THE NORTH FACE, developed by GOLDWIN Inc., will open its athletic flagship store, THE NORTH FACE Sphere (Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) on July 1, 2022. This will be THE NORTH FACE's sixth store in the current Harajuku area. Since opening WEATHER STATION at the Takeshita Exit of Harajuku Station in 1983, which marked the start of its directly managed store business, THE NORTH FACE has opened stores with different concepts to offer a comprehensive store lineup in the area and strengthen the communication of the brand's worldview. "THE NORTH FACE Sphere" is a flagship store in the athletic category, focusing on running and training. From ultramarathons and trail running to everyday road running, training, and fitness items, customers can expect support from staff well-versed in a variety of situations and activities. Runners can also receive comprehensive support, including guidance on fields related to their desired activities. Additionally, the event space on the fifth floor will host a variety of activity events across Goldwin's brands. It will serve as a hub for participatory events, including ultra-running clubs, and will plan consistently fresh events that combine existing and new initiatives, such as athlete talk sessions, online training lectures, live commerce, and Instagram Live. Last May, Goldwin announced its new five-year medium-term management plan, "PLAY EARTH 2030" (*1). We aim to solve climate change issues and rebuild sustainable businesses, addressing two areas of sustainability: "business sustainability" and "environmental sustainability," and achieving Goldwin's mission of "realizing a rich and healthy life through sports."
"THE NORTH FACE Sphere" will also offer original, environmentally friendly products. We sell eco-friendly products and durable products that promote long product life, incorporating "EXPLORE SOURCE," THE NORTH FACE's circular upcycling project based on the concept of "product-to-product recycling." We also offer store-exclusive soft bottles that are easy to carry while running, providing an opportunity to think about how we interact with the earth and nature through our original products. These products, along with 87% of the apparel products (Spring/Summer 2022) sold in stores, are eco-friendly (made with materials that reduce environmental impact), a distinctive feature of "THE NORTH FACE Sphere."
"THE NORTH FACE Sphere" is an environmentally friendly building, with thinner pillars and walls making the entire structure lighter and successfully reducing the amount of materials required. The building is designed to reduce power consumption by using an open-ceiling structure that allows for ample natural light to enter while efficiently moving air within the space, and by using Low-E glass that is excellent for insulation and blocking UV rays, earning it two stars in the BELS (Bels) assessment of the energy-saving performance of buildings.
Furthermore, THE NORTH FACE aims to create new value for customers by combining the customer service and experience at physical stores with the purchasing experience (offline and online) on its e-commerce website, and since last year has opened the e-commerce flagship stores THE NORTH FACE MOUNTAIN and THE NORTH FACE CAMP. Now, to coincide with the opening of THE NORTH FACE Sphere, the brand's flagship store in the athletic category, the brand will launch its third e-commerce site, THE NORTH FACE RUN, on June 28th.
The initial launch of the THE NORTH FACE RUN e-commerce site will feature opening content summarizing the thoughts behind the concept, design and architecture of THE NORTH FACE Sphere. It will also consist of "COLUMNS," a publication-style section that will feature interviews with athletes and introduce their training styles, and "EVENTS," which will share the joy of running through both online and offline communication from athletes and stores.
From around September 2022, in line with the launch of this year's fall/winter products, e-commerce functions and online customer service that will connect stores with stores in each area are scheduled to be implemented.
(※1) Five-year medium-term management plan "PLAY EARTH 2030"
https://ssl4.eir-parts.net/doc/8111/ir_material_for_fiscal_ym/99936/00.pdf
【Store information】
Store name: THE NORTH FACE Sphere
Address: 6-10-11 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001
Business hours: 11:00 - 19:00 (Closed on Wednesdays)
Instagram account name: @tnf_sphere
URL: https://www.instagram.com/tnf_sphere/
【"THE NORTH FACE RUN" E-commerce Site Content】
Aiming to create new value for customers by combining the customer service and experience at physical stores with the purchasing experience on the e-commerce site (offline and online), "THE NORTH FACE MOUNTAIN" e-commerce site was launched in October last year as an online flagship store specializing in mountaineering, and following the new "THE NORTH FACE CAMP" e-commerce site (launched in May 2022) which pursues the realism of the world of camping and builds a camping culture, "THE NORTH FACE RUN" e-commerce site, which focuses on running activities, will be launched. Unlike the previous "MOUNTAIN" and "CAMP" categories, this e-commerce site will feature content linked to the newly opened "THE NORTH FACE Sphere" store.
1. Opening Content
The initial launch of the e-commerce site will feature special content such as a page introducing the design and philosophy behind the GOLDWIN Harajuku Building, which was designed with the idea in mind, "What if a building sprang up in that location like a tree?" as well as a conversation between professional trail runner Kaburagi Tsuyoshi, who has pioneered the history of trail running in Japan, and running editor Fujishiro Kiyo, publisher of the classic book on mindful running, "Real Running" (written by Mike Supino and translated by Kondo Takafumi).
2. "EVENT"
By providing information, reservations, and live streaming for events featuring a diverse range of guests, including running events and athlete talks held at "THE NORTH FACE Sphere," the site will seamlessly connect the in-store and e-commerce site experiences, in an attempt to create a new running culture originating in Harajuku.
Event examples)
"ULTRA RUNNING CLUB" / "Start running with your child" / "RUN & customer service with TNF athletes" / "Plant-based athlete food course" / "Mountain and yoga retreat" / "Self-care/tuning pole you can do at home"
*Event content is subject to change.
3. "COLUMNS"
We will provide content that supports runners from all angles, such as the daily training and conditioning methods of top athletes, mental control before races, nutrition for recovery and physical training, products carried by "THE NORTH FACE Sphere," and an introduction to theories including effective layering for each activity.
【Major limited items sold at "THE NORTH FACE Sphere"】
■ DF Respire Hoodie
Product number: NP22276R
Price: 18,700 yen (tax included)
Color: Flux (FX), Black (K)
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
Material: PERTEX(R) Quantum DIAMONDFUSE (Recycled Nylon) (100% nylon)
■ DF Respire Pant
Product number: NB12275R
Price: 14,300 yen (tax included)
Color: Flax (FX), Black (K)
Size: XS, S, M, L, XL
Material: PERTEX(R) Quantum DIAMONDFUSE (Recycled Nylon) (100% Nylon)
The Wind Shell Hoodie and Wind Shell Pants are made with PERTEX(R) Quantum DIAMONDFUSE, which uses a special cross-section yarn that is not only lightweight but also improves abrasion resistance, ensuring a long product life.
■ S/S THE NORTH FACE Sphere Tee (Short Sleeve The North Face Tee)
Product number: NT12296S
Price: 6,490 yen (tax included)
Color: Off-white (OW), BL (Balsam Green), Black (K)
Size: XS, S, M, L, XL
Material: Aging Processed Cotton ES Polyester Plating Knit (68% cotton, composite fiber (polyester) 16%, polyester 16%)
An environmentally friendly cut-and-sew made with "EXPLORE SOURCE", which recycles polyester from unwanted products. The material has been given an aging treatment, making this item easy to wear seamlessly from everyday life to running.
【"THE NORTH FACE RUN" EC site】
https://www.goldwin.co.jp/tnf/run/
【"THE NORTH FACE Sphere" press release (5/13)]
https://corp.goldwin.co.jp/info/page-29588
【THE NORTH FACE WEBSITE】
https://www.goldwin.co.jp/tnf/
