Gabrielle Fonrouge’s Post

“A new and improved Foot Locker debuted at a New Jersey mall on Wednesday as the sneaker retailer looks to reverse a sales slump, keep brand partners loyal and win back Wall Street’s confidence by revamping the footprint for its all-important stores.” “The new concept Foot Locker bills as its “store of the future” turns the retailer’s tired mall format on its head through a streamlined layout that’s more immersive than the typical format, which tends to be two walls of shoes with a middle section used for trying on sneakers. The new format also includes a “drop zone” that shows off new sneaker releases, a communal try-on area, elevated brand product displays and a “sneaker hub” for customized options like specialized lacing.” “The new store, located at the Willowbrook Mall about 20 miles west of Manhattan in Wayne, is the first of five slated to open this year. It is a critical part of the retailer’s “Lace Up” strategy that CEO Mary Dillon unveiled at its investor day in March 2023. Similar concepts are set to open at Foot Locker’s 34th Street flagship store in New York City, in Paris ahead of the Summer Olympics, as well as in Melbourne and Delhi.” “In addition to the five “store of the future” shops Foot Locker plans to open this year, the retailer is using the concept to inspire 900 store redesigns in 2024 and 2025, with about 100 planned for each quarter, said Bracken.” “As the retailer draws about 80% of its revenue from its more than 2,500 physical locations, Dillon has focused on revitalizing Foot Locker’s store footprint since she took over in September 2022. She’s working to build new, off-mall locations, close underperforming stores and refresh existing locations.” “Dillon and her team are betting that the new store designs will bring in customers who are shopping outside of malls and give sneakerheads a reason to come to its shops rather than go directly to a brand’s website or store.” - Gabrielle Fonrouge

Foot Locker's newly redesigned store doesn’t solve all of its problems, but it is a very good start at remedying some of the ills that have plagued the brand.   Most of the estate looks tired and shops are not conducive to driving sales as they are too functional and don’t always allow Foot Locker to showcase product effectively. This deters customers, especially younger ones who like modern and exciting environments. However, it is also a turn-off for brands like Nike which are conscious about how their products are displayed.    The refresh also brings Foot Locker into line with other retailers. The bar for store design has been set far higher thanks to companies like Lululemon or Vuori, and even Dick’s is investing more in its stores – especially the new House of Sport locations. Its commitment to updating 900 shops shows that Foot Locker does not want to be left behind.    In my view, the plans will also help CEO Mary Dillon, as they are solid evidence to investors that things are changing. Foot Locker has had a string of very bad numbers so Wall Street is now keen to see signs of material change.   However, new stores also need to be accompanied by better sales numbers. This might be more difficult to deliver quickly in a sneaker market that is still very soft and where several brands are still trying to push direct to consumer sales. Thanks to Insider Retail for including more of my thoughts in this piece... https://lnkd.in/eYNiB5vM #retail #retailnews #sneakers #stores #design #sportinggoods

Kudos to Foot Locker in the unveiling of its new format concept today at Brookfield Properties' (enclosed super regional) Willowbrook Mall in Wayne, New Jersey. The new store is more immersive than what we have come to expect, you know, the dreary typical Foot Locker mall store, which usually features its lineup of sneakers stacked six feet high across the two facing sidewalls with a middle section used for trying on footwear and the back for making the purchase. The exciting new retail format features a bold storefront, distinct in-store environment, expanded footwear and accessory selections, an emphasis on sustainability, dynamic digital fixtures, a “drop zone” that pops out new releases, a communal try-on area, elevated brand product displays and a “sneaker hub” for customized options like specialized lacing. It is to akin Broadway showmanship in retail. Even the iconic Foot Locker black and white striped uniform typically worn by store associates will be getting a refresh. Foot Locker plans to roll out the new concept right away in five cities – including the 34th Street flagship in New York City – and will inspire the remodeling of 900 stores throughout 2024 and 2025, with about 100 stores remodeled every quarter, according to Frank Bracken, Foot Locker’s chief commercial officer. This new look is not confined to North America. Additional new store concepts will be introduced in Paris, France; Melbourne, Australia; and Delhi, India in 2024. The retail chain plans to spend roughly $200 million CapEx on real estate this year alone, according to securities filings, and will be expanding rapidly into open-air centers.

Foot Locker is lacing up for a game-changing transformation that's set to redefine the retail experience as we know it. Imagine this: You walk into a Foot Locker store, and instead of the typical mall vibe, you're immersed in a community-focused, experiential haven that caters to your unique sneaker passions. With their new "Lace Up" strategy, Foot Locker is taking cues from Apple's playbook, focusing on creating deeper, more personalized relationships with customers. 🤝📱 They are also closing underperforming locations and introducing nearly 300 new format stores. Think "Community," "Power Store," and "House of Play" – each offering a localized, immersive experience that resonates with diverse consumer groups. How do you envision the future of retail, and what do you expect from your favorite brands? 🤔 Foot Locker's transformation is a bold response to the ever-evolving retail landscape, where customer experience and brand interaction reign supreme. I’m encouraged to see this shift towards value-driven shopping experiences that cater to the unique needs and desires of consumers. What do you think about Foot Locker's "Lace Up" strategy? Are sneaker fans ready to embrace this new era of retail innovation? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. 👇💬 #Retail #LaceUpWithFootLocker #ExperientialRetail #SneakerCulture #Marketing https://lnkd.in/gZ4t3y3u

Here are some interesting stories from the world of retail for Tuesday, November 21: 📈 Investors in America’s retail sector would probably prefer to forget 2023. The S&P Retail Select Industry Index has climbed about 5 per cent, less than a third of the S&P 500’s gain. 🛏 One of the grandest RH locations to date has opened in Indianapolis. The luxe home furnishings retailer has opened a “gallery” at the 151-acre DeHaan Estate. The new RH features 62,000 sq. ft. of space. 🚪 Kohl's announced in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing that Dave Alves, president and chief operating officer, has left the company. Alves was appointed by the retailer in February and started work in April. 🎬 Sony Pictures Entertainment is launching its first Wonderverse at Oakbrook Center next month, an elaborate 45,000-square-foot space stocked with immersive experiences based on hits like “Zombieland” and “Jumanji”. 🚚 Carriers like the United States Postal Service, FedEx and UPS have capacity to meet projected demand this holiday season, which is cheery news for shippers and shoppers alike. 🍑 Peaches, plums and nectarines distributed by HMC Farms and sold nationwide as recently as last week are being recalled due to an outbreak of listeria that has resulted in 11 illnesses, including one death. 🥧 Costco Wholesale reportedly sees pumpkin pies fly off shelves during holiday season. In the brief time frame between September and December, people buy some 6 million of Costco’s well-known pumpkin pies. 👠 The Australian, podiatrist-founded women's footwear brand FRANKIE4 has opened a flagship at The Bellevue Collection in Bellevue, Washington., just outside of Seattle. 🍽 Crate and Barrel on Thursday opened a New York City flagship store in the city’s Flatiron District, according to a company announcement. The 23,000-square-foot, two-level location is the company’s first immersive design store. 🎮 The video game industry boomed during the pandemic. Now thousands are being laid off, notes the Los Angeles Times. 🇦🇺 Kmart, Australia’s largest fashion retailer, says a planned four cent levy on all garments to fund a recycling scheme is badly designed and could cost up to $500m a year to run. 🚗 Tie-up talks between Redde Northgate plc and the UK's Halfords have stalled due to disagreements over price. Redde Northgate, which owns 130,000 vans and corporate cars, made a £1.4bn merger approach to Halfords. #retail #retailnews #economy 

Headline: "👟 Foot Locker Reinvents: A New Era for Retail" Link: Read More https://lnkd.in/e4rMDfdh "Foot Locker is transforming its stores! Peek inside their bold plan to reshape the shopping experience. What features excite you most? #RetailRevolution #FootLocker"

It’s no secret that the retail landscape has faced its share of challenges this summer, with sales figures taking a dip and inflation soaring. But there's a beacon of hope in the form of outlet centres, and I'm delighted to be part of the success story at Quintain’s London Designer Outlet (LDO), based at Wembley Park. Read below from a recent interview I had with Emma Finamore from Drapers, alongside other members from the industry including Outlet Consultant, Ken Gunn. Outlet centres across Europe have been on the rise, with an increase in the number of stores, and revenue exceeding pre-Covid levels. Ken Gunn rightly pointed out that it's not just about pent-up demand; it's a shift in paradigm. At the LDO, we’re not just a shopping destination; we're a day out, an experience. It's about treating everyone as guests, not just shoppers. Our recent record-breaking month, with menswear sales up almost 11%, footwear sales rising 10.5%, and general fashion sales up by 10%, shows that people are seeking quality and experiences, regardless of the economic climate. The key? A partnership-style relationship between the centre and its retail and leisure partners. We help brands optimize their offers for specific events and adapt month-by-month. It's about open communication and adapting to changing needs. Moreover, our commitment to convenience, such as same-day delivery within five miles of LDO, adds value to the shopping experience, making it both enjoyable and efficient. The future of retail may have its challenges, but the LDO and outlets like ours are proving that innovation and collaboration can lead to remarkable success. Read more in Drapers: https://lnkd.in/evQbA3J5 #Retail #Fashion #collaboration #LondonDesignerOutlet #WembleyPark

Last week Foot Locker unveiled the next phase in its “Lace Up” strategy: a new store concept. It looks AWESOME. The Lace Up strategy, announced a year ago, is part of CEO Mary Dillon's vision to refresh Footlocker’s brand and reshape its retail footprint to better serve today’s younger, more diverse and digitally-minded sneakerhead community. By 2026 the retailer plans to close ~400 of its underperforming locations - mostly in malls - freeing up capital to invest in updating its most profitable stores, improving its shopping experience and doubling down on in its product, through new lines and exclusives with key partners like Nike, adidas, PUMA Group, New Balance, HOKA, ASICS Corporation, On, Brooks Running, Converse and Under Armour. From the images released so far, this new format is worlds different from the cluttered and tired layout of the Foot Locker stores of my youth. The concept is bright and spacious. The dark reflective floors give off the feel of a high-end hoops court and the windows are full of digital screens, creating an interactive call to foot traffic. Most significantly, the stars of the store, its shoes, are merched in a sleek and elevated way. There’s a “Drop Zone” right at the front of the store, dedicated to new styles, a smart nod to the modern sneakerhead’s obsession with newness and trend. And instead of having consumers try-on products in the middle of shoe walls, a major contributor to the feeling of clutter, this format has a dedicated try-on area. There’s also a “Sneaker Hub” where shoppers can digitally customize shoe features. Sneaker Hub is fully integrated with Foot Locker’s ecom experience, so consumers can start their purchase journey online and then pickup in store (a trend that continues to grow for all retailers from Walmart to Apple). Each of these updates feels super well thought out and authentic to the Shoe Dog community Foot Locker is targeting. In fact most of these ideas were born out of extensive feedback sessions Foot Locker held with both consumers and their brand partners. For someone running a modern research business that deeply believes in the importance of engaging and listening to your consumers - this was absolute music to my ears. So when and where can you see this new store format? Right now, only in Willowbrook Mall in Wayne, New Jersey. However, refreshes are underway at Foot Locker’s flagship store in NYC, as well as international locations like Melbourne and Paris (in time for the Olympics!). I'm excited to see this new vision come to life in such a well executed way. Congrats to Mary Dillon, Frank Bracken, Kim Waldmann and the entire FL team! #FootLocker #LaceUp #retail #revamp #sneakerheads #Makersights

This business goes from strength to strength , a true testament to the teams delivering on the key business objectives, staying true to the brand DNA , opening stores when they say the will , and focusing on key channels of DTC. Simple retail is not hard , too many fashion brands going off in different directions, take a look at these guys, this is how you build a fashion brand #fashionindustry #fashionbrand #dtc #retail ME+EM Ltd

Foot Locker and FRONTGATE are both undertaking innovative approaches to the "store of the future." While both are emphasizing experiential aspects, the nature of their products demands tailored strategies. Frontgate recently opened a store in Dallas TX and Footlocker is expected to launch in April. FRONTGATE's focus on home furnishings necessitates immersive design services, utilizing technology to visualize and personalize spaces, creating an intimate and consultative shopping journey. On the other hand, Foot Locker's athletic footwear and apparel require a dynamic and engaging experience, possibly incorporating interactive elements like virtual try-ons or athlete-led events to resonate with their athletic-minded customer base. By understanding the unique needs of their respective markets and leveraging experiential strategies accordingly, there is opportunity for both brands to forge stronger connections with consumers and drive sustainable growth in today's competitive retail landscape. How are you approaching development of your store of the future? Want ideas, let us know at cda Ventures LLC!!! #ExperientialRetail #Innovation #RetailStrategy