New higher end stock in Vancouver's Holts

[Fabro]

I passed through Holt Renfrew today and they now have Church's shoes, Isaia jackets and shirts and Ralph Lauren Purple Label. Apparently it all started arriving about 2 weeks ago in anticipation of the new store.

Now, if you live in a larger city in the US you are probably wondering what the big deal is. Truth is, there really isn't anywhere else here in town that carries these labels, and it's a big jump upward for the local Holts. You should have seen the old shoe section. Tragic.

 

[Aaron]

Yeaaaaaah!!!! OH HAPPY DAY!

 

[pg34]

The old shoe section was so utterly pathetic. You were lucky to find shoes that had real stitched soles.

 

[LegB4Wicket]

And i'm sure Holt Renfrew will reflect this higher end stock with even higher prices.

I'm going to be a poorer

, but better dressed

, man after my next visit to Vancouver.

 

[long_knives]

I didn't know they were going to stock Isaia. They carried RLPL a few years back but didn't do very well with it. I wonder what's changed?

Can't wait for the new space to open! It's looking pretty interesting from the street...

 

[Fabro]

Apparently in addition to the new store there is a new head buyer back east who is really revamping the tired old lines.

 

[Roger]

That's good news, ksm. I had no idea that this was in the works. Where is the new store? Or is it just a reno of the one in Pacific Centre? Do you know whether they'll be carrying the whole Isaia line--suits, jackets, trousers, shirts, ties? Good to see some British shoes finally back in Vancouver (after the brick & mortar Sheppard's Shoes shut down years ago), even if they're Church's. I wonder why they didn't go with Crockett & Jones. Better shoes at a lower price, in my opinion. Oh well, this is progress! Thanks for bringing it to the attention of all of us deprived Vancouver style fans!

 

[GQgeek]

Wonder if the one in montreal will carry it too. Hope they have RLPL shoes.

 

[Violinist]

Originally Posted by GQgeek

Wonder if the one in montreal will carry it too. Hope they have RLPL shoes.

Why would you buy in Canada though? Retail prices are already inflated. Also, at RLPL prices, you could go bespoke with Vass or maybe Santoni bench series. It's so pathetic in Canada... Allen Edmonds are like $450 here, whereas in the states you can buy most models on discounted websites for like $150.

 

[CaptChaos]

Thanks for posting. I will check it out the next time I am downtown.

 

[Wrenkin]

Originally Posted by Roger

That's good news, ksm. I had no idea that this was in the works. Where is the new store? Or is it just a reno of the one in Pacific Centre?

The new store will be on the block north of the main mall. The bridge to it is at the end of the second floor hallway where Harry Rosen & the Zegna boutique are. They're still building it, but the exterior walls are almost all up.

The Ingledews outlet is good if you don't want to pay $450 for AEs. Apart from that, things are expensive here. Personally, I'm more excited by the rumour that the old HR will be replaced by an H&M.

 

[long_knives]

Originally Posted by Wrenkin

Personally, I'm more excited by the rumour that the old HR will be replaced by an H&M.

Yes, I heard this rumour too. They will do well in that location. It seems that many international chains are setting up shop in Vancouver in anticipation of the 2010 olympics, which is no doubt motivation for Holt's as well.

While I agree that I would not pay full retail for RLPL shoes (or Church's, for that matter), I am sadly not who they are trying to sell to. Holts is geared to 1. Residents with money and 2. Tourists with money. I am neither.

I will merely have to toil away on the web waiting for edmorel's next post...

 

[long_knives]

Originally Posted by Roger

I wonder why they didn't go with Crockett & Jones. Better shoes at a lower price, in my opinion.

The affiliation with Prada gives them more volume buying power which = more margin for Holt's. Church's also has more brand power, which is important for the asian tourists.