Sports footwear, apparel and accessories retailer Puma opened its first U.S. flagship store, in a massive space on New York City’s Fifth Avenue.
The two-story, 18,000-square-foot store not only sells gear but also offers a range of activities — including customization of footwear with help from resident artists, and some Formula 1 motor-racing simulators that reflect the retailer’s sponsorship of the sport. Soccer athletes can test out Puma equipment in a simulator that mimics Milan, Italy’s San Siro Stadium field, and basketball fans can watch NBA games on a big screen in a specialized zone that offers stadium seating.
Puma joins other athletics-wear retailers on Fifth, including Adidas, Asics, Lululemon Athletica and Nike
“Puma is thrilled to open its first flagship in New York City, in a prime Manhattan location that will allow us to connect with both our U.S. and international customers,” said Bjoern Gulden, CEO of Puma SE, in a prepared statement. “I believe investing in this new store in one of the fastest-paced cities in the world will help us in our pursuit to be the fastest sports brand in the world. We’re committed to pushing the boundaries of sports, fashion and technology, and this store is the latest manifestation of that commitment.”
This is the retailer’s first full-price store in the U.S.; it operates about 100 outlets in the U.S. and also sells through other retailers. The U.S. is the company’s largest market, though China is its fastest-growing, according to CNBC, citing NPD group retail analyst Matt Powell.
“Puma continues to see solid growth within North America, and this new store reaffirms our commitment to this important market,” said Bob Philion, president of Puma North America, in the company's press release. “From visitors that come to experience this iconic city to lifelong New Yorkers, we’re excited to open our doors in a vibrant and diverse community that aligns with our ‘Forever Faster’ mentality.”
By Edmund Mander
Director, Editor-In-Chief/SCT
