While in Dallas earlier this month, SES got a chance to visit a wide range of stores, including those of industry brands and customers. We always like getting into stores that are off the coasts to see retail in other parts of the country.
The first two places we went – Northpark Center mall and Knox-Henderson shopping district – were upscale. We also went to a lower end mall in Mesquite, Texas called Town East.
Here’s are some interesting things we saw.
Magical Free People
We spent quite a bit of time at the Northpark Center and Free People was the best looking store we saw.
You’ve got to hand it to whoever designs and decorates their stores. They create a magical environment. This year, the holiday decorations are pink.
Free People, of course, has been posting incredible results for several years now.
Inside the Free People store
The Free People Movement section
We love the Free People Movement shorts display
Another part of the store
Lots of Billabong Women’s, RVCA Men’s at Nordstrom
It was great to see such a large selection of Billabong Women’s at Nordstrom, especially for holiday, which proves large retailers are seeing the brand beyond its spring and summer heritage.
Billabong has several racks and rounders at the store, including the rack in the back of the photo
Billabong sweaters and pants at Nordstrom
Billabong T-shirts
It’s incredible to see how much Dickies’ lifestyle product is resonating, especially in women’s.
Dickies Women’s at Nordstrom
Nordstrom is going big with cross cultural brands – they are carrying a lot of one brand called Cross Colours in both men’s and women’s. The tagline for Cross Colours is Clothing Without Prejudice.
Cross Colours Women’s at Nordstrom
More goods from Cross Colours
We saw some interesting Body Glove track suits in Nordstrom Women’s as well.
Body Glove women’s pants
A Body Glove jacket
I have to say, the men’s department at this upscale Nordstrom was disappointing. Maybe because it was the holiday season, this section had so much stuff crammed in and did not have the typical nice merchandising one expects at Nordstrom.
As far as industry brands, we saw a lot of RVCA, Brixton and Vans apparel.
The men’s section at an upscale Nordstrom was jumbled
RVCA at Nordstrom
Nordstrom carries at lot of Vans apparel
Vans jackets
Brixton at Nordstrom
A Brixton jacket on a mannequin
Nordstrom’s in-house active brand Zella
We were surprised to see the trail running shoe brand Altra at Nordstrom, which really speaks to the broad outdoor trend. Altra is owned by VF Corp.
The Buckle Northpark Center
We also visited industry customer The Buckle at Northpark Center. RVCA seems to be the industry brand getting the most play, including the RVCA Sport line.
RVCA T-shirts at The Buckle
RVCA shorts at The Buckle
Knox-Henderson Neighborhood
We also visited a nice shopping district in the city called Knox-Henderson that has stores such as Apple, Restoration Hardware and Crate & Barrel in addition to Hari Mari, Stag Men’s Provisions and Yeti.
The Hari Mari store – the brand is based in Dallas
Inside the Hari Mari store
Stag Provisions for Men, an upscale boutique with a hipster vibe
In the warmer months, Stag carries a nice selection of Katin, the staff told me. However, in December the only industry brand we saw there was Outerknown. The store also carries a ton of Faherty, a higher end men’s line out of New York City with a somewhat surf aesthetic.
Inside Stag
Another view of the Stag store
Outerknown flannels
A room full of Faherty at Stag
Yeti is increasingly opening stores, and currently operates nine around the country. The Dallas store was on the small side.
The Yeti store
Inside the Yeti store
Drinkware at Yeti
Tilly’s, Zumiez, Backstage at Town East Mall
Industry brands are sold at wide range of places, including lower end malls. We stopped in Mesquite, Texas to see industry retail customers there.
North Face at the front of the store at Tilly’s
Salty Crew at Tilly’s
Dickies had a big presence at Tilly’s
Tilly’s had a help wanted table at the front of the store
The entrance to Tilly’s
PSD underwear at Tilly’s
Boy, Ethika must be on fire right now. I keep seeing the brand getting more and more space at stores. At Zumiez, it was even put behind a locked cabinet, I’m assuming to prevent theft.
Ethika at Tilly’s
Ethika behind a locked cabinet at Zumiez
Jujutsu Kaisen, a Japanese manga series, was getting a lot of play at Zumiez
Thrasher is still a presence at Zumiez
Macy’s Backstage
Macy’s off-price concept Backstage has been very successful, especially when the stores are located inside a full-price Macy’s store. This is the first time we had seen a Backstage store. Let’s just say it’s interesting. Macy’s is expanding the Backstage concept rapidly.
Macy’s Backstage is inside a full price Macy’s store
A view of the store
Macy’s Backstage
