Calgarians Are in the Top One Per Cent of Income Earners in the Country, and It Shows As the City's Luxury Market Continues to Grow
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
A CALGARY HERALD ADVERTISING PUBLICATION • OCTOBER 23, 2013 • ISSUE TWO • WWW.CALGARYHERALD.COM/LUXURY LUXURY AUTO • REAL ESTATE • HOME DECOR • FURNITURE • FASHION & ACCESSORIES one for ALL Calgarians are in the top one per cent of income earners in the country, and it shows as the city's luxury market continues to grow Barb Livingstone compared to 2.3 per cent and 3.1 per cent respectively across the country. What do you get when you combine the most “one- “We generally see the highest retail spending in the percenters” per capita, a new national flagship Fer- country,” says Brunnen. rari Maserati showroom, the entry of high-end retailer And while this city is not a large retail market com- Nordstrom next year and the biggest increase ever in pared to bigger cities such as Toronto and Vancouver, $1 million-plus home sales? he says international retailers are, more and more, see- You get Calgary — a city that, despite devastating floods ing Calgary as a good market to be in. this summer, continues to power this country’s economy, High-end U.S. retailer Nordstrom is entering the luxury including the purchasing power for all things “luxury.” market next year with a store at Chinook Centre, com- Ben Brunnen, a Calgary economic consultant, says peting against Holt Renfrew — whose Calgary store is the city — with the largest number of head offices per seen as one of the most profitable per square foot in the capita in the country — has more executives, higher country. pay and the type of industries (oil and gas, mining, utili- Calgarians can also find luxury vehicles in the city, ties, construction, manufacturing) that contribute to the from Ferrari to Bentley dealerships. strength of the luxury market. But a sign of the times is news of a large expan- Brunnen, former chief economist for the Calgary sion within that market. While there has been a Ferrari Chamber of Commerce, says the city's strong economic Maserati dealership in Calgary since 2008, this fall con- base and continued strong energy prices have led to struction will begin on a 45,000-square-foot showroom continued consumers confidence. at Blackfoot Trail and Heritage Drive S.E., overlooking “We showed our ability to weather the economic Deerfoot Meadows. It is set to become the brand’s flag- downturn and the confidence from that means people ship store for Canada. are willing to spend,” he says. And when you buy a $100,000-plus vehicle, you Newly released data from Statistics Canada reports that need the garage to hold it. The luxury housing market is 2.9 per cent of Calgarians are in the top one per cent of also reflecting this city’s purchasing power. income earners in the country. Toronto has the most one- With still more than three months to go this year, percenters, with more than 73,000 making top dollars, but Calgary’s luxury housing market had already set a re- that accounts for only 1.6 per cent of Toronto’s population cord for most sales in a year. — much less than this city on a per capita basis. Total year-to-date MLS sales for properties of Canada’s one-percenters now earn at least $191,000 $1 million, and up as of September was already at 545 per year, before tax, according to the latest 2011 Na- and counting —more than the 12-month record for tional Household Survey. To be part of this country’s transactions set only last year. exclusive top one per cent of earners, you had to make “Consumers have seen the value in investing in at least $191,100 annually — an amount seven times higher-value homes,” Brunnen says, in a housing mar- greater than the national median income of $29,900. ket that is still considered affordable compared to other But it is not just the one-percenters who drive the luxury large Canadian cities. market. Calgary also has the highest average incomes in He sees Calgary’s overall luxury market being strong the country — and that means purchasing power. for the forseeable future, with continued long-term TD Economics predicts retail sales will rise by 4.8 investment in industry such as the oilsands. per cent this year in Alberta and 4.6 per cent in 2014, “Alberta and Calgary are great places to be.” two calgaryherald.com/luxury calgaryherald.com/luxury three quality is ALWAYS IN STYLE Invest in some luxurious pieces for fall and feel like a million bucks Rachel Naud especially important. great blazer to cashmere sweater, they're a To get you through the season in style, we've staple for fall, and with a fabulous fit and four-way all is a great season for fashion. There’s asked local design experts to showcase their stretch fabric, you'll find it hard to go back to no better feeling than throwing on a cosy best wears for fall. anything else. F sweater, slipping on a new pair of stylish Jewelry n Look for booties with chain details or studs, leather boots or glamming it up with a special n Wide band rings ( 1.77tw diamonds set in a bright patent or suede pumps and man-tailored piece of jewelry. matte print 18kt gold) and cuff bracelets (1.52tw loafers and brogues — and then wear them with Jewelry is often an accessory worth its weight diamonds in 18kt rose gold). The rose gold ring everything. The booties and brogues work with in gold. and, particularly, the wide cuff bracelet, would dresses and skirts and the feminine pumps can “Investing in some qual- work beautifully with the animal prints work with jeans. Everything goes. ity jewelry pieces is a good that are popular this fall. In addition, Layering style investment because whether the buttons on clothing are tending With the Calgary climate, layering colours and it's gold, diamonds, platinum toward yellow gold. As such, women textures is a must. or precious stones, it's going may enjoy wearing one of the yellow “Fall is a time to purchase some great pieces to appreciate in value,” says gold pieces of jewelery with the new that will carry you through eight or more months a spokesperson for J. Vair suits that are current. of the year,” says Aaron Miller, buyer and sales Anderson Ltd. “They hold their n Enameled jewelery (.47tw consultant for O'Connors Men's & Women's value. And people love wear- diamonds in 18kt white gold) The Clothing & Footwear. “It's about conquering ing fine jewelry.” enameled rings come in an unlimited the elements and looking great doing it, but When it comes to sparkling choice of colours, and thus are very keeping in mind your lifestyle and where it takes up your wardrobe, have some versatile. The beauty and workman- you.” fun with it, suggest the experts ship of the ring illustrated would war- To get to where you're going in luxurious style, at J.Vair Anderson. rant wearing with any outfit. Miller recommends the following hot outerwear “There’s nothing wrong with n Make a bold statement with to keep gents looking cool all season. mixing colours of metal. You don’t a wide sterling silver bracelet with n Lubiam hybred sport coat. These jackets have to wear all white gold or all one sapphire. The statement piece are unique because they have a zip-out bib, so yellow gold. Mix and match.” in silver could take a classic black you can wear it on a cool morning layered and As for the rest of your ward- turtleneck or dress from everyday to with a scarf, and it comes off as outerwear. Or robe, this is the season for dramatic. with a quick zip, the bib comes out and you have investing in some quality, luxu- Hot fashion trends this fall great casual sport coat look for the weekend. rious pieces that are not only n A fuller skirt. Everyone has been n Canali's quilted outerwear jacket and one of smart spending but make you obsessed with the pencil skirt for so the hottest brands Barbour with its version. These feel like a million bucks. long that we've forgotten how good jackets are great editions with their rugged looks, yet “Investing in quality is always a skirt with some fullness can look. soft-weight appeal and clean lines. a smart way to spend,” says Check out this beautiful mohair in n Samuelsohn quater lined soft constructed Auto Retail Real Estate Stacey Shimozawa, buyer a navy and forest green blend from sport coat. For guys who run hot or like to layer and manager of women’s wear at Calgary’s Max Mara. up, these jackets are your best friends. They O’Connors Men’s & Women's Clothing & Foot- n A cigarette pant in a rich Jacquard goes with move with ease and are uber comfortable. They wear. “Your wardrobe is an investment and the so much more than you'd think. It can be bold or also look amazing with jeans or can be paired up The cigarette pant in rich Jacquard Luxury Luxury Luxury pieces, if chosen properly, should last for years. subtle, but will make everything else look fresh with a great wool trouser. adds luxury to the fall wardrobe; The fit, fabric and styling will be better so it will look again. n Ferrente wool knit with hoodie and Dale of courtesy O’Connors Men’s & Women's Jamie Zachary Jay de Nance Josh Skapin newer for longer. Even the colours will be better n The staple leather of the season is the fine Norway Alpin quarter zip.