FierceRetail: MadaLuxe dives into off-price retailing, e-commerce
December 20, 2017
Luxury fashion distributor MadaLuxe Group has opened its first off-price boutique in Los Angeles. The MadaLuxeVault will offer accessible brands via e-commerce.
In honor of the opening, Darin Skinner, who spent more than 20 years at Guess, has been named senior vice president of stores to oversee the expansion of MadaLuxeVault.
The new store will carry a larger assortment and categories than the website in order to protect brand partners from having an online presence. However, there will be crossover in many styles and brands so that customers may be serviced between the two if they are looking for something specific.
"MadaLuxe Vault’s e-commerce and store both offer an accessible luxury boutique shopping experience to savvy, passionate consumers nationwide who are seeking authenticity, luxury expertise, quality and great value," a MadaLuxe Group spokesperson told FierceRetail.
MadaLuxe Group launched in 2010 and works with many European brands seeking U.S. distribution for its inventory. The MadaLuxe Vault is creating a luxury off-price lifestyle with a multibrand boutique.
"Two sectors of the retail space that have been performing for a long time and continue to do well are off-price and luxury," said the spokesperson. "And after seven successful years behind the scenes, a direct-to-consumer business was the next logical step. We wanted to create an entirely new luxury off-price lifestyle with a groundbreaking, multibrand boutique concept for consumers."
This premier location will be in the Citadel shopping center and occupy 3,000 square feet. It will feature a broad assortment of categories including handbags, eyewear, accessories and timepieces.
The store is designed to be a sophisticated boutique setting, offering multiple top European brands in one location at discounted prices. White walls, gray wooden floors, black metal store fixtures and a cadre of chic mannequins lounging in chairs will fill the walls.
Sales associates are equipped with iPads to assist clients with personal item requests or checking out anywhere in the store. The store also features a big screen display behind the register to create movement through fast-moving branded videos, highlighting some of the company's luxury collections.
"We’re getting our first experience at the Citadel, so we’re learning a lot and we do have a strategic vision for which stores to open next," the spokesperson added.