Nordstrom to open largest store in Vancouver

Vancouverites with a penchant for luxury goods can soon go to Seattle-based luxury retailer Nordstrom for their fix at a three-floor, 230,000 square foot store in Pacific Centre by fall 2014. The company, along with mall operator Cadillac-Fairview Corporation Ltd. announced its launch in Canada at a media briefing in Toronto this morning.

Cadillac-Fairview bought out Sears Canada's leases at their locations in Vancouver, Ottawa and Calgary for $170 million in March.

Store locations are expected to open at Pacific Centre in Vancouver, Chinook Centre in Calgary and Rideau Centre in Ottawa. All three locations are reported to close by the end of October. There will also be a full-line store opening in Toronto at Sherway Gardens.

Canadians can currently purchase items directly from Nordstrom's website, with shipping fees that includes the cost of duties at checkout.

Originally founded as a shoe store in 1901, Nordstrom operates 231 stores in the United States. It also operates Nordstrom Rack, an discount division offering shoes, clothing and accessories of brands sold in Nordstrom stores.

Nordstrom's announcement is the latest in a string of U.S. retailers vying for Canadian consumers' dollars.

This fall, the British fashion line Ted Baker London, New-York based Ann Taylor, Loft, Kate Spade New York will open standalone stores in Toronto.

Other international and U.S. brands that have opened storefronts in Canada include Anthropologie, Express, Free People, Intermix, J. Crew, Marshalls, Topshop, Topman and Tory Burch.

On the lower-end retail spectrum, Minneapolis-based Target Corp. will open 125 to 135 stores in Canada next year.