Simons opening as part of expanded Squre One expected to create jobs

Mar 17, 2016 | Life

By HumberNews
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French fashion Canadian store Simons opens today at Square One. (SQUAREONE.COM)

Rebecca Pilozo Melara

The well known Quebec-based retailer Simons opened its first Ontario store Thursday at Square One mall at the west end of Toronto, a move that is expected to create more jobs.

Canada’s apparel sales grew by 3.8 per cent in 2015 to an estimated $30.6-billion,”the Globe and Mail reported last month.

But the boom in sales isn’t expected to keep up into 2016 and 2017.

Apparel sales are expected to  only pick up by 2.4 per cent in 2016 and 1.7 per cent in 2017, the newspaper reported.

Square One Marketing Director Toni Holley told Humber News on Thursday that job seekers can expect more store openings in the mall from international brands, which will mean more employment opportunities.

“With the arrival of all the great new stores, this has opened opportunities in management, merchandizing, fashion, and beauty,” Holley adds that many of the job postings are updated frequently on the mall’s website.

In a time where many retailers come and go, Holley said Simons brings much more than just a Canadian element to the mall.

“Simons has a 175 year heritage, they’ve been around for many years. They’re unique, innovative, fresh and they service a wide demographic.”

Suzy Ferreira, a manager at a retail store in the mall, said she has worked there for nearly two years and says the changes have been beneficial to many of the stores, bringing in customers and jobs.

“I personally like that Square One is expanding to fit to a higher end clientele. As an employee it allows us to have different clientele come to Square One, which has increased the amount of shoppers.”

The mall recently opened a big expanded section in its south end, with a number of new luxury retailers such as Kate Spade New York, Alex and Ani, Rolex by Raffi Jewellers and many more.

Oxford Properties Group, which owns Square One and Yorkdale Shopping Centre, “has invested $650-million in its malls in the past five years and currently is pouring another $1.2-billlion int0 other projects, including expanding Square One,” the Globe reported.