Arc’teryx opens Sydney flagship store as it enjoys strong growth in Australia
Iconic Canadian outdoor brand, Arc’teryx, has expanded its number of flagship stores with the recent opening of its first Sydney store, in Bondi Junction. This new store follows on from the original 2019 Melbourne flagship store opening, which was followed in 2020 by a second Victorian based outlet, in Chadstone.
Big news in Sydney town
For knowledgeable Sydney-based outdoor enthusiasts the opening of the Arc’teryx Bondi Junction flagship store (located at Shop 5003/5004, Level 5, Westfield Bondi Junction) is exciting news as it allows the brand to showcase a wider range of its apparel and gear than is possible in its many authorised dealer retail outlets (who Arc’teryx value highly), where other brands share floor and display space. This ability to view a wider range of Arc’teryx gear will prove a boon for the serious outdoor apparel consumer (as well as the brand itself), who is keen to see/experience as much Arc’teryx gear as possible, before purchasing.
This was never more evident than in the huge crowd that lined up for the Bondi Junction store’s opening day – something the brand’s Aussie team was not expecting, but were stoked to see, as Daniel Wojciechowski, Arc’teryx Commercial Manager AU/NZ, explains.
“In many ways we have been humbled and overwhelmed by the response from the opening of Bondi Junction,” he says. “We appreciate everyone who has taken the time to visit us. The store is much busier than we expected for opening and we thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we scale and adapt to support the level of demand we have.”
Growing for success
Arc’teryx is a relatively young outdoor brand (it was founded in 1989) but one that has, in its 34 years of existence, built a reputation as a top-tier outdoor brand, with its apparel (and equipment) very highly regarded in the outdoor scene. Arc’teryx designs technical apparel and gear for outdoor activities ranging from mountaineering and ice/rock climbing, through to trail running and trekking.
It wasn’t until 2019 that Australia scored a flagship store, however, with the first Melbourne store opening, and experiencing organic growth that also timed in with the craziness of COVID-19. The second Victorian store, in Chadstone, was opened in 2020 and since that time, both stores (and the brand itself) have experienced growth not only in sales, but also in the local outdoor community, something the Aussie Arc’teryx team values highly.
“For a brand or store to be successful it must be authentic and form part of the community,” affirms Wojciechowski. “Being able to directly engage with our guests as they share their plans and experiences while guiding them through various solutions to their needs forms the fabric of our instore guest experience. It doesn’t matter if you are an old customer looking for advice on how to care for a piece you have or a new customer interacting with us for the first time our stores are first and foremost a place to share the beta.”
Confirmed events through the store include a ski night, a climbing party and a group trail run, with a view to connecting with local businesses and outdoor enthusiasts with more events planned in the near future.
And there’s more…
The opening of the original Melbourne store, followed closely by the Chadstone outlet, showed just how successful brand-specific flagship stores can be, and Arc’teryx always knew a Sydney store would continue that trend in growth of brand-awareness Down Under – it was just a matter of ‘where’ and ‘when’. Hearteningly, for Aussie ‘Arc’ fans, the Bondi Junction store is the first of a few more planned flagship outlets for the NSW capital.
It is certainly an exciting time for the brand, with Arc’teryx also recently launching its ReBIRD recycling/repair facility (available at the Bondi Junction store) which, according to Wojciechowski, frames “a three-part ongoing commitment and responsibility to the products we make”.
This three-part framework comprises ReCare, which is focused on manufacturing long-wearing products; ReGear, which rehomes underutilised products to extend their useful life; and ReCut, which takes apparel and gear that is beyond repair and repurpose the materials and components for a ‘second life’ as part of another product(s), rather than becoming landfill.
Yep, Arc’teryx is really on a roll here in Oz and knowing some of the background to the company’s thought-process around manufacturing – and especially its focus on ensuring its equipment is durable and long-lasting, with an end-of-life plan – makes handing over your hard-earned for an item with that famous Archaeopteryx fossil logo an easy decision.
See Arc’teryx for more info on its full range of gear and any future events.
