Desigual Aggressively Expanding Across Canada

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Colourful, moderately-priced casual Spanish clothing brand Desigual is aggressively expanding, with plans to open stores across Canada. It has already secured several high-profile locations, and we're told that negotiations are ongoing for more Canadian stores.

Founded in 1984 in Ibiza, Desigual is noted for its patchwork designs, intense prints, innovative graffiti art, asymmetrical designs, and flamboyant splashes of colour. Desigual sells men's, women's, and children's clothing, as well as accessories and women's shoes. It has stores around the world, mostly in Europe. In the United States, it operates 11 stores and two outlets in metropolitan New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami. 

Desigual's Ontario and Alberta franchises are to be operated by women's fashion apparel retailer J. Michaels, with lease deals being coordinated by a Toronto-based broker. So far, Desigual has secured at least two Ontario locations, including a recently opened store in Toronto's Distillery District, as well as a location at Ottawa's Bayshore Shopping Centre. In Alberta, West Edmonton Mall is confirmed for a 1,500 square foot Desigual store, replacing retailer French Connection. A Desigual outlet store will also open next week at the Premium Outlets Montreal.

7,000 glass bottles hang from the ceiling of Montreal's Desigual store. Photo: http://journalmetrocom.files.wordpress.com

7,000 glass bottles hang from the ceiling of Montreal's Desigual store. Photo: http://journalmetrocom.files.wordpress.com

Desigual's Quebec locations are operated by a different franchisee, and its first Canadian location opened at Montreal's Les Cours Mont Royal in November of last year. The 2,400 square foot store features a massive display of about 7,000 glass bottles hanging from the ceiling, which took four days to install. A second Montreal-area location is confirmed for Le Carrefour Laval under the same franchisee. 

We'll update you when we learn more on Desigual's Canadian expansion plans. 

Today's Retail News From Around The Web: October 23, 2014