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Tag: Yorkdale Shopping Centre

  • Muji next expansion plan

    Muji next expansion plan

    Japanese lifestyle clothing and accessories brand Muji Canada is expected to expand to Vancouver next year.

    Known for its minimalist approach, Muji already has three stores in Toronto. It has about 300 stores outside Japan.

    Vancouver’s retail sector continues to outperform other Canadian markets with annual sales-per-square-foot at more than C$1000 (US$762). Toronto is second at about C$860.

    “Vancouver is a very young retail market and many brands have not yet opened street stores,” says real-estate group CBRE executive VP for retail in Vancouver Mario Negris. “We anticipate a vast number of new entrants into the downtown retail landscape.”

    Most brands entering Canada have their first outlets at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre and Eaton Centre, says the Vancouver Sun. This is because of Vancouver’s relative lack of space.

    Brands such as Forever 21 and Victoria’s Secret actually made their Canadian debut in Alberta, while Vancouver is the preferred entry point for luxury brands such as Berluti, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Rolex and St Laurent.

    Other brands reportedly lining up to open in Vancouver next year include coffee boutique Nespresso and H&M’s Cos brand.

  • Uniqlo Canada takes it slowly

    Uniqlo Canada takes it slowly

    After the Japanese apparel retailer decided to open its first shop in Canada, Uniqlo Canada COO Yasuhiro Hayashi visited Toronto every month for nearly a year.

    During each visit he would spend the week taking notes on what people were wearing.

    “I didn’t expect that everyone was so unique and multicultural,” says Hayashi, who previously helped launch Uniqlo in Singapore and Indonesia. “That was very surprising in a very positive way. We don’t have a specific target customer – that’s our uniqueness. We say we are made for all.”

    Finally, the company is opening its first store in Canada on Friday, a 28,000-sqft (27,989 sqm) space in the Toronto Eaton Centre, between fast-fashion rival H&M and the newly arrived luxury retailer Nordstrom. A second store opening is planned at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in north Toronto on October 20.

    Even with more than 1000 stores worldwide, Hayashi says Uniqlo may not have the same name recognition in Canada as some of its international rivals before they entered the country. It is a challenges that needs to be overcome if it wants to continue expanding in Canada, but Hayashi says there is no rush.

    “We want to be very cautious,” he says. “Of course, I don’t want to give a name, but some other brands have had ambitious plans that didn’t work out. We want to make sure we serve the customers well and fine-tune the merchandise mix as well.”

    US retailer Target last year abruptly announced it was shutting down all its 133 Canadian stores only two years after arriving. Since then, several international retailers such as Muji, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue have taken a slower approach to opening locations in Canada.

    Hayashi says Uniqlo’s Toronto stores will largely be the same as its other locations, with a few nuanced differences for Canadian shoppers. Customers can expect more than usual plaid and flannel shirts. Most sizing will be for a North American fit, but there will also be some smaller sizes to reflect Toronto’s multicultural population.

    Uniqlo will also sell house slippers, commonplace in its stores in Asia.

  • Uniqlo Canada stores about to launch

    Uniqlo Canada stores about to launch

    Japanese lifestyle retailer Uniqlo Canada is close to opening its first two stores, in Toronto.

    Uniqlo Canada COO Yasuhiro Hayashi says the autumn collection to feature at the stores has special technology to provide warmth in Canada’s icy winter. The brand’s Heattech innerwear features moisture-wicking fabric that retains heat, and also has anti-odour properties.

    Women’s and men’s collections range from casual to dressy, including a variety of cashmere sweaters as well as lightweight down jackets and vests.

    Uniqlo’s first Canadian store will open in late September or early October at CF Toronto Eaton Centre. Between fashion retailers Nordstrom (opening on September 16) and H&M, which has had a major expansion, the Uniqlo store will cover about 28,000 sqft (2600 sqm) over two levels.

    Uniqlo’s second Canadian store will open at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in October, in a new $331 million 300,000 sqft wing anchored by Nordstrom. Uniqlo will occupy about 24,000 sqft over two levels and be a neighbour with fellow Japanese lifestyle retailer Muji.

    Hayashi says Uniqlo’s Canadian store expansion will be gradual, with the company seeking to create brand recognition before moving into new markets.

    Uniqlo’s Canadian broker, Jeff Berkowitz of Aurora Realty Consultants, says Toronto was picked as the brand’s introductory market, and he is now looking real-estate opportunities in western Canada.

    Retail consultancy HRD Advisory president Farla Efros says she thinks Uniqlo will be a big success in Canada as it fills a void in the retail landscape between upscale boutiques and fast-fashion.

    Meanwhile in Japan, Uniqlo’s same-store sales last month increased by 4.5 per cent year-on-year while own-store sales grew 4.7 per cent. Total sales, including online, rose 6 per cent. The company attributes the increases to higher temperatures this year.