Columbia chooses London for European flagship store

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Jan 21, 2019

American outdoor brand Columbia Sportswear has announced it is joining the likes of Sweaty Beatty, The North Face and Puma on London’s Carnaby Street in early 2019.

The company has selected the popular shopping destination for its first flagship store in Europe, which will act as a platform for its innovative outdoor gear and social activities in one of London’s most visited shopping districts.

Mostly available via multi-brand stockists including Amazon, Zalando and Cotswold Outdoor, the brand currently operates a store in London’s Kensington.

“Announcing the arrival of our London flagship store is another milestone for Columbia just a year after celebrating our 80th anniversary. London is a world-renowned shopping city and we look forward to engaging with the city’s active consumers and global visitors, sharing Columbia’s rich heritage and innovative products,” Matthieu Schegg, Columbia vice president and general manager, EMEA, said about the 2,465-square-foot store.

“The new, flagship store for Columbia Sportswear will be a great addition to Carnaby, and the brand’s innovative technology and community initiatives will make the store a must-visit for 2019. The influential retailer is the perfect fit for this premium retail unit on iconic Carnaby Street, sitting alongside other global, flagship brands,” Addy Williams, senior retail portfolio manager at Shaftesbury, added.

Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, Columbia is one of the world’s leading outdoor brands. It owns the Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, Sorel,and Prana labels, and it has a presence in more than 100 countries.