Several Calvin Klein-branded underwear stores exist in the Lower Mainland and there could soon be a full store by the New York-based fashion giant.
“Through licensing, Calvin Klein took a stab out here on the West Coast, but the stores were licensed,” said Mauro Padula, who is vice-president of leasing at SmartCentres.
“Now, the real Calvin Klein wants to come in with a full-blown [corporately owned] store.”
SmartCentres is Canada’s largest developer and operator of non-enclosed shopping centres. It manages and has developed more than 200 retail centres.
“You might have seen some Calvin Klein stores closing out and leaving,” Padula said. “That’s because they were by a licensee. Now the people who bought the Calvin Klein brand and name [Phillips-Van Heusen (NYSE:PVH)] are coming out here.”
Glen Korstrom
@GlenKorstrom