The Whitaker Group Announce Jaide, a New Women's Retail Concept
The terrain of streetwear retail is about to take a significant step away from the primordial swamp, as The Whitaker Group expands its presence with a new women's retail concept: Jaide.
The Whitaker Group – proprietors of esteemed boutiques , and , among others – will spend this summer making their first dedicated swoop into women's retail, in North Carolina's Charlotte as well as Atlanta, Georgia. The strategic move is about more than just augmenting the empire – it's the deliberate cultivation of an underserved market segment.
As The Business of Fashion, The Whitaker Group founder James Whitner promises an authentic and elevated retail experience for women. “It’s less about building business and more about pushing these communities forward,” he said. ”By pushing those communities forward, we grow our business, shift culture and empower Black people around the world.”
James Whitner, founder of The Whitaker Group. VIA: The Whitaker Group
Those principles are crystallised in the appointment of Tenisha Clarke, the Group’s seasoned Head of Retail, as Jaide's spearhead. Clarke's extensive background includes roles at Ralph Lauren, Saks, Nordstrom, and the women-owned Atlanta streetwear stalwart . Clarke meticulously crafted the Jaide concept via insights from dedicated focus-group research with women participants.
The initial Jaide locations are poised to redefine the luxury streetwear experience. With a substantial $5 million investment, the 4800-square-foot Atlanta outpost and the 3000-square-foot Charlotte store are conceived as lively community anchors rather than straight-up shopping destinations. The Atlanta location will feature a dynamic activation space and a sophisticated wine bar, inviting patrons to linger and connect. Meanwhile, the two-floor Charlotte space will offer a distinctive restaurant lounge on its second level.
The curated product available at Jaide's first- and second-born stores shows a discerning approach – brands such as , Guizio, A Bathing Ape, , , and offer a spectrum of styles for the contemporary female consumer.
Beyond Jaide, The Whitaker Group's ambitious expansion trajectory continues, with plans to elevate their retail network to 28 stores by the close of next year. This includes new A Ma Maniére flagships in Harlem and Washington DC, a Social Status in Pittsburgh, and an APB in Jersey City.
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