Coach Renovates 'Mink Mile' Flagship
/Upscale New York City-based fashion brand Coach has renovated its Toronto Bloor Street flagship. Located at The Colonnade at 131 Bloor Street West, Coach neighbours some of Canada's most exclusive retailers. Coach is looking to upgrade its image and increase profitability, as it addresses competition from several strong American brands.
The 2,900 square foot Coach store is wedged between Chanel and Mulberry and is two doors from Prada, which will substantially expand its Colonnade location in the coming months. The renovated Coach space reflects a more modern aesthetic than the previous interior, as Coach looks to regain market share potentially lost to competitors Michael Kors and Kate Spade. Coach will upgrade a number of Canadian stores, we're told, with plans for at least one new prototype location set to be announced shortly.
Coach recently made headlines when it laid off its part-time Canadian workers, though the move was strategic. The brand is reportedly looking to build customer relationships with full-time staff as it looks to enhance the in-store retail experience.
Rumours that neighbouring Chanel would take Coach's Colonnade space were quashed with the renovation, and sources say that Chanel continues to be interested in expanding its Bloor Street operations. Chanel currently occupies about 7,900 square feet in The Colonnade, with a ground floor of 3,120 square feet. In the United States, several new and expanded Chanel stores now surpass 10,000 square feet.