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Vancouver stores survive Kit and Ace closures

Nine stores in Canada remain as 32 additional closures announced
Kit and Ace
Vancouver-based clothing company Kit and Ace is closing 32 stores outside Canada and laying off staff at its Vancouver headquarters. Photo Dan Toulgoet

A year after Vancouver-based Kit and Ace boasted 61 stores and 700 employees, it is reversing many of those gains in growth.

The clothing retailer recently announced that it was closing 32 stores outside of Canada and laying off staff at its Vancouver head office. With its store count already down to 41 of last month, the company says the additional closures will allow it to focus on its nine Canadian stores, including the Gastown and West 4th locations, and its online store, reports Business in Vancouver.

The company, which was founded in 2014 by Lululemon founder Chip Wilson and his family, has also let go president Wendy Bennison, a former Roots president. That leaves Wilson effectively acting as president, the company’s media relations spokesperson told BIV.

“We recognize the traditional world of bricks and mortar retailing is changing, which is why we’re shifting strategies,” Wilson said in a press release. “We believe in the business model for Kit and Ace. Going forward, we will be a stronger company. Fewer stores require fewer people. We remain deeply grateful for the creativity and commitment of those leaving the company and thank them for their valuable contribution.”

A former employee told BIV that the first head office layoffs were from the product team in late 2015. Kit and Ace then laid off about 35 workers at its head office in February 2016. In September 2016, a further 60 employees were given pink slips but the head office still had well over 200 people.

Wilson did not tell BIV how many layoffs there would be.

 

Read more about Vancouver's business news at BIV.com.