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Yorkdale Shopping Centre |
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Staying ahead of the trend drives the trend
To say that many consumers are on the lookout for something unique is an understatement. Undeniably, then, if one is in the retail business, providing customers with something different simply makes good business sense.
This idea may seem "old hat" to successful retailers, but it is, indeed, a rarity that a shopping centre has used this rationale to fuel its growth and success for the past 42 years.
Yorkdale is that shopping centre. More than any other shopping centre in the country, Yorkdale gives shoppers exactly what they want. "Many of our customers look to Yorkdale as the source for style," says Jai Lee, Marketing Director for Yorkdale Shopping Centre. "They see us as the premier shopping destination, delivering up-to-the-minute retailers, the best of au current trends and an inspirational, unique shopping environment."
Canada's first Apple Store opened at Yorkdale. The launch proved so successful that Apple decided to open more stores in Toronto. Just another example of the exceptional pull of Yorkdale, always raising the bar on what a shopping experience should be.
Shopping centre success is measured by average sales per square foot. Yorkdale currently averages a staggering $980 per square foot - nearly double the national average of $467 per square foot (statistics courtesy of the International Council of Shopping Centres).
Yorkdale's tremendous success isn't a recent phenomenon. The centre has been growing and reinventing itself since it first opened its doors in 1964 as the nation's biggest, most spectacular shopping centre. In 2005, 40 new stores and 180,000 square feet were added, for an impressive total of 1.6 million square feet of shopping space offering 240 stores and services.
The fact that 240 stores and services need customers is not lost on Yorkdale.
"A centre like Yorkdale could only thrive in a city such as Toronto, with its grand and diverse population," says Lee. "Toronto is also one of Canada's most affluent CMA (Central Market Area). And, it's conveniently located near major traffic arteries, complete with transit system access - a subway stop - right on site.
Being located in the province's capital city is another bonus. Virtually, all of Yorkdale's specialist consultants and services are within city limits. And, several of Yorkdale's vital Canadian retailers, such as Holt Renfrew and Indigo, have head offices in Toronto. "For these Toronto-based retailers, as well as those located elsewhere, Yorkdale's stores are among the top performers in the country, providing a valuable barometer of a retail concept's potential," adds Lee.
Toronto's intense love affair with Yorkdale has lasted for more than forty years. Yorkdale is synonymous with world-class shopping, and the centre has become, inarguably, an integral part of Toronto's urban life.
Website: www.yorkdale.com
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