Dive Brief:
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Harry’s of London has opened its first American store in New York City, at the corner of Park Avenue and 57th Street, according to the footwear and accessories brand’s website.
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The store’s designer is Christian LaHoude Group, which notes that the store is the first for the brand since opening a London store in 2008, and the first since it was acquired by entrepreneur Charles S. Cohen last year. Harry's was founded in 2001,
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The store’s design is inspired by London’s historic gentlemen's clubs and Mayfair hotels and features wood moldings, engraved panels in mirrors and tone-on-tone paneling, and "marks Harry’s of London’s look toward a global expansion" following Cohen’s acquisition, according to Christian LaHoude.
Dive Insight:
Upon acquiring a 100% interest in Harry's of London last year, Cohen said he sees a "huge potential for expansion across the U.S., London, Asia and the Middle East," and that he is "eager to help the team grow Harry's on a global scale."
Harry's is hardly alone among international brands eyeing the U.S. for market opportunity. Swedish brand Happy Socks has six locations planned here in 2018, and Canadian brands Roots and Canada Goose are both expanding in the U.S. Roots recently opened a technology-laden sensory-driven retail experience in Boston and Canada Goose debuted a store in Chicago last fall with another planned for Boston.
The company’s footwear designs are a nod to British sensibilities, including sneaker styles, in addition to loafers, that previously wouldn’t likely have been deemed appropriate in the private West End gentlemen’s clubs popular among upper class men in the 19th century — if they had even been available.
The assortment follows the analysis of Matt Powell, NPD group vice president and senior industry advisor of sports, to a T: "Retailers must feature newness, and the newest products must tell great stories," he wrote earlier this year in a report. "Today’s consumer wants unique products, made by unique brands, and sold in unique retailers. Private label, if well executed, can be a component here."
Both the streetwear and formal wear feature gel innersoles made by Technogel, which can also be bought separately, according to Harry’s of London’s. In addition to London and now the U.S., the brand also has stores in Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, with more planned for Europe.
