Canadian Retailer - Spring 2017 - 23

Sandro/Maje

First Canadian store opening: Fall in
Toronto's Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
The Paris-based contemporary
brands, under the same ownership, are located within the mall's
dramatic new Nordstrom-anchored
expansion wing. Maje, a line for
women, opened its store in October
while Sandro, with fashions for both
genders, opened in November.
Sandwich

First Canadian store opening:
September in Montreal.
The casual, contemporary Dutch
women's fashion brand opened a
1,400 square-foot Laurier Avenue
Ouest boutique, which could be
joined by other Canadian locations
at some point, says its Canadian
sales director, although there is
nothing yet confirmed.
Shinola

First Canadian store opening:
July in Toronto.
The trendy and pricey Detroitbased lifestyle brand, known for its
accessories and bicycles, opened
an 1,800 square-foot Queen Street
West store in a building that was
once a bank. The former bank vault
is still in the store, though now
housing product. Bicycles hang
from the store's vaulted ceilings.
There's also a counter to custom
design watches, with a variety of
watch bands to choose from.
TWG Tea

First Canadian store opening:
December in Vancouver.
Singapore-based TWG Tea
opened on West Georgia Street in
the city's burgeoning 'Luxury Zone'.
The 3,000 square-foot retail space
and salon replaces 'The Urban Tea
Merchant' that occupied the space
for several years, under the same
franchisee couple Tom and Karinna
James. The unique looking retail
space includes bright pops of yellow,
and includes some very rare teas
that can cost into the thousands.

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Uniqlo

First Canadian store opening:
September in Toronto's
CF Eaton Centre.
The Japanese fast-fashion retailer
entered Canada with a splash and
huge lineups with a two-level
33,400 square-foot store. A 30,000+
square-foot Yorkdale Shopping
Centre Uniqlo store subsequently
opened in October, in the mall's
new Nordstrom-anchored expansion wing. Both stores
carry Uniqlo's expansive array of colourful basics for men,
women and children, in bright and friendly retail environments. Announcements will be made for more Canadian
locations in 2017, as leases are signed for new stores.
Urban Decay

First Canadian store opening: September in Vancouver.
The L'Oreal-owned beauty brand opened at Metropolis
at Metrotown in Burnaby, just east of Vancouver. A second
location followed at Square One in Mississauga in December.
Both stores carry the brand's array of beauty products, including exclusives, and some of its products are considered to
be among the best quality available. More stores will follow,
according to the company.

Warby Parker

First Canadian store opening: August in Toronto.
The trendy, value-priced New York City-based eyewear
brand opened on Queen Street West, with a second Toronto
store following in December at Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Both locations are 'library themed', with a 'reference
desk' at the back and books within the store. Warby Parker
started off as a pure-play online retailer in 2010. But once it
began opening physical stores, sales reportedly exploded
for the company, which is now on a major store expansion.
There will be more international retailers entering Canada
in 2017, ranging from value-priced brands to luxury retailers.
Furthermore, a number of homegrown retailers will also continue to expand their operations. Watch for the next edition of
Canadian Retailer, where we'll update you on what's happening in Canadian retail.

THE FOOD & GROCERY ISSUE

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Retailer - Spring 2017