OKC Retail Update

[metro]

Looks promising for the Container Store coming to OKC:
http://newsok.com/a-look-back-at-ret...rticle/3635663

[Soonerman]

I'm hoping for a Dick's Sporting Goods in 2012.

[Just the facts]

I'm hoping for a Dick's Sporting Goods in 2012.

I keep hearing this from people and I can't figure it out. They are crazy expensive, have a very limited selection, and don't offer brands that you can't find at any other sporting goods store. What is the attraction to them? I don't mind paying more if the item is higher quality or is a brand unavailable elseware - but they have the exact same stuff I can find at Academy Sports or Sports Authority for about 15% to 20% less.

[MDot]

I keep hearing this from people and I can't figure it out. They are crazy expensive, have a very limited selection, and don't offer brands that you can't find at any other sporting goods store. What is the attraction to them? I don't mind paying more if the item is higher quality or is a brand unavailable elseware - but they have the exact same stuff I can find at Academy Sports or Sports Authority for about 15% to 20% less.

It's because they have the name dick in them.

[Just the facts]

It's because they have the name dick in them.

That sounds about right. I'll admit that the comments I hear are not unique to OKCTalk. Dick's has a following, I just don't know why. I do know the physical stores themselves are a little unique. The store here in Jax is decorated in NE Florida related items.

[Soonerman]

I keep hearing this from people and I can't figure it out. They are crazy expensive, have a very limited selection, and don't offer brands that you can't find at any other sporting goods store. What is the attraction to them? I don't mind paying more if the item is higher quality or is a brand unavailable elseware - but they have the exact same stuff I can find at Academy Sports or Sports Authority for about 15% to 20% less.

Well for one Academy could use the competition.

[BDP]

I keep hearing this from people and I can't figure it out. They are crazy expensive, have a very limited selection, and don't offer brands that you can't find at any other sporting goods store. What is the attraction to them?

People here often don't care for local businesses, to the point where we use public assistance to bring in outside competition. Many have stated in this forum that having stores and restaurants in OKC that are exactly like stores they have seen in other markets gives them a sense of validation. We are a retail market that seems to value that unusual sense of validation more than keeping profits here or fostering more unique local shops by supporting them over outside corporate chains. I think it's just part of the culture here.

[metro]

People here often don't care for local businesses, to the point where we use public assistance to bring in outside competition. Many have stated in this forum that having stores and restaurants in OKC that are exactly like stores they have seen in other markets gives them a sense of validation. We are a retail market that seems to value that unusual sense of validation more than keeping profits here or fostering more unique local shops by supporting them over outside corporate chains. I think it's just part of the culture here.

Academy isn't local, it's a chain......

[Questor]

People here often don't care for local businesses, to the point where we use public assistance to bring in outside competition. Many have stated in this forum that having stores and restaurants in OKC that are exactly like stores they have seen in other markets gives them a sense of validation. We are a retail market that seems to value that unusual sense of validation more than keeping profits here or fostering more unique local shops by supporting them over outside corporate chains. I think it's just part of the culture here.

Well I can't speak for the whole city but in my case I tend to think that many of our local businesses often have horrible quality control issues and very limited supplies/choices. The average local business owner mindset is quite frustrating. I love Whole Foods and all the new stores because they offer products and allergen-free options that I literally cannot buy anywhere else. Why did it take them moving to town to push Homeland out of its circa 1992 shell? How come even though their stores are looking better now I still have to sort through eggs and milk for 10 minutes to find items that aren't a week out of date? Why is talking to a Homeland cashier so much more painful than at WF... Why is it every time I go to some popular locally owned restaraunt I always leave pissed off at the wait staff, underwhelmed at the food, and wondering about the kitchen cleanliness after seeing what the bathrooms look like? It's not that chains offer some sort of affirmation... For me it's that many of them comply with national standards (or franchise standards) for health and quality that far, far exceed the ancient standards we seem to just accept here. I'm not really into sporting goods places but I'd imagine it is for similar reasons of quality products, selection, etc.

Many of the places that are national chains that have been locating here have been franchises, and so really their ownership still is local. So we benefit from the quality of a national retailer but also keep the profits and jobs locally.

That's not to say that we don't have some great locally owned establishments here... We do... But good grief are they ever few and far between.

[metro]

I keep hearing this from people and I can't figure it out. They are crazy expensive, have a very limited selection, and don't offer brands that you can't find at any other sporting goods store. What is the attraction to them? I don't mind paying more if the item is higher quality or is a brand unavailable elseware - but they have the exact same stuff I can find at Academy Sports or Sports Authority for about 15% to 20% less.

Kerry, when is the last time you've been to OKC or Academy? Academy is like Walmart and Dicks is like Target. Academy here is mostly hunting/fishing based and has off brands with exception of Nike and UnderArmor. Dicks carries NorthFace, Marmot, Columbia (a full line not just fishing shirts), etc. Dicks caters more towards the city crowd, urban sports, and hiking/trekking/skiing. That's nice for many of us who don't care to fish or hunt.

[Questor]

Kerry, when is the last time you've been to OKC or Academy? Academy is like Walmart and Dicks is like Target. Academy here is mostly hunting/fishing based and has off brands with exception of Nike and UnderArmor. Dicks carries NorthFace, Marmot, Columbia (a full line not just fishing shirts), etc. Dicks caters more towards the city crowd, urban sports, and hiking/trekking/skiing. That's nice for many of us who don't care to fish or hunt.

A friend of mine who is very active recently explained the different stores to me almost the same as you have here.

[Debzkidz]

I keep hearing this from people and I can't figure it out. They are crazy expensive, have a very limited selection, and don't offer brands that you can't find at any other sporting goods store. What is the attraction to them? I don't mind paying more if the item is higher quality or is a brand unavailable elseware - but they have the exact same stuff I can find at Academy Sports or Sports Authority for about 15% to 20% less.

Well, since we don't have a Sports Authority here, at least Dicks would give us some other option than Academy.

[Just the facts]

Well, since we don't have a Sports Authority here, at least Dicks would give us some other option than Academy.

Point taken. What is wrong with metro OKC? 1.3 million people and the retail selection of Bakersfield (I was going to say Fresno - but Fresno has more retail options than OKC).

[MDot]

Point taken. What is wrong with metro OKC? 1.3 million people and the retail selection of Bakersfield (I was going to say Fresno - but Fresno has more retail options than OKC).

LOL this. Spot on, Kerry.

[Questor]

Well that's some good news.

[betts]

I'd heard LuLu Lemon is coming for sure, but not sure about the reliability of my source. Where is Restoration Hardware????

[JayhawkTransplant]

H&M and Restoration Hardware would keep a good chunk of my retail expenditures here, instead of in KC or Tulsa.

Lululemon? Yes, please.

[progressiveboy]

I'd heard LuLu Lemon is coming for sure, but not sure about the reliability of my source. Where is Restoration Hardware????

Saw this in the DO. Betts, it looks like your source was quite reliable!











Lululemon seeks permit for Oklahoma City store | News OK

[JayhawkTransplant]

And, while you're at it, give me an Urban Outfitters, and I will be one happy girl.

[betts]

And, while you're at it, give me an Urban Outfitters, and I will be one happy girl.

That's coming. They're looking for a site.

[Patrick]

That's coming. They're looking for a site.

Possibly in the Triangle or Nichols Hills Plaza from what I've been told.

[ljbab728]

Possibly in the Triangle or Nichols Hills Plaza from what I've been told.

Nichols Hills Plaza won't happen. It's much too close to the new store.

[MDot]

Nichols Hills Plaza won't happen. It's much too close to the new store.

I'm not trying to sound like a snob but they were talking about an Urban Outfitters location.

[Spartan]

It's because Dick's Sporting Goods at least has nicer stores than Academy, even if they sell the same stuff. I am personally still hoping for something more palpable like REI, but Dick's is a major move in the right direction. There's a store in the Midwest called Scheel's that would be my personal #1 preference.

I don't think it was in the article, but there will be a new American Eagle outlet at the outlet shoppes. It's taking over the temporary bookstore space (which is having an incredible 75% off sale right now) next door to the Polo outlet. I personally consider that store replacing a bookstore a huge loss, but I know many of you will consider it a gain, so take it for what it's worth.

[Spartan]

So what are the odds that Whole Foods' pending second location (which apparently is a very real prospect) goes downtown?

I almost wish they would hold off a year or two so that it could be used as more leverage to get those liquor laws changed.