Holt Renfrew

Holt Renfrew Edmonton is… so sad! Thought I check out Holt on my break since I work up in Manulife Place. As I walked in, I thought I was in Sears! It’s so small and dark and the selection of brands seems slim. The sale associates seems somewhat judgmental… except the girls in Louis Vuttion, there were extremely helpful and very informative (unfortunately they didn’t have what I was looking for). Looks like I would have to go home to Holt Renfrew Calgary for my purchases.

Holy, the manager of the Gucci department sells merchandise with defects and won’t return them. Even though their return policy states clearly that you can return them within 14 days. I bought a $ 2400 handbag only to find out when I went home that it had a stain and a scratch. When I went back to return it, she found a «hair» in the bag which means I used it. Beware of this store. They will sell faulty items and will refuse to refund your money. A bunch of thieves.

They do carry some good items and top brands… however all of them are overpriced… i think they may be taking advantage of the fact that only a handful of shops in alberta carry these brands… and the people working there are so pretentious… i read some where that they mistreat people purposefully in high end stores… it some how improves the sales… over all too pricy and nothing special…

Edmonton’s Holt Renfrew isn’t my favourite location.
Yes, they carry some lovely things, but the selection is not as wide as their flagship stores (Vancouver, Calgary).
Prices are what you’d expect for the brands, although I have to say that the arrival of Simons (at least their designer department) has changed the way I think about Holt Renfrew Edmonton. Some of the brands are comparable, and others flat-​out overlap, but the price points and sale tactics at Simons are much more competitive, and the space more beautiful.
Holt Renfrew Edmonton itself could use some love — some new carpet, refreshed changing rooms and an all-​around update to the space would do wonders in restoring the location as a high-​end downtown destination.
Staff is a mixed bag. Some employees don’t acknowledge you at all, but others are truly very friendly. Fortunately, Holt’s seems to be tracking this via surveys that you complete following your purchase.
Ultimately, the experience is a bit underwhelming for the price, although the store carries some wonderful product.

Compared to other high end department stores (Saks, Ogylvies, Harrod’s, gallery Lafayette) this place sucks. While I am often tempted into buying more than a few beautiful clothing items by Ogylvies when I’m in Montréal, I haven’t purchased anything at this store in years. The service is horrid. Truly bad. You can walk around browsing for hours and no one will ever acknowledge you. I’ve visited when I’m decked out in designer duds and when I’m just schlepping around the downtown, it makes no difference, I’m never acknowledged. If you ever did get one of the ice queens to acknowledge you, there’s nothing to buy. The plump section doesn’t seem to be there any more. The lingerie section hosts about 3 bras and a single package of stockings. The scarves are humdrum and the shoes, while some are lovely, never come in my size. The makeup section is so-​so. They have some unique brands but make no mistake, this isn’t Sephora, you can’t try things out easily. One big plus, Holts is great at inspiring me to save my cash for for vacation shopping.

This review is for the Louis Vuitton store in Holt Renfrew. I was helped by Onice and Jennifer Ho. The service was excellent and reminded me why I save most of my LV shopping for this store. Thanks again ladies for your help and above-​and-​beyond service. I really appreciate it.
Paula.

The selection is pretty grim compared to other high end stores as each department has a small section which is basically leased or staffed independently. So depending on the brand u shop at depends on your level of service.
I mainly shop in the burberry and maxmara sections and find service to be very helpful and friendly. I like how the changerooms are cozy and if you are a regular you can get a room to yourself with a personal shopper to help suggest what u would like.
Selection is grim like I said. Most brands just have a few racks in a corner and they typically only carry one size of everything in the womens department. Like one small, medium or large or 2,4,6,8 etc. So if someone bought your size you are out of luck. But I find that if you really want it they can order it from another store and it normally arrives in about 3 days maximum. But returning for an item I already bought is kinda annoying. So minus a star.
Edmonton doesnt really have any other choices to shop for burberry or maxmara or some of the other brands so you are forced to shop here. Granted some places carry the odd shirt or gloves or scarf. But holt has the widest selection in edmonton.
Unfortunatly they stopped carrying prada and I dont think they sell gucci anymore either. So :(. I guess u gotta drive to calgary for those brands now. Prices are expected of the quality you get. Brand names come at a cost and if you dont think $ 500 for a dress or $ 1000 for a jacket that looks fabulous 10 years later then you really need to rethink your shopping habits. Personally the items here are quality and I can buy a shirt that looks great for 10 years and still get compliments on it. Rather than buying cheap clothes elsewhere that look tacky after 2 years. The investment is worth it. El cheapos avoid this place bc u just dont belong…
Sales occur every 4 months or so and I find the boxing day sale and january cleanout to be good pricing if you want a deal. They hold lots of private events which are catered with snacks. Louie and burberry never really go down in sale at these events though. So if u see something u like. Just buy it bc its never going down in price!!!
As for mens clothing I find the service way better in this department in general and the selection small.
Overall. I shop here bc its the only decent place to get clothes in edmonton. And compared to rodeo drive or the strip… the prices are releatively the same. A must visit when u want to treat yourself to something extravagant! !!

I dress like shit and they still help me. Probably because they know us Asians are weak against the powers of prada, gucci and Louis Vuitton!!! Aiyah!!!

How I would love to give a higher review but I’m very torn at Holt. I find my experiences range from glorious to horrific. I am a frequent shopper here for not only me, but my husband, family, friends, etc.
My level of customer service truly depends on the department I’m shopping in. Rarely am I even acknowledged in the footwear department, likewise with the upstairs women’s departments which is very unfortunate. Unless I track a salesperson down or stand with merchandise in my hands, especially shoes (I am left often looking dumbfounded staring at the salespeople waiting for then to glance my way) there is not the slightest bit of attention paid to me.
In the handbag/​purse and men’s departments I frequently have outstanding customer service, the staff are friendly, attentive and helpful. This is especially so when I am shopping for gifts. They are patient and offer splendid suggestions, help with sizing and provide great visual aid in comparing potential purchases. An older caucasian woman in particular (It is so unfortunate i cannot recall her name) in the handbag department has been servicing me for years and is absolutely outstanding whenever I am there.
All in all I have been to numerous high-​end stores throughout Canada and the United States (Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Bergdorf Goodman, etc.) and Holt Renfrew is just not CONSISTENTLY the level of customer service I expect to be associated with designer goods.
Will I return? Of course, there really are no other options in Edmonton that carry the designers and brands that Holt does (which is upsetting) but I will continue to have a love/​hate relationship until ALL departments can offer me what the handbag/men’s departments do.

Holt Renfrew is truly amazing. The customer service is awesome as I were looking for some skin care products as my gifts for my mum on mothers day. They carry many different brands from chole to chanel. The saleswomen was friendly as she helped me choose the right products, patiently explained everything to me and gave me many many gifts considering I just wore a puffy down jacket and an awful slack that day. And the one in perfume court is fantastic. She gave me a HOMME 101 and tried almost every brand they carry from Hermes to Bvlgari. Compared to staff of other store, they definitely know the products and truly care what you need.
I know Louis Vuitton may be their saving grace since many brands have left compared other HR in Calgary and Vancouver. But they do carry some trendy bags for both man and woman. The overall quality of the staff may vary a lot but the one in Louis Vuittion earns their name as high end shop.

I have mixed feelings about Holt Renfrew. I stop in every time I’m in City Centre Mall, and have made a special trip downtown to go to Holt’s more than once. Holt’s is the only place in Edmonton where you can buy a number of high end brands (such as Gucci, Burberry, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co.). I love high end designer items, even if I’m only window shopping, and Holt’s fills the gaps between vacations to the states where I can go to Nordstrom’s or Neiman Marcus. Most of the time I find the selection at Holt’s disappointing, and if you go after their annual shoe sale, the racks are extremely picked over.
My biggest gripe is the sales staff. It doesn’t matter if I go in wearing jeans and a hoodie, or dressed nicely carrying an expensive handbag, I always get the same indifferent attitude of salespeople in every department. I’ve gone to the men’s department a few times to look at items for my fiancée and have yet to ever be greeted by a salesperson. When I wanted to order in a pair of earrings from the Tiffany counter, the man working behind the counter seemed annoyed that I asked, and informed me that the earrings I wanted didn’t come in gold (I had seen them in Calgary in gold and knew this wasn’t true — I now own a pair that I bought at a different location). When buying a pair of flats in the shoe department, I asked the salewoman how the designer usually fit and how they would stretch out and she couldn’t offer any advice; I ended up going home with a pair that was a half size too big (which I discovered as soon as I tried them on when my feet were cooler and not as swollen).
I usually go in knowing what I’m looking for, and ignore the bad customer service, but it’s still a turn-​off to shopping. The exception is the staff in the Louis Vuitton store located within Holt’s. They have always been welcoming and have never had a problem with bringing out bags for me to look at or letting me browse the catalogue. I put LV agenda inserts on hold each year and have had no problems with doing so. I also used their heat stamping service and the item came back in a couple of days and exactly as I requested. In short, Holt Renfrew (minus LV) is alright if you aren’t expecting the attentive customer service that one usually receives in high end shops and department stores.

Unfortunately this Holt isn’t great. Calgary’s Holt Renfrew has so much more to offer, it’s bigger, better designers and over all just seems to be of a higher quality. The clothing is priced highly, as it is with designers, but the designers aren’t something to lust over. There is an average selection of shoes and a fairly decent selections of handbags. I’ve heard rumours that the Tiffany’s within Holt is closing/​has closed so that is really sad =(. Holt’s saving grace is the Louis Vuitton inside of it. While I find the Holt employees to be a bit snobby the LV employees are not! They always welcome me and encourage me to try things on even though it’s sometimes daunting in stores that come with high price tags. I like to wander aimlessly through Holt browsing through designers. It’s a leisurly activitiy.

Holt Renfrew is Edmonton’s only high end department store. Since I don’t identify as upper-​class, I frequently forget to venture in even though they have some great sales and many of my favorite brands. it’s easy to go elsewhere for Citizens of Humanity jeans, but no one else has quite the selection of Gucci bags (I own neither of these things, I’m just trying to appeal to a wider audience, you know?). I stop in here because they have a Tiffany & Co. store inside which is where I go to get my pieces repaired or polished. They also have a Louis Vuitton if you’re into that sort of thing. My most recent tour in here I fell in love with one-​thousand things I can’t afford, and walked out empty handed. Maybe someday when I am a rich lady, Holt & I will become better acquainted.

You really cant do better than Holts for shopping in Edmonton. Lots of complaints about the prices. Holts isn’t expensive, the brands they carry are. So if you don’t want pricey brands, don’t shop at Holts, shop at Winners (which is equally awesome in a completely different way).
I like Holts in Edmonton, because it’s such a contrast to Holts in Vancouver. Holts in Vancouver suuuucks. Holts in Edmonton is such a better shopping experience. The staff in Edmonton (at least in the menswear) are bloody fantastic. Yes they’re on commission, but they don’t push the sale or their involvement. They’re there to help and they know their product. Plus the department is at least laid out so it can be navigated and moved through even with a huge sale on (i.e. right after Christmas). Great place, plus you save the stupid sales tax by shopping in Alberta. I’ll go back here, the one in Vancouver… jury is still out.

It seems like the Edmonton location of Holt Renfrew has become the dumping ground for the buying mistakes they couldn’t sell at their other locations. I wouldn’t be surprised if they turned the Edmonton location into one of their outlet stores (where they send previous season’s old stock to die) like they have in Winnipeg or Toronto.
Notably, the Menswear assortment has improved over the last decade, except for the casual clothing and denim; I wouldn’t set foot in that area unless you’re into last decade’s style with the next decade’s pricing.
All in all, a poor showing. Holt Renfrew is VERY lucky that Neiman Marcus and Barney’s consider Canada too small of a market to put them out of their misery once and for all.

You won’t find much of a Rodeo Drive in Edmonton. Holt’s in Manulife Centre is as close as you’ll get. There’s something about being a prairie oil town stuck in the dead of winter most of the year. Most of us would rather wear a warm, practical parka than get our inner fashionista’s swank on.
Having said that, during the three to four months of summer in Edmonton the would-​be Sunset Strippers come out of the woodwork, sporting their high fashions and shiny convertible sports cars in the streets of Edmonton — toting their crisp fuchsia-​pink Holt Renfrew bags.
To celebrate, I walk through Holt’s to see what I can afford — and touch the luxury fabrics. Even a summer sale at this deluxe fashion den would break my bank account. The freelance writer/​yoga instructor lifestyle isn’t exactly your free pass to designer-​labeldom — but, now, who’s complaining?
I love my bargain hunting. A few weeks ago I spotted a pinkish-​red Italian fedora hat at Holt’s for $ 50 — a bargain, relatively speaking, so I indulged (in the working-​class sense of the word;)
Walking out of the store with my empty fuchsia Holt’s bag in hand and new hat on my head, I thought one thing only: «She’s so California.»
To see my hat, visit To see my hat, follow this link:

A while ago, I thought our Holt Renfrew was pretty great, but after seeing the newly renovated one in Calgary, it leaves something to be desired. Even so, I could browse for hours!
The handbag department is my favourite, and I like the expanded Louis Vuitton section. The beauty department includes Stila, Kiehls, Estee Lauder, Chanel, all the ones you might expect but no Guerlain.
They offer a wide variety to fine and contemporary clothes labels. I love designer jeans, but I rarely see anything smaller than a size 27.
The selection is pretty decent, but we are missing out on a lot of brands that Calgary has like Herve Leger and Hermes.

I need to be in the right mood to shop at Holts. Ideally I would need to prepare myself before going by watching an episode of Sex and the City, which usually brainwashes me into thinking that, yes, every girl has a right to beautiful shoes and clothes, and that includes me too dammit.
Then I actually get there and after only a few minutes of fingering silky dresses and stilettos I can’t even walk in, good ol’ reality sinks in – I can’t afford anything. Wow is this store ever depressing. It’s like knocking back a dozen blissful cosmopolitans and then suddenly waking up with a killer hangover the next morning.
I went to check out the Now or Never sale with my friends this past year, and remember the prices were still astronomical. Better than they usually are, but I think you’d still be dipping deep into your pockets. Plus you need to go early, otherwise you’re left to pick through all the rejects. The only thing I ever bought from here was a stuffed animal toy for my friend. (You squeeze it and it would say things like «who’s your daddy»; to this day I’m still not really sure why I got it.) I think it was the only thing I could afford there!
I still dream of the day when I can buy something for myself from Holts. Maybe the next Now or Never sale will have something for me. I’ll be the one humming the Sex and the City theme song.

Usually my trips into Holt Renfrew are just to drool over things I’ll never in my life be able to afford. That, and to talk trash about some of the ridiculous fashions people pay out the nose for.
But I recently spent a few frustrating weeks trying to find a somewhat attractive bra in my size and had absolutely no luck, and as an impulse, I went over to Holt Renfrew to see if the wealthy have the same problems I suffer from. Surprise, surprise, of course they don’t. $ 120 later, I now look and feel like a total babe. Sometimes it is worth the splurge.

When I walk into Holt Renfrew, it is purely for the browsing experience. This place is not just expensive; it’s crazy, insanely expensive. Thin scarves for $ 400, purses for $ 800, and coats for $ 3000 – I could never justify spending this much on one item. Holt is definitely for the rich or people with high credit lines.
To be quite honest with you, a lot of the stuff they sell isn’t even that nice. Is it just me, or are L.A.M.B. bags overrated? I think some of their shoes are great through, and they are not too expensive by my standards. It’s still fun to look around, dream, or play «dress-​up» with high fashion brands like Burberry, GUCCI, and Versace.
Once a year though, Holt Renfrew has the Now or Never Sale. Unwanted items are discounted for up to 70% off, giving people a chance to snag them up, before they are shipped away forever. Most of the stuff isn’t that nice, and it’s obvious why it was rejected, but I’ve found some really nice hats and bracelets. It’s definitely worth checking out.
Holt has also started selling some more affordable clothing lines. They are still expensive – maybe not crazy, insanely expensive, but enough to still put a dent in your wallet.