Shopping Centers Today is the news magazine of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
Issue link: https://sct.epubxp.com/i/331061
nternational chains are expanding more aggressively into U.s. markets thanks to a recovering economy, and the list of re- tailers happens to include some unusual newcomers. "Qela may be the most in- teresting retailer to make its U.s. debut," said broker Faith hope consolo, chair- I the retail melting pot more InternatIonal retaIlers are expandIng to tHe U.s. By Joel Groover J U l y 2 0 1 4 / S C T 33 p h o t o : r o b e r t a l e x a n d e r / g e t t y i m a g e s man of the retail group at new york city–based douglas elliman real estate. "it's from Qatar, not a name you hear bandied about a lot in terms of retail expansion." the typical pattern has long been for U.s.-based retailers to expand into developing markets such as the middle east or china, not the other way around. but this spring doha-based Qatar luxury group announced plans to open a 6,240-square-foot Qela boutique, art gallery and private salon on madison avenue, in new york city. consolo also cites china-based jeweler lao Feng xiang, which reportedly will open its first north america store — three floors amid the legend- ary rents of new york city's Fifth avenue — by the close of this year. likewise, designer roland mouret will make his first foray outside the U.K. by opening a new york city store this summer, consolo says. the roster of newcomers to the big apple also includes swiss apparel-and-accessories designer philipp plein, French designer daniel cremieux and parisian retailer moynat, all of which have announced plans to open new york city stores this year. "and that is just over the last couple of months," consolo said. chic boutiques focused on high-rent new york city districts are just a small part of the trend. retailers from across europe and asia have been breaking into various U.s. markets of late with shops in nearly every retail category, experts say. "From main streets to malls, the U.s. is still the most secure place for international retailers to do business," consolo said. "We're a country of shopaholics." ireland-based retail giant primark, for one, is scouting for space around the northeast and will be opening its first U.s. store in boston in 2015, according to stephanie skrbin, a los an- geles–based principal at real estate services firm lee & associates. primark's spacious stores sell 32-36_SCT_JUL14_Cover international brands coming to USA.indd 33 6/12/14 5:53 PM