TORONTO – Canadians are getting a taste of Target with the launch of a one-day pop-up shop in Toronto.
Target isn’t set to open stores north of the border until next year, but the U.S. discount retailer brought its limited-edition Jason Wu collection to Canada for the day.
“I’m really happy to be Target’s first collaboration to launch in Canada,” Wu said Thursday at the downtown Toronto location.
“As you know, I have Canadian roots. I learned how to sew in Vancouver when I was 10, so it always feels like home every time I come over,” said the designer, who was clad in a crisp dark suit and tie.
Wu, raised in Vancouver, created the white, one-shouldered gown worn by Michelle Obama for the inauguration of her husband, U.S. President Barack Obama.
When the doors opened to the public just before noon, the first 25 people in line were ushered inside to a raised platform area for a quick photo with Wu and the retailer’s canine mascot, Bullseye, before they headed to the racks.
Earlier, Wu had surprised those waiting in line, when he darted out of the shop at 363 King St. W. to greet some shoppers and have his photo taken.
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Among them was Debra Howley, who had been waiting outside since 7:30 a.m. for the opening, and had her eye on a navy trench coat and dress from Wu’s collection.
But for Howley, it was the designer who was the biggest draw.
“I’ve been an admirer for a long time and I was going over his collections again this morning,” said Howley, who was waiting in line with her mother-in-law Dorothy. “So I’m so excited that it’s going to be so affordable that I’ll be able to come away with three beautiful pieces that I’ll wear for a long time.”
Justin Chan came with a highlighted print-out of images featuring looks from the Wu line he hoped to snap up for his sister.
Chan’s brother-in-law, Jason Lee, shopped at the retailer when he lived in New York and plans to check out the store when it launches in Canada next year.
“They have a lot of fair prices and you can buy a lot of items. They have clothing, they have groceries, everything – housewares and stuff like that.”
Target will donate an amount equal to 100 per cent of the sales from Thursday’s event to United Way Toronto.
Target Canada president Tony Fisher called the opening of the inaugural pop-up shop a “milestone event.”
“Today was a chance for us to really introduce our brand to Canadians in a very unique way and the way we’ve done for so many years in the United States,” he said in an interview.
Fisher said there will be other events in the lead-up to next year’s Canadian launch, and said the retailer “can’t wait to partner with Canadian designers to bring their line to life as well.”
The Minneapolis-based retailer plans to open 125 to 135 stores in Canada beginning in 2013.
Construction on the first stores will start in the Toronto area, then the company will work west and then return east, Fisher said.
Target is taking over the leases of Zellers locations and Fisher says current store employees can apply for positions in the new Target stores.
“Zellers employees all across Canada will have a chance, just like everybody else, to apply for a job at Target. They’ll have an equal opportunity to work for Target like everybody else.”
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