Canadian retailer Kit and Ace expands, brews up change with in-store coffee shops

TORONTO – Kit and Ace has plans for significant expansion in the coming months, but the retailer is already brewing up big change with the introduction of in-store coffee shops.

The Canadian apparel brand will launch Sorry Coffee Co., in select cities including Toronto, at its new 3,300-square-foot flagship location slated to open on Sept. 17, said Kit and Ace co-founder JJ Wilson, the son of Lululemon founder Chip Wilson.

The coffee shop moniker was an attempt to poke fun at Canadians — a winking nod to the quick-to-apologize stereotype, Wilson said.

“When I look at how the world is changing in retail and experiential retail, and how people want to shop and what they’re looking for, they’re looking for more than just a clothing store,” Wilson said of the decision to offer coffee and clothing together.

Keeping in step with the company’s desire to integrate community artists and contractors into its shops, everything from Sorry Coffee Co.’s food to fixtures will be locally sourced and coffee cups will be adorned with local artwork.

“We wanted to make sure every shop had unique elements, felt different, and really had its own voice depending on what location, market or community it was opening up in,” said Wilson.

In a grim retail landscape that has seen many Canadian and foreign chains close up shop, Kit and Ace is bucking the trend.

The company is launching new storefronts both at home and abroad, including in the U.S. and U.K, along with e-commerce platforms.

Kit and Ace will have close to 50 shops open by early 2016, Wilson said.

Kit and Ace sells a wide swath of products for men and women, including button-up shirts, blouses, sweaters, skirts, pants, dresses, outerwear and accessories.

In key markets, Wilson said stores will also include tailor shops where emerging designers will have the chance to create designs that could potentially be incorporated into future collections.

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