Arc’teryx Equipment is continuing its retail expansion in the U.S. with the opening of three new Arc’teryx Icon stores in Manhattan by the end of the year.
Joining the Arc’teryx Factory Outlet in Woodbury and the Arc’teryx store in Soho is the new Arc’teryx Icon store on Bleecker Street in the West Village, which opened in late November. Two more Arc’teryx Icon stores are anticipated to open in December; one in the Flatiron District and the other in the Upper West Side.
The Arc’teryx Icon stores offer a narrow range of the brand’s most iconic designs in a space inspired by wood-framed backcountry huts.
“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,” said Megan Cheesbrough, VP of retail excellence, Arc’teryx. “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.”
The first Arc’teryx Icon store opened in Walnut Creek last week, and a total of five Arc’teryx Icon stores are expected to open in the U.S. this year — three in New York City and two in the San Francisco Bay Area.
In addition to the curated selection, the Icon stores offer flexible DTC services including Virtual Advisor and Waitlist, Endless Aisle, Same-Day Courier, Curbside Pick-Up, and Click & Collect for customers to shop and receive merchandise within 24-to-48 hours.
The brand designed and built the fleet of Icon stores quickly and safely at the height of the pandemic due in large part to its design concept. The evolved size and minimalist fixtures enabled Arc’teryx to maximize real estate opportunities, minimize operational costs and expedite the store opening lead time to 3-to-5 months from the regular 9-to-12 months. And the virtual design process which uses three-dimensional modeling technology benefitted from the need for employee travel which kept staff safe and saved on environmental impact.
“The last several months have shown 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,” said Cheesbrough. “So, we designed our Arc’teryx Icon stores to make the brand more accessible and more approachable. With the design process, we’re able to introduce more stores to serve more guests and by carrying items known for their meticulous design and durability, we are able to offer something for everyone.”
Photo courtesy Arc’teryx
