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.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- 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.
- Gender-inclusive Design
- Naked Copenhagen's focus on female sneakerheads could encourage designers to reassess their target demographic and create more gender-inclusive designs.
- 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.
Industries Being Reshaped
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
