Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.
Looks like we bade adieu to Juicy Couture's tracksuits too soon. As reported previously, staff at several of the brand's LA stores confirmed that all brick-and-mortar operations were shutting down and that merch would only be available overseas. Per a release today, Juicy owner Authentic Brands Group—which bought Juicy from Kate Spade Co. (formerly Fifth & Pacific) last October—has confirmed that the brand's North American stores are "being phased out," but that they'll be replaced with new concept stores beginning in 2015.
The original U.S. stores "were opened by a previous owner [...] and were no longer representative of [...our] vision for the brand's future," says ABG. In the meantime, Juicy's main Black Label Collection—which will include product partnerships with Steve Madden footwear, Elizabeth Arden fragrance, Movado watches and more—will be sold internationally and online only until the new Stateside shops are unveiled, company CEO and chairman Jamie Salter tells HuffPo.
In addition to rolling out new boutiques in LA next year, the major revamp will also include stores in NY and Vancouver, with a focus on stand-alone girl's and intimates shops. In the release, the group adds that they'll also continue expanding beyond their 200 international locations in Asia, Europe and the Middle East, with 127 stores and shop-in-shops expected to open worldwide over the next five years.
Will 2015 be the year of Juicy's comeback? Only time, and perhaps JC die-hards, will tell.
· Juicy Couture [Official Site]
· Bye Bye, Tracksuits: Juicy Couture Shuttering All U.S. Stores [Racked]
· Kate Spade & Lucky Brand to Take Over Juicy Couture Stores [Racked]
· 4 Juicy Excerpts From Juicy Founders Pam & Gela's New Book [Racked]
· Juicy Couture Sold to Marilyn Monroe's Brand Rep For $195MM [Racked]