Contemporary, trend-focused Italian women's fashion brand PINKO has opened it’s first Canadian location at downtown Montreal's upscale Les Cours Mont-Royal. The 2,204 square foot boutique is located on the mall’s third level, and is the brand’s second North American store, following the opening of a unit earlier this month in New York City’s Soho area.

Founded in 1986 by Pietro Negra and Cristina Rubini, the PINKO fashion brand features styling that reflects the 'Italian Spirit', according to the company. Fun and quality are key components to the brand's identity, with clothing styles ranging from dressy to casual/trendy.

*(Click above for interactive Montreal mall map, via Google)*

*(Footwear area, with ready-to-wear behind)*

"We are thrilled to welcome this distinctive brand," says Valerie Law, Vice-President of Marketing for the Soltron Group (which also owns Les Cours Mont-Royal). "Our vibrant city is known for our trendsetting fashions, making Montreal and Les Cours an ideal place for PINKO's cutting-edge collections.”

PINKO has stores in 24 countries (mostly in Europe) with over 170 retail stores (both corporately-owned and franchised) as well as 970 wholesale outlets. The brand can also be found in upscale international department stores and is expanding into the travel retail sector with 10 recently inaugurated stores in Italy and abroad.

*(Footwear to the right, ready-to-wear to the left)*

Canada could see more PINKO locations, according to Ms. Law, though the company will test the Canadian market with its first Montreal store. The company is taking a similar approach to an American store expansion, she noted.

PINKO joins a number of other international retailers that have opened their first Canadian locations at Les Cours Mont-Royal. In the past, Maledetti Toscani, Desigual, and DKNY opened their first Canadian stores here, prior to expanding into other Canadian markets.

*Photos of the new Montreal store, above, were supplied.

Canadian Retail News From Around The Web: November 28, 2016