Page 10 - RLI September 2019

americas news inbrief

LULULEMON SHOWS ITS MUSCLE WITH THE NORTH FACE SETS UP
HUGE NEW CHICAGO STORE CAMP IN MANHATTAN PRIMARK GROWS IN THE US
Value-focused fashion retailer Primark is
expanding its fledgling US footprint. The
Lululemon Athletica has opened its largest, most experiential store The North Face will update its store fleet company has opened its first store in the
to date, a two-level, 20,000sq ft plus location in Chicago’s upscale with a new retail concept that reflects its Midwest, in downtown Chicago. The retailer
Lincoln Park neighbourhood. outdoor and sustainable ethos. has taken a 45,000sq ft lease in the heart of the
In addition to Lululemon’s signature merchandise (and some Located in the SoHo neighbourhood in Loop. Primark, based in Ireland opened its first
exclusive items), it includes the company’s first-ever restaurant and Manhattan, the 8,000sq ft outpost is part US store back in 2015.
three studio spaces. Approximately six to 10 classes will be offered store, part base camp and part archive. It is
on any given day, at $25 a class. designed as the ultimate embodiment of the
The first level of the store is dedicated to women’s items, including brand’s DNA in a physical location and will CAFE CHAIN SET TO EXPAND
its new personal care line. The second level features the brand’s serve as the model for updating the majority Another Broken Egg Cafe, which has doubled
men’s assortment along with a meditation studio, yoga studio and of The North Face’s existing locations by in size over the past five years, is capitalising
high-intensity workout studio. In an unusual twist, studio customers the end of 2024. Among the first locations on its growth potential with nine new deals
can wear select Lululemon workout items to give the product a try to be refreshed will be stores in Seattle and from successful multi-unit franchisees. With
before buying an unworn version of the item. Cherry Hill, New Jersey. 68 locations in 12 states, the company plans to
The second level is also home to the restaurant, “Fuel,” which Through its refreshed retail strategy, the operate 300 units by 2025.
serves up a variety of mostly-healthy beverages, food and snacks, retailer will transform its existing locations
including grab-and-go items. into “basecamps for exploration” as it aims to
create strong connections with consumers. OUTLET ADDS SOME VARIETY
Cincinnati Premium Outlets is set to add Bass
Factory, Fanatics by Lids, Charley’s Philly Steaks
CRATE AND BARREL OPENS OWN and two pop-ups. Over the course of the year,
FULL-SERVICE RESTAURANT the ten-year old centre has added Proletics,
Pepper Palace, Puma and Vans, adding to the
100 brands already on site.
Crate and Barrel is betting that shoppers exploring interactive programming on-site,
will want to “dine in” at its Oak Brook store. such as chef demos, cookbook dinners, and
The home furnishings retailer opened its other special events. HAPPY SOCKS EXPANDS IN LA
first-ever restaurant, “The Table at Crate,” in In keeping with Crate and Barrel’s The new Happy Socks location follows the
its store at Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, design ethos, the restaurant has a simple, opening of Happy Socks’ first-ever creative
Illinois. The full-service restaurant is a modern look. The design process was led hub in LA. The new 484sq ft store is located at
collaboration between Crate and Barrel and by in-house experts, including VP of Product Westfield Century City, a two-level, 1.3 million
Cornerstone Restaurant Group, which, in Design and Development Sebastian Brauer, square foot outdoor shopping mall in LA’s
partnership with Michael Jordan, oversees and Crate and Barrel’s architecture and Century City commercial district.
all Michael Jordan-brand restaurants among brand experience teams. In opening an in-
other ventures. It is Cornerstone’s first store restaurant, Crate & Barrel is following
venture into the retail space. a strategy honed by upscale rival RH, which MIZZEN+MAIN MAKE IT FOUR
The Table at Crate, which has James has made hospitality key part of its playbook. A men’s apparel brand that specialises in sweat-
ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT-AFTER ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS BY RETAIL DEVELOPERS CONTINUES ITS EASTWARD EXPANSION WITH AN OPENING IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL. THE THREE- Beard-nominated chef Bill Kim leading the “As a longtime destinations for all things wicking, wrinkle-resistant and no-dry cleaning
LEVEL, 65,000SQ FT VENUE BECOMES THE COMPANY’S 55TH LOCATION WORLDWIDE. NATIONAL HARBOUR DRAWS A CONSTANT FLOW OF NEW CONSUMER TRAFFIC AS THE HOME OF kitchen, integrates the dining and retail home, we know that our customers love
THE GAYLORD CONVENTION CENTER AND SEVERAL OTHER LARGE HOTELS ACCOMMODATING CONVENTIONEERS. “THIS EXCITING NEW VENUE ALLOWS US TO CONTINUE CONNECTING dress shirts has expanded its retail footprint.
WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY WHILE SHOWCASING SOME OF TOPGOLF’S INNOVATIONS,” SAID COO CRAIG KESSLER. experience across two levels of indoor to entertain,” said Neela Montgomery, Mizzen+Main has opened its fourth store, a
and outdoor space. Most of the featured CEO of Crate and Barrel. “We share that 1,675sq ft store at Shops at Merrick Park in
tableware, chairs and tables are for sale in passion and The Table at Crate creates Coral Gable, Florida. Launched online in 2012,
COCA-COLA ALIGNS REFORMATION OPENS the store. As part of its partnership with a more immersive brand experience for the company opened its first store in 2018.
WITH AMERICAN DREAM FIRST STORE IN CANADA Cornerstone, Crate and Barrel said it is also our customers.”

The well-known Coca-Cola logo will be going up on the soon- The Los Angeles-based brand has opened its first Canadian brick-
to-be renowned retail-entertainment center in the New Jersey and-mortar store in Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
Meadowlands. Known for its focus on sustainability and popular offering
The Coca-Cola Company and Liberty Coca-Cola beverages, the of dresses and jeans, the 1,650sq ft space will stay true to the
bottler for northern Jersey, have inked a 10-year partnership with company’s green practices, from store design to product offering.
American Dream, the three million square feet Triple Five project The store will feature natural and recyclable materials, including
adjacent to Met Life Stadium that’s set to open in the fall. vintage furniture, eco-friendly fabrics, reusable totes, hangers and
Aside from being the official soft drink supplier at the property, garment bags, and will offset 100 per cent of electricity usage with PLACEMAKING
Coca-Cola will host events featuring celebrity spokespeople, host wind energy. Likewise, customers will be able to shop a selection
a social media storefront, and operate Coca-Cola Eats, an 800-seat of the brand’s styles made of sustainable and recycled fabrics like
restaurant serving dishes and Coca-Cola products from across lyocell and rayon, including summer dresses, jeans, t-shirts and
the globe. tops, shoes and bags.
“American Dream is a project like no other,” said John Mount, Reformation, which now operates 14 stores across the US,
Coca-Cola’s VP of Sports Marketing and Region Assets. “Our diverse joins a number of first-to-Canada retailers to open at Yorkdale explore...
drink offerings translate across cultures, and that matches well with in recent years including luxury retailers like Valentino, Bottega
the global audience American Dream will attract.” Veneta and Van Cleef & Arperls, to name just a few.

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