CENTURY 21 TO MAKE WEST COAST DEBUT USING WITHME TECHNOLOGY

East coast-based discount retailer Century 21 will make its West Coast debut at Santa Monica Place, with a six-week pop-up starting on May 26. The store will also serve as the first-ever inline mall location for WithMe, a new interactive concept features limited runs of traditional and pure-play retail brands with immersive, tech-forward consumer experiences.

At this 8,000-square-foot, two-level shop, Century 21 will offer a well-edited, extensive collection of designer merchandise that includes men’s and women’s apparel, accessories, swimwear and fragrance that is targeted for the contemporary Southern California lifestyle.

Once in store, shoppers will experience WithMe’s innovative retail technology, including an immersive, floor-to-ceiling smart display called the Pixel Wall, crafted from 900 individual screens that move independently to form shelves and hanging racks. As well, glass-top digital displays and interactive fixtures offer product highlights and video content about brands. Even the fitting rooms will be cutting edge: interactive mirror displays allow customers to make purchases or request alternate products without leaving their rooms. RFID tags on all products give shoppers ready information at their fingertips.

WithMe at Santa Monica Place will offer customers several different modes of delivery, including the opportunity to take their merchandise with them at the time of purchase; same-day delivery to their homes, offices or hotels powered by DELIV; and delivery to the location of their choice within two days.

“We were looking to expand into premier shopping centers that consumers know and love, and where traditional and pure-play brands want to be, in the country’s best markets. All of this defines Macerich, the owner of Santa Monica Place, and its properties,” said Jonathan Jenkins, founder and CEO of WithMe. “Our technology provides the perfect platform for this legendary brand to expand into new markets and create experiences their customers will love,” added Jenkins.

“Macerich is always focused on bringing the best new retail concepts to our portfolio of trophy properties in top U.S. gateway markets,” said Eric Salo, EVP and chief strategy officer, Macerich. “With its incredible technology that creates personalized, online and offline shopping experiences, plus an ever-changing array of brand activations, WithMe will be a signature draw for our mall shoppers.”

“The essence of our business is in delivering designer brands at amazing prices and the revolutionary WithMe retail concept will change the way our guests interact with our curated selection of designer merchandise,” said Raymond Gindi, Co-CEO, Century 21 Department Store. “This venture to the West Coast is not only historic for our company from a location stand-point, but it’s part of a macro retail strategy we’re employing of creating more interactive retail experiences for our shoppers.”