*Outside of the new Vancouver Granville Street store. Photo: Helen Siwak of @Eco.Lux.Luv*

American fashion retailer Zumiez plans to open seven Canadian locations in 2016, according to its most recent financial report.

Founded in 1978 near Seattle, Zumiez sells apparel, footwear, equipment and accessories for action sports, particularly skateboarding, snowboarding, BMX and motocross. The company's first store was called 'Above the Belt' and was located at Seattle's Northgate Mall. Zumiez caters to young men and women between the ages of 12 and 24, and now boasts in excess of 600 locations worldwide.

The company currently has 42 Canadian stores in seven provinces, including B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

One location opened this week at 820 Granville Street in Vancouver. The store is 4,800 square feet over two levels according to Vancity Buzz, and replaces Quicksilver which vacated that retail space about three years ago. Job postings indicate that Zumiez will also open a store this year at Tsawwassen Mills, south of Vancouver.

Zumiez is represented in Canada by brokerage Northwest Atlantic. According to the brokerage's website, Zumiez is seeking retail space in the 2,400 to 3,200 square foot range, with a minimum 25 foot frontage.

Canadian Retail News From Around The Web: March 30, 2016