We're lucky to have so many grocer choices in our Core area. Safeway, Co-op, Urban Fare, and soon to open Loblaws in EV. I was reading on Retail Insider that Edmonton Downtown is finally getting a grocery store again in the Ice District, it too will be a Loblaws. I think as for basic retail goes, the Core area has pretty much everything it needs for an average resident; Best buy, Staples( needs to be relocated IMO), Canadian Tire, Movie Theatre(needs to be replaced), Banks and grocery stores. I can't think of anything else you could really add at this point that locals in the suburbs would miss out on. A Costco would be nice but maybe an overkill. Other than that I believe it's the right time to start focusing on exclusive retail that lures visitors, tourists, and residents from other parts of the city into the Core and hopefully encourages them to make it their home. Retailers like Apple, Zara, foot locker, exclusive Cuisines, famous burger joints, Rec Room, etc. should all be sought after to make the Core area the all in one destination. It would be nice to see more people travelling to the Downtown/ Beltline area on weekends to enjoy shopping, dining, and entertainment rather than going to a suburban location like Chinook Mall. This Canadian Tire and Urban /Fare was a great addition!
