Arc'teryx opening first European store in London

By

Olivier Guyot

Published
Apr 24, 2015

For the past two years, Arc'teryx has been developing its retail store network. The Canadian brand, which is owned by Finnish group Amer Sports, specializes in high-end outdoor sports apparel and equipment and first opened a monobrand store in Montreal in 2006.

Since February 2013, it has opened eight stores in Canada (Vancouver, Toronto and, with a partner, in the Whistler Blackcomb ski resort), in Asia (Shanghai and Tokyo) and in the USA (Minneapolis, Seattle, Portland and Washington). Now, it is setting its sights on Europe. Having teamed up with the retailer Snow+Rock to open a store in Convent Garden in 2013, Arc'Teryx is preparing to open its first wholly owned and operated flagship retail store in London in August.

The 4,000 square-foot space is located at 211-214 Picadilly in the St. James neighborhood. The North American brand will enjoy a placement in one of the British capital’s major commercial thoroughfares. It has chosen Eagle Square development for the project, which will also include Barbour International, Tiger of Sweden, Sunspel and La Martina. 

Amer Sports seems to be paying particular attention to London. The opening of the Arc'teryx store "marks the beginning of a three-year investment program in London," the company said in a statement. "Particular attention will be devoted to the group's retail partners through increased trade marketing spending, increased investment in in-store excellence and increased resources across a range of brands, including Salomon and Suunto."

Other Arc'teryx openings are planned in 2015 beyond London. The brand is expected to open three to four stores in the United States, including in Denver and New York. But it should also be opening one or two other locations in Europe. 

"As we expand our retail presence, we are focusing on cities and regions where both our outdoor core community and city-based users can access the brand," said David Adam Ketcheson, vp/senior director marketing and B2C at Arc’teryx. 

For now, details about the brand’s future locations have not been unveiled. But each will be unique, tailored to the culture and spirit of each given city. The brand expects two to five European openings within the next three years.