Ralph Lauren expands in Canada with first namesake store, e-commerce

Ralph Lauren Corp. is deepening its root north of the border — online and in-store.

The company is expanding in Canada with the opening of the first Ralph Lauren store in the country and the launch of a dedicated Canadian e-commerce site. The store, in Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre, is the first in a planned expansion in Canada, building on the company’s existing wholesale and outlet presence in the region. 

Toronto represents one of Ralph Lauren’s top 30 cities targeted for a comprehensive omni-channel expansion globally. Currently, the brand has 12 outlet stores in Canada and a wholesale presence through Hudson’s Bay, Sporting Life and Harry Rosen. The company said it plans to open a number of Ralph Lauren stores across the country in the coming years.

The Ralph Lauren store at Yorkdale features a mix of men’s Purple Label and women’s collection, as well as a curated selection of Polo Ralph Lauren men’s and women’s collections. It also offers an array of dedicated client services, including private styling appointments, alterations & repairs and made-to-measure tailoring.

The store is designed to captures the Ralph Lauren brand’s timeless spirit and brings it to life in a modern, sophisticated space, the company said. The bold, double-height façade, made of of cherry wood louvers and aged-bronze metal, gives way to a contemporary interior with bright, white walls and a limestone floor.

The new Ralph Lauren Canadian web site will house the firm’s full portfolio of brands, including Purple Label, Ralph Lauren Collection, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL and Lauren, across its breadth of men’s, women’s and childrenswear assortments in apparel, accessories and footwear, in addition to select home items. The company will launch the English version of its Canadian digital commerce site on October 11.   It will explore a future launch in Quebec with a French-language version.

The Canadian digital commerce site and new luxury store build on Ralph Lauren Corporation’s targeted expansion in North America, as well as across Asia and Europe, as part of its “Next Great Chapter: Accelerate” strategy to deliver sustainable, long-term growth and value creation through a balance of flagship stores, intimate boutiques, outlets, wholesale partnerships and digital platforms.

“Ralph Lauren’s ethos of timelessness and authenticity has inspired and connected with our Canadian consumers for decades, and we’re excited to bring a more holistic expression of our brand to Canada,” said Bob Ranftl, regional CEO for North America at Ralph Lauren Corp. “We look forward to serving our consumers throughout Canada with enhanced and elevated experiences that reflect our luxury lifestyle point of view.”