https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/express-stores-closing-in-canada Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 16 May 2026 08:52:19 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/express-stores-closing-in-canada#post-1806516 Mon, 08 May 2017 21:15:00 +0000 Anonymous 1806516@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can't speak about why Express failed but I did want to share my thoughts on Target, if I could.</p> <p>The thing about Target in Canada is that they took over all the Zellers, and they didn't even renovate anything so you know, you walk in and you see the horrific neon lighting and the grungy linoleum and the layout is the same, and it feels like you're still in Zellers...oh and the brand's colours are exactly the same so again, it really felt like you were in Sellers. This inability to distinguish themselves from zellers played a part in their demise, I'm sure. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/express-stores-closing-in-canada#post-1806348 Mon, 08 May 2017 14:52:12 +0000 Marilyn 1806348@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We have a couple Express stores here in Ottawa.&nbsp; I used to check them out when they first opened but have never found anything there of interest.&nbsp; No big loss for me.</p> <p>Didn't realize that BCBG Max Azria is leaving Canada as well.&nbsp; That explains why the Rideau Centre store is liquidating. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/express-stores-closing-in-canada#post-1806204 Mon, 08 May 2017 04:55:50 +0000 rachylou 1806204@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I went off and googled 'Canadian fashion market analysis.' Seems the market is struggling all around? Really interesting points about geography and population and distribution.</p> <p>I also wonder - well, admittedly I've only spent time in Canada with my own family, so I'm sure that colours my impressions - but shopping never struck me as the blood sport that it is in the US. I remember, me being me, going to look for the hipster shops in Toronto. Infinitely more restrained. No miles and miles of $500 yarn doll shops or high density/intensity $500 yarn doll pits... you know those little courtyard developments, where the yarn dolls attack you with sharp sticks (driftwood, $600).</p> <p>And then I went to a free, immensely superior performance by the Toronto ballet in the park. </p> <p>Free! Superior!!</p> <p>...!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/express-stores-closing-in-canada#post-1806199 Mon, 08 May 2017 04:11:48 +0000 Carla 1806199@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My favourite all purpose work pants are a pair of grey Express Editor barely boot cuts. They are one store that carries (carried?) tall sizes in-store. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/express-stores-closing-in-canada#post-1806196 Mon, 08 May 2017 03:43:30 +0000 Sal 1806196@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Jules and Lisa, yes we can relate for sure!! &nbsp;I had considered most of these factors except for that Canadians living so close to US cities, often closer than their own. &nbsp;Despite what the odd person thinks, you cannot drive across the Sydney Harbour Bridge from NZ to Australia.</p> <p>And it is interesting times in retail here for sure - online shopping from Asos and many many others, constant sales, offshore production in the most part.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/express-stores-closing-in-canada#post-1806174 Mon, 08 May 2017 02:05:03 +0000 Jules 1806174@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sal, for reference we still have tons of American retail. The malls are full of American chains and now anchor stores (Nordstroms, Saks). Lots of Canadian chains are also failing (Danier, Jacob, etc). Target had taken over many locations from Zellers, a Canadian chain that couldn't compete with Walmart. The retail problems aren't as simple as 'US stores don't understand Canada'. Lisap's points are all good. I'd just add that it make sense to me that Aus/NZ, being far away and with opposite seasons, would have more fashion independence from the US. Imagine the cultural and economic dominance of the US as felt globally, but experienced as from your only real neighbour, with much of the population closer to a major US city than to another Canadian one. Well I guess NZers can relate to some of that... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/express-stores-closing-in-canada#post-1806155 Sun, 07 May 2017 23:53:23 +0000 Anonymous 1806155@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sally - the barriers to entry and success in the Canadian market are founded on a huge geographical area with a small population ....which makes efficient and effective distribution a challenge. &nbsp;Shipping/transport is expensive because of the economies of scale and the distances involved. &nbsp;As an example , I live in one of Canada's biggest cities (and the provincial capital), yet it is an 6-8 hour drive to the next closest city of any size. &nbsp;Shipping costs are also why we don't get free delivery with a lot of on-line orders. &nbsp;</p> <p>Distribution channels were a main factor in Target's demise, along with consumer expectations for price not matching what an American company can provide due to the significant currency value difference. &nbsp;</p> <p>US companies have nailed down the just-in-time inventory replenishment systems necessary to keeping big chain stores fully stocked, but have not yet figured out how to replicate it in another country, like Canada. &nbsp; Did you know that any 100% cotton items coming into Canada from the US (and that are made in the US) &nbsp;are subject to an 18% duty charge on top of the wholesale price? This drives prices up to untenable levels for a lot of labels. This is what happened to lines like Eileen Fisher.</p> <p>And why do we not have our own retail success stories like AUS/NZ does? &nbsp;I don't know, and I sure wish someone would figure it out. The ones we do have (Roots, for one) aren't very interesting from a progressive fashion viewpoint. I love my country and would not want to live anywhere else , but the cost of living here is a lot higher than in the US, that's for sure. &nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/express-stores-closing-in-canada#post-1806132 Sun, 07 May 2017 21:53:24 +0000 Style Fan 1806132@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I only went into one Express in Mississauga (I think) and it was a nightmare.&nbsp; It looked like someone had thrown everything around during a temper tantrum.&nbsp; I quickly left.&nbsp; <br />I shop in the US and in Canada.&nbsp; Not sure what the difference is in the market. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/express-stores-closing-in-canada#post-1806130 Sun, 07 May 2017 21:47:43 +0000 Sal 1806130@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not a Canadian, but wonder why the Canadian market is so difficult? &nbsp;Obviously different countries have different climates, tariffs and subsidies, shopping habits, tastes, cultural norms etc but the Canadians on the forum seem to have a harder time with fashion retail locally and online.</p> <p>Do you think US companies assume it is like the US market and ignore the differences, or that Canadian shoppers prefer Canadian brands/ownership, or trade restrictions etc?</p> <p>NZers often think of themselves as similar to Canadians ( a smaller population next to a larger population) and we have a lot of Australian fashion retailers in our market. &nbsp;One or two have up and left (Sportsgirl, Katies, Sussan, David Lawrence to name a few off hand) but many seem to be doing okay (Country Road, Just Jeans, Witchery, Dotti, Decjuba, Jeanswest). &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/express-stores-closing-in-canada#post-1806127 Sun, 07 May 2017 21:14:01 +0000 Anonymous 1806127@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I didn't know they even had stores here , lol. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/express-stores-closing-in-canada#post-1806124 Sun, 07 May 2017 21:05:23 +0000 elpgal 1806124@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How specifically are Canadian markets different for fast fashion retailers? I hope the US stores don't follow suit; I"ll be pants-less at this rate. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/express-stores-closing-in-canada#post-1806121 Sun, 07 May 2017 20:53:16 +0000 Anonymous 1806121@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting, thx! I remember shopping at Express at lot when I was in college. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/express-stores-closing-in-canada#post-1806118 Sun, 07 May 2017 20:35:31 +0000 Sheila 1806118@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another US retailer that does not understand the Canadian market.</p> <p>The comments are interesting. </p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://www.redflagdeals.com/latest-news/17/05/05/express-to-close-all-17-canadian-stores/" rel="nofollow">http://www.redflagdeals.com/la.....an-stores/</a></p> <p></p>