S
samsonyuen
Guest
Wow, I didn't even know that EB was closed. It's kinda sad to me, for some reason. I'm also surprised by the size of Holt's. Thought it was bigger. Does anyone know the sizes of the other stores? I've read Vancouver's Pacific Centre is doubling to 130k, and I would imagine Montreal's store isn't that far behind.
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Holts expands next door
Retailer will absorb 16,000-square-foot Eddie Bauer store
Dayle Parker, National Post
Published: Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Holt Renfrew is undertaking its second major renovation in two years at its flagship Yorkville store, further staking its claim on Toronto's high-end market.
Holts is taking over 16,000 square feet occupied since 1974 by Eddie Bauer's first Canadian store. It will expand accessories and cosmetics into the main floor of the former Eddie Bauer space this fall, said Janet Eger, spokeswoman for Holt Renfrew.
The 10,000-square-foot upper level, its use undecided, will be ready next year. The 121,000-square-foot store underwent a $33-million renovation two years ago.
Toronto retail analyst Richard Talbot said shuffling in the Canadian department store category in recent years has worked in Holt Renfrew's favour.
"By Eaton's going out and The Bay going down-market, it's left a bigger niche, a bigger slice of the pie for Holt Renfrew, and the independent retailers, the high-end retailers,'' said Richard Talbot, president of Talbot Consultants International.
Toronto's wealth and thriving tourist market mean it makes sense for Holts to focus on expanding its Bloor Street location, he said.
''What's really been happening as a result of the shift in the major department store category, is you've got people like Holt Renfrew being able to expand, and what I would call the 'premium brands' have the opportunity to open their own stores on Bloor Street, and it's really resulted in a revitalization," Mr. Talbot said. "I mean, 15 years ago it was a pretty miserable area."
This will be Holt Renfrew's second major expansion since Caryn Lerner took over the company's presidency in September, 2004.
The renovations will be created by Toronto-based designers burdifilek, whose earlier reno earned Holts the title of Store of the Year in 2004 from a retail fixtures association. The first overhaul added a men's area to the main floor, additional fitting rooms and a men's lounge.
''I always tell my retail customers, it's like restaurants, you've got to constantly redo it," Mr. Talbot said. "If you don't change the menu and you don't change the decor, people won't come back. If you get stuck in a time warp, then you'll be crushed to death, because there's always a better mousetrap out there.''
Holt Renfrew's Bloor Street store opened next door in 1979. The company traces its roots back to a hat shop that opened in Quebec City in 1837.
In March, Holts will bring in designer children's wear by Ralph Lauren, Diesel, Burberry, and Christian Dior, to seven of their nine Canadian stores. The remaining two stores, in Ottawa and Sherway Gardens in Etobicoke, will follow in the fall, Ms. Eger said.
"They're in the prime markets, they're just cherry-picking the prime demographics, and I think they'll continue to do well as the department stores continue to really move down more towards the Zellers-Wal-Mart end of the market," Mr. Talbot said.
Eddie Bauer closed on Jan. 8, and will pass the space to Holts next Wednesday.
"It was part of our regular review of our portfolio to ensure that we're in the best location to serve our customers and for our business," said Eddie Bauer spokeswoman Lisa Erickson.
Established in Seattle in 1920, Eddie Bauer opened its first Canadian retail store on July 15, 1974, at 50 Bloor St. W. There are 35 stores across Canada, including locations in the Eaton Centre and Yorkdale Mall.
_____________________________
Holts expands next door
Retailer will absorb 16,000-square-foot Eddie Bauer store
Dayle Parker, National Post
Published: Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Holt Renfrew is undertaking its second major renovation in two years at its flagship Yorkville store, further staking its claim on Toronto's high-end market.
Holts is taking over 16,000 square feet occupied since 1974 by Eddie Bauer's first Canadian store. It will expand accessories and cosmetics into the main floor of the former Eddie Bauer space this fall, said Janet Eger, spokeswoman for Holt Renfrew.
The 10,000-square-foot upper level, its use undecided, will be ready next year. The 121,000-square-foot store underwent a $33-million renovation two years ago.
Toronto retail analyst Richard Talbot said shuffling in the Canadian department store category in recent years has worked in Holt Renfrew's favour.
"By Eaton's going out and The Bay going down-market, it's left a bigger niche, a bigger slice of the pie for Holt Renfrew, and the independent retailers, the high-end retailers,'' said Richard Talbot, president of Talbot Consultants International.
Toronto's wealth and thriving tourist market mean it makes sense for Holts to focus on expanding its Bloor Street location, he said.
''What's really been happening as a result of the shift in the major department store category, is you've got people like Holt Renfrew being able to expand, and what I would call the 'premium brands' have the opportunity to open their own stores on Bloor Street, and it's really resulted in a revitalization," Mr. Talbot said. "I mean, 15 years ago it was a pretty miserable area."
This will be Holt Renfrew's second major expansion since Caryn Lerner took over the company's presidency in September, 2004.
The renovations will be created by Toronto-based designers burdifilek, whose earlier reno earned Holts the title of Store of the Year in 2004 from a retail fixtures association. The first overhaul added a men's area to the main floor, additional fitting rooms and a men's lounge.
''I always tell my retail customers, it's like restaurants, you've got to constantly redo it," Mr. Talbot said. "If you don't change the menu and you don't change the decor, people won't come back. If you get stuck in a time warp, then you'll be crushed to death, because there's always a better mousetrap out there.''
Holt Renfrew's Bloor Street store opened next door in 1979. The company traces its roots back to a hat shop that opened in Quebec City in 1837.
In March, Holts will bring in designer children's wear by Ralph Lauren, Diesel, Burberry, and Christian Dior, to seven of their nine Canadian stores. The remaining two stores, in Ottawa and Sherway Gardens in Etobicoke, will follow in the fall, Ms. Eger said.
"They're in the prime markets, they're just cherry-picking the prime demographics, and I think they'll continue to do well as the department stores continue to really move down more towards the Zellers-Wal-Mart end of the market," Mr. Talbot said.
Eddie Bauer closed on Jan. 8, and will pass the space to Holts next Wednesday.
"It was part of our regular review of our portfolio to ensure that we're in the best location to serve our customers and for our business," said Eddie Bauer spokeswoman Lisa Erickson.
Established in Seattle in 1920, Eddie Bauer opened its first Canadian retail store on July 15, 1974, at 50 Bloor St. W. There are 35 stores across Canada, including locations in the Eaton Centre and Yorkdale Mall.
