Pricey Italian luxury brand Stefano Ricci will open its first free-standing Canadian store next spring. The franchised location will be next to Vancouver's Trump Tower on the 1100 block of West Georgia Street, in the city's rapidly expanding downtown 'Luxury Zone'.

Founded as a tie manufacturing firm in Florence (by designer Stefano Ricci) in 1972, the family-run company strives for quality to the point of perfection, with prices to match. Attention to detail is key and the brand only uses the finest leathers, skins and fabrics. It retails menswear (including suits, dress shirts, jeans, polo shirts, casual wear and neckties), accessories (including leathergoods and cufflinks), fragrances and home goods such as porcelain and crystal dinner services, silverware and luxury linens. Prices can climb well into the thousands, with bags in exotic skins retailing for close to $50,000. The brand currently operates two North American locations, in New York City and Beverly Hills. The remainder of its stores are in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Photo: www.hanwhagalleria.co.kr — *Photo: www.hanwhagalleria.co.kr*

Operated by franchisee Manuel Bernaschek, owner of Showcase Pianos, the 2,600 square foot Vancouver Stefano Ricci store will join other new luxury retailers in the area including Prada, Versace, Brunello Cucinelli, Moncler, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and others. Stefano Ricci will be slightly removed from the rest of these luxury brands, though more similar retailers may now choose West Georgia Street after Ricci's recent lease signing.

HRC Advisory President Farla Efros explained how Vancouver's wealth (including many high net worth individuals), coupled with the city's designer-driven Asian population and tourism, make Vancouver an ideal spot for Stefano Ricci's third North American store. Vancouver is increasingly becoming known for its sophisticated luxury clientele, according to Ms. Efros.

Sources say that the Canadian franchisee could eventually look to open a second Canadian Stefano Ricci location in Toronto, though there are no immediate plans.

Thank you Helen Siwak, owner of ecoluxury retailer THECloset YVR, for being the source of this tip.

Canadian Retail News From Around The Web: August 25, 2015