As it works to establish itself as a premium lifestyle brand, Mizzen+Main is growing its audience.
The 2012-founded menswear company, which specializes in dress shirts and performance goods, is expanding its retail network and will open three new locations this year, bringing its total to 10.
La Cantera in San Antonio, Texas; Rice Village in Houston; and Kierland Commons in Scottsdale, Arizona will be the locations of the new stores.
The company’s initial pop-ups were launched in 2017, according to Mizzen+Main’s chief executive and president, Ryan Kent. That was swiftly followed by long-term leases, first in areas adjacent to its Dallas headquarters and then in other nearby towns.
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In Fort Worth, “we signed our first long-term lease in our backyard,” he claimed. We wanted to get stronger before going further.
The majority of the company’s locations today are located in Texas, along with two more in Oklahoma City and Tampa, Florida.
Even while the company does well in other large U.S. metro areas, the “economics” of opening in desirable areas are difficult for a smaller brand. Instead of being just another store on Michigan Avenue, “we look at tier two locations where we can have a stronger presence and connection with the customer.”
In addition to opening these three new locations, Mizzen+Main wants to increase its position in the wholesale market. Being omnichannel is a crucial component of our approach, he said
In addition, the brand is sold in big retailers like Nordstrom, Dillard’s, Van Maur, as well as 200 men’s specialized stores and 350 green grass golf shops.
“The majority of our sales still come from direct-to-consumer channels, but that ebbs and flows,” he claimed. “However, we still see opportunities for digital growth.”
The business has hired a few significant executives over the previous two years to aid in “building a premium lifestyle brand,” he said. They include Chief Product Officer Noreen Naz Naroo-Pucci and Chief Marketing, Digital, and Omni Officer Bethany Muths.
“We started as a dress shirt brand, but now we have bottoms, shorts, T-shirts, knitwear, and a blazer that we can’t keep in stock,” said Kent. To target the “core wear-to-work” market, a knit suit was also introduced for spring, and a stretch wool model was added for fall. It is sleek and modern and available in cutting-edge fabrics.
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Kent, who has experience in both the military and the supply chain sector, is aware that in order for businesses to be successful, they must be able to connect with their clients “on an emotional level” in addition to having wonderful products.
The long-term objective, according to him, is to keep all channels growing. “We’re optimistic about physical retail because, when done well, it can be a successful channel for an apparel firm. As the brand develops, there are many places across the country that we would take into consideration. Although we don’t have a set goal, we do have a pipeline of prospects.
Mizzen+Main received $250,000 in seed funding before receiving $1.25 million in Series A funding in 2014 and $3 million in Series B funding in 2016.