Nike opened its newest retail store at Santa Monica Place at Third Street Promenade. The new two-story, 20,000-square-foot location unveils Nike’s newest store concept with the launch of a fresh attitude, innovative consumer experiences, market tailored product offerings, community resources and the introduction of Nike+ Run Club and team customization services. The store is the first multi-category concept in the U.S. since the company opened its last NIKETOWN in 1999.
As part of the new NIKEiD team customization concept, Nike is giving team consumers the destination to gear up with their own custom footwear, apparel and equipment. With more than 115 key styles that can be customized on site, groups have the power to create authentic Nike team gear for practice, intramurals or just for fun with name, number, and sport logo. It’s a portal into a design community, both virtual and hands-on, for consumers to share ideas, concepts and bring NIKEiD to life for teams. Premium online NIKEiD is also available at the new retail location.
The store will also feature new runners’ services and Nike+ Run Club. Founded as a running company, there is no better place than Nike for runners to get more from their run and join a local community of runners. As part of Nike+ Run Club, participants can test-drive the latest Nike footwear and tune into their experience using Nike+, the exclusive technology that allows runners to connect their iPod or iPhone to their running shoes while tracking distance, pace, calories and more.
Training is offered at all levels, allowing runners to choose a 3-, 5- or 7-mile running route, receive expert tips from Nike store athletes and Nike+ VIP treatment at events. New iMac stations and wireless connectivity in store will allow runners to sync up their run at NikePlus.com along with iPod charging docks and printable custom routes.
Nike continues to offer a premium shopping experience with the continuation of its ‘Athletes Serving Athletes’ concept hiring and training retail employees with a passion for Nike, sports and expert knowledge of the sport-minded consumer’s needs. Santa Monica locals can also access Nike’s Athlete Central terminals with more colors, more styles, NIKEiD customization and Nike Find, which locates products that aren’t available in store and has them shipped directly to the store free of charge.
In addition, Nike’s community grant program, which empowers youth to make the world a better place through sport, will provide a local grant worth $10,000 to Stoked Mentoring to support their efforts around action sports. Store associates will also engage in ongoing projects with Stoked, including Stoked Sistas and Stoked Club.
