Where Comfort, Style, Personalization and
the eCommerce Endless Aisle Meet
TORONTO, Nov. 7, 2017 /CNW/ - Iconic Canadian
retailer, Roots (TSX: ROOT) ("Roots"), unveils its new
3,868-square-foot Roots Cabin concept store to the public on
November 8 at Vancouver's CF Pacific Centre, growing its
presence in British Columbia to 17
stores. The first of its kind in Western
Canada, and one of just three in the world, the Roots Cabin
offers an enhanced retail experience that brings the brand to life
with a customization shop, themed change rooms and a comfortable
lounge to browse roots.com and select from inventory located in any
Roots store across Canada. The new
design evokes the comforts of a modern cabin, bringing to life
Roots culture of authenticity, quality and connectedness to the
open air. Made-in-Canada leather,
a cornerstone of the Roots assortment, takes on greater prominence
with an expanded presentation of footwear, bags and jackets. Roots
has a long history of customizing jackets for cultural icons such
as Drake and the late David Bowie.
For the first time, Vancouverites can create their own custom
jackets and bags in the Customization Workshop, where technology
meets craftsmanship.
"Our physical stores, more than 220 in four countries, are a
valuable asset that allow consumers to connect with Roots' uniquely
Canadian heritage, see firsthand the exceptional quality of our
products, and enjoy the experience," says Jim Gabel, Roots President and CEO.
"Vancouver was selected for the
Roots Cabin enhanced experience format because the truly unique
active lifestyle found here inspired our desire to be more
connected to the open air of the outdoors. This store exclusively
offers a wider merchandise selection; leather customization and
elevated leather and footwear offering – target growth categories
for Roots. An enhanced fitting room and lounge experience
complements the online shopping integration and convenience of
in-store pickups and returns of online orders."
The Roots Cabin Experience
Roots, inspired by the rugged beauty of Algonquin Park, captured the essence of the
Canadian outdoors creating a lifestyle that would endure. More than
40 years later, the Roots Cabin design is inspired by the open-air
experience as a way to escape the everyday, recharge and reconnect.
The aesthetic is natural, comfortable and open. At the heart of the
design is Canadian-made millwork and local reclaimed wood in a
range of varieties. British Columbia Western Cedar wall paneling is
emblazoned with a giant Canadian flag motif in the fitting room
lounge. A Canadian handmade canoe accents the space. Roots
Canada archival items on display
including historical custom Roots Awards Jackets.
"The design elements seen in the Roots Cabin store were
influenced by our heritage – from the lighting fixtures inspired by
the Roots Leather Factory to the canoe and decorative paddles,
hand-made in Canada. The space is
intended to put customers into an open air environment that makes
for a more enjoyable shopping experience," Gabel adds.
The Customization Workshop
The Customization Workshop, one of only three in the world, is
an interactive, collaborative creative space that is digitally
connected to the Roots Leather Factory. Tactile samples alongside a
digital interface, enable customers to see their custom designs
come to life on screen. Roots heritage styles such as The Award
Jacket, The Student Pack, The Small Banff Bag and The Downtown Tote
can all be customized and personalized. Customization Experts guide
customers through the same process that Roots celebrity ambassadors
have enjoyed over the decades. Monogramming is also available for
all Roots leather good purchases.
The Lounge
The in-store lounge allows guests to relax on Roots leather
furniture, charge their phones and enjoy a refreshment while they
socialize outside spacious change rooms. The change rooms' custom
wallpapers make one feel as though they've stepped onto the dock in
cottage-country with one that includes our historical timeline in
photos. Handmade decorative paddles accentuate the space. The
lounge doubles as an intimate spot for live performances and
interactive listening sessions. It is set to become a new hub for
events, underscoring Roots longstanding commitment to Canadian
music and culture. eCommerce converges with the physical store
experience in the adjacent 'endless aisle' area, where customers
order, pick-up or try on their online orders or browse inventory on
roots.com or any store in Canada.
About Roots
Established in 1973, Roots is an iconic Canadian lifestyle brand
with a rich heritage and portfolio of premium apparel, leather
goods, accessories and footwear. Roots delivers products to
customers through its store network, online platform and
international partnerships. As of July 29,
2017, the integrated omni-channel footprint of Roots
included 116 company retail stores in Canada, 4 company retail stores in
the United States, 109
partner-operated stores in Taiwan,
27 partner-operated stores in China and a global e-commerce platform that
shipped to 54 countries during Roots most recently completed fiscal
year.
Social Media: Facebook – facebook.com/roots; Instagram –
@RootsCanada; Twitter – @RootsCanada
Hashtags: #RootsCabin; #RootsIsCanada
SOURCE Roots Corp.