Charming Charlie Ready to Storm into 2015
Fashion jewelry and accessories retailer Charming Charlie has made a lot of moves over the past 10 years. With nearly $500M in sales and more than 330 stores across 42 states – the retailer has no plans of slowing down now. To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Charming Charlie is opening its first flagship store in New York City, as well as 55 new locations, global expansion, and a revamped executive team to drive continuous growth.
In April 2015, 445 Fifth Avenue and 39th Street will welcome Charming Charlie's 16,000 square foot, three-level flagship. The store will be a showcase for the retailer's new store concept, including a two-story, 30-foot tall glass facade with an LED illuminated exterior that adds vivid color and movement to the storefront, 20-foot tall double doors in the brand's signature vibrant pink lacquer, and a classic residential-style interior. It will also house the brand's PR office and showroom.
"We are thrilled to announce our move into New York City," said Charlie Chanaratsopon, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Charming Charlie. "It is especially fitting that this announcement comes as we celebrate our 10 year anniversary."
Known for offering an array of affordable fashion accessories merchandised by color, the NYC store will carry the full range of product including fashion jewelry, handbags, small leather goods, scarves, watches, sunglasses, select footwear and apparel, a special occasion collection, and more. Delivering on the company's mission to provide high style and unrivaled value, retail prices range from $5 to $150 for select limited edition items.
In October the retailer celebrated its one year anniversary of the online store charmingcharlie.com. The current website reflects the company's initial foray into e-commerce, and its quick success has made it a focal point for growth and an elevated experience in 2015.
Charming Charlie also announced news today regarding its global expansion. The retailer opened its first stores outside of the U.S. last week, both in Canada's Ontario province (Brampton and Vaughn), with two additional Canadian stores are scheduled to open imminently in British Columbia (Victoria and Surrey).
The company has also signed its first international licensing agreement to open stores outside of North America in a partnership deal with Apparel Group UAE. The agreement will result in Charming Charlie stores opening throughout the Middle East in 2015, within the countries of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. Apparel Group UAE is a leading fashion company headquartered in Dubai that operates more than 950 retail stores and employs over 9,000 people across four continents.
To fuel the company's growth, Mr. Chanaratsopon has put a strong leadership team in place. In addition to Steve Lovell, who joined the company as President in 2006 and who has been an instrumental force in its rapid growth and success, Chanaratsopon has made several new additions to the company's leadership team:
These key executive hires reflect the company's focus on transforming Charming Charlie from "the best kept secret" into a global brand through a heightened focus on product and value, store experience, and building brand awareness through elevated creative campaigns and marketing.
In April 2015, 445 Fifth Avenue and 39th Street will welcome Charming Charlie's 16,000 square foot, three-level flagship. The store will be a showcase for the retailer's new store concept, including a two-story, 30-foot tall glass facade with an LED illuminated exterior that adds vivid color and movement to the storefront, 20-foot tall double doors in the brand's signature vibrant pink lacquer, and a classic residential-style interior. It will also house the brand's PR office and showroom.
"We are thrilled to announce our move into New York City," said Charlie Chanaratsopon, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Charming Charlie. "It is especially fitting that this announcement comes as we celebrate our 10 year anniversary."
Known for offering an array of affordable fashion accessories merchandised by color, the NYC store will carry the full range of product including fashion jewelry, handbags, small leather goods, scarves, watches, sunglasses, select footwear and apparel, a special occasion collection, and more. Delivering on the company's mission to provide high style and unrivaled value, retail prices range from $5 to $150 for select limited edition items.
In October the retailer celebrated its one year anniversary of the online store charmingcharlie.com. The current website reflects the company's initial foray into e-commerce, and its quick success has made it a focal point for growth and an elevated experience in 2015.
Charming Charlie also announced news today regarding its global expansion. The retailer opened its first stores outside of the U.S. last week, both in Canada's Ontario province (Brampton and Vaughn), with two additional Canadian stores are scheduled to open imminently in British Columbia (Victoria and Surrey).
The company has also signed its first international licensing agreement to open stores outside of North America in a partnership deal with Apparel Group UAE. The agreement will result in Charming Charlie stores opening throughout the Middle East in 2015, within the countries of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. Apparel Group UAE is a leading fashion company headquartered in Dubai that operates more than 950 retail stores and employs over 9,000 people across four continents.
To fuel the company's growth, Mr. Chanaratsopon has put a strong leadership team in place. In addition to Steve Lovell, who joined the company as President in 2006 and who has been an instrumental force in its rapid growth and success, Chanaratsopon has made several new additions to the company's leadership team:
- Tom Fitzgerald, named Chief Financial Officer & Chief Administrative Officer
- Toni Robinson was appointed Senior Vice President of Planning and Allocation
- Britton Russell recently joined the company as Chief Supply Chain Officer, overseeing Sourcing, Logistics, Distribution, and Customer Service
- Kristen Dykstra joins the team as Chief Marketing Officer
- Jody Austin joins the company this week as Chief Merchandising Officer
- Rounding out the executive team are Melissa Whitehead who joined in 2012 as Senior Vice President of Stores, and John Hnanicek who also joined in 2012 as Chief Information Officer.
These key executive hires reflect the company's focus on transforming Charming Charlie from "the best kept secret" into a global brand through a heightened focus on product and value, store experience, and building brand awareness through elevated creative campaigns and marketing.