Article On The Trend Of Men's Only Store

There is an interesting story over at the L.A. Times that is worth sharing. For the article in its entirety, click here. The following are selected portions:

L.A.'s Ferragamo shop leads the way in stores for men only
By Adam Tschorn
August 10, 2008

GUYS, Salvatore Ferragamo knows you want that $30,000 burgundy crocodile duffel -- and thinks it has the perfect lure. The brand's new men's boutique at the Beverly Center in L.A. -- the first of its kind in the country -- is a study in Italian-style man-luxe: 2,000 square feet of wood-grained walls, cream-colored floors and buttery leather couches where you can sip espresso while perusing the full men's collection that ranges from $160 neckties to that oh-so extravagant duffel.

Male desire, thy name is paneling. And comfy chairs. And a store environment to call your own. At least that's the formula that seems to be emerging as retailers train their powers of enticement on guys.

Looking beyond the purse-and-pumps model that built its business, Ferragamo is on the leading edge of a new and energetic grab for the hearts and wallets of men. Later this month, J. Crew is going man-centric, opening its first men's store in a converted Tribeca drinking establishment, with a curated "best-of" collection alongside Globe-Trotter luggage and vintage Borsalino hats. By next fall, Hermès and Ralph Lauren plan to have Manhattan real estate devoted solely to men's merchandise, and Tiffany recently opened its third men's jewelry store in Japan.

Why the sudden discovery of the XY chromosome? It turns out that in the current economic environment, men's shopping has been one of the few bright spots. According to Wendy Liebmann, chief executive of WSL Strategic Retail, a company that studies shopping habits, there are two reasons: Men are traditionally more optimistic than women on the economy ("Because they don't see the prices at the grocery store every other day," Liebmann says). And a new generation of style-savvy 20- to 40-year-old male shoppers is roaming the malls. The result is a retail landscape ripe for a shot of testosterone. ...

The retail outpost as pseudo-bar/gathering place isn't accidental, Liebmann says. "What you're starting to see is the recognition from retailers that it isn't just about a different physical space; it's about a different mood, a different environment. And sometimes another floor in the same building isn't enough."It's an approach being used beyond the luxury labels too. Preppy staple J. Crew is putting the final touches on its men's-only space -- the former Liquor Store bar at 235 W. Broadway in New York City.When the Liquor Store location opens later this month, it will be with the original fixtures -- including the bathrooms and the bar itself -- intact, as a showcase for the pricier men's pieces in the line, including Japanese selvage denim and broken-in chinos, collaborations with Red Wing and Thomas Mason and an assortment of old-school brands like Mackintosh coats and Timex watches. ...

I personally think that it is great that some brands are now devoting stores entirely to men. I find that sometimes, men get shortchanged in the depth and breadth of clothing items in dual-gender stores.

What do you think about the Men-only store capitalizing on the trend of male fashion-conscious consumers? Do you like the J.Crew Men-Only store concept? Will you shop at J.Crew's Men-Only store?