The evolving retail environment of Orange County in 2024.
In 2024, Orange County’s retail scene has undergone significant changes, marked by leadership transitions, business closures, and evolving employment trends. Major brands like Boot Barn and St. John Knits are making strategic moves, while other companies face challenges. With new retail spaces emerging and community-focused developments taking shape, the county is witnessing a blend of evolving leadership and reinvention. As the retail environment transforms, the future appears promising for Orange County’s shopping experience.
Orange County has seen quite a whirlwind in its retail landscape throughout 2024! From shuffles in leadership to a few surprising business closures, it seems like every corner of this vibrant community has got something new to chat about. Buckle up as we explore the highlights that have shaped our shopping experience this year!
One of the biggest stories buzzing around the county is the leadership transition at Boot Barn Holdings Inc. After a solid 12 years, Jim Conroy has packed up his bags and moved on to Ross Stores Inc. In the meantime, the interim Chief Executive, John Hazen, is stepping in to keep things moving forward. Exciting changes are afoot!
Meanwhile, St. John Knits has made waves by relocating its headquarters to Anaheim in October 2023. Under the fresh direction of CEO Andy Lew, who already holds the title of executive president at parent company Lanvin Group, the brand is primed for a new chapter. Joining him is an impressive executive management committee including Andrew Wong, Mandy West, and Lauren Parrish. With this strong team, it looks like St. John Knits is gearing up to thrive!
In the coastal town of San Clemente, Rip Curl has welcomed Ashley Reade as its new CEO. Exciting times for this beloved brand! Across town in Costa Mesa, Vans Inc. is set to be joined by Dickies this May. Both brands are strategizing with new presidents, Sun Choe for Vans and Chris Goble for Dickies, in light of some flagging sales performances. Could fresh leadership be the key to turning things around?
The retail climate is also shaking up with Sole Technology’s recent sale of four Lake Forest-based retail brands to The Nidecker Group last June. Meanwhile, Liberated Brands has shuttered its Costa Mesa offices, leading to a staggering 363 layoffs in early 2024 thanks to the loss of major licenses for well-known brands like Billabong. It’s a tough time in the apparel sector, but there’s still a silver lining.
While 31 apparel companies in the county showed a marginal dip in employment, the numbers hide some interesting stories. For instance, Benchmark FR, a flame-resistant clothing maker based in Santa Ana, has seen its workforce swell from 29 to 41 employees due to growing demand. Similarly, Charly USA, known for its soccer jerseys, continues to maintain its team of 11 in Irvine and is committed to staying put.
Pacsun has reported a remarkable increase in local workforce to 422, attributed to a 7.4% growth rate driven by their unique offerings, while Boot Barn recorded an impressive $1.8 billion in sales—a sizable 8.3% uptick—employing 482 people in the area. Z Supply, too, is shining bright with revenues hitting $120 million, a 20% improvement from last year, alongside local employee growth of 5.4%. Huzzah for success stories!
In the world of commercial real estate, a vacant retail center in South Orange County that previously housed a Macaroni Grill was sold for a cool $5.3 million to ValueRock Realty Partners. This is part of a broader endeavor at the Aliso Viejo Town Center, where fresh shops and residences are on the horizon! This bustling hub, already home to familiar faces like CVS and Regal Cinemas, is undergoing a metamorphosis that should keep us all entertained.
Even the former Orange Mall is undergoing exciting change, with renovations underway to transform it into more than just a shopping destination. It’s all part of a growing trend of repurposing outdated malls into mixed-use spaces that embrace community living. Isn’t it incredible how the retail world in our sunny Orange County is evolving?
So there you have it! Orange County is experiencing an exciting time in retail as we wave goodbye to some old faces and welcome new opportunities. With evolving leadership, increasing employment trends, and transformative projects rolling out, our beloved retail scene is anything but stagnant. Here’s to a fresh, bustling retail future!
Orange County Malls Transforming into Mixed-Use Spaces
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