Holt Renfrew will close two small locations early next year, and we think that more Holt Renfrew store closures could follow. The company will instead concentrate on operating larger locations in just five Canadian cities. This strategy could be in response to expected competition from Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom, both opening Canadian locations over the next several years. It appears that Holt Renfrew's strategy is to build stores in excess of 100,000 square feet, calling into the question the future of two Holt Renfrew locations not discussed in other media sources.
Popular Germany-based jeweller Thomas Sabo will continue its Canadian store expansion by opening three new locations this year, as well as at least one more in 2015. Interestingly, the company has only two locations in the United States, while it currently operates eight Canadian stores...
Luxurious Zurich, Switzerland-based legwear and knitwear retailer Fogal has closed its Vancouver store. Located at 1012 Alberni Street (off Burrard Street), the boutique was one of only three North American locations...
An anonymous source forwarded us a lease plan, solving the mystery of the location of minimalist Japanese retailer Muji's first Canadian location. Measuring almost 4,400 square feet, Muji will be smaller than we initially expected, compared to some of its American stores...
Hudson's Bay will continue the expansion of its Hudson's Bay Outlet concept by opening a second location this fall. The roughly 27,000 square foot store will carry clearance merchandise from its department stores, as does its first location that opened last year...
Statistics Canada's latest numbers show a relatively strong gain of 4.8% in total retail sales in June 2014 over the same month a year ago, on a not seasonally adjusted basis. This is the best result since October of last year...
Upstart online shoe-seller SHOEme has doubled its brand selection and now claims to be “Canada’s largest shoe store” based on selection. However, the company will have to deal with heightened competition from the likes of Ohio-based Designer Shoe Warehouse (DSW).
“There will be a lot more competition in Canada,” Retail Insider analyst Craig Patterson told Business in Vancouver. “DSW is huge. It’s a risky deal,” Patterson said. “DSW could be a nightmare for SHOEme.”
Minimalist Japanese retailer Muji will open stores across Canada over the next several years. It has already secured its first Canadian location, with further locations to follow in various Canadian cities...
Footwear designer Ron White's brand has seen substantial growth, with its wholesale volume triple what it was last year. From humble beginnings starting with a Visa cash advance as a multi-brand footwear retailer, Ron White has created an internationally acclaimed namesake footwear brand. His company's US sales now surpass those in Canada, as new retailers continue to pick up his lines. White's success is based on a simple concept: providing fashionable shoes that feel wonderful...
