USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL), the official licensing arm and national broadcaster of the United States Polo Association (USPA), announced that U.S. Polo Assn. has surpassed a major milestone by opening approximately 1,050 monobrand retail stores globally. Additionally, the $1.6B sport-inspired global lifestyle brand shared that U.S. Polo Assn. has continued the company’s aggressive international expansion efforts and is now represented in 166 countries worldwide while delivering strong double-digit growth in 2018.
The growth in stores is happening across all regions of the world and includes recent new store openings in high-profile areas such as Boston’s iconic Faneuil Hall, Mall of the Emirates in Dubai, Tocuman International Airport in Panama City, Xianyang Kaihuang Plaza in China and 1000 Foot Road in Bangalore, India. U.S. Polo Assn. will add roughly 100 retail stores in 2018, alone and has an aggressive target of exceeding 1,300 stores globally over the next several years. Key regions such as India, China, Turkey, Middle East and Eastern Europe will drive a significant portion of this growth while more mature markets such as North America, Western Europe and Latin America will continue to add doors as well. Furthermore, approximately 90 percent of U.S. Polo Assn.’s global retail stores represent in-line doors while only 10 percent are in outlet locations, representing a much lower percentage of outlets when compared to other multi-billion-dollar brands.
“While many brands have been closing stores, or even going out of business, U.S. Polo Assn. has been on an aggressive expansion effort, as we believe the greatest consumer experience still lies within the retail store environment,” commented J.Michael Prince, president and CEO of USPAGL. “We are also proud of our international expansion efforts and our global momentum, as 2018 is going to be a record financial year.”
As the official brand of the USPA, U.S. Polo Assn. epitomizes classic, American style via an authentic connection to the sport of polo. The U.S. Polo Assn. stores offer a broad assortment of seasonal collections for men, women and kids ranging from the classic polo shirt to specialized denim to footwear, bags and accessories. In 2019, U.S. Polo Assn. will also launch a new “high energy” store concept in several regions that will showcase amazing products while engaging consumers in the sport of polo in a new and more meaningful way. The new concept’s inspiration comes from U.S. Polo Assn.’s Times Square store in New York City, considered its most high-profile location globally. Prince mentioned, “We are extremely excited about our new ‘high-energy’ store concept which will be a crossroads where fashion and sport collide, while also enhancing the overall consumer experience through technology and social engagement. We believe this new concept has the potential to be transformational.”
David Cummings, chairman of USPAGL stated, “It has been very exciting and rewarding to be a part of the growth and transformation of U.S. Polo Assn. over the past decade where we have grown our retail stores from less than 100 to well over 1,000 stores globally. We look forward to continuing our growth agenda and retail expansion plans around the world.”
Image courtesy USPA
