Another U.S. retailer expanded its brand in Canada this week, as department clothing store Marshalls opened its first location Thursday in Victoria.
The Hillside Shopping Centre location comes as the mall completes a major $83-million renovation and 55,000-square-foot expansion.
Saanich resident Yvonne Smith was one of the first shoppers through the doors, and said she’s excited to find new deals and new brands.
“We just like shopping,” Smith quipped after a cheering welcome from Marshalls staff.
Colleen Uncao, spokesperson for Marshalls Canada, said the Victoria location is part of an 11-store expansion scheduled for 2014. To mark Thursday’s opening, the company donated $5,000 to Kids Help Phone.
“Supporting kids and families in the neighbourhoods where our stores are located and fostering a sense of community is integral to Marshalls’ business,” Uncao said.
Kerry Schular, general manager of Hillside, says she believes that with the expansion and introduction of new tenants, the mall now has something to offer everyone.
“We’re being selective about what we’re bringing in. It’s a careful consideration of what works and what doesn’t,” Schular said.
The expansion positions Hillside as the leader in the middle market, the 25-and-over age, mid-price point, Shular said. “We service everybody from families to seniors to teens to children.”
Marshalls is expected to employ between 40 and 60 full- and part-time associates. The Hillside location covers 29,457 square feet of the mall.
Marshalls is owned by The TJX Companies, Inc., which also operates Winners and HomeSense.
