Groupe Dynamite

This article contains promotional content. Please help improve it by removing promotional language and inappropriate external links, and by adding encyclopedic text written from a neutral point of view. (November 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Groupe Dynamite Inc (GDI) is a Montreal-based, privately held, house of integrated omni channel brands, designing and distributing accessible, trend-forward fashion for women since 1975. The organization's mission of "Empowering YOU be YOU, one outfit at a time" is brought to life through the house’s two banners: GARAGE, established in 1975, and DYNAMITE, established in 1984. The brands began expanding retail stores in the United States in 2007. As of 2023, GDI operates nearly 300 stores across the United States and Canada, as well as shoppable brand experiences at GarageClothing.com and DynamiteClothing.com.

Andrew Lutfy, who first joined Groupe Dynamite in 1982 as a stock clerk and became its sole owner by 2002, is CEO and President, and Chairman of the Board. In 2007, Andrew Lutfy was presented with the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the year award and in 2016 he was named Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year.^[2]

In January 2024 the company announced the appointment of Jean-Philippe D. Lachance as its Chief Financial Officer, coming from Alimentation Couche-Tard and previously, Dollarama. He joined the company's top executives, Chief Customer Officer Stacie Beaver, Chief Digital Officer Maxime Boyer and Chief Technology Officer Dave Stevens. The company’s Board of Directors includes Chris Arsenault, Marie Josée Lamothe and Andy Janowski.

As of 2024, GDI employed 5,500 people, of which 10% are corporate employees based out of the Montreal headquarters. Recognized as a top employer, GDI’s culture reflects the company’s values of Ownership, Customer Focus, Passion, Empathy and Curiosity.

Lutfy has been a driving force behind Groupe Dynamite’s community initiatives. Groupe Dynamite has been a partner of the Centraide of Greater Montreal since 2009 and has raised more than $2.5 million by 2023. In 2019, Centraide of Greater Montreal tapped Lutfy as global campaign co-chair^[3] for a campaign that achieved record-breaking results.^[4] In April 2022, GDI raised $151,000 for the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal from the Canadian Red Cross.^[5]

Groupe Dynamite has been named one of Montreal’s Top Employers in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023 and Canada’s Top Employers for Young People in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023. Groupe Dynamite is in Forbes’ 2023 Canada’s Best Employers For Diversity^[6] and Canada’s Best Employers.^[7]

Created in 1975, The Garage Clothing Company was the inception of the current company.

On October 4, 2021, Garage launched its first ever unisex collection. Officially dubbed GARAGE FOR ALL, the unisex campaign was directed by multi-talented film director Mikey Alfred, known for directing film North Hollywood, shot by famed photographer Sandy Kim, and styled on both female and male cast members to showcase its range of interchangeable looks.^[8]

On September 6, 2022 Garage opened a flagship store in the heart of New York City’s SoHo at 508 Broadway Street.^[9] For the store design, a mix of natural wood, Corian tile fixtures, and white steel fixtures contrast with fluorescent LED lighting, dichroic glass, and infinite mirror to create an eclectic environment. Major investments were made in more environmental materials, including LED ambient and accent lighting, custom-made Corian fixtures, and glass block walls, resulting in less maintenance, better longevity, and higher energy efficiency.^[10]

Garage’s campaigns have featured notable talent in front, and behind, the camera. The 2020 Holiday campaign^[11] was photographed and art directed by Hannah Sider who was commissioned by the brand to capture the authenticity of being yourself from the big and the in-between moments of the holiday season.^[12] In May 2021, Garage tapped some of the most talented rising artists on the scene: including Dizzy Fae, Lolo Zouaï, Blu DeTiger, and Lexi Jayde.^[13] On October 21, 2022, Garage brought in Grammy-nominated singer Chloe Bailey to be the ambassador of the B.DY by Garage collection,^[14] representing the brand’s ethos – bold and unapologetic confidence.

Dynamite is known for high-quality career clothing, day-to-night looks and on-trend evening pieces.

Dynamite will open a 3,700-square-foot store at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg with 15 employees. The store is slated to open in January 2023.^[15]

In September 2020, the group filed for creditor protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act. On September 15, 2021, Groupe Dynamite filed an Amended and Restated Joint Plan of Arrangement and Compromise. The Plan was approved by Groupe Dynamite’s creditors on September 30, 2021, sanctioned by the CCAA court on October 7, 2021, and implemented on October 13, 2021.

In December 2020, the group partnered with Uber to offer same-day delivery to customers in the Montreal area. Groupe Dynamite became the first national retailer in Canada to offer this service.

• Official website