Vancouver-based active-ware apparel company Lululemon Athletica is gearing up to open a formal retail store at Saanich’s Uptown Shopping Centre.

 

Transitioning from a seasonal pop-up shop at the outdoor mall to a full-time brick-and-mortar presence, Lululemon will append the Saanich location to the company’s growing list of retail spaces and bring its number of Victoria outlets to two.

 

Lululemon entered the Victoria market more than a decade ago with a storefront along lower Johnson Street's fashion district (which underwent a renovation in December of last year).

 

Made famous for its flexible and stylish yoga wear, the company rapidly expanded to over 350 locations across North America, Europe and Asia with annual revenues in the $2 billion range.

 

In 2015 Lululemon’s casual-ware partner brand, Kit & Ace, opened along the 500-block of Johnson Street only several storefronts down from Lululemon. The Vancouver-based retailer, which three years ago had plans to open as many as 50 locations across North America within several years, has since closed its Victoria store and is currently operating seven locations in Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary. C