Photos: Aritzia draws insane lineup on first “unofficial” day of Vancouver warehouse sale

The Aritzia warehouse sale doesn’t officially open to the public until tomorrow (September 1), but Vancouverites who have a friend or family member who works for the company were able to shop the sale a day early this afternoon (August 31).

And if the lineup at the Vancouver Convention Centre was any indication: a hell of a lot of people work for Aritzia.

Doors to the friends and family presale opened at 2 p.m. today, and by 1:30 p.m., hundreds of keen shoppers were already stationed outside Canada Place.

To enter, customers were required to present a ticket given to them by an Aritzia employee. The company operates 16 boutiques across B.C. and is headquartered in Vancouver.

Jeannette Guichon, vice president of merchandising at Aritzia, estimates that 3,000 people will walk through the doors for the presale this evening. The five-day warehouse sale is expected to attract at least 50,000 shoppers.

“When the company was first starting out, this was actually a smaller pre-shop to the sale,” Guichon tells the Straight during an interview outside the event. “As interest grew and our company grew, it’s expanded in size. For those who really know the warehouse sale, this is the day to shop.”

This year’s sale space has doubled in size from last year’s and includes two fitting areas and an expanded cash desk to improve traffic flow. Reusable shopping bags—similar to the branded Ikea totes—are also available for use during the sale.

Merchandise ranges from “hot off the floor” cold-weather wear by Aritzia’s in-house labels—think parkas, wool coats, and sweaters—to spring/summer and fall/winter apparel, shoes, and accessories from seasons past.

All items are 50 to 90 percent off the original retail price. Merchandise is replenished on the floor daily. 

Given the turnout at the sale’s opening day last year, tomorrow’s (September 1) lineup should be even more impressive.

The Aritzia warehouse sale takes place at the Vancouver Convention Centre’s East building (999 Canada Place) from this Thursday to Monday (September 1 to 5).

Doors will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Thursday to Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday and Monday.