Latest news with #Mine&Yours
Calgary Herald
27-06-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Fashion revolution: Pop-up offers designer gems at less than luxury prices
Article content Canadian entrepreneur Courtney Watkins started shopping for second-hand designer labels when she attended fashion school in Los Angeles, Calif. The selection was great, she says, and the stores were cool. Article content But when she moved back home to Vancouver, she couldn't find anything similar. Sure, there were consignment and second-hand shops, but none elevated the experience into something special, something fancy like she had experienced in California. Article content Article content Article content Seeing a gap in the marketplace, she decided to fill it by creating Mine & Yours, a luxury resale shopping experience focused on high-end fashion, with designer brands such as Goyard, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Chloe and more. Article content That was 13 years ago. These days, Mine & Yours operates a popular online shopping site ( as well as two stores in Yaletown and Kitsilano in Vancouver, one in Toronto's Yorkville neighbourhood, plus a pop-up in Toronto's The Well this summer. Article content Article content 'Our goal has always been to create a luxury shopping experience with second-hand clothing, and I feel with our Holt Renfrew partnership, we have really accomplished that,' says Watkins. Article content Article content 'Holts (sic) has been on my radar ever since I started my business. Six years ago, I put on my vision board that I wanted to work with Holt, and now, here we are.' Article content Article content Originally, the Calgary pop-up was scheduled to end in mid-June, Watkins says. But in less than a month, it had doubled its sales projections, so it was extended to the end of August. Article content Watkins chose Calgary for the pop-up because she had noticed many online shoppers to her website from the city. Article content 'Tons of clients who had already shopped with us online were excited to shop in person,' she says. Article content 'And we're getting a lot of new clients, people who have heard the buzz and know we are here.'
The Province
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Province
Here's why a slump in the luxury fashion market could be good news for Canadian resale
There's a clear shift in shopping patterns due to tariff concerns as U.S. clients are hesitant to purchase items in Canada, and Canadian buyers avoid U.S.-based pieces Luxury resellers in Canada are eyeing an uptick in business amid a luxury retail slowdown. A preloved Louis Vuitton Multicolor Monogram bag from Mine & Yours. Photo by MINE&YOURS Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. The luxury retail market is experiencing a slump. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Sales at Kering, the owner of fashion brands such as Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, are down 31 per cent since the start of 2025, according to Reuters, while Cartier parent company Richemont has seen sales decline six per cent. Sales within LVMH, which owns a variety of brands including Louis Vuitton, Dior and Fendi, are reportedly down two per cent. Factors such as the tumultuous political climate, inflation, and market saturation are a few causes pointed to for the decline. According to Courtney Watkins, owner of the Vancouver-founded resale company Mine & Yours, another major factor is uncertainty. 'The back and forth around tariffs between the U.S. and other countries is making a lot of people nervous — and that trickles down into how they shop,' says Watkins. 'They're being more thoughtful, especially when it comes to big-ticket purchases.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Courtney Watkins is the owner of Vancouver-based luxury resale company Mine & Yours. Photo by Mine & Yours While most luxury products come from Europe, meaning items wouldn't face the same tariffs as those coming from the U.S., many shoppers in Canada look to both sides of the border before making a luxury purchase. But that's not quite the case anymore. Consistent price increases from luxury brands and a low Canadian dollar value, coupled with the uncertain economy, is prompting an increased interest in pre-owned or vintage styles from Canadian resale outposts. 'The pre-owned market offers significant price advantages that become even more attractive during uncertain times,' says Tammy Phan, CEO of the Calgary-headquartered resale company Luxe du Jour. 'Unlike retail stores that must adjust prices upward when tariffs hit, our consignment pricing remains stable for inventory already in stock.' Phan points to the Louis Vuitton Capucines BB handbag, which retails for approximately $9,000 as an example of the savings that opting for pre-owned can present. Luxe du Jour sells the bag for around $4,000, depending on the particular material and condition. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'This value proposition is particularly compelling,' she says. Operating retail boutiques in Toronto and Vancouver, Watkins says she's noticed more local shoppers coming in — not only to buy the second-hand designer pieces from brands like Tiffany & Co., Dior and Chanel, but also to sell them. 'We've seen a pretty noticeable uptick in local consignors. One of the biggest reasons is that cross-border resale just isn't as easy or appealing as it used to be,' she explains. 'Between higher shipping costs, long delays, and the fear of packages getting hit with surprise fees, especially on luxury goods, Canadian shoppers are realizing it's just simpler, and smarter, to buy and sell within Canada.' That increase is echoed by Phan. Items are photographed after being authenticated in the Luxe Du Jour office in Calgary on April 10, 2025. Photo by Gavin Young / Postmedia 'We have observed a notable increase in consignment activity that reflects broader economic sentiment,' Phan says, noting a 40 per cent increase in consignments through her business. 'Much like during the 2020 pandemic, we're seeing clients leverage their luxury assets.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Phan says key objectives among customers include selling off items in their closets with strategy, often getting rid of multiple 'mid-tier pieces' in order to purchase one higher-value item that might better hold or even increase in value over the long term. 'Items in excellent condition with classic appeal — Chanel classic flaps, Hermès quota bags — move fastest, while trend-driven pieces require deeper discounts, most notably brands like Balenciaga, Givenchy, and Chloe,' Phan shares. Watkins, who has been in the designer resale industry since 2013, says there's an allure to cashing out unwanted goods to help shoppers recoup cash when finances are tight. 'When things feel unpredictable — whether it's tariffs, inflation, or the exchange rate — people start looking at their closets a little differently,' she explains. They see an opportunity to cash in on what they're not wearing.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Designer resale and consignment stores typically offer a few options for people looking to turn their closets into cash, ranging from immediate payouts to consignment contracts that see sellers stand to get back up to 70 per cent of the resale price when an item sells. 'Because we offer flexible payout options and specialize in high-end pieces, consigning becomes an easy way for them to pad their wallets,' Watkins says. While consignments are up, sales of pre-owned designer goods remain steady, both business owners say. Except when it comes to U.S. shoppers. Phan, whose company operates an office in Irvine, Calif., in addition to its Calgary headquarters, notes that business between Canada and the U.S. has changed considerably in recent months. 'We've seen a clear shift in shopping patterns due to tariff concerns,' Phan says. 'Our U.S. clients have become more hesitant to purchase items located in our Canadian store, while Canadian buyers similarly avoid U.S.-based pieces. This hesitation stems primarily from uncertainty about potential additional fees upon delivery.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Phan said the company's go-to shipping company, DHL, recently suspended the shipment of 'high-value' to the U.S., forcing the Canadian reseller to find alternative carriers. Even in instances where a purchase wouldn't face tariffs, Phan says cross-border customers can be hesitant to make their purchase. 'The psychological impact has been more significant than the actual tariff implications for many transactions,' Phan says. 'Even when duties may not ultimately apply, the mere possibility has been enough to alter buyer behaviour across our North American client base.' For Canadian shoppers, though, Watkins speculates that the larger luxury slump, tariffs and uncertainty could ultimately fuel growth in the Canadian resale market, overall. 'People are realizing the value of shopping resale locally — they can get amazing pieces without the hassle of shipping fees or international taxes,' she says. 'Resale is mostly still a more affordable way to buy luxury, even with the extra fees, so there's still opportunities — especially if the customer really loves the piece.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Looking for preloved designer fashion, accessories and watches in Canada? Check out these six Canadian resale companies. Mine & Yours Locations: Vancouver, Toronto and online at Luxe du Jour Locations: Calgary and online at VSP Locations: Calgary (Vespucci), Toronto and online at Valamode Location: Ottawa and online at Modaselle Location: Vancouver and online at Turnabout Luxury Resale Locations: Vancouver, Victoria and online at Aharris@ Read More Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks News Baseball National
