J. Crew on Robson Street to Open Late April 2012

Opened in TO and tanked as their pricing was higher than their US mail order. They had to do some major backtracking price wise for their store. Their problem was even covered by The Globe and Mail

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/j-crews-canadian-shoppers-balk-at-higher-prices/article2136570/

“For online customers, taxes and duties raised the final price for orders in some cases by as much as 50 per cent compared with the U.S. site they previously ordered from”Even today it’s still cheaper to buy US on-line and ship to US as JC doesn’t have goods at par on-line. It’s still cheaper to bring or ship across the line. Like their TO shop or Brooks Bros they will not survive if they don’t compete with their own on-line pricing. Also they still have strong competition from more economical and still manufactured offshore goods like LL Bean, Land’s End, Woolrich and the other US East Coast traditional on-online clothiers.

The question still remains whether Vancouver is ready for the JC mod traditional look that is still stuck in the time warp of ultra thin silhouette British street wear. Street wear which has already moved on to a relaxed not so mod look. Also, Vancouver people are traditionally outdoor people who are active and put physical well being ahead of most lifestyles. Maybe enough that the ultra thin or thin mod look is not even a fit.