Globally Speaking: Six to watch

4/25/2018
The success of such imports as H&M, Sephora, and Aldi in the United States has inspired a number of other global brands to enter the U.S. market.

Here are six that merit attention:

Bershka



From Spanish retail powerhouse (and Zara’s parent company) Inditex, Bershka tested the U.S. market with a pop-up in SoHo. The brand, which operates over 1,000 stores in 75 countries, has a younger, trendier vibe than Zara and an affinity for pop music culture.

KidZania




Described as an “experiential learning center” for children, Mexico City-based KidZania will make its long-delayed entry in the U.S. in early 2019, in Frisco, Texas. With 25 locations in five continents, the unusual concept offers its young target audience a real city, complete with a bank, hospital, theatre, aviation center and more, where they can try their hands at a variety of professions.

The kids wear GPS bracelets operating on a secure and private internal network to ensure no one gets lost and that links the kids to their parents/guardians.

Parfois




The fast-growing Portuguese women’s accessories brand, which has more than 700 locations in 55 countries, is one of several European brands making its U.S. debut at The Edit@Roosevelt Field, a turnkey retail platform from Simon at Roosevelt Field mall, Garden City, New York. In five years, Parfois, which has added apparel to its mix, expects to triple the number of retail stores in its portfolio.

Jins Eyewear


 



Jins Eyewear, one of Japan’s largest eyewear brands, has opened its first-ever U.S. store, in San Francisco. The 4,900-sq.-ft. space features more than 1,200 different styles of Jins' exclusive, fashion-forward frames. (Frames, including lenses, retail for between $60-$120.). A futuristic "robot" located in the heart of the store edges aspheric lenses on-site, with prescriptive eyewear delivered to the customer in about 30 minutes. Jins operates more than 300 stores in Japan and China.

Rituals




Amsterdam-based wellness, beauty and home brand Rituals operates some 650 stores in 25 countries, along with 150 airport shops. With some 10 locations in New York (and its product sold by select U.S. retailers), Rituals is looking to expand its U.S. store footprint with the opening of 10 locations on the West Coast.

Suitstudio




Dutch retailer Suitsupply, known for its youthful tailored menswear, branched out in 2017 with a new, stylish-looking concept for women, Suistudio. Women’s suits are the main attraction, but the mix also features dresses, shirts and evening wear. To date, Suitstudio has opened two U.S. stores, both in Manhattan, at Brookfield Place and in SoHo.
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