Vancouver-based Army & Navy is holding its 64th annual shoe sale on April 24 – an event dubbed the biggest shoe sale in Canada because the chain's six stores regularly sell more than 100,000 pairs of shoes and generate more than $1 million in revenue.
"It's crazy. There are fights and people pushing each other over," store owner Jacqui Cohen told Business in Vancouver April 19.
"It's our Christmas. It sets the tone for the year for us."
The chain buys shoes throughout the year specifically for its annual shoe sale – often at steep discounts over what the normal wholesale price is, Cohen said.
"You could see the same shoes at the Bay for $200 when, the same day, they go at Army & Navy for $39.99," she said. "The suppliers get a lot of flak for it but we're known for getting shoes in and selling them right away."
Past years have seen lineups around the block that start as early as 5 a.m.
Cohen owns not only the Army & Navy but also the real estate that most of her stores occupy. For example, she owns the lion's share of the block bounded by Hastings, Cordova, Carrall and Abbott streets. That includes parking lots, a head office, a hotel and her chain's original 93-year-old store.
Cohen, whose grandfather founded the discount department store chain, wants to redevelop the block.
"Let's put it this way, it will be in our lifetime, God willing," said Cohen, who turns 60 this month. "I'm taking my time going through the process. It won't be immediate. Have you ever tried to do anything with the city? Especially when you're looking [to build something with] density. You've got zealots who don't want development."
