improve its second rate performance as a jeweler.
As for Gucci, did you think that they still hand sew all that stuff in a little shop in Milan? You are paying for the styling, not for where it was made.There is a lot more to Gucci than handbags, nowadays.

"Tiffany's use to be something when it was only the 5th Ave store, and they had high attention to detail, etc."

did you actually go to Tiffany's in NYC when there was only one store?

vancouver had versace, let alone THREE versaces??? wow wat happened?

Well, I think perhaps his dying put a damper on things. I am no expert, but I don't think Versace carries the
same weight today as it used to when he was alive.

[SpongeG]

That is weird about Tiffany's opening up in Calgary, considering they don't even have a Montreal store yet.

To be honest all these super high end chains I don't really think show class anymore.

Tiffany's use to be something when it was only the 5th Ave store, and they had high attention to detail, etc.

Now that it is a multinational chain, I personally don't find it that special anymore. You can now find a Tiffany's in any major city. So why go dump a couple grand there, when I can go to Yorkville and dumb a couple grand at a unique Toronto only store, and get a unique one of a kind bracelet or something?

Thats just my view. Same with Gucci, and all those names now. Its just mass produced main in china stuff now. No more special attention to detail or unique items.

there's only two Tiffanys in Canada and not that many in the states - I was looking at their web site and was surprised by how few locations there were

I can agree that as more US and European chains open up in Canada it gets less exciting to go to those stores

I hope Target never Opens in Canada - I love going to the one across the border - its always exciting

[neilson]

there's only two Tiffanys in Canada and not that many in the states - I was looking at their web site and was surprised by how few locations there were

I can agree that as more US and European chains open up in Canada it gets less exciting to go to those stores

I hope Target never Opens in Canada - I love going to the one across the border - its always exciting
But Zellers IS essentially Target.

I feel the same way whenever I visit Zellers, just like you guys do whenever you visit Target.

[SpongeG]

what Zellers did you visit?

its crappy and each store is different

some are better than others but most suck and are awful. they are messy, un organized, prices are wrong, service is crappy, selection is boring

--------------------

Canada Post: U.S. retailers reaching Canadians at holidays

American retailers are ramping up their marketing efforts via the Internet and through catalog distribution in order to reach out to Canadian shoppers and take advantage of what’s predicted to be a strong holiday season in Canada’s direct retail industry, according to Canada Post.

Revenue figures among U.S. retail partners of Canada Post’s Borderfree service has increased more than 50 percent in 2006, and Canada Post forecasts a strong holiday season, estimating this rate will continue to the end of December.

Through Borderfree’s suite of e-commerce technology and cross-border logistics solutions, Canada Post enables direct retailers to manage their international customer shopping experience and optimize their logistics operations.

Consumer confidence, the strong Canadian dollar and the marketing efforts of Canada Post’s retail partners largely contributed to the figures. Overall retail spending in Canada during the holidays last year reached $1.9 billion, up 27 percent from the previous year.

This market is spurring an increasing trend among electronics, apparel and cosmetics retailers to double their efforts in the Canadian retail market, now estimated to be $329 billion in U.S. dollars, Canada Post said. U.S. merchants including Crate & Barrel, Sephora, Brookstone, Domestications and Casual Living are among those using Canada Post’s Borderfree service to ensure an easy “cross-border” experience.

Canada Post also mentioned that this month launched the first lookbook catalog, described as a “catalog of catalogs” which includes product lines of more than 12 U.S. retailers and is being distributed to 700,000 Canadian households.

The first retailers to participate in the lookbook include Eddie Bauer, Smarthome, Brookstone, Cabela’s and Tiger Direct.

Because of intense retailer interest, Canada Post said it has released plans to offer direct retailers the opportunity to add their product selections within the pages of the lookbook for the Spring and Holiday 2007 editions. The participation deadline for the spring issue is Nov. 27.

http://www.dmnews.com/cms/dm-news/direct-mail/38933.html

[SpongeG]

Wal-Mart revives Christmas emphasis in holiday marketing

This holiday season, Wal-Mart isn't trumpeting big bargains only. It's also bringing "Christmas" back into its marketing, after several years of playing down the term.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s Christmas cheer seems to be a hot trend this season, as several other retailers, including Kohl's Corp. and Macy's, a division of Federated Department Stores Inc., are also stepping up their Christmas marketing.

The moves respond to mounting criticism from religious groups that staged boycotts of Wal-Mart and other merchants after they eliminated or de-emphasized Christmas in their advertising.

"We learned a lesson from that. Merry Christmas is now part of the vocabulary here at Wal-Mart," said Linda Blakley, a Wal-Mart spokeswoman.

Wal-Mart said Thursday that it will launch its first Christmas-specific television ad in several years, feature Christmas shops, previously called Holiday Shops, and increase the number of seasonal merchandise labelled "Christmas" instead of "holiday" by 60 per cent.

U.S. department store Macy's is also adding Christmas signage in all of its department stores, and Kohl's is playing up Christmas this year in its television, print and radio advertising, according to Vicki Shamion, a Kohl's spokeswoman.

http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2006/11/10/walmart-christmas.html

[malek]

did anyone post something about Simons establishing in Toronto?

[Taller Better]

did anyone post something about Simons establishing in Toronto?

No, but I've long heard rumblings that they were going to open a store, and
that would be just fine by me. I think it would be the ideal tenant for the Yonge and Bloor Hudson Bay Store site. I think there is one in Ottawa, is there not?

[malek]

they are looking for a 10,000 sqm location. The Sears location in the Eaton center is in their crosshair.

they don't have a store in Ottawa.

[malek]

La Maison Simons cherche un emplacement à Toronto

Mise en ligne 09/11/2006 09h20



La chaîne de magasins Simons ne cache plus son intention de prendre d'assaut le marché de Toronto.
Le président de la Maison Simons, Peter Simons, a déclaré au journal Les Affaires qu'il a retenu les services d'un courtier immobilier pour dénicher l'emplacement idéal à Toronto.

Simons cherche des locaux de 10 000 mètres carrés en plein centre-ville, ce qui est plutôt rare. Mais l'entreprise est prête à mettre le temps qu'il faudra avant de réaliser son projet et se refuse à établir un échéancier précis.

L'un des sites possibles est le Eaton Centre qui accueille actuellement un magasin Sears.

La Maison Simons, fondée en 1840, exploite actuellement sept magasins au Québec et emploie 900 personnes.

[IntotheWest]

But all the luxury brand retailers are moving quickly to open or expand (as was the case for Chanel) in Vancouver first, especially with the Olympics coming. Sorry Calgary you'll just have to wait your turn before blowing your own horn.

I think it's a matter of space in Calgary more than anything...Calgary did manage to get a Williams-Sonoma before Vancouver (which I wouldn't call a "luxury" store, but it does cater to the higher-end).

There is also a Louis Vuitton store in Banff, and its been there for at least 5 years.

Unfortunately, these other stores looking to get into Calgary are waiting for a supposed expansion at Chinook, instead of into downtown.

EDIT: I'm surprised Burberry hasn't opened a store in at least TO or Vancouver...It's amazing how popular the brand has become, and see it everyday (scarves, handbags, coats, etc). Holt Renfrew has some stuff, but not like it's own stores.

[miketoronto]

I think Burberry is fading now. Everyone keeps walking around with the same pattern that it is getting a little old.

But then if I get high-end stuff I am more into unique stuff, then the brand everyone else is wearing.

[Taller Better]

La Maison Simons cherche un emplacement à Toronto

Mise en ligne 09/11/2006 09h20



La chaîne de magasins Simons ne cache plus son intention de prendre d'assaut le marché de Toronto.
Le président de la Maison Simons, Peter Simons, a déclaré au journal Les Affaires qu'il a retenu les services d'un courtier immobilier pour dénicher l'emplacement idéal à Toronto.

Simons cherche des locaux de 10 000 mètres carrés en plein centre-ville, ce qui est plutôt rare. Mais l'entreprise est prête à mettre le temps qu'il faudra avant de réaliser son projet et se refuse à établir un échéancier précis.

L'un des sites possibles est le Eaton Centre qui accueille actuellement un magasin Sears.

La Maison Simons, fondée en 1840, exploite actuellement sept magasins au Québec et emploie 900 personnes.

Thanks for the article, malek! That is very heartening... I thought maybe they stopped looking. Sears would be even better than the HBC Centre at Yonge and Bloor. Very ambitious, as it is a huge store, but it would be perfect..... I keep my fingers crossed!


EDIT: I'm surprised Burberry hasn't opened a store in at least TO or Vancouver...It's amazing how popular the brand has become, and see it everyday (scarves, handbags, coats, etc). Holt Renfrew has some stuff, but not like it's own stores.


I'm surprised as well... they have been opening free standing stores all over the world. But, like Mike says, the "trend" is over and people wearing it are looking a bit "naff". I saw a middle aged couple from London last week (they sounded like they were from Essex) and she was decked out in the hat, etc... and it looked totally "chavette" and cheesy. I think Burberry itself was torn about the trend, especially when all the rappers started doing it ages ago and all the knockoffs were being made, as they knew it was putting them in a dangerous position of losing prestige... sort of like Gucci found itself years ago with the knockoff bags on every street corner. But Gucci redefined itself with a top designer, and Burberry may be able to do the same.

[SSLL]

Armani Exchange is the lower-end line of Armani, similar to Banana Republic or Club Monaco. Vancouver's is the only store in Canada. There was an Emporio Armani store next to where HMV has been for ages. It was then a Danier Leather, and now an RW&Co.

[SSLL]

Versace and Versus were also in Toronto (now Guess? and their sister-store Marciano). The only store in Canada: Vancouver!

[SSLL]

Simons would be great, but I don't think HBC Centre is the right space. Maybe it could be the new lead tenant in 1BE? Maybe take the former Caban space (instead of the dreadful Urban Planet) on Queen West?

[Taller Better]

Simons would be great, but I don't think HBC Centre is the right space. Maybe it could be the new lead tenant in 1BE? Maybe take the former Caban space (instead of the dreadful Urban Planet) on Queen West?

From what malek says, they are gunning for a bigger space, more like the downtown Montreal store, and that is just fine by me. Sears is hideous.
Is there not an Armani shop in Holts? I guess it is only women's clothing. I am truly no fashion expert, but Versace seems like such an "80's"/ early "90's" thing. I know Donatella is carrying on the design work, but it does seem a bit passé. I remember meeting Gianni Versace once in Bloomingdales in NYC, around 1980. He was a super hot designer at the time and was introducing a line of clothing. I remember how short he was! I remember all the New Yorkers saying his name like "Johnny"! LOL!

[SSLL]

From: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061107.wwalmartt1107/BNStory/Business/home
___________
What would Linda buy? Wal-Mart needs to know
MARINA STRAUSS
From Wednesday's Globe and Mail
At the new Wal-Mart Supercentre, it's all about Linda.

She's the prototypical Canadian customer for whom the massive stores are being designed, right down to where the bras are displayed.

“Linda” is 30 to 45 years old, has two or three children, a husband and a career. She's a soccer mom who multitasks, and she's time-starved.

So when she heads to Wal-Mart for the family shopping, she'd like to pick up some cosmetics for herself, a prescription for her son, diapers for the baby and dog food for the pet. All in that order. Then she'd like to get some grocery shopping done at the same time.

She might even have noticed a parka or a pair of pants at the nearby fashion section. Or spotted a cellphone across the way that looked appealing.

But at her regular Wal-Mart, she's not completely comfortable in the lingerie section. It's next to a busy aisle, and across from electronics. Men often frequent that department, and that may mean that she spends less time there than she otherwise would.

Wal-Mart Canada Corp.'s research on “Linda,” who represents its core customer, has played a big role in the planning of its new Supercentres, which open today.

The object is to get customers in and out of the stores as quickly as possible, while ensuring that they buy as much as possible.

“When we put together a new service or product, we say, ‘Let's check with Linda,'” Wal-Mart Canada chief executive officer Mario Pilozzi said in an interview as he toured the new Supercentre in Stouffville, Ont., which opens Wednesday. “She's very real.... Our whole organization has to understand that customer. So we give the customer an identity.”

The identity is a quintessentially Canadian one. “Linda” is a home-grown creation, initiated a couple of years ago at Wal-Mart Canada in Mississauga, said Jim Thompson, senior vice-president of merchandising. She is the personification of the company's target customer, and she's the focus of what most of its Supercentre work has been built around.

Her picture is a familiar one at head office. She generally wears jeans and a smart sweater, and there are even cardboard cutouts of her that executives take to meetings when they talk strategy.

Wal-Mart is launching the new Supercentre concept in Canada starting with three in Ontario, with plans for about 14 more next year and what analysts expect to be dozens across the country. The new Supercentres are roughly the size of four football fields, and 30 per cent bigger than existing Wal-Marts. They include a full supermarket along with more fashions, home goods and electronics than the traditional stores. They stock about 120,000 products, compared with 80,000 at the standard outlets. That's a bigger selection under one roof than in any other store in Canada, company officials say.

In the Supercentre in Stouffville, north of Toronto, the retailer has placed cosmetics at the front, and to the right, on the supermarket side of the store (rather than by the general merchandise entrance). Shoppers tend to automatically turn to the right when they enter a store, research has found.

Cosmetics sales also provide Wal-Mart with higher profit margins than many of its other products.

The cosmetics is part of a big pharmacy section which has been moved from the right side of a standard Wal-Mart, to the front near the grocery entrance. That makes it convenient for to get prescriptions and then move on to the infant and toddler section, and then to the pet department, Mr. Thompson said. At traditional Wal-Marts, the pet department is at the other end of the store.

As for the bras, they've been moved away from the electronics, to a quieter aisle next to the shoes. The placement is strategic and could prompt women to buy more shoes, he said. That's because while lingerie is often a have-to purchase, shoes tend to be bought on impulse. When they're looking at the bras and underpants, they may just notice a pair of high heels that catches their fancy.

There have been other subtle adjustments in a bid to cater to the core customer. She is looking for healthier foods, so a nutritional honey almond crisp cereal has been placed next to the bananas — with the thinking that cereal and bananas are a natural fit.

Jams and juices have been added to the cereal aisles so that shoppers' breakfast needs are all in one place. And for a quick, simple Sunday morning family breakfast, the frozen sausages — which are typically carried in the meat department — are displayed by the frozen pancakes and other breakfast items. It's also an attempt to make it easier to find everything in the same aisle.

In the home section, bed, bath and kitchen wares have been organized in sections of contemporary, traditional and ultra-traditional styles, so that the customer can differentiate them quickly. And taking a page from IKEA and other home furnishing retailers, the Supercentres have set up small “vignettes,” such a fully made-up bed and fully set dining table, to show how products look together.

Toys have been moved next to electronics, because so many toys now have a technological twist and are becoming electronic gadgets.

“Linda” has a hectic life, and anything that Wal-Mart can do to make it easier is a feather in its cap. “Linda is like the CEO and the CFO [chief financial officer] of the family,” Mr. Thompson said. “We've got a lot of respect for this lady. She is balancing her kids, her husband, her career ... We look after her and we become her one-stop shop, her destination for all her needs. Linda wins, we win and our shareholders win.

[SSLL]

From: http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1162939814807&call_pageid=968350072197&col=969048863851
__________
Wal-Mart goes supersize
Grocers brace for `battle of the brands'
Nov. 8, 2006. 07:06 AM
DANA FLAVELLE
BUSINESS REPORTER

Wal-Mart Canada Corp. says it could have as many as 17 supercentres open by the end of next year, kick-starting a potential price war that could shake up Canada's $72.5 billion-a-year grocery industry.
The retailer, which officially opens its first three supercentres today, said it could add up to 14 more next year, depending on municipal approvals.
The massive stores are nearly a third larger than a typical Wal-Mart and are the first in Canada to carry fresh produce, meat and baked goods, along with an expanded assortment of household furnishings, clothing and consumer electronics, the retailer said.
"We hope Wal-Mart supercentres will become a real one-stop shop that Canadians have been waiting for," Mario Pilozzi, president and chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Canada Corp., told reporters during a media preview of the Stouffville supercentre yesterday.
Wal-Mart's long-expected entry into the grocery business has already taken the shine off some supermarket-industry stocks, particularly Loblaw Cos. Ltd., which is struggling to lower prices and add more general merchandise to compete with Wal-Mart.
"It's going to be a battle of the brands," retail consultant John Torella, of the J.C. Williams Group in Toronto, predicted after touring the Stouffville supercentre yesterday.
The store in Stouffville, 48 kilometres northeast of Toronto, is one of three that officially open today. The other two are in London, Ont., and the Hamilton suburb Ancaster.
Four more are scheduled to open early next year, the retailer has said previously: one each in Scarborough, Brampton, Sarnia and Vaughan. Pilozzi declined to say where the additional five to 10 supercentres announced yesterday might be located, though observers expect it will be southern Ontario.
Not every new store will be a supercentre, Pilozzi said, noting the retailer plans a total of 15 to 20 projects next year as usual, including a mix of additions, relocations and new stores. In fact, a regular Wal-Mart opened yesterday in Guelph, he noted.
Wal-Mart said its new supercentres have up to 200,000 square feet, and carry 120,000 items, 50 per cent more than normal and most in the new grocery section. Each store represents an investment of up to $15 million and employs 500 people, the retailer said.
The supercentres contain more of everything, and are housed in more spacious, upscale buildings, with hardwood floors, pastel paint colours, more high-end electronics and more department-store-like displays in the home-furnishings area.
But the biggest difference is in the grocery department. Where a typical Wal-Mart might carry up to 5,000 different canned, dry and frozen foods, the supercentres will sport full-fledged grocery stores, with fresh produce, baked goods and meats.
At up to 40,000 square feet, Wal-Mart's new grocery departments rival conventional supermarkets in size and quality, but aim to beat them on price.
Three other major supermarket chains have stores within a few kilometres of the new Wal-Mart, including A&P, Sobeys and No Frills (a Loblaw brand). None would comment on the supercentre.
Analysts, however, have predicted the supercentres will give the incumbents a run for their money. "It's a conventional grocery-store offering at discount prices," said a financial analyst on the Stouffville store tour, who asked his name not be used.
But others have said Wal-Mart will have a tough time cracking Canada's grocery market because it's already well served by discounters, such as No Frills, Price Chopper and Food Basics.
Pilozzi was careful to avoid the mistake he made when Wal-Mart launched its Sam's Club warehouse-style stores in Canada three years ago. At the time, he predicted 100 such stores could be built across the country. But only six have gone up so far, and no indication has surfaced on when more will open. The Stouffville supercentre, considered the prototype, contains many of the new features the retailer plans to add to all new stores, not just supercentres. For example, 100 of the company's 272 existing Wal-Marts got a makeover in consumer electronics and clothing, starting last July, and another 100 will be retrofitted next year.
The newer consumer-electronics departments contain more high-end and brand-name items, such as the one-gigabyte iPod released last Friday, and high-definition televisions by Panasonic and RCA. The newer clothing sections are organized by brand in miniature stores within a store.
In the home-furnishing section, the discounter has adopted a department-store concept, using floor models to show how a table might be set for the holidays or a bed made up with co-ordinating linens.
For Stouffville, the retailer's arrival signals a new phase in a transition from small town to fast-growing suburban centre. Major subdivisions are under construction and more in the approval stage, so the town of 25,000 is set to explode.
Eric Button, who chairs Stouffville's downtown business improvement area, said he is hoping the chain will bring back dollars Stouffville was losing to other high-growth communities.

[SSLL]

From: http://www.ottawabusinessjournal.com/287454702601451.php
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Big-box stores in Orleans will compliment, not hurt mall biz
By Ottawa Business Journal Staff
Wed, Nov 8, 2006 1:00 PM EST

Although it might seem like the exploding Innes Road business strip of stores and businesses is sounding the death knell for Place d'Orléans, an Ottawa retail sales expert says development is good news for the regional mall.

Barry Nabatian, general manager of Market Research Corp., says the two business areas work together to complete the needs of area shoppers and combine to keep shopping dollars in Orléans.

"Initially, Place d'Orléans will lose some minor market share, depending on what kind of stores there are on Innes Road, but in the longer term everyone will benefit, including Place d'Orléans, because people will no longer decide to leave Orléans to shop somewhere else," says Nabatian, who has studied the area in the past for the City of Ottawa and other clients.

"What happens is that when people leave Orléans to shop for one item the chances are that they will shop for at least two other items. When one client is lost three purchases are lost," he says.

Merchants will also be more interested in setting up shop in the east end now that they have more options, Nabatian adds.

Some merchants want to set up on the "main street" type of outdoor situation found on Innes Road, whereas others need the indoor environment offered by Place d'Orléans.

Nabatian says the commercial development on Innes Road has likely had a huge impact on insulating the local economy.

"I think the leakage of shopping dollars has been reduced by at least 50 per cent," he explains.

There are still problems to overcome, however, including a more diversified offering of services along Innes Road. Nabatian says a study done about a year ago showed the strip needs bakeries, butcher shops, health food stores, more large supermarkets as well as a furniture store, high end fashion store and a high end "table service" restaurant.

"There are some of things but not enough for the residents. As a result there are lots of opportunities there for people to start businesses in these areas, there is no question in my mind."

Nabatian notes that the same study showed Orléans on the whole has too many pizza shops and places which sell X-rated films.

Nabatian says merchants, landlords, the community, and local government all have to work together to make a business area grow.

He cites the Westboro Business Improvement Area as a good example of this. Commercial rents in Westboro have tripled in recent years, and business is so good that renters don't have a problem keeping up with the increases.

Nabatian says the pending development of the Orléans Town Centre - a $220-million project announced a few weeks ago - will help strengthen the foundation of the local economy.

He adds the weakness in the economy of Orlèans exists because so many people leave the area to work elsewhere during the day and then leave again at night for entertainment. He says the Orlèans Town Centre will counteract that.

"There aren't enough jobs, not enough daytime jobs in Orléans. More jobs have to be created," Nabatian says. "But on the whole, the Orléans Town Centre is going to be very positive by adding to the momentum and make Orléans a far more self-sufficient community. These things are going to happen."

By David Gonzcol

[SSLL]

From: http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1162897449167&call_pageid=968867496431&col=969048867839
_________________
Suburban smorg
Nov. 8, 2006. 06:24 AM
KIM HONEY

The heart of the Oakville Entertainment Centrum resembles a contrived village, like Whistler without mountains or Disneyland without rides.
Instead of stores or houses, there are restaurants painted various shades of pastel and primary colours, with contrasting awnings.
The bright red posts of the street lamps line no boulevards or avenues. Rather they beat a path to the 24-screen AMC theatre, a 95,000-square-foot behemoth that breaches from the concrete and dwarfs everything in its shadow. It is a place of such excess that not only is the Becel topping free, but you can pump it onto your popcorn yourself.
The neon AMC logo is the most prominent part of the centrum visible from the nearby Queen Elizabeth Way at Winston Churchill Blvd., where 125,000 cars whiz by each day. A Family Fitness centre occupies one corner, while the Putting Edge — a popular, glow-in-the-dark mini-putt spot for birthday parties — is tucked away off the pedestrian walkway.
There's a rare spot of green space smack dab in the centre, complete with mature trees and a small stream, volleyball courts and picnic tables. You can't see it from the vast parking lot, mainly because it's sunken, so far below street level it is positively subterranean. The four access gates are locked.
Neither shopping malls nor power centres, centrums — which have been popping up in suburban spaces from Kanata to Oakville in the past decade — are a strange hybrid of food and entertainment. They're like a plaza for the perpetually hungry and a smorgasbord for those starving for celluloid.
"It's sort of like a streetscape turned inside out in terms of the pedestrianization," says University of Toronto sociologist Joe Hermer, who has studied a movement called town centre management in British urban areas. "They're trying to co-opt the feeling of walking down a lively downtown street. The irony of it is you have to drive to it."
Hermer, a Toronto resident, has never heard of the centrum before, and neither have some of the students and colleagues he asks. "It sounds like an Oxford quad gone crazy," he quips, referring to the square of green space commonly found at the heart of university campuses.
Even after a recent lunch hour visit, he can't quite get a bead on it, saying it has a transient feel.
"These are spaces in which you don't do anything, but you travel through," he explains, pointing to the lack of benches or any common space where people could congregate. "They're sort of conduits for transportation."
In 2000, when the Town of Oakville conferred an urban design award on the centrum, the jury described it as "totally unusual and extraordinary," and noted the architects and developers were being recognized for using the pedestrian space as an organizing feature. The jury did feel the centrum could benefit from more trees "to reinforce the urban street character" and a more "animated" architectural design.
The outdoor entertainment complex is a modified version of an American phenomenon that developer PenEquity Management Corp. calls an "open-air lifestyle centre." (PenEquity's next project is the Metropolis, an indoor mall across from Dundas Square that will house a 24-screen AMC theatre and four restaurants.)
PenEquity coined the word centrum as a branding device, choosing the word to convey its vision of the outdoor plaza as a focal point for the region.
The U.S. concept originated in Dallas in 1995 when AMC Theatres opened its first 24-screen megaplex. For years, big cinemas had been relegated to the basements and back lots of shopping malls. But the megaplex, with 4,700 seats, demanded bigger space and a bigger population to draw from. The theatres became anchor tenants for large outdoor developments.
When AMC decided to expand into Canada in 1996, the chairman of PenEquity Management (an asset manager of pension funds) struck up a personal relationship with the theatre chain. That's how it became its developer of choice, according to PenEquity president and CEO David Johnston.
The idea was to entice moviegoers into repeat visits. PenEquity studied the Block at Orange in Los Angeles, which employs retail, food and entertainment venues as bait, though the theatre is the main draw.
By situating the Oakville development next to major highways, it allowed the theatre to cater to a region, rather than any one city. And so the Oakville Entertainment Centrum, which opened in 1998, attracts patrons from Burlington to the west, Mississauga to the east and Milton to the north.
The Kanata Centrum outside Ottawa, the largest in PenEquity's stable at 92 acres, looks the most like the American version, with a mix of retail and restaurants. The AMC theatre opened there in 1999. The Whitby Centrum opened the same year. And the Mississauga Centrum opened in 2001 at Hurontario St. and Courtney Park Dr.
But the locations in Canada, designed to draw in that regional crowd, weren't typically in areas zoned for retail. And so the Canadian version was born.
"You want to create a sense of place for the pedestrian," says Johnston. "You want to walk through the centre without feeling threatened by cars."
Indeed, it's something that is not lost on Oakville parent Christine Rzepecki. "Parents can drop their kids off and arrange to pick them up, and they've got so much money to spend. They can go to the movie and then get something to eat. What can they get into around here?"
Her family of five doesn't eat out often because it's expensive. But the kids love East Side Mario's, and she and her husband sometimes visit Tasty Thai.
The 32-acre Oakville site was further constrained by the "green space," otherwise known as a 100-year storm pond, so named because, once in a 100 years, there is a storm of such magnitude that it floods.
That's one of the reasons the site was available for development.
"It was something people couldn't work out," says Leger Xavier, PenEquity's vice-president of leasing and marketing. "We tried to use it as a feature." It's typically open in the summer, but it's locked off-season to prevent loitering.
Hermer describes the mix of uses as "a bit of a dog's breakfast ... trying to figure out what people want," but to PenEquity, it all makes perfect sense.
"The idea is not about working out and going to eat and then going to a movie," says Xavier. " ... It's about repeat visitation."
There are nine restaurants now, and only four — Tasty Thai, Crazy Sushi, Rosie McGee's Irish Pub and the Souvlaki Hut — are not chains. Boston Pizza, East Side Mario's and Alice Fazooli's have Italian food covered off, while Subway Sandwiches and Caffé Demetre, which offer lunch and brunch, round out the card.
Another big chain restaurant, the steak-and-rib joint Baton Rouge, is now under construction, and the Oakville institution Trattoria Timone is renovating the old Wolfgang Puck space right now.
PenEquity says it is trying to offer variety at different prices. And so you have the soccer teams trooping in to Boston Pizza on Sunday at lunch for pitchers of pop and slabs of pie, and office workers celebrating a colleague's birthday at the mid-range Italian eatery, Alice Fazooli's. The latter even offers Italian lessons over the speakers in the restrooms, while the waiter may recommend a glass of Australian shiraz or a Coor's Light in the same breath.
The same principle behind the multiplex theatre is at work. In other words, says Johnston, it's about choice: "If I go there with my family and I can't get into East Side Mario's, I can walk to Alice Fazooli's."After open-air entertainment complexes were built in the late '80s and early '90s, Johnston says they proved that offering more choice actually helps individual restaurants to bump up their sales.
That's what the upscale Trattoria Timone is banking on. Mike Fronteddu is moving his restaurant from Lakeshore Rd. E. to the centrum space and expects to open Feb. 1.
"I'm really pumped up about it," says Fronteddu.
His seating space will almost double, from 84 to 154, but a third of that will be devoted to a lounge, where he plans to cater to the pre- and post-theatre crowd with a smaller menu and wines by the glass. He's mulling over a children's menu, and is encouraged by feedback from regulars who work near the centrum and say they'd definitely go there for business lunches.
"There's a lot of restaurants there, but not high-end restaurants," the restaurateur says. As for the fact that Puck, Gordon Biersch and Café Tu Tu Tango all failed in the centrum, Fronteddu notes all three were owned by the same company. "There shouldn't be a reason why we don't succeed here. Unless we're not good and, in that case, that's what happens."

[SSLL]

From: http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1163026212623&call_pageid=968350072197&col=969048863851
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U.S. stores eye Web sales in Canada
Growing online market appeals
J.C. Penney sending catalogues
Nov. 9, 2006. 07:39 AM
DANA FLAVELLE
BUSINESS REPORTER

American department store giant J.C. Penney is ramping up its marketing efforts in Canada with more catalogue deliveries to promote its Canadian website, according to Canada Post.
Meanwhile, U.S.-based online shoe retailers are reporting sharply higher sales in Canada, the post office also said yesterday.
And a U.S. firm that has been testing the Canadian market with an online site is planning to open its first physical store in Canada, said officials at Borderfree, the post office's cross-border shopping service.
"What we are seeing, partly because of the strength of the Canadian dollar, is very, very strong growth among American retailers online," Borderfree president Patrick Bartlett said in a telephone interview.
While Canadian consumers make more purchases on Canadian websites than on foreign-owned services, according to Statistics Canada, Bartlett said a growing number of U.S. retailers are eyeing the Canadian online market.
The postal service, which helps foreign retailers set up seamless cross-border sites, is actively soliciting new U.S. clients.
Borderfree's message is simple but appealing in the United States where slumping house sales threaten to dampen consumer spending this Christmas. In contrast, Canadian consumers are feeling confident and ready to spend, said Borderfree marketing manager Paulina Sazon.
The post office says American retailers like what they're hearing.
J.C. Penney, which quietly opened its website to Canadians late last year, plans to drop half a million catalogues on Canadian doorsteps this holiday season to promote the business, Sazon said. The department store operator is one of 135 cataloguers now delivering in Canada, she said, up from 35 two years ago. Research has shown catalogues help drive online sales.
Three U.S. shoe retailers that use Borderfree's service, puma.com, naturalizer.com and shoebuy.com, are all reporting sharply higher sales in Canada this year, Bartlett said.
As well, American outfitting firm Cabela's has announced plans to open its first Canadian store, in Montreal, after testing the market electronically, the post office noted. Cosmetics giant Sephora followed a similar formula, starting with an online store and then opening a chain of mall-based stores across Canada.
And it's not just the Borderfree effect, he said. The service provides shoppers with a landed price in Canadian dollars, making it easier to order from U.S. sites.
Other established U.S. retailers, like Lands' End, which has its own Canadian infrastructure, is enjoying stronger Canadian sales this year as well, Bartlett said.
"Clearly, Canadian retailers, like Chapters (Indigo), Future Shop and Sears dominate the space," Bartlett acknowledged, referring to some of the biggest Canadian owned online retail sites in the market.
Indeed, research by Statistics Canada shows consumers prefer to shop Canadian sites. Last year, consumers made 57 per cent of their online purchases at Canadian sites and spent 63 per cent of their online dollars there, the federal agency said.
As well, two Canadian Web operators, Sears Canada and Canadian Tire Corp., score in the top 10 most visited retail sites in Canada, according to ComScore Media Metrix Canada, which tracks online traffic.
However, many other Canadian retailers have yet to open fully interactive sites, especially in the clothing category, Borderfree's Bartlett said. Canadian consumers still buy fewer items online than Americans and have just started adding more than travel, tickets and books to their online shopping lists, he noted.
"We believe one of the critical reasons Canadians don't buy more online is lack of supply," Bartlett said.
Despite this, Canadians are spending more online as time goes by, according to Statistics Canada. In five years, online spending jumped from $1.1 billion in 2000 to $7.9 billion last year, the federal agency reported last week — a 618 per cent increase. Still, online spending represents just over 1 per cent of the $729 billion Canadians spent on all goods and services last year, the agency noted.

[SSLL]

From: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061114.wxrbaskin14/BNStory/Business/home
____________
Baskin-Robbins targets a melting market share
Ice cream maker retools to win over younger generation

MARINA STRAUSS
From Tuesday's Globe and Mail
It's a brand that's deliciously familiar to baby boomers. Too bad their kids don't seem to care.

Baskin-Robbins, a long-time synonym for takeout ice cream, has watched its U.S. market share melt as a generation picked up a taste for café lattes. Now, the company is retooling itself to win a younger generation with new drinks and other ice cream concoctions. It's redesigning its stores to add a shot of entertainment, with a server preparing customized sundaes and milkshakes at a counter bar as customers watch the show.

"We are trying to bring in the younger kids as well, because they are going to be the future clientele for us 10 to 20 years from now," says Michael Gooding, the chain's Canadian franchise manager. "We need to start attracting them. We're trying to make Baskin-Robbins more of a hangout."

It was time for an update. The chain has continued to trumpet 31 ice cream flavours, even when touting a wide array of options no longer gave it an edge. While Baskin-Robbins was an innovator in introducing multiple flavours when it was founded more than 60 years ago, it's now old hat in the industry.

The numbers point to strains. The company's share of the $2.8-billion (U.S.) ice cream food service market in the U.S. fell 1.1 percentage points to 19.8 per cent in 2005 from 20.9 per cent in 2003, according to market researcher Euromonitor International. The chain's revenue rose 10 per cent to $561-million over that period.

In Canada, Baskin-Robbins' share remained at about 10.7 per cent of the $446-million ice cream parlour market, while revenue dropped 4 per cent to $47.9-million, the figures show.

Baskin-Robbins has been shedding market share to fledgling U.S. players such as Cold Stone Creamery, which has become a magnet for a new generation, Euromonitor analyst Rob Tullock says. Now Cold Stone is looking to make a splash in Canada, putting the heat on Baskin-Robbins to woo younger customers. "You need to have young people, otherwise you really don't have any future," Mr. Tullock says.

Ice cream parlours have moved well beyond the 31-flavour universe; they have become something like entertainment centres, with employees mixing custom-made treats with loads of extras. The process has become more interactive to cater to a younger demographic. The customer participates by picking ingredients, which adds to the price and the company's revenue.

Not to be left out, Baskin-Robbins began testing its own version of ice-cream-tainment last year. It opened more jazzy looking, colourful parlours with a focal bar area where customers can sit at the counter and watch their sundaes, shakes and other creations being made, says Ken Kimmel, brand officer at the Glendale, Calif.-based parent. So far the revamped stores are generating more sales, he says, without disclosing numbers.

Last month, Baskin-Robbins launched its first refurbished ice cream parlour in Canada, and the chain plans to double its 133 stores here over the next four years, using the new model, Mr. Gooding says.

Industry observers say the changes can't come too soon. "Baskin-Robins has been tired for years," says Douglas Fisher, president of food services consultancy FHG International. "We grew up with it as baby boomers. I would think a lot of younger people are going to Starbucks now."

Mr. Tullock, a Canadian, agrees that Baskin-Robins faces a demographic challenge. "I'm 27 and I've got a peripheral awareness of them. They're certainly not a destination that would occur to me under most circumstances."

In Canada, ice cream retailers are further challenged with cold winters that put a chill on sales, he says. And the burgeoning popularity of coffee shops has stolen business from ice cream parlours. Dairy Queen fought back by putting more emphasis on burgers and fries and has experienced a healthy growth in its business, Mr. Tullock says.

Baskin-Robbins has also faced internal pressures. It was owned by Britain's Allied Domecq PLC until late last year, when U.S. equity firms scooped it up. Allied had been looking for a while to shed its non-core assets, including Baskin-Robbins. The situation caused some turmoil in management, Mr. Tullock says. With the new owners, "hopefully that should give them a little bit more management focus on building the business," he adds.

For Baskin-Robbins, a key to success is the introduction of new products, Mr. Kimmel adds.

Cold cash

Baskin-Robbins has been shedding market share to other players, such as Cold Stone Creamery.

Revenue ($U.S.-millions) Market share Growth
CANADA 2003 2004 2005 2005 2005
Dairy Queen $254.30 $274.80 $283.60 63.50% 3%
Yogen Früz 51.4 45.8 29.9 6.70% -35%
Baskin-Robbins 50 45.9 47.9 10.70% 4%
Others 59.5 67.9 84.8 19% 25%
U.S.
Cold Stone Creamery $152.30 $283 $420.50 14.80% 49%
TCBY 155 145 144.5 5.10% 0%
Baskin-Robbins 510.3 535 561 19.80% 5%
SOURCE: EUROMONITOR INTERNATIONAL 2006

[furrycanuck]

So is the Baskin Robins on 17th Ave in Calgary undergoing this transformation, or did it simply close?

I think the problem with traditional ice cream chains is not just competition (and a much better product) from Cold Stone and Marble Slab, but also from the explosion in gelato places. It was hard enough for the B-R to compete with Philip's Forbidden Flavours across the street; when Fiasco Gelato opened their glam new place two blocks east, who bothered to go to sad old B-R?

[BlackRedGold]

I think the problem with traditional ice cream chains is not just competition (and a much better product) from Cold Stone and Marble Slab, but also from the explosion in gelato places. It was hard enough for the B-R to compete with Philip's Forbidden Flavours across the street; when Fiasco Gelato opened their glam new place two blocks east, who bothered to go to sad old B-R?

I don't think that's it at all. I think the problem with B-R is the increase in choice of ice cream at the supermarket. Back in the day, if you wanted something reallly different then Chocolate, Vanilla or Strawberry you had to go to a place like B-R. Now you can get a Haagen-Daaz or Ben & Jerry's from the grocery store that has is just as good and unique as any of the 31 flavours.

[furrycanuck]

I don't think that's it at all. I think the problem with B-R is the increase in choice of ice cream at the supermarket. Back in the day, if you wanted something reallly different then Chocolate, Vanilla or Strawberry you had to go to a place like B-R. Now you can get a Haagen-Daaz or Ben & Jerry's from the grocery store that has is just as good and unique as any of the 31 flavours.

Then why are gelaterias so popular? Why is Pure Gelato doing so well in your own city whereas the traditional Cow's is closed? You have been able to get Gelato Fresco for the last 15 years (at least) in Ontario supermarkets.

Gelato and Marble Slab (et al) are new things that can account for the recent demise (or decline) of Baskin Robins. Supermarkets have had "choice" in ice cream since Haagen Dasz and Frusen Gladje (anybody remember that?) broke in the early 1980s.

[BlackRedGold]

Then why are gelaterias so popular? Why is Pure Gelato doing so well in your own city whereas the traditional Cow's is closed?

Then what about Lois & Frima's or Rocky Mountain in the market? I don't know why Cow's closed but I know that Piccolo Grande used to have multiple locations around the city and now they have one. For the most part the gelaterias are located downtown. In the suburbs there's DQ.


You have been able to get Gelato Fresco for the last 15 years (at least) in Ontario supermarkets.

And how many people even realise it? It's never been marketed, many supermarkets don't carry it and the packaging does a poor job of attracting attention.

[furrycanuck]

And how many people even realise it? It's never been marketed, many supermarkets don't carry it and the packaging does a poor job of attracting attention.

OK, maybe Fresco is more of a niche product than I realised (we always had it in our freezer in Toronto), but still, haagen dazs has been around for 25 years or so.

And I have to add- I love to talk ice cream! :)

[IntotheWest]

Gelato and Marble Slab (et al) are new things that can account for the recent demise (or decline) of Baskin Robins.

Mmmmm....Marble Slab. Good stuff. I was surprised to see a new one opened way down in the big box shops of Shawnessy, beside an M&M. Are they that popular that they think they can survive in such an area??

They are good, but are pricier than BR.

I still prefer the trip to Cochrane for MacKays though..:)

[Boris2k7]

I still prefer the trip to Cochrane for MacKays though..:)

:tup:

I would take commuter rail to Cochrane (had we any such thing) just to get ice cream!

[furrycanuck]

Mmmmm....Marble Slab. Good stuff. I was surprised to see a new one opened way down in the big box shops of Shawnessy, beside an M&M. Are they that popular that they think they can survive in such an area??

They are good, but are pricier than BR.

I still prefer the trip to Cochrane for MacKays though..:)

You can get Mackay's at My Favourite Ice Cream south of Marda Loop if that's more convenient for you- I love to go to that place in winter because there's never a lineup (unlike summer), they don't have their freezers screwed up like Philip's where the ice cream is ruined by ice crystals, and the prices are great (versus, say, Amato Gelato on Kensington Rd- now THAT is some expensive shit).

Marble Slab is good, and with that one in Shawnessy that means 4 location in Calgary (w/ Chinook, Market Mall, and Crowfoot). Thing is- have you ever tried Coldstone Creamery in the US? It is better, to my taste. And when you get ice cream with fruit (eg sweet cream mixed w/ black cherries), unlike at Marble Slab, the fruit isn't frozen solid so you cannot even taste it- I hate that about Marble Slab, everything is too damn cold. Ice cream is not supposed to be painfully cold like that.

[Boris2k7]

You can get Mackay's at My Favourite Ice Cream south of Marda Loop if that's more convenient for you- I love to go to that place in winter because there's never a lineup (unlike summer), they don't have their freezers screwed up like Philip's where the ice cream is ruined by ice crystals, and the prices are great (versus, say, Amato Gelato on Kensington Rd- now THAT is some expensive shit).

That place (MFIC) is great too!

I swear that I saw a little shrine to Ralph Klein last time I was there though... :sly:

Could be wrong, it's been a few years.

[SpongeG]

how close are the big American stores to other Canadian cities?

for Vancouver - there is Bellis Fair Mall - basically set up to Canadians - its only 15 minutes from the border so getting there is easy - it is probably much easier - distance wise - to get from most of surrey/langley than it would be to get to Metrotown or downtown Van. and bellis fair has all the big US stores Canadians want like - Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch, Victorias Secret, Target, Suncoast, Bath & Body Works, Express, Kohls, Macys, Old Navy, Gap, Hot Topic, Aeropostale etc.

and than the seattle outlet mall is about 90 minutes from the border - you can see in the parking lot that there are a ton of Canadians who go down

and just north of the outlet mall - new Kohls, Costco and Target stores have opened in the last few months

so how easy is it for people in Toronto or Calgary to get to big US malls/shops?

[mersar]

Calgary is a 3+ hour drive just to get to the border... and there isn't that much around the border for quite a distance, at least the last time I went that way.

[neilson]

Calgary is a 3+ hour drive just to get to the border... and there isn't that much around the border for quite a distance, at least the last time I went that way.
I heard Lethbridge is really coming up in the world though.

[Doug]

The cloest US outlet mall to Calgary is in Post Falls, ID about 7 or 8 hours by car. The nearest large regional indoor mall is Northtown in Spokane, about half an hour further than Post Falls. Calgary is very isolated geographically from large US population centers despite being hugely influence by American culture and economics.

Washington State exempts Alberta residents from sales tax:).

[BlackRedGold]

how close are the big American stores to other Canadian cities?


for Ottawa - I can get to the US in 45 minutes. Once across there's a Wal-Mart, Lowe's and a Price Chopper right there in Ogdensburg. I like to go over since I can usually get either HD or B&J ice cream for half the price I can get it in Ottawa.

The closest malls would be Salmon Run Mall in Watertown or the St Lawrence Center in Massena which are both around a 2 hour drive from Ottawa. There's not much of interest in them though. The closest major mall would be the Carousel Center in Syracuse that's a 3 hour drive. It's the typical big regional US mall with all the usual stores.

The closest outlet mall would be Finger Lakes located between Rochester and Syracuse which would be about a 3.5 hour drive. But for a 6 to 7 hour drive you can be at Woodbury Common, possibly the best outlet center in the US.

[Taller Better]

for Ottawa - I can get to the US in 45 minutes. Once across there's a Wal-Mart, Lowe's and a Price Chopper right there in Ogdensburg. I like to go over since I can usually get either HD or B&J ice cream for half the price I can get it in Ottawa.

The closest malls would be Salmon Run Mall in Watertown or the St Lawrence Center in Massena which are both around a 2 hour drive from Ottawa. There's not much of interest in them though. The closest major mall would be the Carousel Center in Syracuse that's a 3 hour drive. It's the typical big regional US mall with all the usual stores.

The closest outlet mall would be Finger Lakes located between Rochester and Syracuse which would be about a 3.5 hour drive. But for a 6 to 7 hour drive you can be at Woodbury Common, possibly the best outlet center in the US.

You drive to the States and go through customs to save a couple of bucks on ice cream? How much can you bring back? How much is HD ice cream in Ottawa? I think it is $5.99 here, but am not sure.

[neilson]

For Calgary ppl, can you confirm that Lethbridge is coming up in the world?

[CMD UW]

/\ As an Edmontonian I can confirm that Lethbridge is not coming up in the world. Sorry, but the action is in Medicine Hat!

[ibz]

Oh I dunno, Lethbridge does killer cross border trade.....The Top Hat is always packed with 18 year olds from Montana looking to drop their hard earned USD$ on D class strippers and Kokanee!!

[Kilgore Trout]

speaking of ice cream, when i moved to montreal i was a bit shocked to find that ice cream parlours here are almost entirely seasonal. there is some fantastic ice cream and gelato in this town but it's impossible to get between november and march (luckily the best gelateria in montreal -- possibly in all of canada -- is open year-round).

is this just a quebec thing or do ice cream shops in the rest of eastern canada close in the winter, too? getting ice cream (or slurpees) in the middle of winter is almost a western canadian tradition.

also, dairy queen does not serve food here, only ice cream. and they, too, shut down in the winter.

[BlackRedGold]

You drive to the States and go through customs to save a couple of bucks on ice cream? How much can you bring back? How much is HD ice cream in Ottawa? I think it is $5.99 here, but am not sure.

I don't just go down for ice cream. I'll get stuff shipped to Ogdensburg from places that won't deliver to Canada, like amazon.com or Zappos and go to the grocery store at the same time. I don't just pick up ice cream down there either. You can get turkeys at half the price down there also. Plus there are plenty of products you can get that aren't available in Canada.

You can pretty much bring back as many groceries as you want. There is a one turkey per person limit though but the grocery stores have signs that let you know this. And customs is a breeze going to Ogdensburg. I've never seen more then three or four cars at a time waiting to get across. Most of the time I don't even have to go in and pay tax or duty coming back.

HD is usually about $6 each but it can go on sale occasionally for about $4.29. Across the border there's usually a deal on B&J or HD that's 2 for $5.

[BlackRedGold]

server problems caused a double post

[SteelTown]

how close are the big American stores to other Canadian cities?

I know a lot of people who go to the states for shopping since the border is only about 30-45 minutes away from Hamilton. With the higher currency and cheaper products in the states people go for cheaper gas as well and sneak in a few booze and cigarettes.

Also A LOT of people that go for cheaper grocery shopping. But seriously the quality is different. If you buy American cheese it's not as creamer as ours. Stuff like that.

[furrycanuck]

speaking of ice cream, when i moved to montreal i was a bit shocked to find that ice cream parlours here are almost entirely seasonal. there is some fantastic ice cream and gelato in this town but it's impossible to get between november and march (luckily the best gelateria in montreal -- possibly in all of canada -- is open year-round).

is this just a quebec thing or do ice cream shops in the rest of eastern canada close in the winter, too? getting ice cream (or slurpees) in the middle of winter is almost a western canadian tradition.

also, dairy queen does not serve food here, only ice cream. and they, too, shut down in the winter.

Ice cream places- some of them- close in Toronto for the winter. This makes no sense to me.

[sync]

speaking of shopping in the states, i bought a couple of pairs of shoes when i was down there last, and paid about $40 each for them.

up here in canada the same shoes are $130 each.

WTH!

[furrycanuck]

speaking of shopping in the states, i bought a couple of pairs of shoes when i was down there last, and paid about $40 each for them.

up here in canada the same shoes are $130 each.

WTH!

You buy one shoe at a time?

[Taller Better]

You buy one shoe at a time?


LOL! Maybe he is an amputee! ;)
As for ice cream places, I have never paid attention if they are seasonal
or not. I know places like Baskin Robbins are year round, but I don't know about Italian gelato places, etc... I am pretty sure most of them are year round but I don't know.....

[IntotheWest]

You can get Mackay's at My Favourite Ice Cream south of Marda Loop if that's more convenient for you- I love to go to that place in winter because there's never a lineup (unlike summer), they don't have their freezers screwed up like Philip's where the ice cream is ruined by ice crystals, and the prices are great (versus, say, Amato Gelato on Kensington Rd- now THAT is some expensive shit).

Marble Slab is good, and with that one in Shawnessy that means 4 location in Calgary (w/ Chinook, Market Mall, and Crowfoot). Thing is- have you ever tried Coldstone Creamery in the US? It is better, to my taste. And when you get ice cream with fruit (eg sweet cream mixed w/ black cherries), unlike at Marble Slab, the fruit isn't frozen solid so you cannot even taste it- I hate that about Marble Slab, everything is too damn cold. Ice cream is not supposed to be painfully cold like that.

Yes, I'd love for MFIC to be more convenient for me (i.e. living in Garrison Woods)...but maybe I can stop there on my weekly trip to the farmers market.

Haven't tried Coldstone, but the name sounds familiar - were they possibly opening shops out east? Toronto?


Winnipeg's BDI (Bridge Drive Inn) I believe closes as well in the winter.

[sync]

You buy one shoe at a time?

of course?

you mean you can get both the left and right AT THE SAME TIME? :D

[furrycanuck]

of course?

you mean you can get both the left and right AT THE SAME TIME? :D

Yeah! It's cheaper to buy in bulk.

[SpongeG]

haha

yeah my friend bought a pair of Sketchers on a clearance sale rack at MErvyns for $17 USD - the exact same pair was at Sears up here and they wanted $90 Cdn for them

I always buy my shoes down there - you can save at least 50% if not more down there

also we were at a mervyns in California that was clearing out stuff at $1

clothes, jewlery, bags etc. all for $1!!

so if it was previously clearance priced at $13.98 it was marked down to $1! people were walking out with bags and bags

[SpongeG]

Border booze shopping on Sundays irks N.S. business

A convenience-store owner in the Amherst area says she's tired of watching customers drive past her store every Sunday to buy booze in New Brunswick.

Sherry Pitcher operates K's Korner convenience store in Tidnish, a 10-minute drive from Port Elgin, N.B.

The store is licensed by the Nova Scotia Liquor Corp. Although it's open Sundays, the NSLC does not permit its outlets to sell booze that day.

"I know I have regular customers who go to Port Elgin on Sundays," Pitcher said.

Pitcher wants the Nova Scotia government to consult with residents, most of whom, she said, want to be able to buy booze seven days a week.

"It would definitely increase our sales."

Even before the government lifted the ban on Sunday shopping last month, specialty wine stores and breweries used legal loopholes to sell their products.

Premier Rodney MacDonald has suggested that Nova Scotians are not interested in having NSLC outlets open seven days a week.

He said cabinet will make a decision later this fall.

http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2006/11/15/liquor-nb.html

[West_aust]

how close are the big American stores to other Canadian cities?


From Montreal there is Plattsburgh, NY that is about 45min/1h drive, although it was a pretty crappy mall, it's getting better with the better state of the economy in Plattsburgh, as well as the increased CAD

You can find a Lowes, soon Victorias Secret, PacSun...

There is also Burlington, VT about 2h drive which has better store selection (Abercrombie&Fitch, Pacsun, William Sonoma...)

[SpongeG]

does anyone ever count the Canadian plates when they go down?

On a saturday at most parking lots in bellingham it seems every 3rd car is from BC

its gone up a lot since the dollar bounced back up

[malek]

:rolleyes:

Victoria's Secret achète La Senza
Presse Canadienne /images/logo/logo_lpa.gif (http://www.lapresseaffaires.com/)
15 novembre 2006 - 17h54 La chaîne canadienne de boutiques de lingerie fine La Senza (LSZ (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/accueil/cotes/index.php?sym=t.lsz)) est l'objet d'une offre d'achat de l'entreprise américaine Limited Brands, propriétaire de la chaîne concurrente Victoria's Secret, dans le cadre d'une entente de 710 millions $.


Selon une convention de soutien définitive, Limited Brands a convenu d'acheter la totalité des actions en circulation de La Senza en contrepartie de 48,25 $ CAN par action, en espèces, au moyen d'une offre publique d'achat (OPA), ont indiqué mercredi les deux entreprises dans un communiqué conjoint émis après la fermeture des marchés.

Le prix d'offre représente une prime de 47,8 pour cent par rapport au cours de clôture de 32,65 $ des actions de La Senza à la Bourse de Toronto le 14 novembre 2006, indique le communiqué.

«Nous avons pris notre temps pour choisir le bon partenaire et la meilleure occasion dont notre société pourrait bénéficier, et ce, non seulement au Canada, mais partout dans le monde, a déclaré dans le communiqué Irv Teitelbaum, président du conseil et chef de la direction de La Senza. Cette offre est convaincante, car elle reconnaît immédiatement la valeur de nos marques, de notre stratégie et des membres talentueux de notre équipe.»

Selon M. Teitelbaum, les ressemblance entre les deux entreprises en font des partenaires «partenaires idéaux».

«Ce regroupement représente une étape stratégique majeure qui nous permettra de repérer d'autres occasions de croissance pour La Senza», a-t-il dit.

Dans le cadre de l'entente, M. Teitlebaum, le vice-président du conseil de La Senza, Stephen Gross, et le président et chef de l'exploitation, Laurence Lewin, demeureront tous trois en poste au sein de l'entreprise, qui conservera son siège social à Montréal.

Les trois dirigeants, de même que tous les autres porteurs d'actions à droit de vote multiple, représentant au total 48 pour cent des actions et options de La Senza, ont conclu une convention de dépôt rigide ainsi qu'une convention de soutien définitive.

Limited Brands prévoit mettre à la poste une offre publique d'achat relative à l'offre sous peu.

La Senza est propriétaire-exploitant de 318 magasins au Canada, tandis que des titulaires de licence exploitent 327 autres magasins dans 34 autres pays.

Limited Brands est propriétaire-exploitant de 3534 magasins sous différentes bannières, dont Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, Express et Limited Stores, aux Etats-Unis.

À la Bourse de Toronto, mercredi, le titre de La Senza a clôturé en hausse de 5 cents, à 32,70 $.

[Coldrsx]

"There is also Burlington, VT about 2h drive which has better store selection (Abercrombie&Fitch, Pacsun, William Sonoma...)"

plus their krispy kremes taste better.

[SSLL]

From: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061115.wlasenza15/BNStory/Business/home
________________
Posted AT 5:10 PM EST ON 15/11/06
Limited Brands buys La Senza
Canadian Press

MONTREAL — Canadian lingerie retailer La Senza Corp. is being acquired by Limited Brands Inc., the owner of long-time American rival Victoria's Secret, in a $710-million (Canadian) deal.

The friendly deal, announced late Wednesday, would see Columbus, Ohio-based Limited Brands scoop up all the outstanding shares of La Senza for $48.25 per share in cash.

The offer represents a premium of 47.8 per cent based on the $32.65 closing price for La Senza shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange on Tuesday.

The transaction continues a recent trend of well-known Canadian companies in retail, mining and energy being acquired by foreign buyers.

Earlier this year, iconic miners Falconbridge and Inco Ltd. were bought by Swiss and Brazilian companies. As well, CP Ships, Fairmont Hotels, Four Seasons Hotels. Centurion International Energy and Hudson's Bay Co. have all been bought by companies or investors in Europe, the Middle East and the United States.

La Senza, which dominates the Canadian market for lingerie and related products, had put itself up for sale earlier this year.

“We have been careful to choose the right partner and the right opportunity to benefit our organization, not only in Canada, but throughout the world,” said La Senza chairman and CEO Irv Teitelbaum in a release.

“Given our companies' similar characteristics, we believe Limited Brands, together with Victoria's Secret, are ideal partners for us. This combination represents a major strategic step forward enabling us to continue to further pursue La Senza's growth opportunities.”

As part of the deal, Mr. Teitelbaum and vice-chairman Stephen Gross will remain in their respective positions, together with Laurence Lewin, president and chief operating officer who co-founded La Senza in 1990.

The trio together with all of the other holders of multiple voting shares, representing an aggregate of 48 per cent of La Senza's outstanding stock, have signed a lock-up agreement in connection with the deal.

La Senza will remain headquartered in Montreal. The company owns and operates 318 stores in Canada, and licensees operate a further 327 stores in 34 other countries.

“La Senza is a great strategic fit with our intimate apparel business, and their international infrastructure, real estate expertise, and operating model will also be great assets to us as we look to enhance our capabilities to meet our strategic growth initiatives internationally,” said Leslie Wexner, chairman and chief executive officer of Limited Brands.

Limited Brands owns and operates 3,534 stores under the Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, Express, Limited Stores and other brand names in the United States.

[SpongeG]

ah - maybe Victoria's Secret can finally open in Canada - I heard they have wanted to expand here but were having troubles getting in

[Taller Better]

La Senza was always a kind of "poor mans'/woman's" Victoria Secret.

[Kilgore Trout]

i dunno. when i told my girlfriend the news, she seemed disappointed. i would trust her judgement, since she's the one who actually wears lingerie. that is, unless you...

[West_aust]

ah - maybe Victoria's Secret can finally open in Canada - I heard they have wanted to expand here but were having troubles getting in
Doesnt seem it will happen soon

By: LUANN LASALLE

MONTREAL (CP) - La Senza (TSX:L) stores will continue to operate independently and there aren't any immediate plans for Victoria's Secret to open stores in Canada now that its parent company has struck a deal to buy the Canadian lingerie retailer.

Shares of La Senza (TSX:LSZ) soared by almost half in Thursday morning trading after the U.S. owner of Victoria's Secret announced it will pay C$710 million for the Canadian lingerie rival.

The friendly takeover by Limited Brands (NYSE:LTD) was announced late Wednesday.

"The short answer is there's no particular plan for Victoria's Secret coming to Canada," La Senza president Laurence Lewin told a conference call.

Asked if the two store brands could co-exist in the Canadian market, Lewin replied: "There's a lot less lingerie stores in Canada than there are fashion and clothing stores. It's possible, but it's not part of this strategy. I don't think anybody is thinking about it at this time."

La Senza shares were up 48 per cent, or $15.02, to $47.72 on trading volume of 700,926 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Limited Brands plans to scoop up all the outstanding shares of La Senza for $48.25 a share. The offer represents a premium of 47.8 per cent, based on the $32.65 closing price for La Senza shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange on Tuesday.

La Senza chairman and CEO Irv Teitelbaum said there aren't any anticipated changes in leadership, strategy or management of his company.

He said the friendly takeover will open up "interesting growth opportunities" for both companies.

"La Senza will continue to operate in the normal course of business," Teitelbaum told the conference call.

Retail analyst Wendy Evans said Victoria's Secret had been expected to be involved in Canada long before this deal.

"There's going to be a period of testing the waters, seeing how different the market is, maybe there is some co-branding in stores that could be done or there's certain locations that might be Victoria's Secret and others La Senza," said Evans of Toronto-based Evans and Co.

It also could be an opportunity for the La Senza banner to re-enter the U.S. market with bench strength, she added.

She said it could be "six months to a year before we see anything" in terms of getting Victoria's Secret lingerie into La Senza stores.

The transaction continues a recent trend of well-known Canadian companies being acquired by foreign buyers.

Earlier this year, iconic miners Falconbridge and Inco Ltd. were bought by Swiss and Brazilian companies. As well, steel giant Dofasco, CP Ships, Fairmont Hotels, Four Seasons Hotels. Centurion International Energy and Hudson's Bay Co. have been bought or targeted by companies or investors in Europe, the Middle East or the United States.

The trend of globalization in the apparel market is taking place not only in Canada but around the world, Teitelbaum said Wednesday.

The Ohio-based company announced its takeover plan while also reporting it returned to profitability in the third quarter, thanks to higher sales.

The purchase will be financed from cash on hand plus $400 million in new debt and a bridge loan.

Limited Brands reported a profit of US$23.5 million, or six cents per share, for the quarter ended Oct. 28, compared with a loss of $683,000, or nil per share, last year. Sales rose 12 per cent to $2.1 billion.

[Taller Better]

i dunno. when i told my girlfriend the news, she seemed disappointed. i would trust her judgement, since she's the one who actually wears lingerie. that is, unless you...


LOL! Definitely not... I am bored stiff just buying regular old underwear and socks. :haha: .. I was just going by what the girls at work were saying, who had travelled to the States. They like VS a lot more than LS.

[Built Form]

RE: Vancouver
Now that Inform has opened their new location in Gastown the old store will become B&B Italia furniture in the new year. It'll be their first location in Canada.

[SpongeG]

ahh - that will be nice ^^^

[Kilgore Trout]

okay, my girlfriend clarifies: she does not particularly like la senza and she admits that victoria's secret is probably better, but her disappointment stemmed from a sense of (canadian) nationalism (this despite the fact that she is technically, um, an american citizen).

[Bassic Lab]

okay, my girlfriend clarifies: she does not particularly like la senza and she admits that victoria's secret is probably better, but her disappointment stemmed from a sense of (canadian) nationalism (this despite the fact that she is technically, um, an american citizen).

Makes sense, then again I just saw DOA and my head hurts for some reason so, um yeah, I have no idea what your girl friend is thinking.

[Taller Better]

okay, my girlfriend clarifies: she does not particularly like la senza and she admits that victoria's secret is probably better, but her disappointment stemmed from a sense of (canadian) nationalism (this despite the fact that she is technically, um, an american citizen).


That sort of jives with what I heard... the girls were quite excited about VS coming to Canada (as they are all gorgeous I doubt if there would be a shortage of guys here who would like to judge their new outfits when VS opens!). I will fully admit I am not much of a judge of *ahem* frilly underthings ;).

[SpongeG]

Victoria's secret also sells mens underwear and mens cologne - the cologne is pretty good too

and vic sec has a spin off store called Pink which is more clothing - like loungewear, pyjamas - than lingerie

the funny thing is la senza set itself up to be like Victorias secret was - so there is no "canadian" thing there other than it was in Canada

[Taller Better]

^^ Oh yeah, no secret about that... it was intentionally set up as a Canadian version of VS. I have to admit I feel less nostalgic about a store like that selling out than something that is home grown like HBC or even Roots.

[SpongeG]

it doesn't even look finished from the outside yet... I wonder how they are gonna pull this off...

BURNABY, BC, Nov. 20 /CNW/ - Future Shop, Canada's largest national
retailer and e-tailer of consumer electronics, is set to open a brand new
store in Surrey, British Columbia located at Unit 3200 - 10045 King George
Avenue. The Grand Opening kicks off the morning of Friday, November 24, with a
$2500 donation presentation to the local Boys & Girls Club, and $2500 to the
Surrey Food Bank Society. A ribbon cutting ceremony will officially open the
store. All weekend long there will be festivities, sales, promotions and
celebrity appearances including Grey Cup winners from the BC Lions' Geroy
Simons and Brent Johnson. As well Canadian bands, Theory of a Deadman and
Mobile will visit the store for pictures and autograph signings.
Visitors to the store will have access to 31,000 square feet of the
latest technology in a comfortable, interactive environment. The Surrey
Central store provides an outstanding range of products and offers many
additional features and services including car audio install bays, DVD preview
stations, music listening stations, in-store computer technicians and home
theatre displays that include plasma and LCD televisions.
"Future Shop is thrilled to open our new and improved store within the
Surrey community in time for the holiday season," says Moe Amirie, V.P. Store
Operations. "Future Shop truly is the place to Get it First and receive Expert
Advice for the holidays. We not only provide customers with access to the
latest technology gifts topping everyone's wish lists, but our Associates are
on hand to demonstrate all the available options and help you find the perfect
present for your friends and family."

<<
SURREY CENTRAL FUTURE SHOP STORE HOURS FOR WEEKEND OF
NOVEMBER 24 to NOVEMBER 26

Friday, Nov 24: 10 AM - 9 PM
Saturday, Nov 25: 9 AM - 9 PM
Sunday, Nov 26: 10 AM - 6 PM

OVERVIEW OF SURREY CENTRAL STORE GRAND OPENING EVENTS

- Donation Presentation to local Boys & Girls Club and Surrey Food Bank
Society - Nov 24
- Everyone's a Winner! - Scan & Win Future Shop Cards - Street teams
distributing Nov 20- 26 - Win a Future Shop $5000 Shopping Spree!
- Line-up and Win! - Future Shop Gift Card Giveaway - Every morning
Nov 24 - 26
- BC Lions' Geroy Simons and Brent Johnson Visit the Surrey Central
Future Shop Store! - Starting at 7 PM Nov 24
- Canadian Bands, Theory of a Dead Man and Mobile will be signing
autographs at the Surrey Central Future Shop Store! - Starting at
2 PM Nov 25
- Test your XBOX 360 Skills - late afternoon/evening Nov 25
- Vancouver Canuck Legends Cliff Ronning and Richard "The King" Brodeur
Visit the Surrey Central Future Shop! - Nov 26
- XM Satellite Radio Give-Away - Enter all weekend Nov 24 - 26


COMPLETE DETAILS OF WEEKEND LONG EVENTS AT SURREY CENTRAL STORE
>>

Future Shop Donation Presentation to Boys & Girls Club and Surrey
Food Bank Society

As part of the grand opening, and within Future Shop's work to support
Youth & Education across Canada, the Surrey Central store will present the
Boys & Girls Club of Lower Mainland with a $2500 donation to assist with their
outstanding work in Vancouver communities, including ongoing support programs
for kids and families in the Surrey area. A second donation presentation will
be provided to the Surrey Food Bank Society, to support their hamper program
and the various support they provide those in need. $2500 will be donated to
support their efforts within the upcoming holiday season. Each month, 14,000
residents receive assistance from the Food Bank, and over 56,000 hampers are
distributed throughout the year. Donations will be presented before the store
opens its doors on Friday, Nov 24.

Everyone's a Winner! - Scan & Win Future Shop Cards
Street teams will be out and about in the community from Nov 20-26,
distributing Future Shop 'Scan & Win' cards offering customers the opportunity
to win prizes, gift cards and a grand prize of $5000 Future Shop gift card!

Line-up and Win! - Future Shop Gift Card Giveaway: Every Morning this
Weekend
Future Shop Gift Cards will be given away this Friday, Saturday and
Sunday at the Surrey Central store. The first 100 people in line before the
Surrey Future Shop opens will receive a $5, $25 or $100 Gift Card! Full
details of the giveaway will be provided at the store.

Geroy Simons and Brent Johnson of BC Lions Visit Surrey
Future Shop Store!
Fresh from the Grey Cup, fans will have a chance to meet BC Lions' Geroy
Simons and Brent Johnson, at the Surrey Central Future Shop, Friday, November
24 starting at 7:00 pm. These fan favorites will be in-store to sign
autographs. Media Alert - Opportunities for brief interviews and pictures
directly after the autograph session.

Theory of a Deadman and Mobile Visit the Surrey Central
Future Shop Store!
Fans of these two Canadian bands will have a chance to receive an
autograph starting at 2 pm on Nov 25.

Canuck Legends Cliff Ronning and Richard Brodeur Visit the Surrey Central
Future Shop Store!
Canuck legends Cliff Ronning and Richard "The King" Brodeur" will be on
hand to meet fans and sign autographs starting at noon on Sunday, Nov 26.
Media Alert - Opportunities for brief interviews and pictures directly after
the autograph session.

XM Satellite Radio Give-Away
Satellite Radio is revolutionizing what we think of 'radio', by providing
Canadians with an alternative to traditional radio full of chat and
commercials. Satellite Radio offers an inexpensive subscription-based service,
with an extensive channel selection of music, plus news, sports, talk and
entertainment. 13 XM satellite radio packages will be given away during the
Grand Opening weekend including a Delphi SkyFi2 XM Satellite Radio with 3
months of free service included! Enter at any Lower Mainland Future Shop
store.

Test your XBOX 360 Skills on Saturday Afternoon!
From 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Saturday, Nov 25, visit the new Surrey Central
Future Shop store to see this amazing system. If you haven't checked out the
new XBOX 360 system yet, this is your opportunity to see what all the hype is
about. The XBOX 360 is the Future of entertainment with the ability to play
games, watch DVD movies and enjoy digital music, photos and videos in one
extraordinary entertainment system.

Win a Les Paul Studio Guitar!
All weekend long, customers will have an opportunity to enter to win a
Les Paul Studio Guitar. Draw will take place Monday Nov 27. Full details
provided at the store.

About Future Shop

With 121 stores across the country and the nation's premier web store
(www.futureshop.ca), Burnaby, BC-based Future Shop is Canada's largest,
national retailer and e-tailer of consumer electronics.
Future Shop and it's more than 11,000 employees are dedicated to
providing consumers with expert service and offering the latest digital
products, including a wide selection of brand-named televisions, computers,
audio, entertainment software and hardware plus appliances - all backed by a
low price guarantee.
The Company is committed to kids and communities, supporting non-profit
organizations that help youth develop their skill set, discover their talents
and sustain a lasting interest in education.
For more information about Future Shop, including store locations, visit
www.futureshop.ca.

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2006/20/c6600.html

[SSLL]

From: http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financialpost/story.html?id=cc7e50dd-5a14-4ca6-81df-46e3c21af66d
__________
Retail metro looking to go national
Q4 profit jumps 57%: 'We would look at any opportunity to expand out west'

Hollie Shaw, Financial Post
Published: Thursday, November 16, 2006
Halfway through a two-year integration of the A&P supermarket chain in Ontario, Quebec-based grocer Metro Inc. would like to extend its reach across Canada.
"We first have to complete the integration of A&P and following that, we would look at any opportunity to expand out west," chief financial officer Richard Dufresne said after the company posted strong third-quarter earnings yesterday.
"That's if [a chain] becomes available, which is, to me, the biggest question."
Analysts say Metro would face a tough fight with Nova Scotia-based Sobeys Inc. if either Canada Safeway Ltd. or Overwaitea Food Group were put on the block. Vancouver-based billionaire Jim Pattison owns the 124-store Overwaitea business and industry watchers predict he would be more likely to sell his chain than U.S.-based Safeway Inc., which operates 215 stores between B.C. and Manitoba and would give Sobeys or Metro a much-desired national reach.
Metro has been running a close third behind Sobeys since acquiring A&P's 236 Ontario stores last year for $1.7-billion. Industry leader Loblaw Cos. has seen its core food business suffer as it built large superstores during the past two years to compete with Wal-Mart Canada Corp.'s new grocery stores in Ontario.
Fourth-quarter profit soared 57% at Metro to $78.9-million, or 68 cents a share, from $50.2-million (48 cents) in the same period a year ago. Sales in the quarter ended Sept. 30 shot up 37% to $2.67-billion from $1.95-billion.
Excluding the one-time costs and gains, profit would have risen 41% to $71-million (61 cents). Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call were anticipating earnings per share of 57 cents.
Sales at stores open at least a year, a key measure of retailing strength, rose 1.4%. Gross margin, the percentage of sales left after operating expenses, rose to 6.5% from 5.4%.
"It's impressive how quickly they have been able to improve the margins," said John Chamberlain, retail analyst at Dominion Bond Rating Service. "I thought the Ontario market would be too tough to do it so quickly, but they have surprised us there."
Metro has been able to reduce costs by improving operating efficiency and cutting better deals with its suppliers. The company increased its cost-cutting goals in August but said yesterday that it could beat its earlier estimates of trimming annual operating costs by $70-million next year.
The retailer has renovated or expanded 49 stores in the past year and is aiming to have its entire store network in a more modern format in three years.
"There is no doubt that we have a big year ahead of us," chief executive Pierre Lessard told a conference call with analysts. In addition to renovating and relocating stores, the retailer is working on a large-scale integration of its IT systems and will also improve its private-label food program, he said.

[SSLL]

From: http://www.retailingtoday.com/magazine/story.cfm?ID=3583
_________
Costco opens in downtown Vancouver

November 2006
By Doug Desjardins

Costco opened its first urban store in Canada Nov. 10 on the bottom floor of a high-rise residential development in downtown Vancouver. It’s Costco’s second urban store in North America and could serve as a model for other urban markets.

“If we can do it here, we can see where it could have applications in other cities like Manhattan and Chicago,” Costco ceo Jim Sinegal told Retailing Today.

The 128,000-square-foot store is about 10,000 square feet smaller than a standard warehouse and has a unique look created by dozens of load-bearing pillars scattered around the store. The pillars, which take up close to 3,000 square feet of floor space, support a parking garage and high-rise towers being built above.

Parking is provided on two levels below the store, which is at street level across from the GM Arena, home of the Vancouver Canucks NHL hockey team. Extra-large elevators are outside the entrance to accommodate shoppers heading down to the parking lot with heavy loads.

Costco chose Vancouver in part because of its demographics. The downtown area has one of the heaviest residential populations of any city in North America. And that built-in customer base will be supplemented by a four-tower, high-rise development above the store that will eventually be home to close to 900 luxury condos, with the first two towers due to open in fall 2007.

The merchandise mix is typical of a standard Costco with a heavier focus on food. Catering to local tastes, the food department has a large selection of cheese and fish along with an extensive array of prepared meals. “With so many people living within walking distance, we think they’ll be a popular item here,” said Sinegal.

Though the store is expected to attract throngs of customers from the downtown area, Costco expects it to perform even better with business members. “We’ve found that to be the case with our store in San Francisco, which is one of our busiest stores, and that’s one of the reasons we chose this site,” said Sinegal. “You have a lot of small businesses, shops and restaurants down here.”

The new store isn’t likely to impact others in the area, since Costco’s locations in Richmond and Grandview are about a 20-minute drive from downtown Vancouver.

Costco’s store in San Francisco was its first attempt at operating in an urban area and, like Vancouver, has a two-level parking garage attached to the store. But that warehouse is a stand-alone and doesn’t have a residential complex built into the site, which makes Vancouver unique for Costco and for most retailers experimenting with urban concepts.

Sinegal said Costco will be looking for opportunities in other cities if Vancouver works out as expected. Though it’s relatively new at operating urban stores in North America, it does have some experience overseas. “We’ve dealt with similar issues with our stores in Japan and Taiwan and I think those experiences helped us,” said Sinegal.

Costco is part of a growing list of big box retailers experimenting with urban formats. Wal-Mart opened its first Urban 99 store in Tampa, Fla., two years ago and opened another in White Plains, N.Y., this summer. Those stores have a footprint just under 100,000 square feet and carry an edited selection of products.

The Home Depot has taken a similar approach to entering dense urban markets with a mix of formats that includes multi-level stores. It entered New York City in 2004 with two urban prototypes and is due to open another in 2007. The only difference with Costco is that it’s managing to open stores that are about the same size as a standard warehouse with a full selection of merchandise.

[SpongeG]

i wonder if i should renew my Costco membership

it was always such a waste

[MTLskyline]

Honda to sell it all under one roof
Idea is to tempt clients to buy more

GREG KEENAN
AUTO INDUSTRY REPORTER

Honda Canada Inc. is moving to a new generation of retail outlets that will offer all its consumer products at one location -- from lawnmowers and snow throwers to motorcycles, cars and trucks.

The new concept, called Honda Centre in Quebec and Honda Powerhouse in the rest of Canada, is already in place at one Honda dealership in each of Quebec and Ontario and there are more to come, said Jim Miller, senior vice-president of Honda Canada.

"We're putting them together to reinforce the brand," Mr. Miller said. The creation of the Honda Ridgeline sport utility truck was essentially the final piece of the puzzle because now "we've got the truck that you can put your ATVs in back of," he said.

Honda's consumer products also include water pumps, portable generators, weed trimmers and marine outboard motors.

"It's a natural evolution to bring customers the Honda products they want, closer to where they live, work and play," added Honda spokeswoman Sandy Di Felice.

Market studies are under way in Calgary and Vancouver to determine whether the new concept makes sense. Calgary is a booming market with the growth in the oil patch, and Vancouver has for years been one of the strongest markets for Asian-based auto makers.

Dealers and sales people in stores offering all the company's consumer products will be trained across the entire range.

Industry analysts said it makes sense to put all the products under one roof so that anyone buying a generator can be encouraged to look at an all-terrain vehicle or a car.

Honda has 214 car dealers in Canada and 310 motorcycle dealers.

"I think it's something that is at least worth trying out," said Tony Krajewski, a consultant in the automotive practice at Deloitte.

The idea also appeals to Joe Zanchin, who owns one Honda dealership northwest of Toronto and another one that will be officially opened in a new auto mall in Vaughan tomorrow.

"I'm confident," Mr. Zanchin said.

"I think it's the way to do it."

He is dedicating about 10 acres of the new mall to Honda. Next to his Honda car and truck dealership will go a store for the generators, motorcycles and other products.

Next to that will be a dealership offering Acuras, Honda's luxury car brand.

He figures people travelling between the Honda and Acura outlets will stop in the Honda Powerhouse to check out the other consumer products and Honda accessories.

Honda sold 155,000 cars and trucks in Canada last year, along with 21,000 motorcycles, 23,400 all-terrain vehicles, 25,000 generators, 6,000 outboard engines, 4,000 weed trimmers and 6,700 snow throwers.

Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20061127.RHONDA27/TPStory/Business

[SHOFEAR]

Thats cool news about Honda. I'm not a fan of most of their cars but I've always had good experience with their power equipment...especially their ATV's.

[Coldrsx]

love the honda idea....im a BIG BIG HONDA fan and would be in heaven to walk into that.

[IntotheWest]

love the honda idea....im a BIG BIG HONDA fan and would be in heaven to walk into that.

I always wondered if coldrsx had anything to do with Acura RSX? :)

Big Honda fan too - and that concept sounds like a good idea.

[SteelTown]

'Tim Hortonese'

That's the lingo soldiers of 12 nations learn in Kandahar
By Bill Graveland
The Canadian Press
Kandahar, Afghanistan (Nov 30, 2006)

It turns out the universal language isn't the language of love after all, at least not here at Kandahar airfield.

No, the universal language here is all about coffee.

"I'll have a large double-double and a regular," said a young soldier with an Australian accent, stopping in at the base Tim Hortons.

"We call it Tim Hortonese -- Tim Hortons lingo," laughs Kelly Taylor, 42, of Oromocto, N.B. who has been working at the base since July while her military husband is at home.

"The British will come up and ask us for a regular coffee, only 'regular' in Tim Hortons language is one milk, one sugar. Only to them it's not -- it's white, whatever that means," she added.

Currently, 1,300 customers a day file through the Kandahar Tim Hortons from the military of 12 countries stationed on the base.

Whereas Canadians file in and out as if they are on a conveyor belt, it takes a lot longer for others.

"It takes a little while to pick up the lingo," said Air Engineering Technician Daniel Stace from Darbyshire, England, who is in the Royal Navy.

"A double-double? It took me a while to work that one out, but normally I just stick to the bagels and the orange juice," he said.

Others don't even try to learn the language of Tims.

"No, not yet, because I only just drink black coffee and so that's just fine by me," said Sergeant Mike Koninkle of the Netherlands.

"I'm not quite familiar with all the slang around Tim Hortons and I just drink coffee and that's it and I don't need all the fancy coffee or tea."

Taylor boasts that she can tell a soldier's nationality even if they speak perfect English and are not wearing a uniform, simply by what they order.

"The British and the Dutch mostly will order Boston creams and Canadian maples... and the Americans will probably order five dozen doughnuts at a time. And the British and the Dutch always order the very sweet cappuccinos," Taylor explained.

"Canadians order bagels and coffee," she said.

The confusion over the Tim Hortonese has Taylor vowing to put a Tim Horton-English dictionary on the door of the store.

"I'm going to write a dictionary and post it on the outside of the door for all the non-Canadians. That's my job for the next week."

http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/images/hs/hs1532462_1.jpg
Kelly Taylor of Oromocto, N.B., says she can tell a soldier's nationality by their order.

[ErickMontreal]

I would like to know if it`s possible to find a website about retail news mainly ?

[SpongeG]

^^^ if you go to www.cbcnews.ca - there is a "consumer life" section - they just added it a few months ago - and it covers a lot of retail happenings - great section :)

[SpongeG]

there is also this site: http://www.esourcecanada.com/bnn/retail.asp

[miketoronto]

I have to dig up the article from THe Star. But Harry Rosen has announced expansion plans, including a huge renovation and addition to the flagship store on Bloor Street in Toronto.

[Claeren]

In Calgary, does anyone know what is going in the old Royal Doulton site at Market Mall? Seems too small for the reported upcoming H&M... ??


Claeren.

[ErickMontreal]

there is also this site: http://www.esourcecanada.com/bnn/retail.asp


Thank you for informations!

[IntotheWest]

I was taking a trip to Edmonton, and decided to check any new stores at WEM...wow, it's widening the gap between what we have in Calgary...

Most notably, the addition of Lacoste!

And G-Star...never heard of them, but looks like they have quite a few international stores, but this is the first in Canada?

[Coldrsx]

I was taking a trip to Edmonton, and decided to check any new stores at WEM...wow, it's widening the gap between what we have in Calgary...

Most notably, the addition of Lacoste!

And G-Star...never heard of them, but looks like they have quite a few international stores, but this is the first in Canada?


yeah...WEM is really going after more and more higher end and unique to canada stores. I am quite impressed with it of late, too bad the exterior looks like crap.

I hear they have 4-5 more "canada 1sts" coming

[IntotheWest]

yeah...WEM is really going after more and more higher end and unique to canada stores. I am quite impressed with it of late, too bad the exterior looks like crap.

I hear they have 4-5 more "canada 1sts" coming

Really? So is this G-star a big name??? Is it "high-end" clothing? If yes to both of those, that can really help out that Europa Blvd stretch of the mall. I don't recall noticing it in the US, but their website shows they're all over?

Any idea what the other 4-5 are?

I'm guessing Calgary's behind on getting them because of retail space...so, at the very least Edm is just paving the way! Can't wait to spend some bucks at Lacoste and Sketchers though...

[Coldrsx]

G-star is very popular apparently...i didnt know of them either.

Edmonton is getting them because, like it or not, WEM is more important as a entrance point than calgary or even many other markets....WEM has hollister, etc. etc....

no idea whats coming, just a few rumours out there.

but we do know H&M is setting up shop.

[Claeren]

G-star is very popular apparently...i didnt know of them either.

Edmonton is getting them because, like it or not, WEM is more important as a entrance point than calgary or even many other markets....WEM has hollister, etc. etc....

no idea whats coming, just a few rumours out there.

but we do know H&M is setting up shop.

It could also be because they can get good space for little money compared to other premier shopping centre's like say, Chinook or Market - where the rents are likely double (or more) and the wait is 2-4 years (if at all).

Claeren.

[Coldrsx]

^perhaps to some degree, but WEM is WEM....and is more lucrative than even chinook.

[Claeren]

I was under the impression Chinook and Market both had revenue/sq-ft numbers much higher then WEM, and amongst the very highest in Canada.

Of course they have rents and labour costs to match that revenue so maybe that difference is where you see 'lucrative'?


Claeren.

[Coldrsx]

^i cant recall the numbers to be honest and i know chinook does very very well, but it aint WEM....simple as that.

[Claeren]

^i cant recall the numbers to be honest and i know chinook does very very well, but it aint WEM....simple as that.

Simple as that? Chinook does just shy of $1000/sq-ft in sales and is growing year over year. You cannot simply wait for a lease to come to renewal to out-bid to get space (like at WEM) - you have to wait for it to be built.

It is far from 'simple'....

Unlike WEM, there are no entire wings in Chinook that are full of ghetto stores and 2nd and 3rd versions of the same store (that the retailor got as bonuses for signing long term leases).



Claeren.

[SpongeG]

It could also be because they can get good space for little money compared to other premier shopping centre's like say, Chinook or Market - where the rents are likely double (or more) and the wait is 2-4 years (if at all).

Claeren.

some H&M stores are small

San Francisco has 3 - two of them are fairly small - and the smaller stores carry less of the lines - only the big one had the mens stuff - the other two were strictly for women - which itself is broken down into a few lines and they may carry say 3 of the 5 womens lines they have

where as the huge ones carry the full lines, womens, mens, childrens

[SpongeG]

have to point out WEM has the distinction of being the world's largest mall - its a great starting point for sureand it is recognized world wide among the shopping set

[IntotheWest]

Well, I'm not so sure about that...I agree that WEM is seeing several new retailers new to AB (and Canada), but Chinook also has Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn - don't think that's in Edm yet (and W-S isn't even in Van yet). Apple, Crate and Barrel, and rumoured Tiffany's are all wanting into Chinook.

From what I recall just a few years ago, there were quite a few garbage (i.e. low-end) stores in WEM...and with over 800 spots to pick from in there, there's bound to be a spot that these retailers can get into to capitalize on the AB market.

Chinook was second only to Yorkdale for revenue/sq-ft the last I saw...

[IntotheWest]

have to point out WEM has the distinction of being the world's largest mall - its a great starting point for sureand it is recognized world wide among the shopping set

Not any longer - it's been surpassed by several in China, and the Mall of the Emirates I believe is larger (incl it's indoor skiing)...

Still, I do like WEM, and unlike Chinook it is far more than just shopping...

[SpongeG]

oh yeah by no means is WEM a great mall with great stores - but there are people who plan trips purposefully to visit the mall - i know a few new immigrants who are dying to go see this "mall" in edmonton they have heard about

[Coldrsx]

Well, I'm not so sure about that...I agree that WEM is seeing several new retailers new to AB (and Canada), but Chinook also has Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn - don't think that's in Edm yet (and W-S isn't even in Van yet). Apple, Crate and Barrel, and rumoured Tiffany's are all wanting into Chinook.

From what I recall just a few years ago, there were quite a few garbage (i.e. low-end) stores in WEM...and with over 800 spots to pick from in there, there's bound to be a spot that these retailers can get into to capitalize on the AB market.

Chinook was second only to Yorkdale for revenue/sq-ft the last I saw...



this isnt a pure $/sqft...WEM is a world onto itself and is a major force in attracting unique to canada/alberta names.

[Plus15]

Chinook sales per square foot are definetely higher than WEM. They are third highest in the country, after Yorkdale and Eaton Centre in Toronto, at $805 per square foot. (Source...Calgary Herald). Market Mall is also way up there. This is not to say that WEM doesn't have higher TOTAL sales, I would almost guarantee that it does. But when you divide the number by the total leasable area, it can't touch Chinook's productivity.

I agree with you Claeren 100%...stores find it harder to enter Calgary because rents are much higher...and there is so little space. I also would guess that they want to make sure they have the RIGHT location. When entering Edmonton its a no-brainer, WEM is the best choice. But Calgary has no less than four shopping centres that are all contenders. Retailers can choose from Eaton Centre (high end) or Chinook (volume) or Market Mall (fashion)...retailers want to make sure they secure the right space.

Edmonton may be a more attractive entry point because of the lower rents. A 'quick'n cheap' entry point if you will, where the sales results at the end of the day will be about the same as Calgary. Edmonton has the clear advantage there.

Lets clarify that Edmonton is certainly not running away with a lead here, WEM may have attracted A&F, Hollister, and Lacoste first, but there are several prestige retailers that Calgary has attracted that Edmonton still has not. Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Bang & Olufsen, and opening in 2007, Sephora and Apple Store. H&M is opening here as well at Market Mall.

Chinook ain't WEM? We're all thankful for that.

[Coldrsx]

Chinook is a very good mall, no question, and i agree WEM can work around things to get people in quickly....but WEM is WEM...love it or hate it, it will continue to be picked many times over chinook for being simply, WEM.

[IntotheWest]

ColdRSX - I see your point, and I'd agree 10-20 years ago...and I agree that WEM is still a big tourist spot (largest in the province still?), but I believe as pointed out above - it's easier to get into than Chinook.

Plus15 - B&O is on Stephen Ave - not in a mall...besides, WEM also has a Bose store that Calgary doesn't have. As far as comparing Chinook with other retail space in the city - I think Market is still well behind Chinook, and there is no way EC is even close (I'd like to see numbers if you can find them).

It's no surprise that many are seemingly waiting for Chinook to expand - or possibly the new "lifestyle centre" at Deerfoot meadows. However, I think even that "Lifestyle Centre" from the latest I heard, will end up being nothing more than the like what's at South Edm Common.

[Plus15]

Fair enough...WEM's status as major can't be disputed.

IntotheWest, some numbers for you. (Calgary Herald.)

Calgary Shopping Centres
(Monthly sales per square foot as of the end of July)

Chinook Centre: $805
Eaton Centre: $776
Market Mall: $712
Southcentre: $598
TD Square: $558
Sunridge Mall: $467*

*as of the end of June

Holt Renfrew is the only reason Eaton Centre is up there. I have heard ramblings of them wanting to expand to include another floor because sales are through the roof. As for Market Mall being that far behind Chinook, I think the gap is narrowing. Banana Republic, Benetton, Guess, and soon H&M, its getting there.

[IntotheWest]

Fair enough...WEM's status as major can't be disputed.

IntotheWest, some numbers for you. (Calgary Herald.)

Calgary Shopping Centres
(Monthly sales per square foot as of the end of July)

Chinook Centre: $805
Eaton Centre: $776
Market Mall: $712
Southcentre: $598
TD Square: $558
Sunridge Mall: $467*

*as of the end of June

Holt Renfrew is the only reason Eaton Centre is up there. I have heard ramblings of them wanting to expand to include another floor because sales are through the roof. As for Market Mall being that far behind Chinook, I think the gap is narrowing. Banana Republic, Benetton, Guess, and soon H&M, its getting there.

Okay - I'm a little surprised...but yes, Holt would be doing the majority of business for EC, and has expanded it's boutique stores as well.

[LordMandeep]

I liked the Chinook Center while i was there.


I think Yorkdale mall has really gone from low scale to up scale really fast. I remember being such a crappy mall, now its alwaysssss busy. Every single day of the week, almost the whole day. Such easy access, subway from the City Center and two close by highways. A lot of the malls here in this area are going through major change.

[Claeren]

The Holt Renfrew at Eaton's Centre does insane sales. Thousands of dollars / sq-ft from what i hear... the biggest revenue generator in their chain i believe.


Claeren.

[LordMandeep]

I think there are 4 Holt Renfrews here.

2 are average to a little upscale and 2 are real upscale.

[SpongeG]

It's no surprise that many are seemingly waiting for Chinook to expand - or possibly the new "lifestyle centre" at Deerfoot meadows. However, I think even that "Lifestyle Centre" from the latest I heard, will end up being nothing more than the like what's at South Edm Common.

thats really all a "lifestyle" centre is really - its like an outdoor mall nothing much more

park royal has the first one apparently in Canada - its nothing too exciting otehr than you get to get rained on between shops :rolleyes:

[m0nkyman]

Calgary Shopping Centres
(Monthly sales per square foot as of the end of July)

Chinook Centre: $805
Eaton Centre: $776
Market Mall: $712
Southcentre: $598
TD Square: $558
Sunridge Mall: $467*

*as of the end of June
I'm thinking those are yearly sales per square foot.... I can't see an average 2,000 square foot store pulling in 20 million $ a year anywhere. :koko:

Change it to yearly, and that same 2,000 sq/ft store is still grossing a hugely respectable 1.6million at 805$/sqft per year....

[SpongeG]

Tiffany's corner of Vancouver
New shop creates critical mass of luxury brands downtown

Published: Tuesday, December 05, 2006

I'm off to breakfast at Tiffany's this morning.

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/idl/vapr/20061205/58342-21526.jpg

No, not the one on New York's Fifth Avenue, made famous by the graceful figure of Audrey Hepburn in the film Breakfast at Tiffany's, but Vancouver's own!

Tiffany & Co. will throw open its elegant and expensive retail doors at the corner of Burrard and Alberni streets today.

When the Tiffany baby-blue hoarding walls are peeled back, the city will join the hallowed ranks of luxury retail cities such as New York, London, Paris, Hong Kong, San Francisco and Toronto.

Tiffany is at the new "axis" of luxury shopping downtown and will rub shoulders with fellow luxury brands, including Gucci, Hermes and Louis Vuitton.

All have taken root close to Robson, Vancouver's most fashionable street.

"We identified Vancouver many years ago as a place we wanted to be but we needed to get the right location and believe we have," said Andrea Hopson, vice-president, Tiffany & Co. Canada.

"This absolutely puts Vancouver into the top leagues of retail cities and we have already had a tremendous response from Vancouver and Western Canada to this new store," she said.

Actually, Tiffany will have two stores downtown.

It has long had a boutique with upmarket retailer Holt Renfrew, itself in the throes of a huge expansion in the Pacific Centre Mall.

"We have had a relationship for 13 years with Holt Renfrew and will continue having a boutique there," she said.

She did not reveal how much has been spent on the new store on Burrard but said it is a "substantial investment."

Sixth Line Solutions retail analyst David Gray said Vancouver now has a critical mass of luxury retailers and more names will likely follow.

"When you look at Canada, Vancouver is the natural place to expand to. It has the Olympics coming and the world is already here as far as the Pacific Gateway and Asia is concerned," he said.

The luxury retail market is changing and is not as exclusive as it once was, he said. It appeals to Asian and younger consumers who have cash and like the value of a brand name.

Tiffany will offer customers a full line of jewelry and other goods, packaged in the chain's hallmark baby-blue boxes with silky white ribbon.

The 4,700-square foot store will operate seven days a week with a staff of approximately 32.

The company was founded by Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young in 1837 as Tiffany & Young.

It changed its name to Tiffany & Co. in 1853.

http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/money/story.html?id=1e0a0a63-d512-403a-9213-0120eb405a6a

[IntotheWest]

thats really all a "lifestyle" centre is really - its like an outdoor mall nothing much more

park royal has the first one apparently in Canada - its nothing too exciting otehr than you get to get rained on between shops :rolleyes:

The initial plans were to be like a little "village" and more ped-centric. However, the last update I read, the developer feared they weren't get the cars close enough, so they've moved the parking to right at the storefronts.. The closest I've seen that fits that description is Edm's South Common - however, that's not a far departure from the strip malls surrounding big box stores anyway.

Yes...not too exciting for sure. And a disappointment if stores unique to Calgary open up there.

[SpongeG]

we have a couple of "power Centres" too

they basically strip away the lifestyle things and just have stores

at least park royal has gardens and fountains and such

there are a few in seattle that are nice - university village is really nice and alderwood mall just added a "lifestyle" extension a couple years ago

[SSLL]

There are only three Holt's in Toronto (Bloor St., Yorkdale, and Sherway Gardens), and a Last Call Outlet in Vaughan Mills.

[SSLL]

From: http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1164409811383&call_pageid=968350072197&col=969048863851
_____________
Harry's widens belt
Menswear chain has ambitious expansion plans
Founder's son eyes 50% of national upscale market
Nov. 25, 2006. 01:00 AM
DANA FLAVELLE
BUSINESS REPORTER

Tucked in the far corner of Harry Rosen's flagship store on Bloor Street, in the well-appointed custom tailoring room just above subway level, are swatches of fabric so rare that only 16 suits on Earth may be made from each sample.
It is a measure of Harry Rosen's stature in the world of men's fashion retailing that his small (by global standards) chain of Canadian specialty shops has been selected as one of the vendors.
Harry, the man, may have stepped back from the business, now that he's celebrated his 75th birthday. But his son, Larry, is ensuring his father's vision of style combined with service continues to infuse the now 16-store chain with 700 employees as it embarks on an ambitious expansion plan.
The first $20 million will be spent dramatically expanding and revamping the store on Bloor St., starting in January. The renovation will nearly double the size of the squat two-storey building by adding two more floors, of glass and steel, and include a complete interior makeover.
"It's going to be, in my humble opinion, the best men's store in the world," said Larry Rosen, who quietly took over the job of CEO at Harry Rosen Inc. when his father stepped aside.
Another $30 million will be spent on other locations over the next five years to help boost the company's stake in the Canadian market for better men's wear.
"We have 40 per cent of the market. We believe we can take it to 50 per cent," Larry predicted in an interview this week. "We broke the $200 million mark this year. We think we can take it to $300 million."
A lawyer by training with a master's degree in business administration, he describes his role as the keeper of his father's vision.
"I don't see myself filling his shoes because he was an icon," said Larry. "What I try to do is make sure the standard of service, the retail experience and the brand will carry itself."
So even though Harry personally stopped appearing in store advertisements about two years ago, the retailer's slogan is still "Ask Harry." Based on a campaign he launched in the '60s, a few years after opening the first store with his brother, Lou, it aimed to position Harry as an expert in men's clothing.
"We don't sell clothes. We assist men to develop a confident personal image," says Larry.
Want to know what's hot this holiday season? Just look around a Harry Rosen store. Here is a must-have velvet suit jacket, in a rich chocolate brown tone with the all-important peaked lapel. Larry himself will be wearing one this holiday season. There is the Andrew Marc soft-as-butter lambskin bomber jacket with removable rabbit fur liner for $1,300.
"It's flying out the doors," Larry says on a tour of the Bloor St. store.
All around the main floor is cashmere, cashmere, cashmere. From the Harry Rosen-brand sweaters for $298 to the winter caps with Elmer Fudd earflaps for $170. As Larry explains, men need someone else to pamper them. They don't do it well themselves.
Even Santa wants a gift from Harry's, the retailer suggests in this year's cheeky Christmas ad campaign.
The jolly fat man is just the latest in a long line of celebrities Harry Rosen has used over the last decade, from actor Ted Danson to author Malcolm Gladwell. Larry says he gets many of them to pose for free by making a donation to their preferred charity.
On Danson: "I met him at a regatta in Portofino that (menswear designer) Zegna was sponsoring."
In a world increasingly dominated by a handful of global retailers, Harry Rosen continues to thrive despite its relatively small stature.
Larry says they've done it by sticking to their core business. Gone is the experiment in women's fashion. Gone is the ill-fated venture into the U.S.
"Good business practise says focus on what you do well. When we were in the States it was a tremendous distraction. Since we retrenched, our business has been excellent. Sometimes doing one thing well is enough," Larry says.
The past few years have been good to luxury retailers and Harry Rosen is no exception. Even as more designer brands opened their own shops on Bloor, and the new fast-fashion imitators Zara and H&M moved in next door, Harry Rosen has prospered.
"We're in our third year of double digit growth and this year has been even better than the last two," Larry said. That's not bad for a company whose main market is the small but lucrative top 3 to 5 per cent of households with a minimum $100,000 in disposable income.
While company customers include some of the country's wealthiest business leaders, Harry Rosen also aims to appeal to younger managers, professionals, entrepreneurs, athletes and entertainers.
Larry Rosen concedes that the company has been slow to start selling online, a position it's now reconsidering "because we recognize now the younger man — under 35 — is very attuned to the virtual world." People even buy shoes online, he adds in a tone of disbelief.
In the meantime, Harry Rosen will mark its 53rd year in business next year by raising the roof on the Bloor St. store to make way for the latest concepts in brick and mortar stores.
Already one of the most productive shops in the world, selling an astonishing $1,000 worth of merchandise per square foot, Larry is betting the additional space will be another home run. Even for a luxury retailer, those numbers are high.
"This store was a masterpiece of vision by my father. When he opened it in 1987, everyone thought he was crazy," Larry recalls. "At 34,000 square feet it was huge by menswear standards. But it's been a smashing success."
The renovation will also elevate the bespoke tailoring shop to new heights. The shop, which turns out 8 to 12 custom-made suits each week, will move out of the basement and into the top floor.
In the meantime, one of the salesman reportedly already has a line on the first customer for a suit made from two of the rarest fibres in the world: the camel-like vicuna and the pashmina goat.
For a mere $19,000, that customer could lay claim to owning one of the rarest suits in the world. From Harry Rosen.

[SSLL]

From: http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financialpost/story.html?id=bc1dea00-1902-433c-9d99-50a262a63401&k=22258
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Piece by piece makeover
Working to revive venerable but tired brand, as U.S. chains have done

Hollie Shaw, Financial Post
Published: Saturday, November 25, 2006
On a recent weekday, a voice blared across the PA system of The Bay department store in suburban Toronto, urging lunch-hour shoppers to pick up a gift at the bottom of the store's escalator.
Karen, a comely pitchwoman from U.S. Jesco International Ltd., stood at a makeshift podium littered with a batch of orange plastic gadgets. Eagerly beckoning onlookers toward her while holding the tiny devices -- apple corers that double as "the world's smallest juicer!" -- she drew customers into her spiel. Those who took the freebie were treated to Karen's whirlwind presentation about knives: U.S. Jesco is the conglomerate that owns the rights to Ginsu knives, an oft-parodied staple of late-night infomercials from a quarter-century ago. Karen's powers of persuasion are remarkable.
"This is the last knife you'll ever buy," she breathes, theatrically sliding a carving knife from the company's Master Cut 2 line back and forth across the head of a steel hammer, shavings spraying across her podium.
One could never have imagined such a bald display of hucksterism inside The Bay a year ago, when its tired management team was fending off a takeover bid from South Carolina businessman Jerry Zucker and a palpable atmosphere of desperation pervaded its stores, where sales had been on the decline for five years.
But it's precisely that entrepreneurial zest which Mr. Zucker, a frustrated investor who ended up buying the whole company when his entreaties for management changes were ignored, hopes will lure consumers back to Hudson's Bay Co.'s 550 stores across Canada, which include the Zellers and Home Outfitters chains.
He points to a rebirth in the U.S. department store industry in the last year, where sales at outlets open for more than a year have climbed 4.1%, compared with a 1.3% rise at specialty clothes stores, according to the U..S. industry association International Council of Shopping Centers.
After years of bankruptcies and rapid consolidation, remaining players such as Kohl's, Macy's, and J.C. Penney have made strides by giving facelifts to tired stores, revamping old change rooms, bringing in hot brands and developing a stronger lineup of stylish and affordable house-branded goods.
Mr. Zucker, who has invested in textiles, manufacturing and entertainment companies but has never owned a retail business, hopes to work a similar magic at The Bay and Zellers, which hemorrhaged market share after Wal-Mart entered Canada in the 1990s.
Industry rumours persist that he is fixing up the chains in order to sell them to companies such as U.S. discounter Target Corp. or the home goods giant Bed Bath and Beyond, which closely resembles Home Outfitters.
So it's a surprise that changes, some sweeping and some minor, have already made a tangible impact on many stores just eight months after the takeover.
On a recent week in the lead-up to Christmas, there was a renewed sense of pageantry and bustle at The Bay's flagship outlet on Queen St. in Toronto.
The aisles were cleaner, the racks were no longer filled to bursting with merchandise, and the assortment was more fashion-forward, featuring a mix of staples, trendy styles and new higher-end brands, such as Dooney and Bourke.
The stores have eschewed the striped plastic Bay bags for a sturdier and more formal yellow bag made of paper and embossed with a white B.
Merchandising was savvier: a display of high-end kitchenware sat alongside a pillar featuring "As-Seen on TV!" stackable plastic containers and an artfully arranged tower of canned tomatoes. There are items in a greater range of prices, ethnicities, and sizes, thanks to new software that tracks consumer purchases.
The company has also been unafraid to scrap its dogs, with plans to discontinue its prosaic private label clothing line, To Go, and its housewares brand, Market Square. It will introduce new private labels in 2007.
The Bay has also addressed one of the big sticking points with consumers, making sure its key change rooms are staffed.
Across town at Zellers, a similarly surprising shift has taken place. One store, which in the past resembled the haphazard clutter of a teenager's bedroom, looked shockingly ordered at the end of two busy November weekends. Merchandise had been strategically thinned out and displayed neatly on racks and palettes. Even more striking was a change in the sales force which, in a sharp contrast to the era of former CEO George Heller, were deployed throughout the store and repeatedly approached customers to ask whether they were in need of help.
Mr. Zucker says he has increased staff levels and tried to inspire employees by making store visits to outline his vision in person. While employees were not given raises, according to industry sources, new incentive and feedback programs were implemented to encourage them to interact more frequently with customers.
"It's as though what we were saying for years and years about what would make things better is finally being heard and respected," said one employee who spoke on condition of anonymity.
But will the efforts work? Is it too late to regain the trust of customers burned by one too many bad retail experiences in the company's former incarnation?
More importantly, how will Hudson's Bay Co. be able to appeal to those in its target market, a generation of twenty to forty-something women whose shopping temperament has been strongly influenced by the rise of specialty stores and big-box giants?
"When you've lost a customer it's very hard to get them back again," said Wendy Evans, president of retail consultancy Evans & Co. "It would take a lot of creative advertising to draw people back again because a lot of people had crossed [the Bay and Zellers] off of their list of places to go. I don't think anything's ever too late. We've seen it work in the States. so I don't think the format or the concept is dead, but it's a very steep hill."
Specialty stores have taken a significant bite out of the businesses that department stores used to dominate, most notably apparel and so-called soft goods, such as towels. Department stores' share of apparel sank to 18.6% in the year ending June, 2006, from 23.5% five years ago, according to market researcher Trendex North America. During the same period, specialty stores' share had spiked to 51% from 46.6%.
One advantage the company has, Ms. Evans agreed, is the state of uncertainty at Sears Canada Inc., whose U.S. majority owner was recently stymied by minority shareholders in its attempt to take over the retailer. Sears cut its workforce last year and has been trying to improve operating performance by taking costs out of the business -- something that analysts say can help profits in the short-term, but could hurt sales over time.
It's too early to tell how successful Mr. Zucker will be in his efforts to put Canada's oldest retailer on the comeback trail, and the transformation is far from over. Service, selection and presentation were all subpar at a Bay outlet a few blocks north of the flagship on a recent visit, a location just steps from the tony Bloor St. shopping strip.
But if the response to Karen from Jesco was any indication, customers like the frills. At the end of her energetic presentation, which lasted about 20 minutes, all but two of the 25 or so observers bought the kit for the "low, low price of $29.95." A set of four Ginsu steak knives were thrown in for good measure.

[SSLL]

From: http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financialpost/story.html?id=b26fe956-d24e-45a7-8f0c-860dba164295
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Friday » December 8 » 2006

Home Depot braces for rival Lowe's debut
Triples appliances space

Hollie Shaw
Financial Post

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Home Depot Canada is making a major push into appliances in advance of rival Lowe's Cos. entry into Canada next year, tripling store square footage in the category and offering a far greater breadth of selection.

The country's biggest home improvement chain is expanding its appliance departments to 2,500 square feet from an average of 880 square feet, and displaying up to 200 items compared with 70. The upgraded departments will be in 76 Home Depot stores by the end of next year, roughly half of the retailer's store network. The retailer has reconfigured its flooring and tools areas to accommodate the changes.

"We have been taking market share so aggressively ... that we now have a greater assortment to provide our customers with what they are asking for," said Karol Allen, divisional merchandise director at Home Depot Canada.

North Carolina-based Lowe's, second in market share behind Home Depot in the United States, is that country's second-largest retailer of appliances behind Sears Holdings Corp.

"Lowe's is definitely focusing on appliances, but this initiative happened long before Lowe's announced it was coming in Canada," Ms. Allen said, noting Home Depot's appliance sales grew 25% last year and were expected to climb more than 30% in 2006.

Home Depot Canada began selling appliances in 2001 after seeing an opportunity in a category dominated by Sears Canada, which at the time had a staggering 40% share of the market.

But savvy big-box chains have steadily eroded the business at traditional appliance retailers. Sears has opened some furniture and appliance outlets in response, but its market share has still tumbled.

"It makes sense that people have moved into shopping at [home improvement chains] because people doing renovations can do a one-stop shop there and they can also get financing for the entire project," from contracting to countertops, said retail consultant Richard Talbot, president of Talbot Consultants.

Sears Canada's share of the $3.5-billion major-appliance market stood at 29.3% for the year ending September, 2006, according market researcher Synovate Canada's home durables tracking study. Home Depot's share was 3.9%, behind The Brick (7.8%), Future Shop (4.6%), and Leon's (4.2%).

"Consumer demand for major appliances has been very buoyant during the past few years, benefiting in particular from strength in the new and resale home market," said Adrian Murphy, syndicated research services director at Synovate.

"While market leader Sears remains the top retail destination for Canadians looking to buy a major appliance, the space is becoming increasingly competitive."

Research shows consumers will cut corners on commodities in order to splurge on such higher-end goods as appliances with an emphasis on design.

"Appliances have really become a bit of a decor item," Ms. Allen noted, with consumers eschewing the "white boxes" of yesteryear for pricier stainless steel styles or those with added features. "There is more of a design component, and innovation has spurred consumers to rotate their purchases much more rapidly."

Home Depot and rival Rona Inc. of Quebec have been scooping up real estate in advance of the arrival of Lowe's, which is scheduled to open six to 10 big-box stores in Ontario in the second half of 2007. Rona does not sell major appliances.

Home Depot is opening 18 stores this fiscal year -- for a total of 155 stores -- and will likely sustain that pace the following year.

The retailer is also looking at strategies to maintain its market dominance in Canada against Lowe's, which has a reputation for carrying more stylish merchandise. A recent management meeting at Home Depot's headquarters in Atlanta reportedly focused on ways to combat Lowe's in Canada, noted Michael McLarney, publisher of hardware industry magazine Hardlines.

[SSLL]

From: http://www.globest.com/retail/news/1_572/northeast/21921-1.html
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Aeropostale Looks to Canada
By Beverly Ford
Last updated: November 30, 2006 07:51am

NEW YORK CITY-Teen-apparel retailer Aeropostale Inc. will go international next year when it takes its trendy, mall-based shops to Canada, a company official says. The chain, which grew by 12 stores domestically during the third quarter, said it plans to add more US outlets next year and will step outside the border to bring its mix of hip styles to Canadian teenagers.
The expansion announcement comes as Aeropostale closed on a third quarter that produced record sales and strong earnings on the verge of what the company expects to be a robust holiday season. The mall-based retailer, which operates more than 700 stores that cater to 11 to 18-year-olds, says net income for the quarter ended Oct. 28 rose by 25% to $32.6 million, or 61 cents per share, a gain of more than $6 million over the prior year’s quarter when it earned $26.1 million, or 47 cents per share.

Sales for the quarter were up 18.7% to a record $385.5 million, from $324.7 million in the year-ago period while comparable store sales rose 5.6% against a 1.5% drop in comparable store sales during the third quarter of 2005.

“During the quarter, we experienced solid sales and margin growth in classifications which will continue to drive our business for the remainder of the year,” Julian R. Geiger, Aeropostale’s chairman and CEO said, adding that the results exceeded company expectations.
Geiger attributed the company’s strong third-quarter performance to the success of several initiatives, including improvements to merchandising assortments.

“We are very pleased with what we accomplished in the past 12 months and 2007 looks to be a promising year,” he told analysts in a conference call.

For November, comparable store sales were up 1% and total sales for the month jumped 11.5% to more than $15 million from $134.3 million in the year ago period to $149.7 million, the company said. Driven by deep discount promotions, same store sales rose to the mid-single digits for the two prime shopping days after Thanksgiving, Aeropostale said. That compares to a 30% jump in comparable store sales on the same days in 2005.

For the fourth quarter, Aeropostale says it expects earnings of 89 cents to 91 cents, on par with the 90 cents expected by analysts.

[SSLL]

From: http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1165014634254&call_pageid=968350072197&col=969048863851
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Malls get a holiday makeover
Traditional malls are hard to beat when shopping in comfort and style and owners are investing heavily to keep it that way
Dec. 2, 2006. 01:00 AM
DANA FLAVELLE
BUSINESS REPORTER

It's the first Saturday in December and malls across the GTA are gearing up for the Christmas crush. Faced with increased competition from online stores and big-box retailers, malls like Square One in Mississauga are investing millions in dramatic facelifts.
General manager Nance MacDonald, who has been with Square One since it opened 34 years ago, says a lot has changed since the farmer across the street parked his horse on the bike rack to do his shopping.
"Everyone thought the developer was insane," said MacDonald, referring to legendary Mississauga developer Bruce McLaughlin, of The McLaughlin Group, who began building Square One when it was still surrounded by farmers' fields. "I was marketing to a market that didn't exist yet."
Now, the mall gets 22 million visitors a year, including walk-in traffic from the forest of condos that circle the parking lot and MacDonald figures sales have nowhere to go but up as suburban growth continues.
Owned by Oxford Retail Group, which also owns Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Scarborough Town Centre, and dozens of others beyond Toronto's borders, Square One is the latest proof that neither retail power centres nor Internet retailers have replaced indoor shopping in comfort and style.
With the exception of Vaughan Mills, no one in Canada has built a new enclosed mall in more than 14 years. But owners of traditional regional malls, most of them cash-rich pension fund management firms, have been pouring millions into existing properties.
"I think we're in a period of intense buoyant optimism with the vast majority of regional shopping centres across the continent, from coast to coast, having invested heavily over the last several years to upgrade their facilities at every level," said Anthony Stokan, a principal with the consulting firm Anthony Russell Inc., in Toronto, and author of Naked Consumption: Retail Trends Uncovered.
"The vast majority of retailers have recognized that even though they may have gone into power centres, or opened factory outlets, no one delivers traffic consistently like a regional shopping centre."
"That's really the key to the whole thing; the absolute pleasure of one-stop shopping in a controlled environment," Stokan explained. "That's not to say warehouse clubs like Costco aren't busy. They are. But the market place is big enough to appeal to the extremes. There are people who cherish the functionality of warehouse or big-box shopping. And there are millions of consumers who enjoy the luxury of the regional shopping centre."
Besides, Stokan asks, where else are you going to find Santa?
Sales data at enclosed malls in Canada are hard to come by as the industry lumps power centres in with traditional indoor malls. But they're generally considered to be somewhat more productive than their U.S. counterparts, Stokan said.
If sales at U.S. malls on Black Friday, considered the start of the holiday shopping season, are any indication, Canadian mall owners could be in for a robust season. Sales south of the border rose 6 per cent last Friday, according to the International Council of Shopping Centres, quoting independent research firm ShopperTrak.
Over a three-year period, ending next year, the Oxford Retail Group and its owner, OMERS Realty, the municipal employees pension fund for Ontario, will have put $33 million into Square One, one of the country's largest malls at 1.7 million square feet.
The makeover in Mississauga, at Hurontario St. and Burnhamthorpe Rd., is typical of the new direction malls are taking. Higher ceilings, cleaner signage and less clutter are all aimed at making the mall easier to navigate. Distinctive colours divide the mall into three "neighbourhoods" — north, south and central. Specialty menswear retailer Harry Rosen has moved into the mall. European cosmetics retailer Sephora has opened a shop. Casual-wear chain Eddie Bauer opened its latest prototype store a few days ago. The mall is also home to the largest Wal-Mart store in North America, at a staggering 240,000 square feet, nearly twice as big as the average Wal-mart in Canada.
"We have almost every store you can imagine in the middle-range," said MacDonald.
In three decades, Square One has undergone three renovations and three expansions. But this latest is the most extensive one in MacDonald's memory.
It's now home to 360 retailers and 5,000 employees, including 100 mall administrative and maintenance staff. For now, traffic in the mall is steady but the real crush won't come until later this month.
Altering an age-old formula that saw discounts rise in January as merchants try to clear shelves after Christmas, MacDonald said she thinks more stores will stock new and full-priced goods in January as gift cards send a second wave of holiday shoppers to stores.

[SpongeG]

a number of Wal-mart stores across BC will be open for 24 hours next week - for one week only

the only lower mainland one seems to be the Langley Store...

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Langley Wal-Mart new Christmas hours
December 12, 2006 - 5:08 am
By: Mike Hanafin/Vancouver Sun

LANGLEY (NEWS1130) - Last minute Christmas shoppers in Langley will be able to stretch the clock next week. The Langley Wal-Mart is one of 5 stores in BC planning to be open 24 hours a day, just for the week before Christmas. Wal-Mart stores in Victoria, Kelowna, Kamloops and Prince George will also be open all night.

[furrycanuck]

a number of Wal-mart stores across BC will be open for 24 hours next week - for one week only

the only lower mainland one seems to be the Langley Store...


Two stores in Calgary too, looks like a company policy- not that I'd be caught dead in a wal-mart.

[SpongeG]

the one across the border in bellingham is now open 24 hours year round - it just started those hours this past summer

its weird almost all the grocery stores in bellingham are open 24 horus yet there are only a handful of 24 hour ones here in vancouver