“It’s heartening to be part of a little reverse cross-border retail invasion,” laughed Mark Derbyshire, president of Canada’s luxury department store chain, Holt Renfrew, while accepting the honor for “Retailer of the Year” at Monday’s 37th annual American Image Awards, presented by the American Apparel & Footwear Association.
Alluding to Nordstrom’s recent arrival north of the border and Saks Fifth Avenue’s plans to open a Canadian store in 2016, Derbyshire joked that he was accepting the award “on behalf of all of Canada.”
In a bid to combat increased competition from U.S. heavyweights, the 178-year-old upscale retailer is opening new locations and growing its existing Canadian stores as part of a $300 million redevelopment which will see its square footage increase by about 40 percent in the coming years.
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“We’re thrilled to be amidst the most dynamic expansion in our company history,” Derbyshire said. “Our relationships with customers, partners and employees are always at the very heart of Holt Renfrew. On behalf of all our partners, we’re thrilled with this wonderful, historical honor this evening.”
Proceeds from the event, held at 583 Park Avenue on New York’s tony Upper East Side and hosted by actress Debi Mazar, benefited Mercy Ships, a global charity that operates hospital ships in developing nations.
Cynthia Rowley, whose ever-expanding lifestyle empire spans apparel and wetsuits to candy and Band-Aids, received the “Designer of the Year” nod. “I want to thank my licensees who have allowed me to explore my imagination in uncharted territory, and all the retailers and press that have supported these initiatives,” she said.
Other honorees included Brown Shoe Company for “Company of the Year,” Brooks Brothers chairman and CEO Claudio Del Vecchio was named “Person of the Year” and TV personality Kelly Osbourne received the “Fashion Maverick” award.
