Nordstrom Greets First Customers in Vancouver

By Adriana Pop, Associate Editor

Vancouver, British Columbia—Fashion specialty retailer Nordstrom Inc. has celebrated the opening of a 230,000-square-foot store at Pacific Centre in the heart of Vancouver, British Columbia.

The location marks the third of six announced Nordstrom stores to open in Canada through 2017. Future openings are scheduled at Toronto Eaton Centre in September 16, 2016; Yorkdale Centre, Toronto in October 21, 2016; and Sherway Gardens, Toronto in spring 2017. The Vancouver outpost also marks the company’s first international flagship location.

“Cadillac Fairview is proud to welcome Nordstrom to Pacific Centre, our third of five Nordstrom stores to open across Cadillac Fairview shopping centers,” John Sullivan, president & CEO, The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Ltd., said. “Today we’ve met two goals – to transform an entire city block and introduce Nordstrom to Vancouver.”

The store features the company’s latest design concept, which incorporates natural light with a clean, single surface floor throughout in the hopes that it will create a sense of discovery for customers to experience new brands. The flagship location also offers several services such as Concierge, 24-Hour Express Service, 2-Hour Delivery Service, China UnionPay, Shoe Shine, Language Ambassadors, Studio Services, a JWN Private Shopping Suite, Canada’s first-ever Sugarfina candy shop and Drybar blow out bar and three food offerings.

James Smerdon, a vice-president at Colliers International Consulting, told The Vancouver Sun that Nordstrom is going to revitalize an area of the city of Vancouver that had been suffering for over 30 years because of planning policies and retailers who were not able to excite the market.

During opening day, customers were offered complimentary skincare consultations, demonstrations and makeup lessons from the store’s team of beauty and fragrance experts. More than 950 employees currently work from the new Nordstrom location.

Earlier in September, Nordstrom hosted and underwrote the cost of a sold-out fashion show and in-store gala for 2,250 guests. Proceeds from tickets sales raised $420,000 for local organizations BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre Foundation, Covenant House Vancouver and the Vancouver Art Gallery. Actress and supermodel Amber Valletta, actress Camilla Belle, actress and supermodel Karolina Kurkova and actor Zachary Quinto were among the event’s special guests.

Nordstrom was founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle. Today, the fashion specialty retailer operates 310 stores in 38 states and Canada. Customers are served at 119 Nordstrom stores in the U.S. and Canada; 183 Nordstrom Rack stores; two Jeffrey boutiques; and one clearance store. Additionally, customers are served online through Nordstrom.com, Nordstromrack.com and HauteLook. The company also owns Trunk Club, a personalized clothing service serving customers online at TrunkClub.com and its five clubhouses.

Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons