Global fast-fashion retailer SHEIN is returning to CF Toronto Eaton Centre with an expanded spring pop-up shop running March 28 to April 6, more than doubling the footprint of its previous installations at Canada’s busiest shopping centre.
The 7,055-square-foot temporary retail experience will occupy the recently vacated Banana Republic Men’s location on the mall’s main level near the Apple Store, strategically positioning the brand to capture foot traffic from one of downtown Toronto’s most prominent retail corridors.
The timing of SHEIN’s return coincides with significant retail movement across Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas neighbourhood, where more than 150,000 square feet of new flagship retail is under development and the iconic Hudson’s Bay flagship fights for survival amid broader company liquidation.
Expanded Experience Responds to Previous Success
SHEIN’s 2025 pop-up represents a significant scaling up from its 3,000-square-foot 2023 installation at the former Blue Jays location, reflecting the brand’s growing investment in physical retail experiences despite its primarily digital business model.
“As an online retailer with a wide range of stores under one umbrella, we are thrilled to bring this variety to life for Canadian consumers,” said Shirley Yuan, Head of Marketing at SHEIN Canada. “Our pop-up will offer a unique opportunity for them to experience firsthand the diverse assortment available.”
The installation will showcase multiple SHEIN product lines including Maija, Dazy, SHEIN MOD, MOTF, and SHEGLAM cosmetics in a meticulously designed environment that transitions from winter’s monochrome aesthetics to spring’s vibrant palette.
Vito Zhong, General Manager of SHEIN Canada, emphasized the brand’s commitment to the Toronto market: “Our past events have been met with incredible enthusiasm, and this time, we’re excited to offer even more fashion-forward styles, interactive elements, and give back to the community.”
Major Flagship Developments Reshape Downtown Core
The SHEIN pop-up arrives as CF Toronto Eaton Centre undergoes a transformative period, with three major retailers preparing to occupy the former Nordstrom space.
Quebec-based fashion retailer Simons will launch its downtown Toronto flagship across 110,000 square feet on three levels later this year, while athletic wear giant Nike will relocate to an 18,000-square-foot two-level flagship at Trinity Way. Italian marketplace concept Eataly will open its fourth Toronto location in the same development, making Toronto the only North American city with four Eataly outposts.
Beyond the mall, Foot Locker has reopened after a refurbishment at 306 Yonge Street, while The Tenor (formerly 10 Dundas East) has seen The Ballroom Bowl open while awaiting the completion of the soon-to-open Hard Rock Cafe. T&T Supermarket and Value Village are both open and seeing significant crowds on Elm Street.
Financial Sector Expands Downtown Presence
The downtown core is also seeing renewed interest from the financial services sector. Optimize Wealth Management, a rapidly growing financial advisory firm, has established its headquarters at the historic Bank of Toronto building at 205 Yonge Street.
The E.J. Lennox-designed heritage property, built in 1905, features a monumental neo-classical facade with three-storey Indiana limestone Corinthian columns and an aluminum-clad hemispherical dome. The four-storey building, protected by an Ontario Heritage Trust conservation easement, will be revitalized while preserving its architecturally significant banking hall with stained glass skylights and marble features.
Optimize, founded in 2009, provides comprehensive wealth management services including financial planning, portfolio management, tax preparation, and estate planning. The firm’s move into this landmark property follows similar financial sector investments in the area, including BMO’s new 21,000-square-foot branch at CF Toronto Eaton Centre that opened in November 2024.
Hudson’s Bay Flagship Fights for Survival
Across Queen Street, the historic Hudson’s Bay flagship at 176 Yonge Street has received a temporary reprieve from liquidation as its parent company begins closing 74 of its 80 department stores nationwide.
The 354-year-old retailer entered creditor protection on March 7 but reported better-than-expected sales of $21 million between March 8-14, allowing it to repay its $16 million debtor-in-possession loan and temporarily stabilize operations at six strategic locations.
Despite the temporary reprieve, Hudson’s Bay disclosed in court that it “does not currently have an agreement on which it could base a restructuring plan,” though discussions with landlords and lenders continue with what company representatives described as “very short” timelines.
Active Leasing Throughout Eaton Centre
CF Toronto Eaton Centre continues to demonstrate active leasing activity throughout the complex. Recent tenant movements include:
- Suzy Shier/Le Chateau opened a 3,295-square-foot combination location in the former Treehouse Toys space
- L’Occitane reopened after a renovation
- Craig’s Cookies and Wetzel’s Pretzels opened new locations
- Aerie undergoing refurbishment of its 4,240-square-foot store with a temporary location in the former Williams Sonoma space
- Saint Germain Bakery is preparing to open two locations: a 490-square-foot spot outside the Dundas subway entrance and an 894-square-foot location at Yonge and Shuter
We are still awaiting confirmation on a number of vacant storefronts, including:
- Former A/X at Queen Street Entrance (4,780 sf)
- Former Abercrombie Kids (3,354 sf)
- Former Free People (5,457 sf)
- Former Kernels at Dundas Station (171 sf)
- Former Gamestop (1,444 sf)
- Former Benkei Hime (1,803 sf)
- Former Eggspectation/City Kitchen (6,578 sf)
- Former Ted Baker (3,826 sf)
- Current Aerie pop-up and former Williams-Sonoma (4,740 sf)
Pop-Up Details and Community Engagement
The SHEIN Spring Pop-Up will operate during regular mall hours from March 28 to April 6:
- Monday through Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
The retailer is offering tiered discounts of up to 30% on purchases and, for the first time, discounted SHEIN gift cards available for in-store purchase. The first 100 shoppers each day who share a public post from the pop-up on social media will receive a limited-edition Toronto tote bag.
Continuing its charitable initiatives established in previous pop-ups, SHEIN has partnered with Soles4Souls Canada, offering customers a $2 discount when they donate gently used clothing.
For additional information on the ongoing retail developments in Toronto’s downtown core, keep checking back on 6ixRetail.com and follow us on Instagram @6ixRetail
Dustin Fuhs is the Editor-in-Chief of 6ix Retail. He is the former Editor-in-Chief of Retail Insider, Canada’s most-read retail trade publication. He has over 20 years of experience in the retail, marketing, entertainment and hospitality industries, including with The Walt Disney Company, The Hockey Hall of Fame, Starbucks and Blockbuster.
Dustin was named as a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert in 2024 and 2025.