*Rendering of the CF Toronto Eaton Centre Uniqlo-branded facade. Image supplied.*

Japanese fashion retailer Uniqlo has announced the opening dates of its first two Canadian stores. It has also released a rendering of its CF Toronto Eaton Centre store (see above), as well as updated details on both Toronto locations.

The 27,400 square foot CF Toronto Eaton Centre Uniqlo store will open at 10:30 am on Friday, September 30 of this year. The store will be two levels on the mall's 'Level 3' which, because of the configuration of the centre, is at street-level towards Yonge-Dundas Square where Uniqlo will be located. The store will be located beside the mall's 220,000 square foot Nordstrom flagship, which opens to the public on September 16. H&M occupies the north side of the mall beside Uniqlo, and recently expanded to over 52,500 square feet, making it one of the largest H&M's in the world.

*CF Toronto Eaton Centre, Rendering: Uniqlo*

Although Uniqlo will feature exterior signage and branding facing Yonge Street, the store itself will be accessed from within the mall, with the majority of the store being second-level. Lease plan: Cadillac Fairview.

Uniqlo's 25,500 square foot Yorkdale Shopping Centre store, located in the mall's new 'Nordstrom Wing', will open to the public on Thursday, October 20. That store will also be two levels. The new 300,000 square foot retail wing will be anchored by a 196,000 square foot Nordstrom store (opening October 21) and will also house about 30 retailers, including several that will be first-to-market.

*Yorkdale store rendering, supplied by Uniqlo*

*Yorkdale 'Nordstrom Wing' circled in red. Lease Plan: Oxford Properties.*

*Uniqlo store in New York City. Photo: retaildesignblog.net*

Earlier this summer, we met with Uniqlo Canada Chief Operating Officer Yasuhiro Hayashi, who explained that Uniqlo's Canadian store expansion will be gradual, and that the company will look to create brand recognition before moving into new markets. Toronto is a terrific test market, he explained, given its size, influence and diverse population. He said that Vancouver is likely the next expansion market for the company in Canada.

Jeff Berkowitz of Aurora Realty Consultants represents Uniqlo as broker in Canada, and negotiated both the CF Toronto Eaton Centre and Yorkdale Shopping Centre deals with the respective landlords. BICOM's Erin Strulovitch is handling Uniqlo's Public Relations.

Canadian Retail News From Around The Web: August 25, 2016