Due to global lockdowns and restrictions, it comes as no surprise that many retailers have had no other choice but to shutter doors. However, there are actually a handful of brands that have not only expanded throughout Canada but have fully re-entered into the Canadian market after previously going out of business. Now you can enjoy some of your fave brands again without having to pay for duties!
Here are brands that have now re-entered Canada.
Mexx
Back in 2018, Mexx announced that it had plans to re-open in Canada with its own standalone shops, but unfortunately, those plans never came to fruition. Now, the Dutch fashion retailer is partnering with Walmart, to be stocked in Walmart stores and on the online site. You can expect comfy classics and chic pieces for both men and women at affordable prices.
Forever 21
Forever 21 is officially making a return to Canada with physical stores.This may come as quite a surprise since the brand shuttered all of its locations across the country after filing for bankruptcy in 2019. The Toronto company, YM Inc., established a partnership with the brand a couple of years back and was able to create the Forever 21 e-commerce site for Canadians last year. A handful of the previous Forever 21 spots that were turned into either an Urban Planet, Urban Behaviour, or Stitches, will once again be transformed back to a Forever 21. Confirmed Forever 21 spaces in Canada are in Vancouver and in Windsor, Ontario.
Lucky Brand
After filing for bankruptcy and shuttering all operations throughout the country last year, the company now has major plans for expansion with the assistance of Thriftys Family of Brands. A total of ten store locations of Lucky Brand have already opened which include stores at Vaughan Mills, Square One, and Metropolis at Metrotown. Another two retail spaces will open soon at Polo Park in Winnipeg and at CF Shops at Don Mills in Toronto. Plus, due to the partnership with Thrifty’s Family of Brands, Lucky Brand products will also be available at certain Bluenotes locations too.
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Brands That Have Expanded In Canada During The Pandemic
If you’ve been chomping at the bit to get your hands on a new phone, iPad, or laptop during quarantine, you’re not the only one. And thankfully, Apple stores are starting to reopen for all of our techy needs, including service repairs from the Genius Bar.
Apple closed its stores outside of China in mid-March and the retailer is reopening its GTA stores next week.
According to Daily Hive, Apple is reopening its GTA stores on June 29 and it’s taking some serious safety precautions when it does.
A letter posted to the Apple website reads, “In every store, we’re focused on limiting occupancy and giving everybody lots of room, and renewing our focus on one‑on‑one, personalized service at the Genius Bar and throughout the store.”
In addition, face coverings are mandatory for all team members and customers and Apple will be providing them if someone doesn’t have one. Temperature checks will be conducted at the door, and posted health questions will screen for those with symptoms.
Stores will also undergo enhanced deep cleanings that place special emphasis on all surfaces, display products, and highly trafficked areas.
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In case you missed the news, Nordstrom has started to reopen its locations across Canada after having closed them due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. The retailer’s stores closed in March and we don’t know about you, but we’ve been itching to shop again once it’s safe.
Select Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack locations are set to reopen in Ontario on Thursday, June 11.
In an email sent to StyleDemocracy, the retailer says, “Our stores have always been, and continue to be, a core part of our business. We’re taking a phased, market-by-market approach to reopening our stores. The health and wellbeing of our employees, customers and communities is our priority. We’ve been paying close attention to guidance and directives from local and national authorities, taking steps to ensure our stores and operations remain in alignment with those.”
The Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack locations that are reopening are: Nordstrom Rideau Centre, Nordstrom Sherway Gardens, Nordstrom Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Nordstrom Toronto Eaton Centre, Nordstrom Rack Ottawa Train Yards, Nordstrom Rack Vaughan Mills, and Nordstrom Rack Heartland Town Centre.
Nordstrom is taking the following steps to protect staff and shoppers:
- Conducting temperature checks and health screenings for our employees before they come into work
- Providing face coverings for employees and customers
- Taking steps to allow for social distancing of six feet or more, including limiting the number of customers and employees in the store
- Increasing cleaning and sanitization
- Modifying the fitting room experience
- Continuing to offer contactless curbside services at our full-line stores
- Pausing or adapting high-touch services and customer events
- Keeping tried on or returned merchandise off the salesfloor for a period of time
- Altering hours of operation
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The days that many of us shopping addicts have been waiting for are finally here. Slowly but surely Toronto shops have started reopening doors — with strict safety measures in place, of course. You can now begin to drop by and support your favourite local shops once again, which is very exciting. We are hopeful that the near future allows for this list to grow even more, but in the meantime stay safe and take precautions when you take your shopping trip. Don’t forget to also enjoy this chance to get out of the house and get back to doing things you love.
Now here are 10 Toronto retail stores that have reopened.
Good Neighbour
Good Neighbour is a clothing store for men, women, and children but it also sells home decor as well as bath and body items. The shop has a little bit of everything for everyone and the clothes found here are quite trendy and fun with brands like Levi’s, Hershel, Citizens of Humanity, and Adidas available. Good Neighbour is resuming with its regular hours, making it open to the public everyday.
Lost & Found
Menswear shop Lost & Found is another retail store that has reopened for business Monday to Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Continuing to sell stylish pieces and cool collections, Lost & Found is welcoming back customers with open arms — not literally of course.
Fitzroy Rentals
Want to look bougie and fabulous for your next Zoom meeting? Dress rental studio Fitzroy Rentals is opening its space for one-on-one fitting appointments. The studio is open Tuesday to Saturday at set times, so send an email to discuss what time works best for you.
Tiger of Sweden
Tiger of Sweden has officially reopened its store doors with temporary hours from Monday to Sunday. The brand sells beautifully chic and formal clothes for men and women. If you’re looking to dress with a purpose, you should definitely stop by Tiger of Sweden.
Three Fates
This new and vintage clothing shop is entering business again with employees who are prepared with masks and hand sanitizer. Three Fates has temporary hours, Thursday to Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m with private personal shopping available to book online. The shop is being thoroughly cleaned between appointments so you can feel safe while shopping.
Armed
The Toronto-based shop has been designing beautiful jewelry since 2011 and its Parkdale location is now open for a couple of days a week for the time being. Armed is here for you to step up your accessory game for the summertime with dainty necklaces, pearl anklets, and statement earrings.
Made You Look
Made You Look is now back in action with plexiglass and protective gear to ensure customers and employees feel safe. The shop sells beautiful handmade and custom jewelry at all different price points so it’s easy to find the perfect piece of jewelry that’ll speak to you.
Blue Banana Market
At Blue Banana Market you can quite literally find every kind of knick-knack that you can think of. Be sure to block off a couple of hours of your day if you want to browse the entire store as the inventory here is endless. The store is resuming with its usual hours, Monday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sonic Boom
The Toronto famous music destination, Sonic Boom, has reopened for business, continuing with its usual hours, Monday to Sunday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. A face covering is a must when entering the shop, so don’t forget yours if you plan on stopping by.
Stylegarage
Book an appointment to shop at Stylegarage because the store is now able to service customers in its showroom. Folks must don a mask to get in and the shop asks you to use sanitizer before entering. Stylegarage is ready to assist you with your furniture needs safely and efficiently with its selection of Canadian-made goods.
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If you’ve sadly run out of bath bombs, then here’s some good news. Lush Cosmetics is reopening stores across the U.S and Canada but these store reopenings come with new rules and safety guidelines.
Some Lush stores in Ontario, Alberta, Newfoundland, and Manitoba have started to reopen and according to Narcity, the retailer hopes to have all stores reopened by early July.
“We’ve missed our community more than you can know and want to take a moment to thank all of our fans for sticking with us through this. While things continue to evolve, we’re doing everything we can to bring fresh products back into the hands of our Lushies—whether that be carefully welcoming folks into a store or safely passing parcels of handmade goodies on. Needless to say, the road back to normality is bound to be a little uncertain as the world changes around us, but we’re committed to safely and consciously starting afresh together”, says Elisa Torres, Retail Director in an email.
The safety of Lush’s customers and staff is always top priority and that’s why major changes have been made to the shopping experience that folks have come to know and love.
Below are some changes you’ll notice when you stop in to shop:
- Reduced capacity.
- 6 feet social distance guide markers.
- Access to clean sinks and soap for requested handwashing upon entry (no purchase required).
- Contactless payment only.
- Sanitized cash desk and debit terminal after each customer.
- Regular sanitization of surfaces throughout the shop.
- Compulsory hand washing before staff assists different customers.
- New products available if customers are not comfortable purchasing package-free or display products on shelves.
- Masks for Lush team members and a request that customers wear them, too.
- At this stage, demos will also be paused to maintain hygiene levels.
For anyone who is in need of their Lush essentials but is uncomfortable with shopping in-store, contactless pickup is available at select locations.
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If you’re itching to do some shopping, then here’s some exciting news! Beloved Canadian retailer Aritzia is reopening stores in Toronto this weekend.
three of Aritzia’s Toronto locations will reopen on Friday, May 29, and one will reopen on Saturday, May 30.
- Aritzia Bloor Street – Friday, May 29
- Aritzia Queen Street – Friday, May 29
- Aritzia Toronto Premium Outlets – Friday, May 29
- Aritzia Don Mills – Saturday, May 30
Aritzia closed all of its stores in North America on March 16 and as of May 30, over 30 of its stores will be reopened. The first Canadian Aritzia store that reopened is in Winnipeg, and it reopened in early May.
Wondering what it’ll be like to shop? Expect to see lots of in-store health and safety precautions.
That includes allowing a certain amount of people in Aritzia stores at a time, personal protective equipment for staff, and high temperature steaming of all products that are tried on in fitting rooms.
In addition, plexiglass screens will be added and new client processes like pausing hands-free shopping, altering client services, closing off communal seating, limiting fitting room capacity, contactless payment and returns, will take place.
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Even though you’ve been able to get your hands on your fave Starbucks drinks during quarantine through delivery, it’s super exciting that the coffee chain is reopening its doors across Canada for walk-in service.
According to an email sent to StyleDemocracy, by this weekend two-thirds of Starbucks locations across Canada will offer grab-and-go service.
The grab-and-go model continues to prioritize safety:
- When a customer walks into a cafe to order at the counter, they will notice floor markers and signage directing them where to stand to remain physically distant.
- There will also be a plexi-shield at the POS as an added barrier to protect employees and customers.
- All employees will wear facial coverings and adhere to Starbucks’ safety measures.
Grab-and-go payment:
- With grab-and-go service, customers now have the option to walk into a cafe, order at the counter and pay with any method, though the chain encourages downloading and using the Starbucks App for contactless pay.
- Customers can also order ahead and pay with their Starbucks App to save time. Mobile orders can be picked up at the designated handoff area inside the cafe or at the drive-thru.
Regarding dine-in service, Starbucks looks forward to welcoming guests to take a seat however the company recognizes that this must happen on a community-by-community basis.
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If thrift store shopping is your jam, then get excited to get back into the swing of things — socially distanced of course. Value Village has just started to reopen some of its stores across Ontario.
As of May 26, numerous Value Village locations have reopened to the public but With new safety precautions.
“Our stores will reopen on a store-by-store basis as we assess local market conditions. Initial hours will be shortened to allow for additional time to thoroughly clean and stock our sales floors,” says the thrifting chain’s reopening statement.
According to Narcity, five downtown Value Village locations in Toronto are open as well as the Bloor Street West location and the North York Wilson Avenue location. In addition, there are also some VV locations around the GTA, including two major stores in Mississauga and one in Oakville that have reopened.
Value Village is taking customer and employee safety seriously by implementing the following measures:
- merchandise displays have been removed to create additional space on sales floors to support social distancing
- stores may limit the number of shoppers inside at any given time
- floor decals have been added throughout stores
- fitting rooms are closed, VV has extended its exchange policy for 14 days so you can try on the items at home
- the frequency of cleaning commonly touched surfaces, like check-out areas and shopping carts has been increased
- sanitizer stations have been added throughout stores
- team members will be wearing protective gear for their protection
Head to Value Village’s website to find out if your local Value Village store has opened and for the hours of operation.
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Ever since stores with street entrances got the green light to open, retailer after retailer has been announcing new safety protocols and what they’re doing to ensure shoppers and staff members stay safe. The latest retailer to announce its store reopening is department store Nordstrom.
Canada’s first Nordstrom location to reopen is its Vancouver flagship store at CF Pacific Centre which reopened on May 22.
The retailer’s website reads, “Your health and the health of our employees are our top priorities. More than anything, we want you to feel safe and comfortable when you’re shopping with us. We’re making updates to our stores and the way we serve you to create a store environment that’s safe for everyone. We appreciate your understanding as we work to do so—we’re better together and can’t wait to welcome you back.”
Nordstrom is taking the following steps to protect staff and shoppers:
- conducting health screenings for our employees
- providing face coverings for employees and customers
- taking steps to allow for social distancing of two metres or more, including limiting the number of employees and customers in the store
- increasing cleaning and sanitization
- modifying the fitting-room experience
- continuing to offer contactless curbside services at selected Nordstrom stores
- pausing or adapting high-touch services and customer events
- keeping tried-on or returned merchandise off the sales floor for a period of time
- altering hours of operation
Even though Nordstrom stores are reopening, the retailer is still offering contactless curbside pickup as well as online shopping.
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As much as we love shopping, nothing is better than shopping and knowing you’re scoring a fabulous deal. If you’re all about major savings, then outlet malls are the place to be. However, in recent months, we’ve been unable to take part in our favourite pastime due to COVID-19 but now that retail businesses with street entrances are allowed to reopen, we can finally snag some socially distanced deals.
Toronto Premium Outlets, located in Halton Hills, has reopened its doors to the public as of May 22 after being closed since March 19.
“The health, safety, and well-being of the community we serve will always be our highest priority, and we have developed a thorough and detailed set of protocols highlighting the exceptional measures we’ve implemented for shoppers, retailers and employees as we reopen,” said Helena Moniz, general manager of Toronto Premium Outlets, in a release.
In accordance with local health officials, the outlet mall has outlined major Safety And Health Precautions that shoppers will have to comply with.
- Enhanced sanitization and disinfecting using approved products with an emphasis on high-traffic locations
- Shopper safeguards that include making available protective masks, sanitizing wipes and temperature testing at entrances or property offices, as well as the encouragement of pre-visit health screenings to ensure shoppers stay home if they have exhibited COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms within 72 hours
- Hand sanitizing stations will be deployed throughout the property.
- Signage promoting guidelines for maintaining personal hygiene will be prominently displayed throughout the property.
- Pre-emptive employee health screening to ensure that employees do not arrive at work within 72 hours of exhibiting COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms.
- Employee safety protections including implementing COVID-19 frequent hand-washing protocols, and offering personal protective equipment in addition to other recommended practices.
- Promotion and enforcement of social distancing practices, including occupancy limitations, furniture and restroom spacing, closure of play areas and strollers, as well as coordinated traffic flow with traffic signage and distance markers.
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