Saks Fifth Ave is coming to Canada and the sector is about to get even more competitive. This will call for local retailers, like Holt Renfrew and Harry Rosen, to improve their offerings, services and spaces.

Hudson’s Bay Corporation merged with the US’s Lord & Taylor in recent years and following this HBC purchased Saks Fifth Ave. Now HBC is bringing Saks to Canada, either using excess square footage from their stores or leasing prime new locations.

Saks Fifth Ave first store in Canada will be in Toronto at the Queen and Yonge location. Following closely behind this will be the Sherway Gardens location. It will be situated on three floors in Sherway Gardens Mall, taking over the old Sears space. Improvements include complete new interiors from the shell up, and exteriors that will help announce their presence and confirm their brand.

Alex Rebanks Architects are currently designing the Sherway Gardens location in conjunction with the management team in NYC. Scheduled to open in 2016, we will be developing a unique shopping environment never seen before at Sherway. Distinctive features included personalized shopping, restaurants and sales areas will make the store the luxury shopping destination in Toronto.