Athleta to open 5 new stores in Canada

Gap-owned Athleta announced on Tuesday Canadian retail expansion plans starting with the opening of a store in Burlington, Ontario, in the Mapleview Centre.

The new 4,260-square-foot performance-lifestyle store is Athleta's third company-operated Canadian location. It follows the opening of its first company-operated stores outside of the U.S. in September at Park Royal Shopping Centre in West Vancouver, and in November at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto.

Next, Athleta will open four additional stores at Chinook Centre, in Calgary, Sherway Gardens, in Etobicoke, West Edmonton Mall, in Edmonton, and 1035 Robson Street, in Vancouver.

"Since our launch last year, Canadian customers have quickly gravitated toward our offerings. We have highly differentiated performance lifestyle product unlike anything else in this market. As a certified B. Corporation, we are filling a need in the market for a sustainable, purpose-driven brand, and we can see how that connects back to our Canadian customer's focus on health, wellness and active living," said Jenelle Sheridan, VP and GM, Athleta Canada.

"Athleta's Canadian business is a key contributor to long term growth, and we believe our store fleet growth strategy will get us there as we see Canadians return to in-store shopping.”

Last year, Athleta expanded into Canada with the launch of e-commerce in August. Since its Canadian entry, the brand's new customer acquisition goal exceeded expectations by over 40%, in Q1 of 2022.

The company said that brand awareness climbed thanks to a combination of new product offerings, localized marketing and events with the launch of Alicia Keys and Simone Biles collections, and partnership with the Toronto Six Women's professional hockey team.

Founded in 1998, Athleta stores today feature inclusive sizing in more than 200 styles ranging from XXS-2X, in-store styling appointments, free alterations, and wellness-focused community events.

The company said that “the Canadian market remains a priority for strategic growth of Athleta and Gap Inc. portfolio of purpose-led brands.”

Athleta to open 5 new stores in Canada

See also