Christopher & Banks (Minneapolis) will open a new prototype store that combines its specialty women’s clothing with its plus size clothing division CJ Banks. Since the two brands share the same brand sensibility and serve a similar customer base, the new 5000-square-foot store will feature the two stores under one roof with each having unique touch points. Designed by Chute Gerdeman Retail (Columbus, Ohio), the space will include warm wood finishes, furniture-inspired displays, feminine fabrics and artful merchandising displays.
“Christopher & Banks understands and celebrates our customers needs and desires for casual, comfortable apparel at attainable prices,” says president and ceo Lorna Nagler. “The new store design provides a more distinctive platform to deliver that brand message.”
The format also includes a new tagline, “Celebrating women of all sizes,” that’s designed to invite women of all ages to shop together. “We are focused on the total customer experience, on ensuring that each customer does not lose the feel of her store,” says Nagler. “Missy, petite and plus customers will each have their own department and associates that understand their individual size needs.”
Christopher & Banks serves the missy and petite customers with 813 stores, while CJ Banks focuses on the historically underserved market of female plus size customers, ages 35 to 64, with 268 stores.