[ADRM]

Not to worry:

'Opening in February, Saks’ flagship Toronto store had one of the highest performing store openings in the retailer’s history' - http://business.financialpost.com/n...uge-success-despite-weakness-in-luxury-sector


Target ≠ Saks / Nordstrom, as Shoppers World Danforth ≠ Eaton Centre

It's silly to equate Target's experience with entrance here with that of either Nordstrom or Saks just because they both happened to be based in the US. They're fundamentally different markets not only in terms of price, but in terms of offering, retail experience, and a litany of other factors.

As that National Post article suggests, Saks is off to a roaring start, which is all the more impressive given a depressed luxury retail market environment. Target's entrance was flawed for a number of reasons, some of them having nothing to do with consumers' proclivities for their products or shopping experiences, such as supply chain management.

It's similarly unhelpful to suggest that a retailer—or any business, for that matter—won't succeed in a new market because you, individually, don't want to pay their price point. To that point specifically, I'd hazard to guess that Saks and Nordstrom will be fairly competitive on a price-per-same-product basis against Holts, Harry Rosen, and independent clothing boutiques.

Frankly, the Holts and Harrys of the world have been strangely lucky to enjoy the command of the luxury retail share they've done for so long. A little competition is good for them (we can dream of Air Canada and WestJet being next in line).

 

[Skeezix]

Target ≠ Saks / Nordstrom, as Shoppers World Danforth ≠ Eaton Centre

What? I just assumed that the old Target space along the Danforth was going to be a Nordstrom. Or an Apple Store.

 

[ksun]

It's similarly unhelpful to suggest that a retailer—or any business, for that matter—won't succeed in a new market because you, individually, don't want to pay their price point.

LOL, that's very true. I know someone who makes over $100,000 a year but refuse to buy any shirts for over $30. People like this do exist but hardly the majority. I also used to know someone who makes hardly $50,000 but have six pair of Dolce & Gabbana shoes, among others. People's consumption habits are different. If anything, I think high-end clothes retailers are lacking somewhat in Toronto, so do mid-end ones.

 

[EastYorkTTCFan]

What? I just assumed that the old Target space along the Danforth was going to be a Nordstrom. Or an Apple Store.

Nope it's being tuned into a lowe's home improvemnt store

 

[Amare]

Nope it's being tuned into a lowe's home improvemnt store

He was being sarcastic.

Although realistically, an Apple store would most likely thrive at Shoppers World Danforth since the iSheep would flock over there to satisfy their cravings for a 2nd Apple store.

 

[MetroMan]

Here's a little peek behind the hoarding at the street level facade:

It's finished. The hoardings can come down any day now unless they want to hide the store until the opening. That wouldn't make much sense though because most of the store, including the Nordstrom sign are all perfectly visible rising above the hoarding.

Any bets on when the hoarding comes down?

 

[Miscreant]

Sooner rather than later from a marketing perspective. Most people don't geek out like we do about urban development, so to them hoarding being up usually means this is just something to be ignored more or less until it's down. That being said, when hoarding does come down the average city dweller notices and is then curious about what's inside. If he's then forced to wait for it to opening, it creates interest.

 

[MetroMan]

I agree. We might see the hoarding come down very soon and the windows covered in "Coming Soon" ads.

 

[officedweller]

Nice that the awning has the pinstripes - but they'll show dirt soon enough.

When the Vancouver store was fitted out, the windows were covered
- but with a wrap so you could still see in at night - which did create interest.

 

[zang]

Although realistically, an Apple store would most likely thrive at Shoppers World Danforth since the iSheep would flock over there to satisfy their cravings for a 2nd Apple store.

"iSheep"? It's insulting and pretentious and there's no need for it. No one's going to argue that Toronto could do with another Apple store (based on how busy the others are); there's no need to punctuate it with dogmatic stereotyping.

 

[gabe]

"iSheep"? It's insulting and pretentious and there's no need for it. No one's going to argue that Toronto could do with another Apple store (based on how busy the others are); there's no need to punctuate it with dogmatic stereotyping.

It's true. Sheep love Apple!

All the Apple Stores i have seen across North America are insanely busy. Apple is smart to not built too many stores. Busy stores is part of the Apple experience. People walk by and see how busy the store is and wander in to see what all the fuss is about.

 

[interchange42]

That's funny! What's even funnier are the empty Microsoft and Samsung stores. Ahhh, good times, good times.

42

 

[AndreaPalladio]

Sooner rather than later from a marketing perspective. Most people don't geek out like we do about urban development, so to them hoarding being up usually means this is just something to be ignored more or less until it's down. That being said, when hoarding does come down the average city dweller notices and is then curious about what's inside. If he's then forced to wait for it to opening, it creates interest.

Also, cheaper, because they can stop renting the hoarding.

 

[Johnny Au]

It's true. Sheep love Apple!

All the Apple Stores i have seen across North America are insanely busy. Apple is smart to not built too many stores. Busy stores is part of the Apple experience. People walk by and see how busy the store is and wander in to see what all the fuss is about.

Sony failed when it came to opening dedicated retail outlets. Microsoft's dedicated retail outlets are often empty. Apple is smart not to build too many stores to keep them crowded, though they have to build a few new stores to prevent them from becoming fire hazards, as well as to allow Genius Bar appointments to be booked sooner.

Nintendo is extremely wise: they built a single dedicated retail outlet in the Rockefeller Center named Nintendo New York (formerly known as Nintendo World Store). Nintendo's strategy would allow Nintendo fans from across the continent to visit that one location. It would not hurt Nintendo New York if Nintendo were to construct a single dedicated retail outlet per megalopolis in North America (for example, one in Los Angeles, one in Chicago, one in Toronto).

 

[Josh]

Architects need to stop making glass canopies - they always end up covered in dirt inside a week. A wood soffit never hurt anyone.