The Canadian fast fashion retailer Ardene recently announced that it will begin opening a series of large-format stores across the country. In an age when brick-and-mortar retail is rapidly changing, the move aims to offer a new kind of shopping experience for the brand's Gen Z consumers.
The first of Ardene's new concept store is a 15,000-square-foot shop located inside the Carrefour du Nord mall in Saint-Jérôme, Québec. Unlike the brand's other retail outlets, the massive new store is means to act as the 'ultimate hangout' for young shoppers. This means new product zones that encourage the consumer to engage with the merchandise, LED ads, and social hangout spaces. The shop is even outfitted with phone charging stations and a social media photo booth to encourage shoppers to stick around.
According to Adrene three similar stores are already in the works for 2018. As the brand explains, "we are investing to ensure that our physical stores blend seamlessly with our digital platforms – now and going forward."
Sprawling Accessories Stores
Ardene is Set to Open a Series of Large-Format Stores in Canada
Trend Themes
1. Large-format Stores - The trend of opening large-format stores provides an opportunity for brands to create immersive and engaging shopping experiences for consumers.
2. Ultimate Hangout - The trend of creating retail spaces as ultimate hangouts opens up innovative opportunities for brands to incorporate interactive elements and social spaces to attract and retain customers.
3. Seamless Blending - The trend of blending physical stores with digital platforms presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for brands to provide an omnichannel shopping experience that meets the needs of modern consumers.
Industry Implications
1. Fast Fashion - Fast fashion brands can capitalize on the trend of opening large-format stores to showcase a wide range of products and attract a younger consumer base.
2. Retail - The retail industry can explore the trend of creating ultimate hangout spaces to revitalize brick-and-mortar stores and enhance customer engagement.
3. Technology - The technology industry can seize the opportunity of seamless blending to develop innovative tools and platforms that bridge the gap between physical and digital retail experiences.