Sports brands are becoming key players in the outlet market, combining shopping and experiential concepts to attract customers.
With the appeal of lower prices and interactive shopping experiences, outlets are increasingly expanding their sports-focused stores to meet growing consumer demand.
Lotte Department Store announced that the Nike store at its Dongbusan Premium Outlet will be renovated and reopened in January as a Nike Rise concept store.
Known as a “sports playground,” Nike Rise integrates digital technology with an offline shopping experience, allowing customers to explore lifestyle-specific products and participate in sports activities.
A similar store, Nike Gangnam, which opened in Seoul earlier this year, has garnered significant attention.
At Lotte’s Gimhae Premium Outlet, the Nike Unite store, spanning 1,700㎡, opened as the first of its kind in South Korea. Designed to reflect local culture and engage the community, Nike Unite focuses on creating a community-centered shopping environment.
The growing popularity of sports brands aligns with the rising trend of blending sportswear with casual fashion, often referred to as the blockcore trend.
This fashion culture, coupled with the increasing number of people engaging in activities like running and tennis, has led to significant sales growth for sports brands at outlets.
At Lotte Mall Dongbusan Branch, sales of sports product groups, including Nike, have grown by over 15% annually for the past three years.
Sales of other brands, such as Adidas and Skechers, have also increased by more than 20% compared to the same period last year.
Shinsegae Simon Outlet has similarly embraced this trend.
After a recent expansion, the number of sports, golf, and outdoor stores doubled to 55. The outlet features a Nike Unite store and Premium Golf House, the nation’s largest golf specialty store at 5,000㎡, offering apparel and equipment.
Following its grand opening in September, visitor numbers rose by over 20% compared to the previous year.
