Innovation continues
Published: 05 January, 2012
Despite the downturn retailers are continuing to experiment, and both Foot Locker and River Island have launched new formats
Brent Cross shopping centre has secured the first Locker Room outlet, a new concept from Foot Locker. The 4,350-sq ft store focuses on sports performance footwear, showcasing brands including Nike, Adidas and Asics. Locker Room is aimed at consumers of all ages and abilities from those starting out to sport fanatics, and the new concept complements the fashion focus of the existing Foot Locker stores.
Lew Kimble, president and CEO of Foot Locker Europe, said: “The Locker Room by Foot Locker is a fantastic opportunity for the brand to reach out to a new audience, providing them with the best sports performance footwear, apparel, and accessories. It’s designed for people of all ages and levels with a passion for sports. Whether that sports obsession is in football, running or fitness. This first concept store is launching in the UK and we are hopeful that we can roll it out to other parts of the UK and continental Europe.”
Foot Locker’s European debut for Locker Room is the latest retailer to launch a brand at Brent Cross and follows launches from Hollister, Massimo Dutti, Lipsy, Hugo Boss and Gap. The addition of Locker Room creates a new direction for the Lower Mall at Brent Cross and the next initiative is the creation of the first double height shop unit opposite the Locker Room which will attract a fashion brand looking for a new flagship unit.
Hammerson portfolio director Peter Cooper said: “It is vital for retail destinations to attract new brands and retail formats which continually evolve the retail mix. Brent Cross’s continued strength of retail sales and consumer appeal is based on this. After 35 years of trading Brent Cross continues to be on the top of retailers list for launching new formats and delivering retail innovation.
Cushman & Wakefield and Lunson Mitchenall acted on behalf of Hammerson and Standard Life Investments and Brasier Freith acted on behalf of Foot Locker.
At the same time fashion giant River Island has opened the first of its new concept Accessory Boutique stores at Capital Shopping Centres’ The Victoria Centre in Nottingham.
The first standalone accessories and footwear store opened in a 1,721-sq ft unit opposite Top Shop and Monsoon and close to John Lewis.
The store sells footwear, bags, hats, scarves, sunglasses and jewellery. The new design includes interior details such as bespoke chandelier lighting, carpet wall coverings, architectural arches and a timber shop front to create a unique ‘rough lux’, vintage feel to the store.
Martin Breeden, director of asset management (north) for CSC, said: “The fact that River Island has chosen the Victoria Centre for its first standalone accessories store is a fantastic endorsement and we wish them well with this exciting new format.”
Lunson Mitchenall and Brassington Rowan represented The Victoria Centre. River Island was represented by Harper Dennis Hobbs.
