It seems that retailers are shuttering stores everywhere we look so when a store opening is taking place, it’s become something to celebrate. One store is actually reopening and that store is beloved BiWay.
BiWay’s grand return comes after 19 years after its last store closed back in 2001 and just like always, nothing will be over $10.
StyleDemocracy reported back in January that BiWay would reopen on Orfus Road, just south of Yorkdale Shopping Centre in August 2020 it’s since been pushed back to the fall.
This new BiWay location is 15,000 square feet and shoppers can expect to shop name-brand childrenswear — about 35% of the store will focus on this — as well as home goods, ladies wear, menswear, food, health, and beauty items.
According to BlogTO, five more BiWay stores had been planned to open but that expansion could be delayed due to COVID-19.
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International brands and retailers are shuttering shops in Canada at an alarming rate, but it’s not all doom and gloom for the retail landscape. Despite the recent store closures, there are still plenty of brands and retailers eyeing Canadian cities for exciting openings.
While this year’s crop of retailers looking to make their mark on Canadian soil is less fruitful than years past, we still have a lot to look forward to!
Here are four exciting brands opening Canadian stores in 2020:
Ulta
Back in the spring of 2019, The Globe And Mail reported that the American beauty chain, Ulta, had plans to expand into Canada. While the Illinois-based retailer hasn’t announced an exact opening date, sources noted that Ulta had enlisted in the help of a real estate expert to scout out different locations. It’s rumoured that Canada’s first Ulta will open in late 2020 or early 2021. Out of all the brands opening Canadian stores in 2020, this might be the one we’re most excited about!
BiWay
The once-popular bargain retailer made waves last year when it announced a comeback. BiWay is slated to reopen August 2020 on Orfus Road, a popular destination for discount stores just south of Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Shoppers can expect plenty of under $10 bargains on clothing, home goods, food, beauty, and more.
Niketown
While Canada already has a slew of Nike stores, Toronto will be getting a Niketown at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in the fall of 2020. The concept is already present in major cities globally, but the concept was scaled back years ago. Now the concept will relaunch in Toronto. Sources say the Niketown will span over two floors and 32,000-square-feet, and will take over the Zara Home, Le Chateau, and former Home Outfitters store at the north Toronto mall around November.
Paul
A little piece of Northern France is headed to Canada this year. Paul, a famous French bakery that started in 1889, is opening its first Canadian location in Vancouver. The bakery is known for its sweet and savoury baked goods, breads, and sandwiches, as well as French fare such as quiche, salads, and salads, and will open on Robson Street.
We’ll update this article as more brands opening Canadian stores in 2020 are announced. Stay tuned!
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Last year, Canadians were surprised with a blast from the past: BiWay, the beloved discount store that shuttered in 2001, announced that it would be reopening stores in the summer of 2019.
Up until now, news about the opening has remained under wraps, and the proposed launch date has come and gone. But in a recent interview with Retail Insider, BiWay owner, Mal Coven, announced a new opening date and location.
The BiWay reopening is slated to happen this August 2020 in Toronto.
The location will open on Orfus Road, a popular destination for discount stores just south of Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Retail Insider reports that it will be located next to a brand new Roots Last Chance outlet store.
The new BiWay stores will focus on value-based product — nothing in the store will be over $10.
For example, items can be purchased one for $10, two for $10, three for $10, four for $10, etc.
Mal Coven also notes that the new concepts will be modernized, matching interactive strategies that we see in many retailers such as events like live book readings from book authors featured in BiWay.
In terms of product offerings, the merchandise will span over multiple categories.
Shoppers can expect to see name brand childrenswear — about 35% of the store will focus on this — as well as home goods, ladies wear, menswear, food, health, and beauty items.
If the concept is well received, shoppers can expect to see more BiWay stores open across Canada.
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If the past few years have been characterized by “failures” and store closures in the retail world, 2019 may just be the year of the comeback. From Sears, to Town Shoes and Jean Machine, even longtime mall staples, sadly, haven’t been able to stay afloat in today’s climate.
But now, a few retailers are rising from the ashes, rebuilding their brand and reclaiming their place on the North American retail scene.
Here’s a look at 3 retailers making a comeback in 2019:
Bebe
Instagram/@michelleinfusino
Bebe was a go-to for teens and 20-something females with places to be for decades. Blame the rise of fast fashion, a decrease in mall traffic, or a loss of interest in the often risque clothing, the brand – which was founded in San Francisco back in 1976 – closed about 168 stores in North America in 2017. Unlike others, Bebe wasn’t grossly bankrupt in its graceful and drama-free disappearance from the mall and maintained a presence online for its loyal shoppers. Showing no sign of becoming a thing of the past — even if physical stores are absent from the equation — the brand has recently unveiled a new and improved loyalty program and a revamped e-commerce site.
Bebe’s new e-commerce site is filled with stunning imagery and is easy to navigate. Its freshly updated loyalty program ClubBebe offers a points system: the more points earned, the higher the discount granted on the next purchase. Clever digital branding has also helped Bebe’s cause and has included ad campaigns with global influencers and wide-reaching social media content. Brand management firm Bluestar Alliance, which has a $35-million stake in the company and manages its daily operations, has led the Bebe’s impressive comeback.
BiWay
As the name suggests, everything in the store will be $10 and under and will include clothing, toys, household furnishings, toiletries, and food. Under the direction of 89-year-old retail veteran Mal Coven, who helped build the original brand, the plan is to open four more stores by the end of 2020. If a brand can comeback after 15 years out of business and live to talk about it, then we also have hope for some of our favourite brands that have shuttered operations as of late (RIP).
American Apparel
Instagram/@americanapparel
It was a sad time in 2017, when iconic fashion brand American Apparel went bankrupt and announced it would shut down its stores, leaving countless young people wondering where they would now turn for for basics, weekend wear, and costume parties. Despite the shuttering of all of its brick and mortar shops, it didn’t take long for the brand to re-launch south of the border and announce an international e-commerce expansion last year. Canada is now one of the 200 countries that the company will ship to. There is one lone bricks and mortar shop, located on Melrose in Los Angeles, the place where the brand rose to success.
The refreshed American Apparel stays true to its tradition of classic, timeless fashion styles, but is more focused on body positivity and diversity than ever before — something that’s reflected in its progressive vs. provocative ad campaigns — featuring a more inclusive range of sizes and fits. Naturally, American Apparel still features core basics, along with all-time fan favourites like the iconic disco pants, bodysuits, metallic leggings, unisex hoodies, and fisherman pullovers. The best part is that the pieces are available at lower prices than before.
While the fate of these beloved brands is unknown, what they do have is a strong sense of brand recognition and loyal customers who are just as excited as they are to be back in the retail game.
Featured Image: Facebook/Nancy Vink
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Nostalgia has been back in a major way as of late, and many brands and retailers are leaning on their past popularity as selling points for today. We’ve seen successful revivals from brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Champion, and Fila, and one particular Canadian retailer is taking notes.
As reported by Retail-Insider, BiWay is planning on opening new stores over the next two years.
BiWay $10 Store will open in Toronto in August 2019.
The store, which had been a household name in Canada for more than 30 years, is coming back with a twist. While still focused on value, Mal Coven, a retail veteran who helped build the BiWay brand, will be relaunching the brand as a $10 store.
After closing their last location in 2001, the new location will be in North York and will stand at a whopping 7,500-square-feet. It’s set to open in the late summer of 2019.
Everything in store will cost $10 or less.
Shoppers will be able to purchase items in bundles for $10. For example, products can be bought five for $10, four for $10, three for $10, two for $10, or one for $10.
The new BiWay concept will combine merchandising techniques used by fine speciality shops, supermarkets, and original BiWay stores.
Instagram/@lexiluxe_finds
But despite low dollar price tags, Coven says that BiWay won’t be selling poor quality items.
He told Retail-Insider that he will be passing savings onto the customers and has $100,000 worth of branded product that he has bought at retail. “I have jackets that they’re selling for $38 and $40. BiWay will sell them for $10. I’ve got 300 jackets. I have shoes from them priced at $26-$28 but we’ll be selling them for $10.
Coven also told CTV News that one of his rules of purchasing is that he would never buy anything that he would be ashamed to bring home to his family. Now that’s a promise of quality goods!
Twitter/@SMCslipintoit
Expect to see five BiWay $10 Stores by the end of 2020.
The BiWay $10 Stores will sell a variety of different products. Shoppers can expect stock to include children, men and ladies’ wear, toys, toiletries, food, and household furnishings.
While some retailers are struggling due to competition in the market, value-focused retailers like Dollarama and Miniso are striving. It will definitely be interesting to see the response of the new BiWay concept stores and how they will standup compared to retailers like Giant Tiger, who will be one of the retailer’s top competitors.
We’ll keep you updated on the store’s progress as more details are revealed. Stay tuned!
Featured Image: Instagram/@charms1969