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One thing that every town needs is a men’s clothing store.
It’s true that men tend to be a little less fashion conscious than women. But that is not the same as saying they are totally without a fashion sense. Just like the fairer sex, men like to look good. From a good shirt, a nice tie, and a well-cut suit to comfortable loafers and stylish casual clothes, the old maxim holds true: when you look good, you feel good.
Unfortunately, the men’s clothing sector is under-serviced in Kirkland Lake. The department stores and bargain shops do a great job of supplying yard and industrial work clothes, sports and leisure clothing. However higher end or more fashionable pieces do not correspond to their target market demographics and so are not carried. For such items, consumers are forced to travel out of town to the district shopping centres such as Timmins and Rouyn-Noranda, Sudbury and North Bay.
Is there a market for a higher end men’s clothing store? Consider the demographics of the community:
- The service sector is the largest employer in Kirkland Lake. Teachers, business leaders, and government employees…over 50% of the men in KL work in fields where professional dress standards apply.
- Men aged 25–54 comprise the largest age cohort; people who are past the "wild and crazy" phase and are more interested in clothes that reflect their role and responsibilities at home, at work and in the community as a whole.
- These same people are among the best educated and best travelled in the community. They have been exposed to a variety of different experiences and expectations, and that is reflected in their tastes and their demand for better quality products and services.
- This market is not confined to Kirkland Lake. KL is the commercial centre of the north Temiskaming region. There are over 15,000 people living within a 45-minute drive of the downtown. The district demographic profile is very similar to the local one: a lot of men, a lot of demand, not much supply.
If you’re interested in learning more about this retail opportunity, contact the Economic Development Division at 1 800 249 8933 or Wilfred Hass.
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