Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
The once gold medal winning gymnast from China is the namesake of his own brand which is making some inroads in it’s efforts to be a global sportswear brand. Heard of them? Perhaps not. This brand is a household name in China, yet in it’s efforts to grow into the US market, they’re having difficulties. Figure out why? Is the name Li Ning something that you’d rock on a daily basis? Can a design transcend a name that’s… well, a name? Imagine if a shoe was called Shaquille O’Neal, who ironically is sponsored by Li Ning 5 years too late? Would you wear that? No. That said, the company has had massive drops in sales. The stocks have dropped massive and the gross sales aren’t looking good. The offices of designers in Portland has had an exodus. So what does a brand do when it’s called Li Ning? The name has to remain. Maybe a sub brand for the US Market so the brand goes through the backdoor. Maybe they take ideas laid down by the kids and go that route. But badminton sponsorships? Wrong move dudes.
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The Meat Bun line will officially launch this Thursday! We were allowed to preview some, and some of you early birds scored! Most of you will have to wait a couple of days. It’s a great line and a great and different direction. If you’re in Socal, stop into GR2, they’re available right now!
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Aaron Brown, the artist and webstore czar models the Giant Robot Big Boss Robot T Shirt. ($19)
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – HOLIDAY Pop Up Store at Giant Robot 2 Meat Bun HOLIDAY Pop Up Store at Giant Robot 2 Saturday December 3 – December 30th, 2011 at GR2 2062 Sawtelle Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90025 gr2.net (310) 445-9276 Giant Robot is proud to host the Meat Bun HOLIDAY Pop Up Store at Giant Robot 2. For one month, a new line and some of the classic favorites of Meat Bun clothing will be available. Meat Bun is a Southern California based company featuring video games graphics fused with a creative and thoughtful energy. Their t-shirts often use a graphic that’s inspired from a game that’s been recreated into an aesthetic more inline with an artistic work. Their new line of t-shirts promises to be their best yet. The opening day of the pop up store coincides with the video game event: “Game Night 7″ also at Giant Robot 2. Giant Robot was born as a Los Angeles-based magazine about Asian, Asian-American, and new hybrid culture in 1994, but has evolved into a full-service pop culture provider with shops and galleries in Los Angeles as well as an online equivalent. Eric Nakamura Giant Robot Owner/Publisher eric@giantrobot.com (310) 479-7311
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Uniqlo’s retail expansion seems like it’s happening at the wrong time. Bookstores are closing, the Gap just announced it’s closing 189 stores, but Uniqlo is thinking about doing 12 billion in sales in the US. Why are they doing exactly what the others aren’t? This article explains it a little bit. A) Good Pricing B) No Gaps C) Big Store Experience. It’s happening and perhaps it works because of their base that’s not in the US. (Portfolio – Uniqlo)
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