Photos and Findings From Dallas Store Tour
While in Dallas earlier this month, SES got a chance to visit a wide range of stores, including those of industry brands and customers. We always like getting into stores that are off the coasts to see retail in other parts of the country.
The first two places we went – Northpark Center mall and Knox-Henderson shopping district – were upscale. We also went to a lower end mall in Mesquite, Texas called Town East.
Here’s are some interesting things we saw.
Magical Free People
We spent quite a bit of time at the Northpark Center and Free People was the best looking store we saw.
You’ve got to hand it to whoever designs and decorates their stores. They create a magical environment. This year, the holiday decorations are pink.
Free People, of course, has been posting incredible results for several years now.
Lots of Billabong Women’s, RVCA Men’s at Nordstrom
It was great to see such a large selection of Billabong Women’s at Nordstrom, especially for holiday, which proves large retailers are seeing the brand beyond its spring and summer heritage.
It’s incredible to see how much Dickies’ lifestyle product is resonating, especially in women’s.
Nordstrom is going big with cross cultural brands – they are carrying a lot of one brand called Cross Colours in both men’s and women’s. The tagline for Cross Colours is Clothing Without Prejudice.
We saw some interesting Body Glove track suits in Nordstrom Women’s as well.
I have to say, the men’s department at this upscale Nordstrom was disappointing. Maybe because it was the holiday season, this section had so much stuff crammed in and did not have the typical nice merchandising one expects at Nordstrom.
As far as industry brands, we saw a lot of RVCA, Brixton and Vans apparel.
The Buckle Northpark Center
We also visited industry customer The Buckle at Northpark Center. RVCA seems to be the industry brand getting the most play, including the RVCA Sport line.
Knox-Henderson Neighborhood
We also visited a nice shopping district in the city called Knox-Henderson that has stores such as Apple, Restoration Hardware and Crate & Barrel in addition to Hari Mari, Stag Men’s Provisions and Yeti.
In the warmer months, Stag carries a nice selection of Katin, the staff told me. However, in December the only industry brand we saw there was Outerknown. The store also carries a ton of Faherty, a higher end men’s line out of New York City with a somewhat surf aesthetic.
Yeti is increasingly opening stores, and currently operates nine around the country. The Dallas store was on the small side.
Tilly’s, Zumiez, Backstage at Town East Mall
Industry brands are sold at wide range of places, including lower end malls. We stopped in Mesquite, Texas to see industry retail customers there.
Boy, Ethika must be on fire right now. I keep seeing the brand getting more and more space at stores. At Zumiez, it was even put behind a locked cabinet, I’m assuming to prevent theft.
Macy’s Backstage
Macy’s off-price concept Backstage has been very successful, especially when the stores are located inside a full-price Macy’s store. This is the first time we had seen a Backstage store. Let’s just say it’s interesting. Macy’s is expanding the Backstage concept rapidly.