Opened in 2004, Naked Copenhagen is a sneaker retailer targeting women exclusively. As the world of sneakers is generally geared toward men, Naked Copenhagen has seen considerable success by catering to a demographic often left out of the equation.
While many female sneaker fans are forced to purchase men's sneakers, Naked creates a marketplace exclusively for women, which in turn is sure to inspire designers to reassess their target demographic.
As mainstream female-targeted store Lady Foot Locker recently announced they will be winding down operations in 2015, there is apparently room for smaller women's sneaker boutiques to move in. With an easy-to-use online store and a few exciting collaborations with brands like Reebok, Naked Copenhagen is likely to be tapping into an under-served market that they are growing to define.
Female-Only Sneaker Shops
Naked Copenhagen Exclusively Sells Women's Athletic Footwear
Trend Themes
1. Female-centric Retail - The success of Naked Copenhagen could inspire more brands and retailers to cater exclusively to women, a demographic that is often left out of the equation in the sneaker industry.
2. Gender-inclusive Design - Naked Copenhagen's focus on female sneakerheads could encourage designers to reassess their target demographic and create more gender-inclusive designs.
3. Small-batch Collaborations - Naked Copenhagen's collaborations with brands like Reebok demonstrate the potential for small-batch, exclusive collaborations to drive customer engagement and interest.
Industry Implications
1. Athletic Footwear - Naked Copenhagen's success in catering exclusively to women suggests that there is an under-served market in the sneaker industry that could be tapped into with gender-specific designs and marketing.
2. Retail - As mainstream female-targeted store Lady Foot Locker winds down operations, smaller women's sneaker boutiques like Naked Copenhagen have an opportunity to move in and capture market share in the retail industry.
3. Fashion Design - Naked Copenhagen's focus on female sneakerheads could inspire fashion designers to create more gender-inclusive designs that cater to under-served markets in the fashion industry.