Shoppers in Ottawa are about to get a taste of what Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH has to offer as the Kanata location opens its doors at Tanger Outlets. Shoppers looking for the ultimate “thrill of the hunt” will need to look no further than the brand new 28,000 square foot store boasting a compelling mix of more than 800 designer brands at discounted prices.
The grand opening of Saks OFF 5TH will take place on Thursday, March 24th at 9:30 a.m. Clothing designers such as DVF, Hugo Boss, Pink Tartan, Rag & Bone and Vince will just be some of the luxury brands carried by the Ottawa area retailer. Shoppers can also expect to see brand names such as Coach and Rebecca Minkoff in the purse department as well as some vintage purse offerings.
Alexandra Gunn spoke with Jonathan Greller, President of Outlets, HBC about the store opening.
What can shoppers expect to see when the store opens Thursday?
I believe shoppers will be really excited when they see the huge selection and size of our store. Saks OFF 5TH is true luxury off-price shopping. We offer more than 800 designers brands, all at amazing prices every day.
New merchandise arrives almost daily…we call our shopping experience the “thrill of the hunt.” Our customers love to explore the store to discover those amazing finds.
Why was Tanger Outlets the right fit for the first store location in Ottawa?
Tanger Outlets is already a great destination that shoppers know and love so it was a natural for us to become a major presence at this mall. HBC already operates in Ottawa, we know the market, and believe the customer demand is strong.
In fact, we have announced a second Saks OFF 5TH for Ottawa set to open in fall 2016, to be located within Hudson’s Bay’s flagship store at 72 Rideau Street.
Can Canadians expect to see similar brands as carried in U.S. stores?
Same great brands that customer would find in our U.S. stores, including some great Canadian brands as part of the mix. We have new merchandise arriving almost daily, so customers can expect to find something new every time they shop. There are incredible finds throughout the entire store – we have thousands of pairs of shoes, an incredible handbag selection, and an amazing assortment of apparel for both men and women, including key in-season trend items.
How will the prices at the Canadian outlets vary from its U.S. counterparts?
Prices are in line with and very competitive for the Canadian market.
Recently in Ottawa, we saw Holt Renfrew close their doors and Nordstrom open theirs. What are your expectations of the Ottawa market for Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH?
The off-price retailing segment is one of the fastest growing segments in the U.S. and yet in Canada it is still underdeveloped. Saks OFF 5TH offers shoppers true designer fashions at amazing prices – this is a big differentiator for us.
The leading off-price retailer recently opened its first three Canadian outlet stores at Vaughan Mills, Halton Hills and Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario.
Hudson’s Bay Co., which acquired Saks two years ago, plans to open as many as 25 OFF 5th locations across Canada by 2019.
**WIN! ** To celebrate the grand opening, shoppers can submit their email addresses in-store for a chance to win a $50 Saks OFF 5TH gift card on Thursday, March 24th and Saturday, March 26th.