Express is closing its doors in Canada. On Thursday, the popular US-based retailer announced that it was shuttering stores across the country.
Express will close 17 Canadian stores in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario, but will continue to operate all 635 stores across the United States. Currently, there are seven Express stores in the Greater Toronto Area, two in Ottawa, three in Calgary, two in Vancouver and one in Edmonton. There is also an outlet store in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Express opened its first store in Chicago in 1980 but didn't open up shop in Canada until the fall of 2011, with the first location opening at CF Fairview Mall.
Express has already filed an application for protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and said that its decision to exit Canada was part of its ongoing strategy to improve profitability, noting the "challenging Canadian retail environment" and "unfavorable exchange rates" prevented it from meeting expectations.
Subsequent to the store closings, Canadian customers will still be able to make purchases through www.express.com, as well as through the Express mobile app.
Express adds their names to a growing list of retailers who have recently closed some stores or are closing altogether in Canada. Other recent notable closures include HMV, Target Canada, Mexx Canada, Smart Set, and Jacob.
