Champs Sports (Bradenton, FL) is preparing to cut the ribbon on its new experiential “Homefield” concept, with the first location slated to open this Friday in Pembroke Pines, FL.
At 35,000 square feet, it’ll be the sports apparel and equipment retailer’s largest store yet. The new concept will host various experiences for shoppers, including a full-sized multi-sport court and a Champs Sports Combine virtual reality system.
According to Modern Retail, the VR machine measures wing spans, vertical height, leaping ability and agility. Other amenities include a smoothie bar, TVs throughout the store’s aisles, a broader wellness shopping section, classes taught by local athletes and a community manager whose directive is to connect with the area’s high school athletes.
Speaking with the outlet, Champs SVP and GM Guy Harkless emphasized the store’s hyper-localization.
“Experiential retail isn’t anything new,” he said. “I think a lot of retailers are trying to think differently in terms of how they can bring something unique to whatever consumer they want to get after. But certainly, in sporting goods, it really is the local heroes that really drive that [interest].”
Read more at Modern Retail.