Joe Fresh’s anticipated New York opening excites tourists, not analysts
Joe Fresh is making the move to New York this fall, but some skeptics suggest that the Mimran dynasty may have to pull back to Canada sooner than anticipated. Analysts seem mixed on the potential success of yet another fast fashion retailer. The Financial Post notes that companies who moved south of the border (among the fallen are Danier, Harry Rosen, Tristan, La Senza and Brown’s Shoes) haven’t always been welcome, while the New York Times highlights a boom in tourist traffic around Joe’s chosen 5th Avenue and 43rd Street location.
Of course there are some Canadian success stories, like Lululemon and Tim Hortons, but the Post seems to think that Joe Fresh’s main competition in N.Y.C. is Uniqlo, a Japanese retailer known for its collaborations with design stalwarts like Opening Ceremony and Jil Sander. Uniqlo has the advantage of already being a globally established brand, with a market far larger than Joe’s loyal followers of frugal and shopping-obsessed Canadians. But hey, this is Joe’s first step down that road. What’s there to be skeptical about? If Joe could get people to buy clothes while shopping for Memories of Marrakech couscous, we’re sure they can get New Yorkers to buy cheap sweater sets.
• Chic, Along Fifth Ave., Moves Below 50th St. [The New York Times]
• Joe Fresh follows tough path into cutthroat NYC market [The Financial Post]
 haven’t always been welcome, while the New York Times highlights a boom in tourist traffic around Joe’s chosen 5th Avenue and 43rd Street location.
Of course there are some Canadian success stories, like Lululemon and Tim Hortons, but the Post seems to think that Joe Fresh’s main competition in N.Y.C. is Uniqlo, a Japanese retailer known for its collaborations with design stalwarts like Opening Ceremony and Jil Sander. Uniqlo has the advantage of already being a globally established brand, with a market far larger than Joe’s loyal followers of frugal and shopping-obsessed Canadians. But hey, this is Joe’s first step down that road. What’s there to be skeptical about? If Joe could get people to buy clothes while shopping for Memories of Marrakech couscous, we’re sure they can get New Yorkers to buy cheap sweater sets.
• Chic, Along Fifth Ave., Moves Below 50th St. [The New York Times]
• Joe Fresh follows tough path into cutthroat NYC market [The Financial Post]){kind=link}
Why would New Yorkers want to buy cheap Canadian crap?
It’s not even cheap Canadian crap. It’s cheaply made, poorly constructed, made in China crap.
What makes Joe Fresh work is that it sells cheap basics in a convenient location(grocery stores). I do not think that the majority of its customers actively seek out the Joe Fresh brand. It just happens to be there, you start to browse, you end up buying some merchandise. Not every brand is destined to become, nor needs to be a global enterprise.
Why do even Canadians buy this line? Poorly made, poor quality materials, sized badly and a very limited size range. The styles are completely unremarkable. There is *nothing* to make these items stand out except that they are sold in a grocery store. That’s it.
Mimran needs to get a grip. I am not even sure how this brand is even categorized in the same league as Uniqlo which TOTALLY ROCKS. Joe Fresh is more on par with some of the crappier stuff at Target! Maybe they plan to do things a little different with their US launch? If not, it’s true that the Americans won’t want our lousy version of Wal-Mart/Target/Zellers fare. What are these people even thinking? And those brands that went south and didn’t make it? Hello they’re not exactly offering anything comparable to what the US already has! Face it, and I am not knocking Canada but the state of retail here is so bad–why else do we get so worked up and excited when some established brand from the US announces it will open here? Look at what a stir was caused when Target in Canada was announced! I am sure we will still pay a premium for Target too, just the way it is here…sad.
Well, excuse, but Joe Fresh is AWESOME!!!
Everyone who says crap about Joe Fresh hasn’t shopped at Joe Fresh.!
Their clothes are cheap and their clothes ACUTELY last!
I’ve bought so many things there and I still have very stylish sweaters and shirts that I bought a few years back that look as new as ever! I’ve bought stuff at Old Navy and Gap and the stuff bornw down in like 1 year! Great way to spend your money!
So don’t go being an @#$@$ on a store that you have never shopped at!!!
oh, and by the way, I love how you are comparing Joe Fresh to Target, and walmart..
target and walmart are 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 lower than Joe Fresh!
so see ya americans! have a nice time with Uniqlo until Joe Fresh opens down there!
and when I mean cheap, I mean their PRICES!!
yes, people say their quality is not really good…but guess what? Gap, Banana Republic, American Eagle, and so many more companies all make their clothes either in China or in another poorer country (I’m not saying China is poor but the costs are alot lower)
Most unique, most afforadable clothing, i have ever seen. The way the economy is today it is nice to dress in fashion, without breaking the bank. Thanks Joe Fresh!!!!!!!