US (HAWAII). At a time when Hawaii is still experiencing a slump in Asian tourism, especially from Japan, Hermès is expanding its retail presence there, with a second store opened last week in the Ala Moana Center, close to its current Waikiki location.
“We really believe in the Honolulu, Hawaii, market by making an investment in both these locations,” said Hermès president and ceo Robert Chavez in an interview with Pacific Business News.
The Waikiki store, at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, has been one of the top performers of all Hermès’ 114 stores in the US, Chavez said.
The new Ala Moana store, located between Gucci and traditional Hawaiian clothing retailer Reyn Spooner, has retail space of 4,450sq ft (414sq m) and features a dramatic high ceiling as its central core.
Hermès is hoping the new store will attract local residents as well as tourists.
“Every one of our boutiques has its own flare and flavour so no two stores look alike,” he said. “It gives us an edge from the competition even in tough times,” said Chavez.
Hermès said it also plans to relocate its other Waikiki store into a 5,500sq ft (511sq m) location at Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.
“We had sorely outgrown our existing space in Waikiki,” Chavez said. “The store will be significantly larger and it will continue to be on Kalakaua Avenue right across the street from DFS, which we think is a strong location.”
