Merchants Make Midwest Debuts at Woodfield
Released: 04/08/03
MERCHANTS MAKE MIDWEST DEBUTS AT WOODFIELD
MALL TOPS IN NEW RETAIL CONCEPTS
Schaumburg, Ill. (April 8, 2003) -- Woodfield continues its tradition of bringing new and exciting retail concepts to Chicago-area consumers this spring. These new merchants, several of whom are opening their first Midwest stores at Woodfield, join the nearly 300 shops and restaurants found at the Chicago-area's largest shopping center and the state of Illinois' #1 visitor attraction.
The Swedish apparel retailer H & M will begin construction on one of their first Midwest stores this spring. Occupying two levels in Woodfield's Sears wing, H & M specializes in "fashion and quality at the best price" for women, men, teenagers and children. H&M's collections are created by hundreds of designers and buyers who pay close attention to predicted industry trends and draw inspiration from trips all over the world, street trends, exhibitions, films, newspapers, and trade fairs where material, shape and color are studied.
Overlooking the Grand Court from Woodfield's Upper Level, the Puma store will make its Midwest debut in early May. Designed in a contemporary minimalist style, the sport boutique will introduce Puma's distinctive fusion of sports, lifestyle and fashion elements as portrayed in footwear, accessories, performance sport and couture. One of the world's most popular sports brands, Puma is the official supplier of the Chicago Fire and creator of the new, official Major League Soccer ball. Chicago Fire apparel and the MLS ball will be available at the Woodfield store.
Another first to the Midwest will be Na Hoku, Hawaii's finest jewelers since 1924. Na Hoku, Hawaiian for "stars," brings the essence of Hawaiian lifestyle and tradition through its jewelry creations. True to its island heritage, each piece also has a story to tell. From the legacy of Queen Victoria, who serves as the inspiration behind the Hawaiian Gold Collection, to the legendary gods of the sea, from whom the Tahitian Pearls are said to have originated, Na Hoku jewelry imparts the spirit of aloha through expert craftsmanship. Na Hoku is scheduled to open in mid-May in Woodfields Lower Level off the Grand Court.
Solstice, the luxury sunglass specialty store, will open its first Midwest store in mid-April on the Upper Level of Woodfield's Lord & Taylor wing. Known for its upscale and unique "hands-on" open sell format, Solstice offers a wide assortment of fashion and designer sunglasses beginning at $60 from such makers as Prada, Gucci, Burberry, Armani, Christian Dior, and Guess. Outdoor enthusiasts will find a large selection of polarized glasses from Maui Jim, Revo, Costa Del Mar and Oakley.
A touch of the French Riviera comes to Woodfield with the late April/early May opening of L'Occitane en Provence in the Lower Level Lord & Taylor wing. L'Occitane is dedicated to recreating the colors, scents and traditions of Provence through beauty, skincare, and fragrance products for men, women and the home.
Opening in late April on the lower level between Grand Court and Lord & Taylor, Rampage caters to young women with a definitive fashion sense who "set trends rather than follow them."
Woodfield's reputation as a retail testing ground was recently demonstrated in a Women's Wear Daily survey of shopping mall executives across the nation on their picks of the 10 best new retail concepts of the past two years. The results showed that Woodfield is home to six of these selected retailers including Hollister & Co. (cutting edge teen fashion), Club Libby Lu (tween girl power), mishmash (young women's apparel and beauty), aura
science (skin care and cosmetics) and Adrienne Vittandini (women's designer apparel and accessories). Club Libby Lu opened its first store at Woodfield.
"Retailers know that they can always count on Woodfield to introduce themselves into the market," says Marc Strich, general manager of Woodfield. "Chicago-area shoppers and tourists to the mall enjoy finding everything from apparel and beauty to electronics and specialty shops all under one roof.
Located at Route 53 and Golf Road in Schaumburg, 25-miles from downtown Chicago, Woodfield is home to nearly 300 of the world's favorite retailers including dozens that can't be found anywhere else in the Midwest. Anchor stores include Nordstrom, Marshall Field's, Sears, JC Penney and Lord & Taylor.
Shopping hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information on stores and center amenities, call (847) 330-1537 or visit Woodfield's user-friendly Web site, www.shopwoodfield.com. Shopwoodfield.com features downloadable coupons and a free, customized weekly e-bulletin roundup of sales, special promotions and just-arrived merchandise.
Media Contact:
Andy Perez or Bonni Pear
Miller-Pear Public Relations
(312) 649-0466
info@millerpear.com