Bricks and clicks highlight debut of messaging concierge alongside pop up locations for BRIKA and Cranberry, Drake General Store, Kit and Ace and Canada's first ALEX AND ANI® and Jamie's Italian locations
TORONTO, Oct. 19, 2015 /CNW/ - Yorkdale Shopping Centre is heralding a new retail trend this holiday season with the introduction of a series of urban pop up shops by innovative Canadian retailers BRIKA, Cranberry, the Drake General Store and Kit and Ace. Pop up shops typically provide online, brands, or brands that are new to market with temporary street-level visibility in urban centres. This is the first time that Yorkdale is bringing a flurry of urban retail concepts to its shoppers.
Yorkdale is further catering to the modern shopper by launching a messaging concierge service to offer unprecedented access to the guest services team through text or online messages.
"We are committed to delivering an exceptional shopping experience and our Kipsu messaging concierge opens communications channels like never before," said Yorkdale General Manager Claire Santamaria. "Combine this level of shopper service along with some of Canada's and Toronto's signature brands assuming their places alongside international retailers and we're looking at a new era in the retail landscape. We are taking a proactive approach to connecting with our customers and supporting online and urban retailers with real estate moving forward."
"The rise of pop up shops at Yorkdale demonstrates a flexibility on the part of the shopping centre to incubate new concepts and invest in innovative retailers," said Lisa Hutcheson, J.C. Williams Group Retail Consultant. "Pop ups, be they urban boutiques or online players, are gaining valuable exposure by positioning themselves alongside desirable brands during the most important shopping season of the year."
Exclusive Canadian retailers opening at Yorkdale this holiday season
The holidays will also see the opening of two first-to-Canada brands at Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Fashion Jewelry brand ALEX AND ANI® will open its first Canadian boutique on December 5th while food lovers can look forward to the opening of North America's first Jamie's Italian location from internationally renowned chef Jamie Oliver.
Kipsu Messaging concierge
Yorkdale will be one of the first Canadian shopping centres to offer shoppers access to guest services teams via text or online messaging. Beginning November 1st, shoppers will have instant access to a guest service concierge for any kind of information they need as part of Yorkdale's commitment to making shopping easier. This service allows for the planning for any shopping trip to start before customers even leave their home. Yorkdale guest services staff will be actively monitoring the text/messaging feature during regular shopping hours. Learn more here.
Yorkdale's holiday pop up shops include:
BRIKA is an innovative retail concept that curates and sells the work of the most talented and authentic makers, artisans and designers. Weaving a sense of community and creativity into the fabric of the brand, BRIKA is a place shoppers can come to find inspiration as easily as beautiful, modern crafts. BRIKA has had pop up locations across North America and is bringing the same boutique experience to its Yorkdale location near Centre Court.
Nutra-Fruit Cranberry is a Quebec-based company that has ballooned to more than 200 employees in the past two years based on online and seasonal pop up shops. This is the first time that Nutra-Fruit Cranberry (Canneberge Nutra-Fruit) is debuting outside of Quebec to offer its gourmet foods such as cranberries and onion confit to shoppers near Nespresso.
Drake General Store in Centre Court brings its curated curiosities, chic clothing and perfect presents to its own Yorkdale boutique this season, just in time for the holidays. This wildly popular extension of the Drake Hotel Properties is proudly Canadian and offers diverse items from adult onesies to cozy sweaters or retro tumblers and toques.
Kit and Ace is an innovative Canadian brand that's putting Technical CashmereTM top of mind this season. The company is undergoing a major retail expansion, including the pop up shop at Yorkdale near the Dine on 3 Food Collection, in time for the holidays. The Vancouver-based team behind Kit and Ace combines technical attributes with luxury fibres to offer comfortable, functional designs without sacrificing style.
ABOUT YORKDALE SHOPPING CENTRE
With more than 250 shops and services Yorkdale Shopping Centre is Canada's premier shopping destination. Construction is underway for Yorkdale's $331 million expansion that will add nearly 300,000 square feet of retail space and bring its total size to 2 million square feet. This expansion makes it possible to bring an even wider selection of the world's best fashion, technology and luxury brands to the Greater Toronto Area. Offering valet parking and seating reservations at the Dine on 3 food collection, everything about Yorkdale is designed to enhance shoppers' experiences. Yorkdale is co-owned by Oxford Properties and Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) and managed by Oxford Properties Group. Yorkdale is located at 3401 Dufferin Street, off Allen Road, near the 401. For more information, download the Yorkdale app, visit www.yorkdale.com, or follow @YorkdaleStyle on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest.
SOURCE Yorkdale Shopping Centre
Image with caption: "Yorkdale Shopping Centre (CNW Group/Yorkdale Shopping Centre)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151019_C7061_PHOTO_EN_523509.jpg
or to schedule an interview with Yorkdale's Claire Santamaria, please contact: Pascale Gordon, Media Profile, Office: 416-342-1814, Cell: 647-328-6603, [email protected]
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