Nordstrom, an upscale department store, is the latest American retail chain attempting to gain a foothold in a market with a reputation for large salaries and spending habits to match.
The department store, which features luxury labels and moderately priced merchandise, is scheduled to open its doors at Chinook Centre, its first Canadian location, in September.
“We consider ourselves a broad-based retailer because we carry a wide breadth of merchandise for our customers,” said John Bailey, a Nordstrom spokesperson. “You're going to find merchandise that's accessible in price and others with a designer price point. What we've found from customers is that's how they like to shop today.”
Canada’s first Nordstrom location is the latest addition to Calgary’s expanding luxury market and a number of new shops are on the horizon including an 'ultra-luxury' Rolls-Royce Motor Cars dealership .
Calgarians anxious to indulge have countless options when it comes to parting with their hard earned money and experts predict disposable income will rise with forecasted salary increases. Management consulting firm Hay Group has released statistics indicating Calgary will the highest salary increase in the country in 2015.
According to Calgary Economic Development, the median annual salary of Calgarians is $58,000, thanks in part to the energy sector.
“We're leading the country in business growth, economic activity, GDP growth,” said Bruce Graham, Calgary Economic Development. “It’s just natural with income levels and opportunities in migration for luxury retailers and retailers of all segments to be coming into this market.”
With files from CTV's Ina Sidhu
