*At CF Toronto Eaton Centre. Photo: Devon Johnson*

U.K. luxury jewellery brand Links of London will open two free-standing locations in Toronto this spring: one at Toronto's CF Toronto Eaton Centre, and the other at CF Sherway Gardens.

Toronto will become one of only two North American cities to feature multiple freestanding Links of London stores. New York City features three freestanding Links locations, and Las Vegas and Natick, Massachusetts both have one. The United States currently has only five freestanding Links stores.

The Eaton Centre Links store will measure about 860 square feet according to lease plans, and will be located between retailers Michael Kors and Club Monaco on the mall's third level. That same mall level has direct access to Canada's Saks Fifth Avenue flagship at one end, with Nordstrom's Toronto flagship set to open at the other end in September of this year.

Last fall, we reported that Links of London would open a freestanding store at Toronto's CF Sherway Gardens. That freestanding location would replace a concession within the mall's Holt Renfrew, which will close some time this year.

Holt Renfrew features six Links of London concessions at all locations except for Holt's Montreal store, where Links instead operates inside Holts-owned Ogilvy. A source at the company says that Links will also open a concession at Holt Renfrew's Square One Mississauga location when it opens in the summer of 2016.

Links of London was founded in 1990 and has grown to become a global luxury brand. In July of 2006, the company was sold to Greek conglomerate Folli Follie SA. The name 'Links' signifies the brand's famous men's cufflinks, though collections include accessories, jewellery, timepieces and gifts for both genders.

Canadian Retail News From Around The Web: March 9, 2016