Gap Inc. announced the grand opening of two Athleta retail locations opening this week in Manhattan's Upper East and Upper West side neighborhoods, marking the brand's entry into the east coast market. It said the openings support Athleta's plan to open up to 50 stores by 2013.
“Entering New York is a significant milestone for us as we aim to grow our share of the $31 billion women's active wear market,” said Scott Key, senior vice president and general manager of Athleta. “Thanks to our successful catalog business, we already know there's a highly concentrated customer base in the New York metropolitan area and we're excited to bring our loyal and new customers two beautiful stores where they can build strong, inspiring communities around the athletic pursuits they love.”
The new stores will offer shoppers Athleta”s collection of women's active lifestyle apparel for yoga, running, swim, gym, hiking and skiing.
Key added, “Whether she's an elite athlete or training for her first organized event, Athleta offers high quality apparel made to stand up to every female athlete's highest standards. And because our clothing is designed to take our customers through her workouts and beyond, she can easily transition from working out to going out and still feel confident she looks great.”
Located at 216 Columbus Avenue on the Upper West Side and 1517 3rd Avenue on the Upper East Side, the stores sit equal distance from Central Park. Both stores boast modern, clean designs in keeping with the NYC aesthetic and compliment Athleta's inspirational catalog imagery with sleek steel and warm wood trim at the cash wraps and in the dressing room seating areas.
Additional unique-to-Athleta features include free alterations in store, kiosks that link directly to the website offering customers access to additional product and sizes, and free fitness classes.
To mark the opening of our New York City stores, Athleta has partnered with Bent on Learning, a non-profit organization that offers instruction in yoga and meditation to students in grades K through 12 in New York City public schools and youth centers as a means of reducing stress and improving concentration, self-esteem and overall health.
