Retail trade | Clement grows

A true institution in Quebec in the fashion industry for toddlers, Clément is gaining ground with the upcoming opening of a new 60,000 square foot location in Quebec City. According to the company, which is planning to sell baby food soon, it will be “the largest store” of children’s clothing, shoes and accessories in the province.

Nathaelle Morissette
The Press

“Under the same roof, we will have several product lines, explains Jean-Philippe Clément, general manager of the Clément boutiques, on the phone. We’ve had a lot of shoes for a few years, we have a growing maternity department, we have books, and we even plan to have food products. »

“In shopping malls, spaces are limited,” he adds. We cannot put all product categories. »

Ready to welcome customers in July, the new location – called Signé Clément – ​​will offer some 10,000 products. “It will allow us to test products, on the web and in this store. »

The retailer will move its head office there, which is currently not far from there, on Pierre-Bertrand Boulevard. “I’ve been in the same office for 20 years,” says the man who claims to work regularly “on the floor”. “I won’t brag about it, it’s not the most beautiful office on earth. The goal is not to have a luxurious office, but to have interesting spaces for the retention of our staff. Another part of the building will be used for storage.

At this time, the retailer has no plans to open another major Signé Clément store in the greater Montreal area.

Food offer

Moreover, the company, which has 30 stores in Quebec, has greatly diversified its offer over the years. In addition to children’s clothes and shoes, books have recently appeared in stores. Soon, Clément even intends to sell baby food.

“We are already in the process. The new store would make it possible to test these products. Compotes and cereals, in particular, could be offered.

Regarding the greater diversity of products, Mr. Clément says that he quickly realized that due to the absence of certain items in the store, complementary to their offer, consumers had to go to other retailers. . “People asked us if we had washable diapers, body creams… and we directed them elsewhere. We had been selling breast pumps for years, but we weren’t selling nursing clothes. It’s okay to have both. »