And J. Crew isn’t the only American retailer looking to open or expand in Canada. The Gap is opening 10 outlet stores, Victoria’s Secret will open four 10,000-square-foot mega-stores, and Bath and Body Works will double its presence. The reason: according to the Wall Street Journal, it’s because the U.S. market is over-saturated, and it’s too difficult to expand in Asia, where laws, shopping habits and body sizes are too different.
Canadians, by contrast, know American brands and share similar taste and body types. Canadian sales have held steadier through the global downturn than those in the U.S., and the market is less built up… Still, it’s not foolproof. Canadians tend to be slower, steadier shoppers than Americans, with a preference for higher-quality goods and more interest in outdoor looks.
We were always told “slow and steady wins the race.” Despite our sluggishness, J. Crew will expand slowly north of the border and open 10 to 15 stores—a few of which, we assume, are sure to be in Toronto.
• U.S. apparel retailers map an expansion to the north [Wall Street Journal]
• Retailers want to open stores in Canada, where things feel safe [New York]
Finally! However, J.Crew’s petite line is only available via web, so I guess I’ll still have to pay extra for some of their clothes :-(
March 31, 2010 at 10:05 am | by CynthiaTHANK GOD!!! SHopping in Canada is AWFUL.
March 31, 2010 at 10:34 am | by patrickSWEET!!!!
No more import and shipping fees on orders….
March 31, 2010 at 1:42 pm | by ChrisTHANK GOODNESS! I could have purchased a home in Rosedale with the shipping fees I have spent!
March 31, 2010 at 3:14 pm | by Brunettegirlfor the niagara region you want to go in close to the fashion shopping district on lundys lane where addidas and all them are located.
for st catharines, expand in the pen center area for the most shoppers from fonthill, welland and fort erie (they will come from those cities to shop)
there is a brand new mall with space on glendale ave close to merrit street.
if you have any questions about the niagara region.. I can suggest a few areas for you…
April 1, 2010 at 12:34 am | by Linda RandallJ Crew is way over-priced medium-quality!
April 3, 2010 at 3:42 pm | by twaughBuying wearing apparel is a marginal but necessary skill, and If you’re carried by the same current as I am, your boat has very short oars. As a pensioner I find Value Village draws me like a magnet. It’s number one for choice for the seasonal finery. Trend buyer/wearers are joyfully slooshing through the white waters of time expired wearables and I’m at the mouth of the river gathering the color co-ordinatable discarded. I might see something I like at J. Crew but I can wait a year or so.
April 4, 2010 at 2:41 pm | by Neville ParkWhen, When When?!
November 17, 2010 at 9:12 am | by JCrewReviewYorkdale, Eaton Centre, Shops on Don Mills, Liberty Village, Yonge/Eglinton, in that order.
December 28, 2010 at 10:04 pm | by ePacific Centre, Oakridge, Park Royal, Richmond Centre.
I’d be excited too except you know the Canadian prices willbe 20-30% higher than those south of the border. Just look at Banana Republic and Gap. Like others who are petite, I’ll have to continue to shop online and pay S&H and duty because JC doesn’t stock petites in store. The only upside is that I’ll be able to check out the quality, colours and, for some items, the fit before I use their e-site.
January 13, 2011 at 1:54 pm | by WestcoastShopperAny idea when the Vancouver stores will open?
April 11, 2011 at 8:51 pm | by MeganI’m happy because I like their suiting, however I require tall for a lot of pieces so I’ll still have to order online unless they open a Canadian site (and carry tall, which Banana Republic doesn’t have on their Canadian site…..). But at least I can try items on for fit/size and then order them online instead of blinding guessing my size.