Arc'teryx opening three new Icon concept stores in NYC

By

Robin Driver

Published
Dec 14, 2020

Canadian outdoor clothing and climbing gear company Arc’teryx is rounding off 2020 with three new store openings in New York, doubling its retail footprint in the city.
 

All three of the locations are Arc’teryx Icon stores, a recently launched concept that showcases a carefully curated selection of the brand’s best-selling wares, such as the Alpha SV and Atom LT jackets.
 
The first of the three new stores opened on Bleecker Street, in the West Village, at the end of November, with two more set to open their doors in December, one in the Flatiron District, the other in the Upper West Side. These locations join an Arc’teryx Factory Outlet in Woodbury and an Arc’teryx store in Soho.

The first Arc’teryx Icon store opened in Walnut Creek, California, earlier this year, and the brand intends to open a total of five in 2020: three in New York and two in the San Francisco Bay Area.
 
As well as a selection of Arc’teryx products, the concept stores, which are designed to resemble wood-framed huts, offer a range services. From flexible delivery and collection options, including click & collect, curbside pick-up and a same-day courier service, to digital innovations, such as endless aisle, a virtual advisor and virtual waitlists.
 
“At our Icon stores, we are showcasing designs that have withstood the test of time and represent what Arc’teryx stands for: technical innovation, beautiful design, and high value,” commented Arc’teryx VP of retail excellence Megan Cheesbrough in a release.
 
“The items we carry in store are versatile, simple, legendary, and timeless, and by simplifying the shopping experience, our guests – whether they’re experienced outdoor activity enthusiasts or new to the brand — can find their perfect product so they can get outside sooner and stay out longer,” she added.
 
Arc’teryx has been able to continue with the expansion of its retail fleet during the Covid-19 pandemic thanks to the particularities of the Arc’teryx Icon stores’ design. The size and minimalist fixtures of the concept mean that the stores maximize real estate opportunities, bring down operational costs and reduce store opening lead time from 9-12 months to 3-5 months.
 
The virtual design process of the stores also meant that needless employee travel was avoided, thereby keeping staff safe and reducing the stores’ environmental impact.
 
“The last several months have showed us how crucial it is to evolve the way we retail so we can continue building our brand awareness and strengthening our community connection in our key market areas,” explained Cheesbrough. “So, we designed our Arc’teryx Icon stores to make the brand more accessible, and more approachable.”