New Concepts Are Back on the Agenda for Some Retailers
Aug 3, 2010 10:12 AM, By Elaine Misonzhnik
Havaianas
Category: Footwear
Coming from: Brazil
Current stores: 1, at the Pierside Pavilion in Huntington Beach, Calif.
Planned openings: Unknown
Average store size: 1,250 sq. ft.
Target audience: Havaianas sells flip-flops for every demographic, from babies to grown men and women
Buzz: Havaianas specializes in flip-flops and sandals—more than 100 varieties of them. Its first U.S. store will feature a selection of 150 products, including limited edition items. Since Havaianas were originally based on Japanese sandals featuring rice straw soles, the foot-beds of all Havaianas shoes have a textured rice pattern.
Frey Wille
Category: Jewelry and accessories
Parent: Frey Wille
Coming from: Austria
Current stores: 2, in New York and Los Angeles
Planned openings: Looking for locations in Miami, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Beverly Hills
Average store size: 800 to 1,000 sq. ft.
Target audience: Art collectors, affluent men and women with a taste for fine jewelry
Buzz: The chain specializes in high-end enamel bracelets, watches and rings. Price points range from $100 to $2,600.
Topshop
Category: Apparel and accessories
Parent: Arcadia Group Ltd.
Coming from: United Kingdom
Current stores: 1, in New York City
Planned openings: At least 4, including additional stores in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami
Average store size: 40,000 sq. ft.
Target audience: Young women looking for fast fashion at more affordable prices than designer labels
Buzz: British retailers have often opened too many stores, too quickly, in the wrong markets, says Craig Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners, a New Canaan, Conn.-based retail consulting firm. “I think they will be very wise to make this a very slow expansion.”
Jack Wills
Category: Apparel
Coming from: United Kingdom
Current stores: 2, in Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, Mass. A third store is reportedly scheduled to open in Boston this summer.
Planned openings: Unknown
Target audience: College age kids looking for upscale casual clothes
Buzz: Industry insiders describe Jack Wills as an Abercrombie & Fitch wannabe, but with a British twist. The stores sell items like trench coats, priced at $249, and deck shoes, priced at $149.
Crumbs Bake Shop
Category: Food
Parent: Crumbs Bake Shop
Current stores: 26, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and California
Planned openings: 15 to 20 on an annual basis
Average store size: 1,000 sq. ft.
Target audience: Anyone with a sweet tooth
Buzz: The chain, which sells more than 50 varieties of cupcakes, is looking for sites in high density downtown areas and in high density, high income suburban locations, according to Andrew Moger, of BCD. (BCD is representing the chain).
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