If you’re a fan of sustainable fashion, you’ll be happy to hear that a very popular American brand — that Meghan Markle’s a big fan of — is popped up in Canada for a limited time.
Traditionally available online only, the radically transparent clothing brand, Everlane, is currently popped up in two Nordstrom locations in Canada.
For those unaware, Everlane focuses on ethically made modern essentials for men and women. The brand offers transparency on everything there is to know about the brand, including where the products are made and the exact product breakdown.
Through a partnership with Nordstrom, you can touch, feel, and try on a curated selection of Everlane products in-store.
From now until November 17, you can visit the Nordstrom pop-in stores in Toronto and Vancouver. The Everlane Canada pop-up features the ever-popular Everlane cashmere sweater, recycled down-filled outerwear, the world’s cleanest denim, and carbon-neutral shoes for men and women.
You can find the the Everlane x Nordstrom Pop-In stores in Toronto at CF Toronto Eaton Centre and Vancouver at CF Pacific Centre.
While the partnership brought the ethical brand across the border in the past, this current edition of the Everlane Canada pop-up won’t last forever! You can find it on the ground floor of Nordstrom, as well as in the women’s section.
Be sure to check it out before it’s too late — the brand’s much-raved about cashmere sweater makes a great holiday gift!
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It seems Vancouver residents aren’t dropping dollars on retail spending compared to other major Canadian cities. At least, not in bricks and mortar stores they aren’t. Figures released by Statistics Canada last month reveal that retail sales in metro Vancouver slumped 0.6 per cent to $3.369 billion in May, compared with the same month in 2018.
While the figure may not sound like a huge deal, this contrasts strong retail gains in Canada’s largest cities including Vancouver
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Toronto saw retail sales hit $8.091 billion in May, a figure that had climbed 6 per cent from the same month a year earlier. A contributing factor here could have been the spike in tourism during the Raptors dramatic playoff run (and perhaps even the sales of Raptors gear).
Over in Montreal, however, the city experienced almost as large of an increase as Toronto did, with a 5.2 per cent hike in retail sales for May. Here, retail sales generated $5.477 billion, compared to $5.205 billion in May 2018.
The overall Canadian retail sector experienced a slight 1 per cent increase in May compared to last year; however, B.C.’s retail sales were down 0.1 per cent compared to May 2018.
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According to the Central 1 Credit Union, in particular, retail sales for motor vehicles and parts was down (it declined 2.6 per cent), as were sales of building material, garden equipment and related supplies. Electronics and clothing also took a hit, says the company.
The thing is, it wasn’t just the month of May that saw disappointing retail figures.
Compared to last year, Toronto’s retail sales were up 5.2 per cent to $39,586,715 in the first five months of 2019. In Montreal, these figures were even higher, with retail sales up 7.2 per cent to $26,906,435. On the other hand, Vancouver saw $16,727,930 in sales in the first five months of the year – a figure that was almost 1 per cent less than the same period a year ago.
So, why is this the case?
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While it’s no secret that Toronto has some of the highest rent prices in the country, Vancouver is also obviously known for its sky-high real estate costs and has seen better days with the MLS Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties hitting $998,700 – a figure that is down 9.6 per cent compared to June 2018.
A decrease in housing sales means fewer people spending on building-related items for renovations, furniture and landscaping items (i.e. fewer trips to places like Home Depot).
“The sharp decline in housing sales volume has been a driving factor of spending declines in related sectors, while lower prices may also be leading to spending belts being tightened,” reads a report from Central 1 Credit Union.
Additionally, it’s reasonable to question whether record-high gas prices could have played a role in the decline in auto sales.
Instagram/@mindjellocreative
Interestingly, B.C.’s lull in consumer demand comes at a time when the province is actually experiencing strong labour market conditions and employment growth.
It should be noted that the retail figures don’t capture the rapidly growing online market, which is increasingly blamed for the shuttering of bricks and mortar stores throughout North America.
With so many of B.C.’s residents taking full advantage of the province’s stunning geography by leading active lives, it isn’t entirely unreasonable to assume that shoppers would rather spend their days hiking or on the water than shopping in bricks and mortar shops.
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While it’s too early to tell if the West Coast city’s retail slump will stick around, the retail industry is an influential driver on the provincial economy and was worth almost $86 billion in 2018.
So, the decline – while seemingly meager – is a worthy of attention.
Featured Image: Instagram/@isaiahkim_
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For some, finding a safe place to sleep at night isn’t always easy. In fact, for those without homes, it’s not uncommon to be removed from spaces that feel the safest, like business and store fronts. But one downtown Vancouver mall is changing that.
Vancouver’s CF Pacific Centre is inviting those with nowhere to go at night to sleep on its property.
“Everyone thinks it’s easy to get into a shelter. It’s not,” Brent Findley, senior manager of security, life and safety at Cadillac Fairview’s CF Pacific Centre told the Vancouver Courier. “[Vancouver’s] always sort of been in a bit of a homeless crisis, but it’s becoming a mental health and addiction crisis as well.”
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The hope is to not only give the homeless a place to rest their heads at night, but also provide a sense of protection through nighttime security and cameras.
In addition, the company will be opening its doors and facilities up to individuals who need to warm up or use the bathroom first thing in the morning, something that will be particularly beneficial after cold nights.
The night shift staff at CF Pacific Centre will also be trained on how to de-escalate confrontations that may arise and will conduct life safety checks throughout the evenings.
While there’s still a lot to figure out when it comes to Vancouver’s homelessness crisis, allowing people to stay on the mall property is a step in the right direction.
Featured image: Instagram/@mseidelman
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