New York City — Champs Sports, a banner under Foot Locker, Inc., has unveiled its reimagined retail concept designed to deliver an enhanced customer journey through an immersive retail experience. Reopening on July 1 in two key markets — Tampa, Fla. (Brandon Exchange) and Portland, Ore. (Washington Square) — the redesigned stores reflect Champs Sports’ commitment to blending sport and everyday life to deliver a redefined retail experience.
The new concept introduces an inviting and modernized storefront featuring a bright, organized design and an extensive selection of multi-brand apparel, footwear and accessories. Product storytelling comes to life through elevated presentation walls and digital displays, while the light aesthetic emphasizes a contemporary vision of sport culture.
“At its core, Champs Sports focuses on serving sport-style enthusiasts with head-to-toe assortments,” says Tony Aversa, senior vice president and general manager of Champs Sports. “The reimagined store concept redefines what the Champs Sports in-store shopping experience can be, enhancing every step of the customer journey. Tampa and Portland are dynamic markets making them ideal locations to unveil a new store experience that reflects our brand ethos. The concept also strengthens our “Sport For Life” brand platform to connect sport to life in an innovative way that continues to engage with the communities we serve.”
The concept features a flexible design and enhanced functionality, allowing for ease of merchandising and reimagining product displays over time. To further enhance the customer experience, Champs Store associates will also be equipped with improved tools to assist customers, along with multiple checkout points for seamless service.
The store concept features include:
• Sport-Inspired Storefront: The inviting storefront is intentionally branded to immediately communicate “Sport For Life” inspiration through elevated digital storytelling.
• Premier Walls: High-impact visual displays that showcase brands, with an emphasis on outfit-building and enhancing try-on experiences with elevated fitting rooms located nearby. There are also key accessory zones in the back of the store to complete the look, offering a cohesive style journey.
• Family-Friendly Shopping Experience: A multi-brand, family-friendly zone featuring footwear for women and kids to encourage full-family shopping.
• Digital Integration: Measuring tools with 3-D scanning technology to help customers achieve a precise fit and multiple omnichannel touchpoints for a seamless, head-to-toe shopping experience.
• Prominent Champs Run Club Destination: Dedicated men’s and women’s Run Club areas that encourage connection and provide curated assortments, in an effort to make running more accessible and encourage an active lifestyle.
Central to the new store concept is the expanded focus on Champs Run Club, an in-store and nationwide program promoting movement and inclusivity through running. The dedicated Run Club in-store fixtures highlight performance running products and tailored assortments to serve the needs of local running communities.
Strategically positioned near important hubs allowing for agility with testing and learning, the Brandon Exchange location is close to St. Petersburg, Fla., where Foot Locker, Inc. will open its new global headquarters. Brandon Exchange will officially open Aug. 9-10. The Washington Square location, which will host a grand opening July 26-27, is embedded in a market with deep roots in sport and sneaker culture.
The unveiling of the Champs Sports reimagined store concept follows the 8 Foot Locker reimagined stores that opened globally across North America, Europe and Asia over the past year. Champs Sports plans to continue to scale the reimagined concept with additional stores.
Foot Locker, Inc. is a leading footwear and apparel retailer with approximately 2,400 retail stores in 20 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and a licensed store presence in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Its portfolio of brands includes Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports, WSS and atmos. For more information, visit www.footlocker-inc.com.
SOURCE: Foot Locker, Inc.