Spyder opened its first-ever standalone retail store on Tuesday inside Mall of America, marking the ski apparel brand's debut as a full-price, direct-to-consumer shop. The 2,500-square-foot space sits on Level 1 West, in a spot that formerly housed Evereve before that retailer changed locations.
The opening represents a milestone for a brand that's spent nearly five decades building its name in winter sportswear. As reported by Bring Me The News, Spyder was founded in the late 1970s by a former coach of the Canadian national ski team, initially specializing in race sweaters and ski pants before expanding into one of the most recognizable ski brands worldwide. The new Mall of America location carries Spyder's collections for men, women and children, including ski apparel, outerwear, base layers and accessories, according to fashionunited.uk.
A Years-Long Transition Behind the Scenes
The store's development was led by Outdoor Collective, the operating partner appointed as Spyder's global licensee last year, per the fashionunited.uk report. Spyder is owned by Authentic Brands Group, per sgbonline.com's reporting. The Mall of America shop is described in that same report as representing the brand's first full-price store, a notable step for a company that has typically relied on outlet and wholesale channels.
Spyder has been owned by Authentic Brands Group since 2013, per sgbonline.com's reporting. The Mall of America shop is described in that same report as representing the brand's first full-price store, a notable step for a company that has typically relied on outlet and wholesale channels.
Part of a Bigger Direct-to-Consumer Push
The Bloomington opening fits into a broader strategy for Spyder, which the fashionunited.uk article says is building up its direct-to-consumer business. The brand's products are currently distributed through more than 170 direct-to-consumer retail locations globally, alongside other retail channels, per the same report. David Brooks said the opening represents an important step in Spyder's continued evolution, according to Bring Me The News.
Minnesota skiers already had a couple of ways to find Spyder gear before the Mall of America store opened. Per the company's own store locator, as cited by Bring Me The News, Spyder products are also available at Pierce Skate & Ski in Bloomington and at Hoigaard's in St. Louis Park. The new Level 1 West location now gives local shoppers a dedicated, full-price Spyder storefront for the first time.
