Kit and Ace
| Industry | Retail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder | Shannon Wilson J. J. Wilson |
| Headquarters | , Canada[1] |
Number of locations | 6 (2024) |
| Products | Technical apparel |
| Owner | Joe Mimran Frank Rocchetti David Lui |
| Website | www |
Kit and Ace is a Canadian clothing brand[2] founded in 2014 by Shannon Wilson, former lead designer of Lululemon Athletica, and her stepson J. J. Wilson,[3] to sell machine-washable cashmere wool clothing and accessories.[4] It is currently owned by Unity Brands Inc.
History
[edit]The first store opened in July 2014 in Vancouver's Gastown neighbourhood.[5]
In 2015, the brand opened retail stores in the US, the UK and Australia.[6]
In September 2015, the company installed shop-in-shop cafes from Toronto-based Sorry Coffee Co. in its London and Toronto stores.[7][8]
In April 2017, Kit and Ace closed all its international stores, focusing on e-commerce and its eight Canadian shops.[9] Hold It All Inc., a Vancouver-based company, owned the brand until the end of August 2018.[10]
In 2018, CEO George Tsogas acquired it from the company's founders and changed the brand direction creating apparel that is Smart, Easy to Love, and Made to Last on a mission to Amplify Optimism in the world.[11]
In 2018, the Navigator pant was selected as part of the "Ultimate Travel Gear" of 2018 by Air Canada's enRoute Magazine.[12]
In November 2019, Kit and Ace opens its first West Vancouver location in The Village, Park Royal.[13]
In December 2020, Kit and Ace returns to Edmonton opening a new location on Whyte Ave.[14]
In June 2022, Kit and Ace opened a new location on Queen Street in Toronto.[15]
In July 2023, Kit and Ace was acquired by Unity Brands Inc. under the ownership of veteran retail executives Joe Mimran, David Lui and Frank Rocchetti.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ "Form 10-K – lululemon athletica inc". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. March 29, 2022.
- ^ "Our Story | Kit and Ace". www.kitandace.com. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
- ^ Korstrom, Glen (July 16, 2017). "Kit and Ace co-founder JJ Wilson spins out new business ventures". Business Vancouver. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
- ^ Brogan, Jacob (2015-12-17). ""Technical Cashmere" Is a Hot Fashion Item. It's Not the Fancy Material You Think". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
- ^ "How Kit and Ace plans to become the Lululemon of streetwear". www.canadianbusiness.com. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
- ^ "Kit and Ace steps up international growth with Lululemon founder..." Reuters. 2015-03-05. Archived from the original on December 29, 2015. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
- ^ Tomlinson, Ashley (February 28, 2017). "All Apologies: Toronto's Sorry Coffee Company Inside Kit And Ace". sprudge.com. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
- ^ LaRose, Lauren (3 September 2015). ""Canadian retailer Kit and Ace expands". The Star.
- ^ Wills, Andrew; Strauss, Marina (April 26, 2017). "Clothing chain Kit and Ace closes stores outside Canada". The Globe and Mail.
- ^ Kit and Ace lays off some head office staff, closes international stores The Canadian Press April 26, 2017
- ^ "Kit and Ace mails a dose of optimism to shoppers". Strategy News. 11 December 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
- ^ Chabot, L. M. "The Ultimate Travel Gear of 2018". enroute.aircanada.com. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
- ^ "Park Royal | West Vancouver". www.kitandace.com. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
- ^ "7 pieces from Kit and Ace that will make for the coziest winter | Curated". dailyhive.com. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
- ^ "Queen Street West Kit and Ace | Curated". kitandace.com. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
- ^ "Vancouver clothing retailer Kit and Ace bought by company co-owned by Joe Mimran". Vancouver Sun. July 5, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
External links
[edit]
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