Page 10 - April 2021

americas news

ACTIVE FASHIONWEAR BRAND IS LOOKING TO

RAMP UP STORE EXPANSION IN 2021

Fabletics is ramping up its store growth this year. The brand will open
24 stores across the nation this year, expanding its brick-and-mortar
presence to 74 US locations by year-end. The company kicked off its
expansion last month with the relocation and redesign of its location
at Mall of America, in Bloomington, Minnesota.
Fabletics was founded online in 2013 with a subscription-based
model. The brand, which now counts more than two million
members, started expanding in brick-and-mortar in 2015. Stores
incorporate proprietary technology that elevates the shopping
experience and seamlessly links online and offline activity for
members and employees. The technology enables sales associates
to deliver a personalised touch informed by member preferences
through custom handheld POS systems.
Stores opening this year will include in-store fitness shops as part
of Fabletics’ ongoing collaboration with Hydrow, the immersive at-
home rowing machine.

OVERACTIVE MEDIA HAS CONFIRMED DETAILS OF ITS HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED PERFORMANCE VENUE, PROJECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 2025. THE NEAR $500M PROJECT, WHICH
INCLUDES A THEATRE-STYLE ENTERTAINMENT VENUE AND HOTEL COMPLEX WILL BE THE FIRST NEW SPORTS OR ENTERTAINMENT BUILT IN TORONTO SINCE BMO FIELD IN 2007
AND PROMISES TO BE AN UMPARALLELED EXPERIENCE FOR FANS AND PERFORMANCE ARTISTS ALIKE. LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE HISTORIC CNE GROUNDS, THE FACILITY
IS EXPECTED TO BECOME THE EPICENTRE FOR WHAT IS STARTING TO EMERGE AS TORONTO’S FUTURE MEETING PLACE FOR SPORTS, MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT.

PRIMARK OPENS STORE NEW FOOD HALL
IN CHICAGO COMING TO VANCOUVER

Primark has opened its first store in the Midwest, on N. State Street A market-style culinary and retail marketplace is coming to a
in Chicago. The 36,000sq ft store is the value-priced Irish retailer’s major redevelopment. Downtown Vancouver will soon boast a
12th US location and one of more than 390 stores in 12 countries. huge “food hall” concept, featuring a market-style culinary and
Primark has also signed leases for a new store in Philadelphia and two retail marketplace. The food hall will be located at The Post, which
stores in New York. The New York locations include a 35,100sq ft, is the name for the massive redevelopment of the city’s former
two-level store at Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream and a 35,900sq central post office on Georgia Street.
ft store in Queens. Behind the food hall is Fraser Valley-based The Joseph Richard
The new Chicago store is spread over three floors, with clothing Group (JRG), the hospitality company behind concepts like the
for women, men and kids, along with footwear, accessories, lingerie, Townhall and S+L Kitchen restaurants, as well as other pub
homeware and beauty. It also features items from Primark’s recent operations. Occupying 26,000 square feet of the 185,000 square
collaborations with the NBA (with Chicago Bulls merchandise foot retail footprint of The Post, the food hall will feature “a mix of
featured) and Disney. full service, sit-down, table service and quick service restaurants
Primark, founded in Ireland in 1969 and owned by Associated which together will create an experience unique to Canada,”
British Foods, opened its first US store in 2015, at Downtown according to developer QuadReal.
Crossing in Boston. With no e-commerce site, the company relies The food hall joins other food tenants moving into the
entirely on brick-and-mortar sales. development, live Deville Coffee and Buro The Espresso Bar.

10 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL APRIL 2021