High end retail

World’s best readers – British Columbia students

PISA (Program For International Student Assessment) reported that British Columbia students are the best when it comes to reading, also in science and math, second in the world in science and eight in math.

The 2015 results are higher than the last test in 2012, when B.C. students performed second in reading, third in science and 10th in math. In 2015, only students in Singapore outperformed B.C. students in science. In math, Singapore students also received top marks and Quebec was third performer, Singapore was second to B.C. in reading.

The PISA report said that Canada is notable for having high reading scores since PISA started 15 years ago. The report stated that socio-economic status can affect student’s performance and said that Canada, Estonia, Hong Kong and Macau stand out by achieving both high performance and equity in education opportunities.

Asian retail giant and Italian brand for super-rich clientele enter Vancouver market

Vancouver’s retail sector continues to outperform other Canadian markets. The city can expect an explosion of new and exclusive brands with a prominent Asian retailer leading the way before Christmas, even after the Christmas season.

Vancouver’s retail market, driven by wealthy locals, tourists and new immigrants currently ranks as Canada’s top location in terms of annual sales-per-square-foot at more than $1,000 while Toronto sits second at $860. Another advantage for some retailers is the city’s large population of residents with links to Asia. Thus, well-known brands from that market has a built-in recognition. There are supposedly as many as 30 brands looking at Vancouver.

Here are some of the prestige brands that will be in Vancouver 2017 while some already had soft openings.

MUJI – the popular Japanese clothing and accessories brand, known for its minimalist goods. It operates 300 stores outside Japan, including three in Toronto and soon to open in Vancouver.

TWG Tea- the finest tea brand in the world and one of the fastest growing luxury brands in history has expanded its first North American Tea Salon and Boutique in Vancouver,

TWG is an iconic global brand from Singapore. Launching in North America is a key component of the company’s global expansion strategy. In 2015, tea sales in Canada amounted to C$1.3 billion and consumption is expected to grow by 20 percent by 2030. TWG has more than 800 varieties of elegant blends and harvest. When it comes to TWG, the Philippines is ahead of Vancouver with three tea salons and boutiques (Rockwell Manila, Shangri-La Mall and Tea at Central Square at Bonifacio Global City).

Stefano Ricci is the epitome of Italian menswear for the super-rich. It is opening its first North American Store on Alberni Street in Vancouver. Ricci comes from Florence, Italy and has established an international purveyor of only the ultimate, highest-quality men’s products. The company started by making men’s ties and its success was immediate and expansion into othr products followed rapidly.

Ties start from $1,000 to $10,000 (with diamonds), belts at $4,000 to $10,000, jackets at $35,000. You can get idea of how exclusive the products are from the prices.

Other brands are lining up for potential openings in 2017.

Coffee Boutique Nespresso

European apparel retailers Reiss, Sandro and Maje

New York-based eyewear retailer Warby Parker

Vernon – British Columbia’s hidden getaway destination

Vernon is the oldest community in the Okanagan Valley and the largest in North Okanagan. It can be found nestled in the grassland hills, surrounded by three lakes. It is known as a “City of Murals” because of massive historic murals drawn on buildings. It is a four season destination that Consumer Report lists as one of North America’s top six most desirable retirement destinations.

One of the major reasons for visiting Vernon is the Sparkling Hill Resort. The Resort is owned by Langes Swarosvski, patriarch of the Austrian Swarosvski crystal family. Perched on a mountain and facing the tranquil Okanagan Lake is the Resort, like a sparkling diamond in the sky which blends nicely with the environment.

The $122-million, jaw-dropping architecture of Sparkling Hill Resort is one of grandeur without being ostentatious. It it the only resort in world to incorporate 3.5 million Swarovski crystals into every aspect of its design. Everything is tastefully designed with understated luxury.

The resort’s crowning jewel is the 40,000-square-foot European KurSpa, where guests are encouraged to explore better level of health with more than 100 therapies and treatments offered. It combines European-style approach to wellness with an extraordinary spa resort experience. The message is – How beautiful it is to do nothing and then rest afterward.

It was named “Best Mountain Spa Resort” at the Senses Awards in Berlin and fast becoming known as one of the world’s best corporate retreats and incentive travel destinations