It’Sugar ‘pops up’ in Macy’s; 2024 plans include more large format stores

It’Sugar’s retail expansion continues. 

The specialty candy retailer, a Chain Store Age 2023 Breakout Retailer Award winner, has opened store-within-a-store concepts in Macy’s flagships on State Street in Chicago and at Dadeland Mall in Miami. 

The 1,245-sq.-ft. in-store shops feature bold colored walls, white displays and shelving that highlight “thousands of confections and candy-themed gifts,” according to a company statement. 

It’Sugar began its partnership with Macy’s when it launched its first pop-up shop in the retailer’s iconic Herald Square in fall of 2021. It’Sugar also opened a mega two-story 20,335-sq.-ft. location in August 2022, in the heart of Times Square on 42nd Street.

The Chicago pop-up complements It’Sugar’s “candy department store” on Chicago’s famed Magnificent Mile. Opened in April 2022, the 11,400-sq.-ft. outpost is located on North Michigan Ave. — a site formerly operated by Disney. 

The Chicago and Miami pop-ups “were a natural next step in our growth with Macy’s,” Jonathan Schwartz, the company’s VP real estate & business development told Chain Store Age. 

The new Macy’s activations will not be It’Sugar’s last pop-up experiences. The retailer is currently planning “additional locations in the future, and we look forward to expanding our partnership with Macy’s,” Schwartz added.

It’Sugar’s expansion show no signs of slowing. Throughout the fourth quarter of 2023, the candy retailer is planning to add 20 new locations to its portfolio. These will open in Lincoln Road Mall in Miami Beach, Dallas’ NorthPark Mall and Canal & Bourbon Street in New Orleans, among others. 

Looking ahead to 2024, It’Sugar plans to open several large format stores, include an 18,000-sq.-ft. store at Miami’s Bayside Marketplace, and an 8,500-sq.-ft. location at Opry Mills in Nashville, Tenn.

“Our growth also includes adding our 2,500 sq.-ft. to 3,500 sq.-ft. concept in markets around the United States and Canada,” Schwartz said.

It’Sugar currently operates more than 100 locations nationwide.