VMSD - February 2013 - (Page 4)

FE FROM THE EDITOR O Canada! 11262 Cornell Park Drive Cincinnati, OH 45242 P: 513.421.2050 | F: 513.421.5144 vmsd@stmediagroup.com | VMSD.com Retailers are finding many reasons to head north of the border. 4 FEBRUARY 2013 | vmsd.com EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief Anne DiNardo anne.dinardo@stmediagroup.com Senior Art Director Kimberly Pegram kim.pegram@stmediagroup.com Managing Editor Robin Donovan robin.donovan@stmediagroup.com Assistant Editor Carly Hagedon carly.hagedon@stmediagroup.com Editor at Large Steve Kaufman steve.kaufman@stmediagroup.com New York Editor Eric Feigenbaum European Editor John Ryan, London SALES Publisher U.S. / Canada Murray Kasmenn murray.kasmenn@stmediagroup.com P: 770.578.2577 Business Development Manager International Patricia Iannelli patricia.iannelli@stmediagroup.com Via G. Rossini 16, 21100 Varese, Italy P: +39.0332.240285 Publishing Assistant Christine Lewis christine.lewis@stmediagroup.com P: 770.874.7834 C O R P O R AT E President Tedd Swormstedt Audience Development Director Christine Baloga Production Coordinator Keri Harper Book Division Director Mark Kissling WHITNEY HARROD, CINCI NNATI Retailers looking to expand their brands and businesses to new customers are frequently setting a course for Canada. Ann Taylor introduced its stylish women’s apparel to the country’s retail landscape last year. Target’s chic, affordable fashions and home goods will make an entrance this spring, with an aggressive goal to open up to 200 stores throughout the country in the next 10 years. Not far behind, luxury department store retailer Nordstrom plans its Canadian debut for fall 2014, with stores in Calgary, Ottawa and Vancouver. So what is it about this North American country that’s got everyone talking? For one, it’s full of opportunity. Canada has just over half the square footage of retail selling space per person as the U.S. does, according to a report by SCI Logistics. In the U.S., that translates to roughly 7.3 billion square feet of retail space, or about 23 square feet per person. In Canada, that number drops to 500 million square feet or about 14 square feet per person, according to the report. Canada’s retail sector also has ample room to grow. The population of the country’s Western provinces – including British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba – exceeded that of Quebec and the Atlantic provinces for the first time in 2011, reports Colliers Intl. That’s not to say it’s without some challenges. For one, the country is massive, spanning six times zones and 10 provinces. As with any move abroad, there are also cultural differences to understand (immigration accounts for two-thirds of Canada’s national population growth), regional nuances to perfect (Parlez-vous français?) and business logistics to master. Still, from a business perspective, these pros outweigh the cons. VMSD will turn its radar screens to this land of opportunity in 2013, with case studies on some of the country’s newest projects, an in-depth look at Canada’s retail landscape and the challenges and opportunities of expanding north. And in September, we invite you to take a first-hand look at one of Canada’s top cities – Vancouver – as we take our International Retail Design Conference to the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver, September 17-19. (For more information, visit irdconline.com.) There, you’ll get the chance to take in the country’s beautiful scenery; explore home-grown retail brands, including Holt Renfrew, Lululemon and Obakki; and maybe even try some poutine. Most of all, you’ll get a fresh perspective on retail’s ever-evolving landscape. Reprint Information 800-925-1110, ext. 399 SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES P.O. Box 1060 / Skokie, IL 60076 P: (847) 763-4938 / F: (847) 763-9030 VMSD@halldata.com http://www.VMSD.com http://www.irdconline.com http://www.stmediagroup.com/marketing/images/VMSDStatement1211.pdf http://www.vmsd.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of VMSD - February 2013

VMSD - February 2013
Contents
From the Editor
VMSD Editorial Advisory Board
The Goods
Design Detail
Next Store
The Sole Story
Urban Highlights
Here Comes...Tradition
Alpine Lakes of Soho
Problem/Solution
Showroom
Ad Index
Checking Out

VMSD - February 2013