New Concepts Are Back on the Agenda for Some Retailers
Aug 3, 2010 10:12 AM, By Elaine Misonzhnik
WONDER!
Category: Children’s apparel, furniture, toys and accessories
Parent: WONDER!
Current stores: 1, coming later this year
Planned openings: 19 in the next five years, 200 in the long-term
Average store size: Larger than 100,000 sq. ft.
Target audience: Well-to-do parents looking for a relaxing shopping experience for children under the age of 7
Buzz: Retail real estate executives are excited about the chain, touted as a one-stop shopping emporium for kids, because if successful it has the potential to take hundreds of big box spaces off their hands.
Body Central
Category: Apparel and accessories
Parent: Body Shop of America Inc.
Current stores: 190
Planned openings: 40 in 2010, possibly followed by another 50 in 2011
Average store size: 4,000 sq. ft.
Target audience: Young women between the ages of 15 and 23
Buzz: A regional player focusing on affordable fashion, Body Central is rolling out a new prototype store for a major expansion, says John Bemis, executive vice president and director of leasing with Jones Lang LaSalle Retail, an Atlanta-based third party property manager. “They are a very solid player, a true value-oriented retailer,” he notes.
Francesca’s Collections
Category: Apparel, accessories, home décor, gifts
Parent: Francesca’s Collections
Current stores: 187
Planned openings: 60 on an annual basis for the foreseeable future
Average store size: 1,200 to 1,500 sq. ft.
Target audience: Affluent women between the ages of 18 and 34—the same demographic that shops at J.Crew and Anthropologie
Buzz: Landlords laud Francesca’s Collections for its eclectic mix of merchandise and affordable prices. “A lot of their products are unique and the price points offer very good value, which in this climate, speaks well,” says Lynn Beck, of Pacific Place.
Hibbett Sports
Category: Sports equipment and apparel
Parent: Hibbett Sporting Goods Inc.
Current stores: 747
Planned openings: Between 30 and 40 in 2010, followed by the same number in 2011. Eventually, the chain would like to grow to approximately 1,200 stores.
Average store size: 5,000 sq. ft.
Target audience: Young families, team sports enthusiasts
Buzz: A largely regional chain headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., Hibbett’s is heading for a national expansion. Later this year, it will enter Colorado and South Dakota. The retailer prefers to go into secondary and tertiary markets.
Kusmi Tea
Category: Tea
Parent: Kusmi Tea of Paris
Coming from: France
Current stores: 1, in New York City
Planned openings: At least two, in New York and California.
Average store size: 500 to 1,000 sq. ft.
Target audience: Tea lovers
Buzz: This 143-year-old company sells a wide selection of high-end teas, including Detox, Sweet Love and Violet flavors. Owner Sylvain Orebi says he’s looking for locations on swanky urban streets in major cities.
Love Culture
Category: Apparel and accessories
Parent: Love Culture
Current stores: 30
Planned openings: 25 during the remainder of 2010, followed by 20 in 2011. The chain hopes to operate at least 100 stores by 2014.
Average store size: 7,500 to 20,000 sq. ft.
Target audience: Young women looking for hip clothes at affordable prices
Buzz: “They are taking full advantage of current market conditions and moving from a smallish retailer into a national force,” Bemis says.
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