Nike's Jordan brand is returning to Chicago "in a big way with a store that will open in the Windy City by year's end," according to Jackson & Rovell of ESPN.com. In the past year, a partnership between Nike and Footaction "yielded Flight 23 stores in New York, in Las Vegas and two in suburban Chicago." But the new downtown Chicago location, "named after its address, 32 South State Street, is the first that won't be a co-branded location." Instead, it will "be all Jordan." The idea behind the store is "not only to offer a wider selection of Jordan-branded product but also to tell the Jordan story and become part of the community." A space above the store "can be used for Jordan-sponsored athletes or as a promotional space." Jordan Brand President Larry Miller said that Michael Jordan himself had "been asking to do the store for a decade but that now 'is the best time to do this.'" Although Nike has "not revealed how much revenue the Jordan Brand contributes to its bottom line, it is believed it will generate" more than $2.5B in revenues this year, close to 8% of Nike Inc.'s projected bottom line (ESPN.com, 8/14).
BIG BOX OR BOUTIQUE? In Philadelphia, Suzette Parmley noted Dick's Sporting Goods is "the latest national company to court women with a new concept." The company "launched the Chelsea Collective this month" in the DC area "as a 'fitness and lifestyle boutique' with sports merchandise geared for women." The second shop "will open in Pittsburgh" this Friday. Shoppers will "have a range of complimentary services, including free alterations on items purchased from the Chelsea store, an analysis of their running stride (gait), and bra fittings." A Dick's spokesperson said that the company will decide which cities will get the next stores "based on how the first two Chelsea Collective stores are received" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 8/16).
