This is the second part to last week's list of retailers opening and expanding in Canada. We're seeing remarkable growth in both new retailers entering the country as well as those expanding existing operations, despite reports of a softening economy. The list below is by no means comprehensive, and many of those listed below have not been revealed to the general public until now.

The following list of 35 retailers that are either entering the Canadian market, or are expanding their operations, is sponsored by Vancouver-based Peregrine, which custom designs and fabricates retail, display, furniture and architectural features for some of the country's top retailers.

  
    STORE NAME
    LOCATIONS TO OPEN IN CANADA
    NEW OR EXPANDING?
    ESTIMATED # OF LOCATIONS POST-EXPANSION
  

    Arctic Canadian Diamond
    2+ Vancouver locations sought
    Expanding
    4+
  

    Arhaus Furniture
    Nationwide Expansion
    New
    Unknown
  

    Aquascutum
    Toronto 2017 launch, then Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa anticipated 
    New
    TBD
  

    Asian Food Centre 
    Mississauga, Brampton ON site selection
    Expanding
    10+
  

    Bizou
    3-5 for 2016, 150+ Canada-wide long-term
    Expanding
    250-300
  

    BonLook
    Montreal now open, national expansion anticipated
    Expanding
    TBD
  

    Browns Shoes/B2 by Browns
    Between 8-10 in 2016, 4-6 each in 2017-2020
    Expanding
    80+
  

    Cabela's
    Ottawa (Spring 2016), Abbotsford BC (fall 2016), Halifax 2017, 12+, 
    Expanding
    12+
  

    Change
of Scandinavia
    Looking for central Toronto and Montreal locations
    Expanding
    15+
  

    Fonelab
    Ontario expansion (currently operates 3 GTA locations) 
    Expanding
    Unknow
  

    Gerry Weber
    Continued Canadian expansion in better malls. 
    Expanding
    15+, including 4 franchises
  

    GNC
    22 Canadian locations in 2016.
    Expanding
    Over 200
  

    Hatley
    Canadian Expansion, details TBA
    Expanding
    15+
  

    Kohler
    Seeking 1st Canadian store location in Toronto
    New
    Unknown
  

    Links of London
    CF Sherway Gardens (Toronto) freestanding -- spring 2016, Square One (Mississauga) Holt Renfrew concession -- spring 2016. 
    Expanding
    8+
  

    LUMAS Galleries
    Montreal, Calgary (already open in Toronto & Vancouver)
    Expanding
    6+
  

    Marc Cain
    Toronto (Eaton Centre) and Mississauga (Square One) in early 2016 (locations now open
Montreal, Ste-Foy, Calgary), more TBA
    Expanding
    Unknown
  

    Mastermind Toys
    Aggressive national expansion ongoing
    Expanding
    ~75
  

    MEC
    Calgary (spring 2016), Kelowna BC (spring 2016), Toronto
(North York, summer 2016), Toronto (downtown replacement location, Queen Street West,
fall 2017)
    Expanding
    20+
  

    Merrell
    National Expansion in 2016, 2 locations now open
    Expanding
    Unknown
  

    Michael Hill Jewellers
    6 locations in 2016, 6 locations in 2017
    Expanding
    80 by 2018, final target of 110 stores
  

    Mint Accessories
    Vaughan Mills (Ontario) 2016, Montreal, national expansion anticipated 
    Expanding
    Uknown
  

    Mountain Warehouse
    Burnaby BC (Metropolis at Metrotown now open), national expansion ongoing
    Expanding
    15+
  

    Nordstrom
    Toronto (CF Eaton Centre, Yorkdale fall 2016, CF Sherway Gardens spring 2017), Edmonton possibly.
    Expanding
    7-10
  

    Nordstrom Rack
    Toronto (speculated: One Bloor East), Other locations to be revealed when confirmed.
    New
    Approximately 20
  

    Perfumes 4 U
    National Expansion (4 now open in Ontario and Quebec)
    Expanding
    Unknown
  

    Plato's Closet
    National expansion including Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba
    Expanding
    Unknown
  

    Pusateri’s Fine Foods
    Toronto (Avenue Road replacement 2016), Oakville ON (early-mid 2016), at Saks CF Eaton Centre Queen Street, Saks CF Sherway Gardens, both February 2016)
    Expanding
    TBA
  

    Reiss
    Toronto (now open), Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, other markets expected. 
    Expanding
    Uknown
  

    Rudsak
    Calgary (CF Market Mall, now open), Ontario, Quebec, looking to open 20-25 more locations nationwide.
    Expanding
    50+
  

    Saje Natural Wellness
    Toronto, Halifax, Edmonton, Tssawwassen BC, other markets (aggressive expansion).
    Expanding
    50 by 2018
  

    Sephora 
    Major 2016 Toronto/GTA expansion TBA (new locations/replacement/store expansions)
    Expanding
    TBA
  

    SHOO by Steve Madden
    Toronto (now open), national expansion anticipated
    Expanding
    TBA
  

    Urban Barn
    Downtown Toronto location sought, recently opened 2 Quebec locations, national expansion. 
    Expanding
    70+
  

    Uniqlo
    Toronto (CF Eaton Centre, Yorkdale both opening fall 2016), Vancouver and other markets to follow
    New
    Unknown
  

Our next Peregrine-sponsored List of Retailers Opening and Expanding in Canada will be published early next month. We'll also discuss what new retailers entered Canada in 2015.

In early 2016, the University of Alberta School of Retailing's Department of Applied Research will release a study revealing and discussing new brands confirmed to be entering Canada. We'll discuss the study once released. The research department is also available for hire, for companies/entities looking to conduct retail industry research.

Canadian Retail News From Around The Web: December 15, 2015