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‘Billion dollar brand’: Kids Foot Locker’s Jill Feldman on the retailer’s ambitions

Modern Retail Podcast · with Jill Feldman · October 7, 2021 · 27 min

Summary

Kids Foot Locker aims to become a billion-dollar brand by expanding its physical footprint outside of traditional malls, focusing on community integration. The strategy involves revamping the in-store experience and forging unique brand partnerships with non-traditional companies like food and toy brands to target a broader, younger "sneakerhead" demographic. This aggressive growth plan focuses on customer engagement and strategic market positioning.

Key takeaways

Themes

retail & omnichannelbrand & contentfounder & leadership

Topics covered

retail expansion strategyin-store experience innovationbrand collaborationscommunity-based retailyouth consumer targetingdiversifying retail locations

Episode description

Kids Foot Locker has big plans to be the number one shoe retailer for kids. According to Jill Feldman, the vp and general manager of Kids Foot Locker, she aims to make it a billion-dollar brand. “That’s not quite doubling [where it is now],” she said on the Modern Retail Podcast, “but we have had really big momentum recently.” There are a few major things Feldman is focusing on: for one, expansion. That includes expanding the product selection, but also Kids Foot Locker’s retail footprint. “We actually are planning on expanding our store base, which I know is a little bit unusual in retail right now,' she said. Part of that mandate is finding the best new locations, she explained, while also diversifying away from older spaces like malls. “We’re finding ways to really become embedded in the neighborhoods where our customers live,” she said. But physical expansion is only a small part of her focus. Feldman is working on revamping the entire in-store experience, as well as continue forging unique brand partnerships. Her team is “coming up with amazing collaborations between [companies like] a food brand or sometimes toy brands,” she said. All of these endeavors are aimed at targeting Kids Foot Locker’s core customers: sneakerheads. For the most part, that title is often thought of as a certain type of (often male) hype beast. But, according to Feldman, “we have a young generation of sneakerheads as well.” With this, the hope is to continue growing the Kids Foot Locker brand -- both in customers, revenue and stores. “It’s one of the fastest-growing banners in all of Foot Locker,” she said.

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Frequently asked about this episode

What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Kids Foot Locker is actively expanding its physical store base, strategically moving away from traditional mall locations to embed stores within customer neighborhoods.
What does this episode say about brand & content?
The brand is revamping the in-store experience to be more engaging and family-friendly, catering to both children and parents.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Kids Foot Locker is pursuing unique brand partnerships with non-footwear companies (e.g., food, toy brands) to create novel collaborations and extend their appeal.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
The brand is redefining the "sneakerhead" demographic to include younger generations, broadening its target audience beyond the stereotypical "hype beast."

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