Page 10 - May2021

americas news
americas news

HARRY POTTER STORE IN NEW YORK CITY GETS

AN OFFICIAL OPENING DATE

A themed flagship featuring the largest collection of Harry Potter
and Fantastic Beasts merchandise under one roof is set to open in
the Big Apple.
Warner Bros. will unveil the Harry Potter New York flagship, at
935 Broadway in mid-town Manhattan, on June 3. The three-floor,
21,000sq ft store will feature 15 different themed areas, each one
designed to bring the magic of the “Harry Potter Wizarding World”
to life. More than 1,000 props will be on display, including some
authentic items used in the movies.
Entering the store, customers will pass under a huge model of
a familiar Harry Potter-related creature, Fawkes the Phoenix. The
model, created by a team of propmakers, weighs more than 220 lbs.
and is one of many detailed, handmade props located throughout
the store. A rotating stature of a Griffin, the magical beast of Harry
Potter fame, stands quard in the main atrium. Adjacent to this is the
Wand Shop, featuring more than 50 wands inspired by characters.

PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE IS ENTERING A NEW STATE AS IT CONTINUES TO EXPAND ITS FOOTPRINT. THE SPECIALTY RETAILER FOR GOLF AND TENNIS PLANS TO OPEN AT LEAST FIVE
NEW STORES IN 2021. THE LOCATIONS INCLUDE THREE IN TEXAS, AT BARDEN PLACE CENTER IN ARLINGTON; GOLDEN PLAZA IN HOUSTON AND SAN ANTONIO. IN ADDITION, PGA
TOUR IS OPENING A STORE IN FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA AND AT CROSSROAFS SHOPPING CENTER IN WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK. THE NEW STORES WILL MARK THE COMPANY’S NINTH
LOCATION IN TEXAS, SECOND IN NEW YORK AND FIRST IN VIRGINIA, GIVING IT A TOTAL OF 50 LOCATIONS. THE COMPANY IS OPERATED BY GOLF & TENNIS PRO SHOP.

SPORTING RETAILERS ATHLETA TO EXPAND
GOES EXPERIENTIAL AND ENTER CANADA

The nation’s largest sporting goods retailer has debuted a new Gap Inc. is expanding its popular women’s athletic apparel brand
concept, called Dick’s House of Sport, at Eastview Mall, in the — and not just in the US.
Rochester suburb of Victor, New York. Athleta plans to open between 20 and 30 stores annually across
Described as a place to “connect and play,” the 100,000sq ft store North America in line with its goal of doubling the business by
offers customers a hands-on shopping experience and features a 2023. As part of the expansion, the brand will enter the home
rock-climbing wall, a high-tech batting cage and a 17,000sq ft outdoor turn of rival Lululemon. Athleta will launch online in Canada this
turf field and running track where Dick’s will host sports events. The summer, and will open its first-ever Canadian stores this fall, at
field will be open year-round for customers to use and will boast an Yorkdale Shopping Center in North York, Ontario, and Park Royal
ice-skating rink in the winter. Shopping Centre in West Vancouver, British Columbia.
In addition, the new store has three virtual golf-driving bays, a Gap said it will consider wholesale partnerships and international
putting green and the company’s first-ever “House of Cleats” that expansion through franchise-operated stores to grow Athleta
will seasonally rotate product. A dedicated service area offers such globally. It currently has a franchise model and wholesale business
services as breaking in gloves, stringing lacrosse sticks and repairing for Athleta in the UK.
bikes. A small area dedicated to health and wellness sells juice, In 2020, Athleta, which has more than 200 US stores, surpassed
snacks, vitamins and other items. $1bn in net sales and had 16 per cent annual sales growth, with
Dick’s will open a second House of Sport lcoation later this year double-digit e-commerce growth. In Gap’s most recent fourth
in Knoxville, Tennessee. quarter, Athleta’s same-store sales rose 26 per cent.
10 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL MAY 2021