The New Retail Thread

JumboBuc said:
Do American consumers really demand forty-seven different types of toothpaste or is this just a question of density? Do you see more stores like this in other dense American cities such as New York, Chicago, and San Francisco? I know DC is pretty much the same as Boston.
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Some of the Food Emporiums and D'Agastino's in Manhattan are pretty small and stuffed into basements. Not a great shopping experience but they get a lot of merchandise in there per square foot.
 
I checked out Primark this afternoon. The movement of people to the store was directing them into the Summer St. entrance and out of the Washington St. entrance. They did a beautiful job repurposing the interiors here. The layout is really fun and expansive, especially from what I noticed on the 3rd floor when I walked through the men's section.

Also, EVERYTHING THERE IS SO FREAKING CHEAP!!! Men's dress shirts for $11, two pairs of winter gloves for under $3, 3-packs of underwear for $10... the similar underwear from Macy*s would cost you twice as much (or more if you're going for premium brands). The cashier line seemed cool and organized, although admittedly I didn't buy anything this trip. The reception among shoppers seemed really excited and positive. Lots of smiling faces, but the big shocker for most was how inexpensive the apparel was there. Lots of dropped jaws (mine included).
 
I've shopped at Primark in the UK and it's pretty disposable clothing (as in low quality stitching) and lasted only a few washes. One could argue that at the low price point of the clothing, it's worth the few wears.
 
Reznor said:
I've shopped at Primark in the UK and it's pretty disposable clothing (as in low quality stitching) and lasted only a few washes. One could argue that at the low price point of the clothing, it's worth the few wears.
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That is the whole business model of fast fashion, no?
 
This seemed cheaply made even for fast fashion world. But yes, that's the whole concept.
 
The one time I went to Primark in the UK (and I only went there when I heard it was opening here to check it out) I was surprised by the down-marketness of it all. It really seemed slightly "dollar shop-y" with lots of bins of cheap crap people were sifting through. Maybe they will be better here, but nowhere near the "quality" of H&M (which is hardly a paragon of quality).
 
Well, in contrast to this garbage and H&M (although they are the parent company), COS will be opening a store on Newbury Street in a few weeks in the old American Apparel spot. For anyone unfamiliar:

http://www.cosstores.com/us/

Minimalist aesthetic, high quality, and good prices. The only problem is how often I am tricked into thinking something is black and then it's actually just navy blue.

Sources:
http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/r...ned-fashion-brand-opening-newbury-street.html
http://www.complex.com/style/2015/07/cos-new-store-openings-for-autumn-winter-2015
https://www.bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2015/09/hm_going_edgy_in_boston
 
Checked out Primark today. As expected, it's pretty down-market and somewhat drab (to my eye...maybe it's an aesthetic for younger folk). It didn't seem trendy to me--too Portland-hipster-on-the-cheap. A bit as if Walmart marketing was run by IKEA... Not entirely bad: easy to stock up on underwear, socks, tee-shirts etc. Everything seems very disposable, but as others have noted, that's the point.
What I think is interesting, however, was the juxtaposition of Primark to MT. A more extreme version of the City Target in the middle of this aspiringly high-rent part of Fenway. In both cases, but especially in the former, it seems odd that people living $1M+ condos would want to be in a building anchored by such a low-end retailer. Again, the Fenway contrast isn't as stark (Target not that bad, VanNess not that upscale) but it still strikes me as an odd couple. The costly residences in the towers being built on Dalton and atop the Copley mall seem more in line with what I'd expect.
 
The retail mix on DTX will always be more accessible to the proles than the Back Bay - just simply because it's the real center and transit center of town.

Times Square has very expensive residences too, and yet Applebee's and Olive Garden.
 
Very exciting news...not bc I shop there being a guy but it's fun has attractive storefronts and lighting.

Is this the Tellos space?
 
Tombstoner said:
Checked out Primark today. As expected, it's pretty down-market and somewhat drab (to my eye...maybe it's an aesthetic for younger folk). It didn't seem trendy to me--too Portland-hipster-on-the-cheap. A bit as if Walmart marketing was run by IKEA... Not entirely bad: easy to stock up on underwear, socks, tee-shirts etc. Everything seems very disposable, but as others have noted, that's the point.
What I think is interesting, however, was the juxtaposition of Primark to MT. A more extreme version of the City Target in the middle of this aspiringly high-rent part of Fenway. In both cases, but especially in the former, it seems odd that people living $1M+ condos would want to be in a building anchored by such a low-end retailer. Again, the Fenway contrast isn't as stark (Target not that bad, VanNess not that upscale) but it still strikes me as an odd couple. The costly residences in the towers being built on Dalton and atop the Copley mall seem more in line with what I'd expect.
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I went in on Monday because I wanted a cheap vest because I like them but never wear them enough to fork over much money for one. The quality of the vest they had was garbage. Even for $14. I passed. I did, however, buy two jackets for my kids because they'll probably outgrow them in 6 months and at $22/each, I'm not going to feel bad about spending money at all. All I have at home in the way of T-shirts is the Banana Republic stuff I've had since college and a few freebies from over the years. $4 graphic tees is too good a deal to pass up. Even if they are garbage. I'll go back and stock up. I only wear them around the house anyway. The "dress clothes," the jeans and pants, the sweatshirts, and almost everything else (my god, the shoes) are complete garbage. Still, I'm happy to see the store here and I hope they do well.

Oh, and when I went, the escalator down from the 3rd to the 2nd floor was out of service. Not good for being open less than a week.

617 said:
Very exciting news...not bc I shop there being a guy but it's fun has attractive storefronts and lighting.

Is this the Tellos space?
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Forever 21 is, I think, direct competition for Primark. It's that same price point and target demographic. It'll be good for the location. And they do have guys clothes, apparently. I saw a guy in a different looking suit at a wedding a few months ago and I asked where he got it and he said "Forever 21." I still can't bring myself to go in. The novelty of Primark is what drew me in and Forever 21 doesn't have that.
 
449 Wash = the Tello's space. Interestingly, most Forever 21 stores are bigger than 20k sq. ft.

Average size of a Forever 21 now is ~38,000.
 
Forever 21 is not exciting news to me.... I'm hoping for stores in DTX that I can't find in every mall across america
 
Can't picture how big 20k sq ft is...hope that is larger than the newish gap outlet...that store layout/size sucks...it's like shopping on a crowded orange line train.
 
617 said:
Can't picture how big 20k sq ft is...hope that is larger than the newish gap outlet...that store layout/size sucks...it's like shopping on a crowded orange line train.
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For perspective, the basement section of Roche Brothers is 23,731 sq ft.
 
Lrfox said:
Oh, and when I went, the escalator down from the 3rd to the 2nd floor was out of service. Not good for being open less than a week.
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It was out Sunday too.
Couldn't get over how many, ahem, loss prevention specialists they had on hand.
 
Was this news about Target ever posted?

Target to open two new stores in Boston area
By Taryn Luna GLOBE CORRESPONDENT SEPTEMBER 14, 2015

Target Corp. plans to open two new stores in the Boston area over the next two years.

The first, at 860 Commonwealth Ave. in Brookline — that’s the current site of East Coast Alpine, a snow sports and bike store near Boston University — will open in July. Another in Cambridge’s Central Square, at 564 Massachusetts Ave. at the corner of Pearl Street, is planned for 2017. That’s the current site of a Cort furniture rental center.
...

Full article: https://www.bostonglobe.com/busines...arget-brand/8PvxlAN3Ktq4cYF5NBCHXI/story.html
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I've been on vacation since last Thursday and I've been trying to catch up on all the threads now that I'm back, but I haven't seen this news posted. Apologies if it has been.
 
How is a target going to fit in either of these locations?
 
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