Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 28

MysToRE MeMber profile

cElEBRaTINg 50 yEaRs oF
RElEvaNcE aNd gRoWTh
Sound business decisions, a commitment to understanding the trends of
the day and an unmatched dedication to please its customers supports
50 years of longevity for hamilton, oN-based retailer.
BY SeaN C. TaRRY
ThERE aren't too many businesses today that can boast an operation and presence in the market that spans more than five decades. in fact, there aren't too many at all. and, finding a retailer
that's been in business for a half decade, and which continues
to grow, could prove to be an act in futility. it's this reason, and
others, that makes the story of Milli ltd.-the Hamilton, ontariobased women's clothier-so remarkable.
The company was founded in 1964 by Mildred Gould and
her late husband allen. Since then, the store with locations on
Main Street in Hamilton and in Toronto's Yorkville has grown
to become one of the area's most distinguished retailers, and
a destination that women desire to shop at. Mark Gould, the
company's President, and son of the co-founders, recognizes
the tremendous success that the family has enjoyed and credits
a great deal of it to Milli's superior customer service.
It's all about the experience

"The entire in-store experience begins as soon as the customer walks through the front door," Gould explains. "The customer is looking for an experience. They always have, and my
parents knew this and made it an integral part of the business
from the start. our customer wants to have fun and satisfy the
needs of her wardrobe and lifestyle. When we can provide that
for her, and she talks about our service amongst friends and
family, and they receive rave reviews about the way they look-
that's a satisfied customer that will return."
Satisfying those needs, however, is not as easily done. The
clothier prides itself on the ability to help its customer make a
complete statement, head to toe, with the outfit, hosiery, hat, bag,
shoes, scarf and the jewellery. and to do so, it needs to be on top
of the changing tastes and preferences of its customer.
"We've got to stay on top of the trends at all times," Gould says.
"and, they're changing almost daily. We do a lot of research,
work with manufacturers and have a buying office in New York.
and we also do a lot of visits to check out the most recent, most
innovative styles. You want to be on the front end of a trend."
Milli's able to stay on top of trends through a capable team
of buyers who are constantly watching the marketplace. and,
because the clothier outfit has the fortune of its reputation and
longevity on its side, it's a part of a small community of similar
stores in North america that leverage one another's insights to
continually improve.
28 |

caNadIaN RETaIlER | Winter 2015



Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015

Publisher's Desk
Retail Currents
Retail: At Issue
Steeped in Success
Tips to Market on a Budget, Part 1 of 2: Digital Outreach
Celebrating 50 Years of Relevance and Growth
Frequent Flyers
Marketing to Millennials
CANEX: Extending Support through E-Commerce
Advertiser's Index
Retail Quick Tips
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - cover1
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - cover2
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 3
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 4
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 5
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - Publisher's Desk
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 7
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - Retail Currents
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 9
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 10
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 11
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - Retail: At Issue
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 13
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 14
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 15
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - Steeped in Success
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 17
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 18
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 19
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 20
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 21
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 22
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - Tips to Market on a Budget, Part 1 of 2: Digital Outreach
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 24
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 25
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 26
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 27
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - Celebrating 50 Years of Relevance and Growth
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 29
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 30
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 31
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - Frequent Flyers
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 33
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 34
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 35
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - Marketing to Millennials
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 37
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 38
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 39
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - CANEX: Extending Support through E-Commerce
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 41
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 42
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 43
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - 44
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - Advertiser's Index
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - Retail Quick Tips
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - cover3
Canadian Retailer - Winter 2015 - cover4
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