Mutual Love of the Outdoors

New Zealand-based active-lifestyle clothing company Icebreaker – one of a number of new international fashion and fashion-related retailers operating in Canada – opened a store in Vancouver this year, attracted largely by British Columbians’ love of the outdoors. General manager Cassandra Osborn said their New Zealand merino wool clothing has been selling wholesale in Canada since 2000, but that the company opened its second Canadian store in Kitsilano after opening a Montreal store four years ago. Osborn said the Vancouver Icebreaker store, which competes with companies such as The North Face, Roots, Patagonia and Lululemon, has exceeded sales expectations since opening. “Vancouver represents our ideal demographic [and] we felt Vancouver has the right kind of consumer for our entire line,” she said. “[Vancouver] has a very active lifestyle. Also, there’s a large tourism base.”