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Pret A Manger coming to Canada!

DSC said:
According to the Guardian today, Pret a Manger is in danger of going tits up.
Click to expand...

Article is here: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/feb/18/pret-a-manger-future-in-balance-cash-call-covid

A quick skim makes me feel that they'll likely be fine (but ya never know).
Their stores are now at 93% of pre-pandemic trade levels.
That's not too bad.

The international expansion kick (Canada is not the only place Pret aims to spread to) appears to be aimed at improving the bottom line.

We shall see.
 
Has anyone seen any Pret product appear in A&W locations?
 
I don't understand why they are introducing the brand to Canada in this way. A 2 year pilot is way too long, and they should have just opened a proper stand-alone Pret. It didn't need to be a large one with tones of seating (at least at first), and they could have easily done the smaller "grab-and-go" format, especially ay busy transit hubs. This isn't how to experience the Pret brand. Time will tell how this odd pairing works out, and how they will measure "success" in order to role out stand-alone stores across the country.
 
bAuHaUs said:
I don't understand why they are introducing the brand to Canada in this way. A 2 year pilot is way too long, and they should have just opened a proper stand-alone Pret. It didn't need to be a large one with tones of seating (at least at first), and they could have easily done the smaller "grab-and-go" format, especially ay busy transit hubs. This isn't how to experience the Pret brand. Time will tell how this odd pairing works out, and how they will measure "success" in order to role out stand-alone stores across the country.
Click to expand...

Pilot coming to Toronto ....... not quite yet...........but it's in the works.
 
Northern Light said:
Pilot coming to Toronto ....... not quite yet...........but its in the works.
Click to expand...
Yes saw the Curiocity Toronto story as well regarding the Toronto launch very soon.
 
A few more bits 'n bobs..........

Retail-Insider covers the Pret story on its podcast this week:

retail-insider.com

Podcast: Visiting Canada's 1st Pret a Manger - Could it be a Better Experience?

This week Craig and Lee discuss Pret a Manger's entry into Canada via A&W. Lee, who lives in Vancouver, discusses what he experienced at the Vancouver combined A&W/Pret location and the discussion turns to whether or not a full standalone Pret a Manger would have made more sense for the first...
retail-insider.com retail-insider.com

A local Vancouver based blog also has a take:

www.vancouverisawesome.com

Photos + Video: First Pret A Manger inside an A&W location opens in Vancouver

Ready to eat?
www.vancouverisawesome.com www.vancouverisawesome.com

A couple of pics from the above w/credit embedded:

1659059328468.png


1659059352625.png


1659059399637.png


Also one image from the Retail-Insider story linked in a couple of posts up:

1659059471731.png
 
pre-made sandwiches ... yum ...
 
That display above reminds me a lot of a small restaurant chain called Picnic; they were below 60 Bloor West, further east on Bloor near Church and at the Exchange Tower I think. Pre-made sandwiches and salads, etc. It was quite good but they didn't survive the pandemic as far as I can tell.
 
I went today to the A&W at Mercer & John. An o.k. selection of sandwiches and *freshly baked* goods, but disappointed to see no espresso-based coffees. Just drip. The whole amalgamation of these two distinct brands is quite the mess and I truly hope it is temporary.
 
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