Must-See Retail in NYC
The past year was a busy one for retail in New York City. From national chains to luxury brands, the city was abuzz with new store openings — and the return of one of its most iconic retail landmarks.
As retailers journey to the Big Apple for the ICSC New York event, here are my picks for the year’s must-see stores.
•Abercrombie & Fitch: The retailer showing off a more sophisticated and refined image at its new flagship, which has an inviting, residential vibe. The multi-level space features A&F’s women’s and men’s collections and has dedicated shop-in-shop spaces for its kids’ and activewear brands. (668 Fifth Avenue)
•Century 21: It’s back! After going dark in 2020, the famed off-price department store reopened with a downsized format that features four floors of designer fashions, accessories and more. The store has been improved with better lighting and bigger fitting rooms. (22 Cortlandt Street)
•Glossier: The digitally native beauty brand’s NYC flagship offers an immersive experience that includes product testing areas, a “selfie room” with a constant live feed that broadcasts the selfie moments in-store and a spacious lounge area. Concrete floors and plaster walls have the feeling of a SoHo loft, while upholstered, plush sofas add a softer, more residential touch to the 7,000-sq.-ft. space. (72 Spring St.)
•Gucci: With a design inspired by New York and Florence, the 9,000-sq.-ft.-plus boutique has a 1970s aesthetic, with mirrored surfaces and vintage mid-century furniture. Unique details include the painted cement flooring which was drawn from historic Florentine marble motifs. Two of the dressing rooms are decorated with upcycled archival fabrics from past Gucci collections, including a white and purple houndstooth pattern. (400 West 14th St.)
•Miniso: China-based value retailer Miniso has been ramping up its expansion across the U.S. Its new Times Square store features nine dedicated product zones, including licensed collections, “blind box” collectibles, toys, plushies, fragrances, accessories, makeup tools, stationery and snacks. The mix includes an emphasis on licensed products from international brands such as Sanrio, parent company of Hello Kitty. (5 Times Square)
•Petco: Designed as a one-stop health and wellness destination for pets, the stylish, two-level 25,000-sq.-ft. store combines the best of the brand’s digital and physical offerings. It houses a full suite of experiences, products and services, including a full-service veterinary hospital, a pet salon, an indoor dog training park and self-service grooming. A gourmet kitchen prepares small-
batch, human-grade pet meals. (44 Union Square)
•Tiffany & Co.: The interiors of the iconic 110,000-sq.-ft. store have been totally reimagined by legendary architect Peter Marino and include lighter woods, gold accents and works from
famed artists. With digital screens immersing customers in iconic New York City, the revamped Tiffany’s is more modern. It’s also more opulent. (610 Fifth Ave.)
•Timberland: Among the highlights of the brand’s new Soho flagship is The Shed, a customization space where customers who sign up for Timberland’s new membership program can have their shoes or clothing personalized. Members can also visit the store for boot cleaning and repair services. (550 Broadway)
•Wegmans: The beloved supermarket chain made its Manhattan debut with an 87,500-sq.-ft. store located in a historic building whose former occupants included Kmart. The two-level store boasts an extensive array of prepared food offerings. A Japanese-style fish market features
fish flown in several times a week from a famed fish market in Tokyo. An on-site dining room — complete with a sushi bar and champagne and oyster bar — will open next year. (770 Broadway)