Photo: Change.com
Lingerie brand Change of Scandinavia has revealed that it will open a Montreal flagship in March, which will also be its 15th Canadian location. Located at Place Montreal Trust, the 1,100 square foot store will join the increasingly fashion-focused 320,000 square foot Ivanhoé Cambridge-owned downtown shopping centre. Change is also looking to open at least three more Canadian locations this year.
The company launched in Denmark in 1995 as a private label before opening its first stand-alone retail store in Copenhagen in 2001. The concept has grown to include stores in Europe and Asia, and earlier in 2015 it celebrated the opening of its 200th store. Of those, about 130 are corporately owned and 80 are franchised. About 75% of Change’s revenue is derived from the sale of underwear and bras, featuring a vast selection in more than 100 different sizes (up to K cup) in 10 different models. In addition, the company sells loungewear, swimwear, nightwear, stockings and underwear for men.
Change entered the Canadian market in 2006 and today, boasts five stores open in British Columbia, one in Saskatchewan, five in Ontario and three in Quebec.
Photo: Change.com
Most Canadian stores are about 1,150 square feet and generate annual per square foot sales in excess of $600. Its stores are in several popular Canadian malls, including West Vancouver’s Park Royal, Burnaby’s Metropolis at Metrotown, Toronto’s CF Shops at Don Mills, and Oakville Place, among others. Change also operates several freestanding Canadian locations, including on popular Queen Street West in Toronto as well as on Cambie Street in Vancouver’s Fairview neighbourhood.
Change of Scandinavia continues to seek Canadian retail space, ideally in the 500 to 1,000 square foot range. In addition to the Montreal store slated for March, the plan is to open at least three more in 2016, with the focus on regional malls in Montreal and Toronto. Change is represented in Canada by brokerage Think Retail.
Canadian Retail News From Around The Web: January 5, 2016
