Photo: urbantoronto.ca — *Photo: urbantoronto.ca*

Popular mid-priced Canadian menswear retailer Moores has launched made-to-measure clothing in its stores, potentially competing with custom suit makers and pricier menswear retailers. It's a 'brilliant move' according to luxury retail expert Farla Efros, who notes that it could enhance Moores' customer loyalty at a time when competition heats up in the Canadian menswear market.

Moores has partnered with New York City-based Joseph Abboud to launch the new custom line, called Joseph Abboud Custom, which is now available at Moores locations nationwide. Suits, sport coats, dress trousers, vests, tuxedos, dinner jackets and formalwear trousers will be available custom-order. After determining a desired fit, customers may select from a variety of Italian fabrics (including 100% wool ranging from super 100s to super 150s) as well as detailing such as pick stitching and button holes. Product is manufactured in a Montreal-based, family owned factory which was founded in 1913.

The starting price is $695 for suits, $500 for sport coats and dinner jackets, $195 for trousers and $150 for vests.

Joseph Abboud. Photo: www.quazoo.com — *Joseph Abboud. Photo: www.quazoo.com*

Luxury retail expert Farla Efros, COO of HRC Advisory, tells us that Moores' moving into custom clothing is a brilliant move. Custom menswear has become a trend, growing significantly faster than off-the-rack clothing. This is partly a result of men becoming more discerning when it comes to the fit of their clothing. Moores' custom initiative allows it to differentiate from mid-priced competition, grow loyalty and offer something unique in the mid market - making the customer feel special and likely to return.

Moores is also addressing substantial new competition, as custom suit makers such as Vancouver-based Indochino continue to grow and open brick-and-mortar stores. At the higher-end, upscale menswear retailer Harry Rosen has recently seen an increase in made-to-measure sales, now accounting for about 20% of its suit business. Menswear competition in Canada will continue to increase as international retailers such as Loding and Suitsupply continue to expand, not to mention upscale department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, La Maison Simons and Nordstrom, all of which are increasingly carrying considerable menswear offerings.

With the ad slogan "Well made, Well Priced, Well Dressed", Moores was founded in Mississauga, Ontario in 1980. It now operates over 120 locations nationwide. The menswear retailer carries a full selection of suits, sport coats, furnishings and accessories, and is also the largest provider of tuxedo rentals in Canada. Although it is headquartered in Toronto, Moores was bought by Texas-based Men's Warehouse in 1999.