Canadian Retailer Opening First 2 D.C.-Area Locations
Canadian retailer Roots is launching a major U.S. expansion, and it has plans for two D.C.-area openings this summer.
The retailer Monday announced plans to open stores in Georgetown and Pentagon City in August.
The Pentagon City location will be a 3,200 SF store at Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, and the Georgetown store will be in a 3,550 SF space on M Street, though the company did not disclose the exact address.
Roots said the Georgetown space would be one of its "Enhanced Experienced" formats, giving customers the opportunity to customize a selection of leather bags and jackets. The Canadian lifestyle brand features a variety of men's, women's and children's clothing, leather goods, accessories and footwear.
Toronto-based Roots was founded in 1973 and completed its initial public offering in October, launching on the Toronto Stock Exchange at a price of $12/share. The company has 116 stores in Canada, 110 stores in Taiwan and 32 stores in China. The company broke into the U.S. with a New York City store in 2015 and has also opened stores in Utah and Michigan.
In March, Roots announced it would open two stores in Boston in June. The company now plans to expand aggressively in the U.S. Roots CEO Jim Gabel said it plans to open 10 to 14 new retail locations by the end of 2019, including the four Boston and D.C. stores, and he eventually hopes to have over 100 U.S. stores.
"We are confident our inclusive lifestyle brand with its legendary feel will resonate with U.S. customers," Gabel said in a release. "With a growing retail footprint and e-commerce platform that ships to all 50 states, we are increasingly able to bring our iconic Roots brand to a broader base of customers across America."
