I constantly read in retail-related blogs about the “lack of availability” in Canada when it comes to shopping for clothes, shoes and accessories. And honestly, I can’t say I understand what they’re talking about. Sure, there are stores that aren’t widely available in Canada, but that’s changing. J.Crew and LOFT, for example, have been opening up across the country and here in Toronto, two Kate Spade stores and one Tory Burch boutique have opened in the last year. Many more brands will open in Canada over the next few years. Flagships might be bigger in the US, but I find that they just have MORE of the same thing.
US stores like this GAP flagship in New York’s Fifth Avenue really just have more of the same thing, rather than “more choice.”
Yes, some styles that don’t come here (even if the designers/brands are available), but I don’t see that too often (unless it’s e-commerce, but that’s a whole other issue that is related to stores NOT having e-commerce for the most part. Really, Holt Renfrew? No online shopping? It’s 2014! If Hudson’s Bay can do it, so can you). For me, it’s sometimes difficult to find things in the US! But that has more to do with size (I don’t think Bloomingdale’s even carries my shoe size anymore. And when I ask, I get more weird looks from American stores than in Canada). If there’s anything to complain about, it should be price, considering that things tend to be more than 15 to 20% higher here (before taxes).
I’ve been reading many blog posts about new online shopping sites being developed because many aren’t shipping to Canada or aren’t available here. For example, Retail Insider recently wrote about Avenue K. However, it’s quite wrong to say that online sites don’t ship up here. In fact, many more are shipping north of the border than, say, in 2009. Nordstrom, Saks and Bloomingdale’s now ship to Canada, though there is, of course an additional charge, sometimes up to $35, not including duties. With the exception of Anthropologie, duties are calculated at checkout or part of the list price (J.Crew and Gilt are the only two that come to my mind). Honestly, I really don’t understand why Anthroplogie can’t calculate at checkout (I’ve spoken to them about this and they tell me that it’s “normal.” Um, really?), which is why I don’t typically shop there. Too bad, since most of their items are available in petite sizes (more than most brands).
Since I don’t really understand where people are coming from when they talk about the lack of availability, perhaps someone can educate me on this. For me, it’s more of a price issue that drives me to shop in the US, not what I can and cannot find here.
Image credit: © Lya_Cattel /iStockPhoto
