Renowned Italian appliance brand Smeg is preparing to open its first Canadian standalone retail space at 2 Bloor Street West in Toronto. The store will showcase Smeg’s iconic blend of cutting-edge technology and retro-inspired design to the heart of Toronto’s rapidly transforming Bloor-Yorkville retail district.
The two-level showroom will cover over 3,700 square feet, with a 1,137-square-foot ground floor showcasing Smeg’s smaller kitchen appliances and a 2,590-square-foot second floor that is expected to feature full-sized appliances, including refrigerators, cooktops, ovens, and dishwashers. The second level is also expected to feature a design consultation area, providing customers with personalized advice on integrating Smeg products into their homes.
The Bloor Street location was secured with the help of brokers Graham Smith of JLL, Carmen Siegel of Cushman & Wakefield, and Jaimy Hunt of KingSett Capital, which owns the building.
The retail space is strategically positioned next to Lululemon, which recently opened its flagship location at the corner of Yonge and Bloor, further cementing the area as a prime destination for big-brand shopping. The Bloor-Yorkville neighborhood, has seen a transformation in recent years, making it an ideal location for Smeg’s first Canadian outpost.
Bloor-Yorkville: Toronto’s Premier Retail Hub
Lululemon’s Bloor Street store is one of several big names to be establishing themselves in the area. Spanish brand Mango recently opened near the corner at 1 Bloor East, and Nike will open a 17,000 square foot two level flagship next to it next month. They join nearby retailers Arc’teryx that opened in the summer, and Aritizia which expanded significantly at the Holt Renfrew Centre before the pandemic. A Fabricland store, which opened last year and replaced an H&M store, will remain open until demolished for a proposed condominium development. There’s no word yet on what might replace a cancelled Apple store in The One on the southwest corner.
Bloor-Yorkville is seeing a much bigger transformation. Further to the west, the street has seen an unprecedented number of luxury brands open stores since before the pandemic, and more are on the way. The village area of Yorkville is also seeing a luxury expansion, including Yorkville Avenue as well as Hazelton Avenue and Scollard Street, and now even Cumberland Street with the opening of Harry Rosen’s new flagship store in early 2026.
The area will also transform over the next five-to-10 years with an incredible influx of high-wealth households, who could become prime targets for businesses in the area. Several high-priced luxury residential developments in Yorkville will deliver well over 100 $10 million+ priced units in the area, increasing consumer dollars. Yorkville is also a tourist draw, while drawing an affluent demographic from within the Toronto area. The closure of luxury grocer Pusateri’s couldn’t have come at a worse time — though rumour has it that the Whole Foods store at Yorkville Village shopping centre could be getting a renovation.
The ongoing transformation of Yonge and Bloor Street, in particular, makes the intersection an ideal location for Smeg’s first Canadian showroom. By securing a space within the prominent corridor, Smeg is positioning itself to capture the attention of affluent shoppers who frequent the area, many of whom are likely to be drawn to its high-end appliances. The nearby foot traffic from the busy subway interchange, as well as overall foot traffic, will also help advertise the brand that also wholesales in various retailers in Canada.
Smeg’s Global Presence and Design Legacy
Founded in 1948 in Guastalla, Italy, Smeg has long been a leader in high-end appliance design, combining advanced technology with unique aesthetic elements. The brand’s FAB28 refrigerator, known for its 1950s-style design and bold colours, is of its most iconic products. Smeg’s ability to seamlessly integrate retro-inspired aesthetics with modern functionality has made it a favourite among design-conscious consumers around the world.
Smeg’s Toronto showroom is expected to reflect the brand’s global strategy of creating immersive retail spaces that showcase the full range of its products, from small appliances like toasters and kettles to its larger kitchen suites. The brand’s international flagship stores, located in cities such as London, Paris, and Milan, are known for their design-forward environments and focus on customer engagement. The Toronto store is expected to follow suit, offering live cooking demonstrations, product workshops, and design consultations to help customers personalize their kitchen spaces.
Smeg’s Competition in the Canadian Market
Smeg’s entry into the Canadian market will place it among a competitive landscape of premium appliance brands, many of which have already established strong footholds in Toronto and other key cities. Brands such as Miele, Sub-Zero/Wolf, and Gaggenau are known for their high-performance, design-driven appliances and have cultivated a loyal customer base in Canada. These competitors have focused on offering cutting-edge technology paired with sophisticated aesthetics, similar to Smeg’s design philosophy.
Miele, for example, has a long-standing presence in Canada and is known for its German-engineered kitchen and laundry appliances. Its sleek, modern designs have made it a favourite for those seeking both form and function in their home appliances – with two retail spaces in Toronto. Sub-Zero/Wolf is another major player in the premium kitchen appliance sector, offering integrated refrigeration solutions and high-performance cooking appliances. Known for its reliability and high-end design, Sub-Zero/Wolf has become synonymous with luxury kitchens in North America.
Despite this competition, Smeg’s entry into the market will likely differentiate itself through its distinctive retro design and a global reputation for bold aesthetics that other brands may lack. While Miele and Sub-Zero/Wolf have built a reputation for sleek minimalism, Smeg’s vibrant colour palettes, rounded forms, and nostalgic nod to 1950s design set it apart from its more conservatively styled counterparts. Smeg also appeals to customers seeking appliances that not only perform well but also serve as standout design pieces in their kitchens.
The upcoming showroom is also expected to showcase Smeg’s special edition collections, including its famed Dolce & Gabbana collaboration, which brought hand-painted, Sicilian-inspired motifs to its small appliance line. This artistic touch, combined with Smeg’s engineering prowess, includes eye-popping price tags for refrigerators and stoves that are each priced at about $20,000.
Smeg’s Entry into the Canadian Market
As the Canadian market for premium home appliances continues to grow, Smeg’s arrival is timely. There has been an increased focus on home improvement and kitchen design in recent years, particularly in urban centres like Toronto where real estate values are high. Smeg’s products, which emphasize both design and performance, are expected to resonate with Canadian consumers who prioritize aesthetics in their home environments.
The Bloor Street showroom is also expected to serve as a platform for Smeg’s exclusive collaborations, such as the “Sicily is my Love” collection created in partnership with Dolce & Gabbana. The limited-edition products, featuring intricate hand-painted designs, will likely appeal to Toronto’s luxury shoppers who are looking for unique, design-forward pieces.
While the opening date of the Smeg showroom has yet to be confirmed, the store is expected to attract interest from Toronto consumers. The Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood’s ongoing evolution into a hub for international brands is an ideal backdrop for Smeg’s entry into the Canadian market with a standalone store.
