Latest news with #Understance
The Province
5 days ago
- Business
- The Province
Vancouver lingerie brand Understance sets sights on more Canadian stores
With four bricks-and-mortar stores already open, there are plans to bring the brand to more Canadian cities this year Understance opened its second Metro Vancouver boutique this spring at Metrotown in Burnaby. Photo by Understance Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Vancouver-based lingerie brand Understance is eyeing a further expansion across Canada. 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 The company, which was founded in 2021 and is subsidiary of the international lingerie manufacturer Shenzhen Huijie Group Co., offers size-inclusive lingerie, including bras in sizes 28A to 48N. With four bricks-and-mortar stores already open, there are plans to bring the brand to more Canadian cities this year. We caught up with company director Jiayi Lyu to learn more. Q: What is Understance? A: Understance is a Vancouver-based lingerie brand. We take a solution-oriented, rather than fashion-oriented, approach to making undergarments. Our goal is to make all of our customers feel comfortable and supported. Q: What makes it unique? A: What sets Understance apart is our focus on fit, comfort, and education. We offer one of the most extensive size ranges available in North America, from cup sizes A to N and band sizes from 28 to 48. We split bras into eight size groups and take a tailored approach to each. 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. On our website and at our stores, we guide you to the best match for your size and shape. We've built proprietary resources like Branatomy, an educational page that helps customers better understand their breast shape and how it impacts bra fit. Our products are engineered to be as functional as they are beautiful. Our innovations, like FlexWire, are a testament to the thousands of hours our product team spends in the fitting rooms. Q: Who is the target customer? A: Our customer is anyone who wants to feel supported, understood, and comfortable, especially those who have felt overlooked by traditional lingerie brands. That includes people going through life transitions like pregnancy, post-surgery recovery, and weight changes, more mature customers who prioritize fit and comfort over trends, and anyone with unique fit challenges. We believe everyone deserves to feel good in their bra, and in their own skin. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Q: Is there a hero design in the collection? A: We don't believe that there is a perfect bra for everybody. What works well for 44G simply won't work for 30B. For the petite size range (A-C cups), our core product at the moment is Light 'n Free; for the middle size range (D-DDD cups), we recommend Zoe and Ivy; for the full size range (G-J cups), we recommend Salma and Ginger; and for the fuller size range (K-N cups), we recommend Addison and Dominique. These products best represent the Understance approach: gentle but supportive, forgiving but precise, sophisticated and simple at the same time. Understance opened its second Metro Vancouver boutique this spring at Metrotown in Burnaby. Photo by Understance Q: What more can you share about the brand's store plans following the U.S. tariff changes? A: Due to recent tariff changes affecting U.S. imports, we've made the difficult decision to pause U.S. shipping beginning April 24. With a $59 bra now subject to more than $95 in additional duties, continuing to serve our U.S. customers under these conditions would compromise our commitment to accessible, fair pricing. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In light of this, we are turning our focus to strengthening our presence in local markets, with a particular emphasis on retail expansion across Canada. Our newest boutique in Burnaby's Metrotown Centre marks an exciting step forward. This location allows us to bring our solution-based, inclusive lingerie offerings even closer to Canadian customers and visitors — complete with expert fittings available in-store. Q: What is the price range for the products? A: Our pricing reflects both quality and accessibility. Most bras range between $59 and $72, while our sleepwear and lounge collections start around $45. Q: And where can people learn more? A: At one of our four boutique locations across British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, where our expert team offers personalized fittings and guidance tailored to your unique shape and needs. Each store carries our full range of solution-based lingerie, including exclusive collections and in-depth fit support. You can also explore our entire collection, fit resources, and Branatomy guides online at Read More Vancouver Canucks Sports Local News Sports Vancouver Whitecaps
Vancouver Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Vancouver lingerie brand Understance sets sights on more Canadian stores
Vancouver-based lingerie brand Understance is eyeing a further expansion across Canada. The company, which was founded in 2021 and is subsidiary of the international lingerie manufacturer Shenzhen Huijie Group Co., offers size-inclusive lingerie, including bras in sizes 28A to 48N. With four bricks-and-mortar stores already open, there are plans to bring the brand to more Canadian cities this year. We caught up with company director Jiayi Lyu to learn more. Q: What is Understance? Discover the best of B.C.'s recipes, restaurants and wine. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of West Coast Table will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. A: Understance is a Vancouver-based lingerie brand. We take a solution-oriented, rather than fashion-oriented, approach to making undergarments. Our goal is to make all of our customers feel comfortable and supported. Q: What makes it unique? A: What sets Understance apart is our focus on fit, comfort, and education. We offer one of the most extensive size ranges available in North America, from cup sizes A to N and band sizes from 28 to 48. We split bras into eight size groups and take a tailored approach to each. On our website and at our stores, we guide you to the best match for your size and shape. We've built proprietary resources like Branatomy, an educational page that helps customers better understand their breast shape and how it impacts bra fit. Our products are engineered to be as functional as they are beautiful. Our innovations, like FlexWire, are a testament to the thousands of hours our product team spends in the fitting rooms. Q: Who is the target customer? A: Our customer is anyone who wants to feel supported, understood, and comfortable, especially those who have felt overlooked by traditional lingerie brands. That includes people going through life transitions like pregnancy, post-surgery recovery, and weight changes, more mature customers who prioritize fit and comfort over trends, and anyone with unique fit challenges. We believe everyone deserves to feel good in their bra, and in their own skin. Q: Is there a hero design in the collection? A: We don't believe that there is a perfect bra for everybody. What works well for 44G simply won't work for 30B. For the petite size range (A-C cups), our core product at the moment is Light 'n Free; for the middle size range (D-DDD cups), we recommend Zoe and Ivy; for the full size range (G-J cups), we recommend Salma and Ginger; and for the fuller size range (K-N cups), we recommend Addison and Dominique. These products best represent the Understance approach: gentle but supportive, forgiving but precise, sophisticated and simple at the same time. Q: What more can you share about the brand's store plans following the U.S. tariff changes? A: Due to recent tariff changes affecting U.S. imports, we've made the difficult decision to pause U.S. shipping beginning April 24. With a $59 bra now subject to more than $95 in additional duties, continuing to serve our U.S. customers under these conditions would compromise our commitment to accessible, fair pricing. In light of this, we are turning our focus to strengthening our presence in local markets, with a particular emphasis on retail expansion across Canada. Our newest boutique in Burnaby's Metrotown Centre marks an exciting step forward. This location allows us to bring our solution-based, inclusive lingerie offerings even closer to Canadian customers and visitors — complete with expert fittings available in-store. Q: What is the price range for the products? A: Our pricing reflects both quality and accessibility. Most bras range between $59 and $72, while our sleepwear and lounge collections start around $45. Q: And where can people learn more? A: At one of our four boutique locations across British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, where our expert team offers personalized fittings and guidance tailored to your unique shape and needs. Each store carries our full range of solution-based lingerie, including exclusive collections and in-depth fit support. You can also explore our entire collection, fit resources, and Branatomy guides online at .
The Independent
02-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Small foreign retailers are giving up on America as Trump ends practice that exempted cheaper goods from tariffs
Some small foreign retailers are giving up on business in America as President Donald Trump ends a loophole that previously made cheaper goods exempt from tariffs. May 2 marks the end of the 'de minimis' exemption, a longstanding rule that applied to packages entering the U.S. worth under $800. Under the exemption, retailers overseas were allowed to sell products at lower prices by shipping them straight to consumers, bypassing domestic warehouses. Trump's move to eliminate the exemption applies to products originating from China and Hong Kong and is in addition to his tariffs totaling 145 percent on the world's second-largest economy. The loophole is commonly used by online Chinese retail giants such as Shein and Temu, but the removal of the exemption is also hurting smaller businesses. 'We're going from zero to 145 percent, which is really untenable for companies and untenable for customers,' Cindy Allen, CEO of Trade Force Multiplier, a global trade consultancy, told Reuters news agency. 'I've seen a lot of small to medium-sized businesses just choose to exit the market altogether,' Allen added. UPS CEO Carol Tome echoed the same concerns Tuesday. Tome said that many small- to medium-sized businesses the delivery firm works with source '100 percent of their goods from China,' Reuters reports. Some overseas businesses are trying to work around the end of the de minimis exemption. British fashion retailer Oh Polly has hiked prices in the U.S. by 20 percent, according to Reuters. Canadian lingerie brand Understance said it was pausing shipping to the U.S. as a result. 'We don't want to do this either,' the company said in a statement to customers on Instagram. Understance gave the example of how the removal of de minimis would impact the cost of a bra. 'If a bra's tag price is $59, we will be required to collect an additional $95.58 from you and remit this to the border agency, making the total $154.58,' the company said. The company added that it would resume shipping to the U.S. once there is more 'clarity.' Senders overseas using the loophole have not had to share as much information about the contents of packages with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. From today, they will have to provide much more detail about where each part of their product is made, which is likely to be off-putting for smaller retailers.
Global News
02-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
Some retailers stop selling to U.S. consumers amid uncertainty over tariffs
As the United States ends a tariff exemption for small parcels on Friday, some retailers have stopped selling to U.S. customers while others are seeking temporary workarounds in the hope the tariff rate may be reduced. The removal of 'de minimis' – duty-free treatment of e-commerce packages worth less than $800 – for products originating from China and Hong Kong exposes those goods to tariffs of 145 per cent on most Chinese goods following U.S. President Donald Trump's decision last month. The move upended global trade and triggered retaliation from Beijing. British beauty products retailer Space NK has paused e-commerce orders and shipping to the United States 'to avoid incorrect or additional costs being applied to our customers' orders', the company said in a notice on Wednesday. It is not alone. Understance, a Vancouver-based company that sells bras and underwear manufactured in China, told customers in an Instagram post that it would no longer ship to the United States due to the tariffs, saying it will resume once there is clarity. Story continues below advertisement 'We're going from zero to 145 per cent, which is really untenable for companies and untenable for customers,' said Cindy Allen, CEO of Trade Force Multiplier, a global trade consultancy. 'I've seen a lot of small to medium-sized businesses just choose to exit the market altogether,' she added. Import charges can vary depending on shipment methods. For goods handled by the U.S. Postal Service the tariff will be 120 per cent of their value, or $100 per package. The amount is due, opens new tab to increase to $200 in June, according to implementation guidance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Price hikes underway Players willing to continue to access the U.S. market are forced to hike their price tags. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Oh Polly, a British clothing retailer, has increased prices in the U.S. by 20% compared to its other markets, and may have to consider further price increases because of the higher tariffs, said managing director Mike Branney. Story continues below advertisement Singapore-based fast-fashion giant Shein sought to reassure customers in a post on its U.S. Instagram account on Thursday, saying: 'Some products may be priced differently than before, but the majority of our collections remain as affordable as ever.' Shein sells clothes mostly manufactured in China, and the U.S. is its biggest market. Temu, the international arm of Chinese e-commerce giant PDD Holdings (PDD.O), opens new tab, prominently featured products already in U.S. warehouses on its website, labelled 'Local', and a pop-up informed customers there would be no import charges for local warehouse items. 'All sales in the U.S. are now handled by locally based sellers, with orders fulfilled from within the country,' Temu said in a statement, adding that its pricing for U.S. customers 'remains unchanged'. 2:28 China's Q1 GDP tops estimates at 5.4% as growth momentum continues ahead of Trump tariffs But items imported before the May 2 change will eventually run out. Both Shein and Temu have slashed their U.S. digital advertising spending in the past weeks as they prepared for the change that is likely to hit their sales. Story continues below advertisement Shein did not immediately reply to a request for comment. De minimis was initially introduced to smooth online shopping and boost international trade, but became the target of bipartisan criticism due to its role in facilitating smuggling of fentanyl ingredients from China and fuelling a surge in imports of cheap clothes, toys, and furniture made in China through online platforms like Temu, Shein, and Amazon Haul. De minimis has also been a channel for counterfeit goods. In 2024, de minimis shipments accounted for 97 per cent of the intellectual property infringement-related cargo seizures made by Customs and Border Protection. Without de minimis, sellers of goods made in China have to provide U.S. customs with more detailed information about where each component of their product is made, an increased administrative burden that, along with the huge tariff cost, is dissuading small retailers. UPS CEO Carol Tome said on Tuesday that many of the delivery firm's small to medium-sized business customers source 100% of their goods from China. U.S. online marketplace Etsy said in a notice to sellers earlier this month that it was making it easier for them to clarify the country of origin of their products, as tariffs are applied based on where a good is made rather than where it is dispatched from. While disruptive to ecommerce, the end of de minimis treatment of Chinese goods could give a boost to retailers less reliant on ecommerce or on Chinese manufacturing. Story continues below advertisement British fast-fashion retailer Primark, which sells clothes to U.S. customers only through its stores across the country, not online, said it could benefit from the change. 'With prices going up from this part of the trade, I wonder if some Americans might start going back to shopping centres to find value there,' George Weston, CEO of Primark owner Associated British Foods, told Reuters on Tuesday. –Reporting by Helen Reid, additional reporting by Amy Tennery, Lisa Baertlein, James Davey; Editing by Lisa Jucca, Anna Driver and Emelia Sithole-Matarise
