The year 2016 saw one change after another. The election of President Donald Trump was at the top of the list, followed by a number of day-to-day events, such as: Uber eroding the dominance of Yellow Cabs, the popularity of Airbnb and its effect on the hotel industry, and the growing interest in online shopping vs. traditional stores.
Because we’re interested in fashion and shopping, we’re taking a closer look at the last point to see where we’re going and how retailers are coping with this universal change. I spotted an excellent article titled It’s Never Been More Fun To Shop – Really written by Amanda FitzSimons that appeared in the January issue of Elle magazine.
The author notes that, “Consumers are becoming more informed, less brand loyal and more impatient. But, contrary to popular opinion, shoppers are not abandoning brick-and-mortar en masse. According to the Census Bureau, online transactions (everything from groceries to luxury goods) accounted for LESS THAN EIGHT PERCENT of all retail transactions in the first quarter of 2016.” I think this statement sums up the situation very well.
Elle follows this article with a very ambitious sidebar labeled Twenty-nine Reasons to Go Shopping Right Now. It lists both stores and online sites all over the US and Canada who are just waiting for you to drop by. Let’s take a look at a pared-down summary starting with the brick-and-mortar.
COMME DES GARÇONS IN NEW YORK CITY
Amid the newly revamped far-out interiors, one can purchase Comme des Garçons x Nike VaporMax sneakers in February, before they are available anywhere else in the United States.
CITY CREEK CENTER IN SALT LAKE CITY
A 700,000 sq. ft. mecca of choreographed fountains, 18 ft. waterfalls and a fully retractable glass roof that houses stores such as Tiffany’s and Michael Kors.
THE “ALCHEMIST” IN MIAMI BEACH
Located on the fifth floor of the Lincoln Road mall’s parking garage, this concept store celebrates its 10th anniversary in May with a new shop around the corner and its own branded jewelry, athleisure pieces and housewares.
BERGDORF GOODMAN IN NEW YORK CITY
Getting your ears pierced has been seriously upgraded. BG’s revamped first floor now hosts piercing parties with jewelry designer Sydney Evan.
Bergdorf Goodman
Photo: Courtesy of Elle
NORDSTROM IN VANCOUVER, B.C., CANADA
This Seattle-based retailer’s first international flagship has on-staff translators and a 24/7 express concierge service, should lost luggage leave you with a late-night fashion emergency. Comment: Based on a trip to Barbados when all our luggage was lost – this is a terrific idea. Now we’ll move on to online shopping opportunities.
Nordstrom in Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Photo: Courtesy of Elle
SHOPTIQUES.COM
Shop Mexico City and Paris from your sofa. You do the math: exclusive access to 5,000 independently owned boutiques in 30 countries, 2,000 cities.
ARMARIUM.COM
The on-demand platform for high-end fashion rentals now links into Net-a-Porter, so you can buy the perfect pair of Charlotte Olympias to complement the Sonia Rykiel dress you’re borrowing for a party.
CAPBEAUTY.COM
Discover products that even beauty editors don’t know about. For example, Odacité face oils or Tata Harper balms, plus a host of under-the-radar labels.
MAY WE SUGGEST…
Time to upgrade your wardrobe for spring by shopping online at Adea.
Shaun Nelson-Henrick
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