German Womenswear Brand Gerry Weber Plans Aggressive Canadian Expansion

Photo: www.ulemiste.ee

International womenswear brand Gerry Weber plans to open multiple free-standing locations across the country. It will open eight Canadian locations this year, with its first six locations scheduled to open this spring in Southern Ontario. Although these will be Gerry Weber's first corporate stores in Canada, the brand has operated franchised locations in Ontario and British Columbia for several years. 

Founded in 1973 in Halle, Germany, moderately-priced Gerry Weber targets women over the age of 30. The brand features women's ready-to-wear as well as accessories, leathergoods and footwear. The brand has over 1,000 company managed locations around the world, as well as more than 2,800 shop-in-stores. It employs over 5,000 worldwide. Its goal next year is to generate sales in excess of one billion Euros. 

Photo: www.fabeau.de

Gerry Weber will open its first corporate Canadian location on March 26 at Toronto's Yorkdale Shopping Centre. This store will be the company's Canadian flagship. In April, locations will open at Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket, and at Scarborough Town Centre in Toronto. In May, Gerry Weber locations will open at Vaughan Mills, Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga, and at Outlet Collection at Niagara, near Niagara Falls. 

Gerry Weber currently operates four Canadian franchised locations -- three in Ontario, and one in British Columbia. The Ontario locations include stores at 1177 Yonge Street in Toronto, a location in downtown Burlington, and a shop on Richmond Road in Ottawa. A Gerry Weber franchise also operates at 1849 Marine Drive in West Vancouver, operated by by iconic Vancouver-based retailer Edward Chapman. 

Sources say that two more southern Ontario locations will be announced for this year, and that Gerry Weber is now seeking retail space in Western Canada. 

Gerry Weber is represented by brokerage Oberfeld Snowcap. Gerry Weber seeks retail space in the 1,800 - 2,000 square foot range, ideally in enclosed malls. 

We'll update you when we learn more on Gerry Weber's Canadian store expansion.  

Today's Retail News From Around The Web: March 11, 2015

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