DIAM Group · Retail & Merch Solutions’ Post

Upper Fifth Avenue has long been known as the home of fashion in New York, boasting a concentration of luxury flagship stores and mainstay brands. In recent months, new store openings and critical business investments from our members have further boosted the Avenue’s appeal, prompting a mid-teens increase in foot traffic over 2022 (Placer.ai) and the lowest historic level of retail availability since 2016.   According to JLL Vice Chairman Richard B. Hodos, “There’s a lot of newness coming because the area is the ‘Main and Main’ of New York City”, adding that “Prime real estate in the area has rebounded quicker than anyone predicted and the benefits will pay off for years to come.”   Brands like Tiffany & Co. Nike, PUMA Group and more have innovated their in-store experiences, alongside exciting renovations from TAG Heuer, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Burberry and Harry Winston. Early next year we’ll welcome SWAROVSKI and CHANEL High Jewelry.   Read more on Fifth Avenue’s “halo effect” in Forbes, and thank you Pamela Danziger for the thoughtful feature.   #BusinessInvestments #BusinessImprovementDistrict #LuxuryBrands   https://lnkd.in/evXQqpVy

Digital is playing an increasingly important role in retail; however, strong brick-and-mortar trends have proved that physical retail has its place and isn’t going anywhere. According to the NRF, “As the role of brick-and-mortar stores has evolved in recent years, they remain the primary point of purchase for consumers, accounting for approximately 70% of total retail sales.” See which online and retail brands are launching their flagship locations or are growing their presence through store expansion strategies. 👉https://ow.ly/I1en50QjcP3 #storestrategy #retail #retailnews SWAROVSKI Citizen Watch Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits TYR Sport, Inc. UNIQLO MINISO USA Mizzen Main

BEAUTY RETAIL ✨ Over the past month, various retail installations have emerged for various brands, ranging from pop-up stores to grand openings. Take a sneak peek into the recent endeavors of renowned names like Glossier, Inc. , SEPHORA , Typology , and Burberry! Each brand brings a distinct touch, significantly shaping the beauty landscape. (I know it's not a beauty case, but I couldn't help but mention Burberry, having seen their captivating display this weekend!) As a result, each one deserves its own in-depth case study. 🛍️ Which brand would you like to dive into first? #beauty #retail #marketing #branding

The rise of pop-up stores has been quite an interesting development in recent years, as these spaces serve as mini-experiments to test bold ideas and tap into new markets and territories. In conversations with our network, we quite often discuss how experiential retail is the future, as the ever-morphing consumer landscape motivates brands to create exceptional shopping experiences for their consumer bases. This week we’re sharing a feature from The Fashion Network exploring this trend. A few notable luxury brands highlighted in this article - BALENCIAGA, Bulgari, Cartier, Christian Dior Couture, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton - have all participated in the phenomenon. Many have designed opulent temporary stores that spark social media buzz and encourage sensory engagement. Others choose pop-ups as a moment for immersive storytelling, celebrating their culture and legacy.  Luxury brands are redefining retail through these imaginative endeavors, and there is ample opportunity to provide shoppers with long-lasting memories - and turn them into loyal followers. We're confident that terms like "phygital" and "edutainment" will become permanent, and much more common, terms within the consumer markets for years to come. #fashion #consumertrends #luxury #popups #retail

Celebrations, Collaborations, and Spicy Sensations: Harrods, Uniqlo, and McDonald’s Unveil Pioneering Initiatives Harrods x Labelhood Usher in the Year of the Dragon: In a repeat celebration of Chinese New Year, Harrods partners with Labelhood, the avant-garde platform for emerging Chinese designers, to host an exclusive pop-up from until February 18. This collaboration transforms Harrods into a realm of creativity and luxury, where families can forge unforgettable memories against a backdrop of exclusive designs by Uma Wang, M Essential, and more. With over 40 unique products, this event not only showcases Harrods' dedication to promoting Chinese luxury talent but also solidifies Labelhood's status in the UK. Uniqlo x Tate Modern's Lifewear Revelation: Uniqlo, in a vibrant collaboration with the iconic Tate Modern, unveils the "Curated by Tate" collection, a testament to the joy of play and artistic inclusivity. This collection, rooted in Uniqlo's UT graphic T-shirt brand, features artwork that embodies a spirit of accessibility and joy, with contributions from artists like Bob and Roberta Smith, Nicholas Monro and Alexander Calder. This partnership, a beacon of connection and creativity, showcases Uniqlo's commitment to merging art with fashion and making cultural experiences universally accessible, proving once again that play is indeed for everyone. McDonald’s x Frank’s RedHot Turn Up the Heat: McDonald’s latest culinary venture, the McSpicy x Frank’s RedHot burger, is setting the stage for the hottest launch of 2024. With a kick-off featuring influencer Tanya and a series of cryptic outdoor ads, this campaign ignites a firestorm of anticipation, blending the thrill of exclusive drops with McDonald’s and Frank’s RedHot's bold flavours. This fiery collaboration is more than just a burger; it's a cultural phenomenon that promises to deliver an unforgettable blend of spice and excitement to fans nationwide, starting February 7th. These initiatives are not just about launching products; they're about creating moments that bring us together and inspire us. From celebrating cultural heritage and artistic expression to indulging in the thrill of the spice, these collaborations are setting new benchmarks for innovation and engagement in their fields. #CreativeCollabs #CulturalCelebrations #Innovation

In an era where experience reigns supreme, luxury fashion brands are transforming their brick-and-mortar shops into immersive sanctuaries for branded hospitality and exclusive cultural activations. Today, we're studying the likes of JACQUEMUS, Bottega Veneta, and Dior. Offering their most valued customers unparalleled access to curated events and bespoke experiences, the boundaries of luxury retail are evolving past the traditional storefront. Designed to enhance customer loyalty, high fashion meets high-touch services and holistic lifestyle destinations that go beyond shopping. As some of the biggest brands redefine experiential branding, we are witnessing a pivotal shift in the consumption of luxury, where the value lies in unforgettable experiences as much as in the products themselves. See our roundup of some compelling examples of a trend showing no signs of slowing down. 

💥 Prada's bold move to double down on its retail strategy, with planned investments of €1 billion over the next five years, reflects a significant shift in the luxury retail landscape. The decision comes at a time when demand for Prada's products is rising across various global markets, and high-end luxury consumers are increasingly seeking immersive, experiential shopping experiences. While this strategy presents numerous opportunities, it also poses several challenges, highlighting the pros and cons of physical retail expansion. An must read from FT. https://lnkd.in/d4xtnbx4

Prada Group is buying its Fifth Avenue flagship in NYC for US$425 million, solidifying its position in a thriving market. Despite a global retail slowdown, this move signals confidence in the resilient US consumer market. Prada's sales slowed in the third quarter due to global conflicts, while luxury brands like Hermès experienced strong sales in the #US and #Europe. Fifth Avenue has maintained its status as the world's priciest shopping hub, averaging $2,000 per square foot yearly for the second consecutive year. Hong Kong's Tsim Sha Tsui ranks third but remains the most expensive retail destination in the Asia-Pacific region at $1,493 per square foot. #LuxuryBrands #Retail #NewYorkCity #RealEstate #HongKong #Investing l South China Morning Post SCMP

Middlemen in luxury fashion, are facing challenges due to shifting consumer habits favoring direct brand interactions. Since the pandemic, luxury companies increasingly adopted digital solutions to engage and be in touch with their customers. At the same time, to be able to continue to sell during store closures, more and more fashion houses started to invest in direct to consumer and e-commerce solutions to give customers direct access to products, strengthening customers’ loyalty. With this move, fashion houses expanded their potential audience beyond physical stores. Nowadays more and more brands are choosing to invest in direct-to-consumer solutions in order to offer a truly compelling omnichannel experience (with a full range of digital services) to their customers controlling their image and experience. Moreover, fashion brands are strengthening their collaborations with second-hand/pre-owned credited platforms in order to offer customers the chance to buy pre-owned certified goods, to increase circularity practices. These choices are inevitably reducing the relevance and need of “middlemen” for luxury brands as consumers can go directly to the brand to buy digitally. Changes in consumer behavior, competition, pressure on margins, and inventory management issues are contributing to their struggles. These factors are leading to distress Middlemen sales and oblige them rethinking of their business models.