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Ralph Lauren Opens First Luxury Store in Canada

Toronto locale first of several planned for country

Published

1 month ago

October 18, 2023

INSTORE Staff

Ralph Lauren Opens First Luxury Store in Canada

PHOTOGRAPHY: iStock/mizoula

Ralph Lauren Corp. (New York) has opened its first luxury store in Canada, in Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre. The company plans to open a number of Ralph Lauren stores across the country in the coming years, building on its outlet and wholesale presence there.

The design of its Toronto store “captures the Ralph Lauren brand’s timeless spirit and brings it to life in a modern, sophisticated space,” the company said in a news release. “The bold, double-height façade, comprising of cherry wood louvers and aged-bronze metal, gives way to a contemporary interior with bright, white walls and a limestone floor.”

“Ralph Lauren’s ethos of timelessness and authenticity has inspired and connected with our Canadian consumers for decades, and we’re excited to bring a more holistic expression of our brand to Canada,” said Bob Ranftl, the company’s Regional CEO for North America. “We look forward to serving our consumers throughout Canada with enhanced and elevated experiences that reflect our luxury lifestyle point of view.”

The retailer currently has 12 outlet stores in the country, as well as a wholesale presence at such retailers as Hudson’s Bay, Sporting Life and Harry Rosen.

Ralph Lauren is also beefing up its digital presence in Canada with the launch of a dedicated website, RalphLauren.ca. The retailer plans to launch the English version of that site on Oct. 11 and will explore a future launch of a French-language version in Quebec.

When There’s No Succession Plan, Call Wilkerson

Bob Wesley, owner of Robert C. Wesley Jewelers in Scottsdale, Ariz., was a third-generation jeweler. When it was time to enjoy life on the other side of the counter, he weighed his options. His lease was nearing renewal time and with no succession plan, he decided it was time to call Wilkerson. There was plenty of inventory to sell and at first, says Wesley, he thought he might try to manage a sale himself. But he’s glad he didn’t. “There’s no way I could have done this as well as Wilkerson,” he says. Wilkerson took responsibility for the entire event, with every detail — from advertising to accounting — done, dusted and managed by the Wilkerson team. “It’s the complete package,” he says of the Wilkerson method of helping jewelers to easily go on to the next phase of their lives. “There’s no way any retailer can duplicate what they’ve done.”