L.L. Bean continues store expansion in Canada

L.L. Bean is opening a store in Canada’s largest city.

The outdoor gear and apparel retailer will open its fourth store in Canada on Oct. 23, at the CF Shops at Don Mills in Toronto. L.L. Bean entered the market in 2018, with the launch of its Canadian e-commerce site, followed by the launch of a Canada-specific catalog. The company opened its first retail store in the country in 2019, in Oakville, followed by locations this year at Ottawa Train Yards, in Ottawa, and the Georgian Mall, Barrie. 

“While we are opening our final store for the year, we look forward to what 2021 will bring for L.L. Bean in Canada,” said Greg Elder, VP of retail and international of L.L. Bean, which operates 54 stores across the U.S., including its 220,000-sq.-ft. headquarters flagship in Freeport, Maine, and 28 stores in Japan.

Despite the pandemic, L.L. Bean said sales in Canada have grown in its second year in the market. E-commerce sales are up significantly compared to 2019 and the brand has seen a two-fold increase in first-time Canadian shoppers. 

“We are excited about the success of the three stores that have already opened in Ontario as well as the overall success L.L. Bean is having in Canada this year,” said Howie Kastner, president of Jaytex Group, L.L.Bean’s Canadian partner.