From multi-brand stores to pop-up shops

When it comes to stationary or physical stores, there are different types of stores. Multi-brand stores, mono-brand stores and flagship stores, for example. Yes, English terms are commonly used in the fashion industry.

On this page you will find the names of the various fashion stores and their meaning.

You can choose to read the article from start to finish (see contents). Or you can click on a term from the glossary (Glossary AZ) to go directly to this term.

Glossary (AZ)

Multi-brand store / multi-brand boutique

Many stationary stores are multi-brand stores, English for multi-brand boutique. As the word suggests, the store offers clothing from different brands.

The multi-brand stores include the boutiques of independent retailers as well as department stores, corner shops and concept stores (explanations about these stores follow).

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Monobrand store / brand store / brand store

Brandstore is the abbreviation for Monobrandstore and stands for brand store in English. In this shop – unlike in a multi-brand store – only a single brand is available.

The brand store is often owned by the brand itself, such as Nike, Adidas, Burberry, Fabienne Chapot or Gucci. But not always, sometimes the business of Franchisees operated.

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Flagship store / flagship

A flagship store, also known as a flagship, is the flagship store among brand stores. These are the most beautiful and often largest stores for brands such as Nike, Adidas, Lanvin or Burberry. These flagships are not so much about the products, but mainly about conveying the brand’s image. In other words: the The brand experience.

The Brand experience you can experience it here. Usually the brands’ most beautiful and/or newest shopping concepts are exhibited here, and sometimes architecture, design and art come together.

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Shop-in-shop

A shop within a shop is literally a shop within (another) shop. You can usually find them in department stores such as Bijenkorf, KaDeWe, Samaritaine and Selfridges, for example. Brands like Dior, Calvin Klein and Boss have their own ‘corners’ in these department stores.

Not only the brand’s products are presented in the demarcated areas. Often an entire brand experience is set up with your own store staff.

Not only the brand’s products are exhibited in the demarcated areas.

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A pop-up store is a temporary business. Brands or independent entrepreneurs rent a retail space for a short period of time to promote their products or services Exposurei.e. visibility.

Often these stores are opened in connection with special events, the release of limited products or events. But not always, because a pop-up store also offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to test the market and gain experience with a physical retail space without committing to long-term leases or major financial commitments.

A pop-up store can be a multi-brand store (from an entrepreneur) or a single-brand store (from a brand).

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Last but not least, a fashion brand can also open a pop-up store in another store, for example in a department store. Then it looks similar to a shop-in-shop, but while shop-in-shops can last indefinitely, a pop-up is always temporary.

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Concept store

A concept store is not just about selling fashion. The range often spans multiple disciplines such as design and can range from jewelry and perfume to furniture, home furnishings, postcards, plants and cookbooks. In some ways it resembles a mini department store. What makes these stores special is that they function like a multi-brand store, where the selection of products is carefully tailored to a specific theme, lifestyle or concept. A striking feature of many concept stores is their focus on local design, craftsmanship and unique items.

By the way, in concept stores shopping is sometimes combined with other activities. For example, the store can also contain a café, a gallery or a workshop. It may also be that events are organized or the rooms are rented out.

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Department store

A department store is a large, multi-brand store. There are often dozens or hundreds of brands available there. Men’s fashion, women’s fashion, children’s fashion, laundry, shoes, cosmetics, home textiles, and sometimes toys and groceries are all housed under one roof.

The fact that multiple product categories are available (or the broad offering) is a differentiator. The idea of ​​a department store is that you can find everything in one place. That’s why there is often a restaurant and/or a café.

Department stores are often designed specifically for certain product categories or brands. There are almost always escalators connecting the different floors.

The most famous department store in the Netherlands is de Bijenkorf. Other well-known department stores include Harrods and Selfridges in London (UK), KaDeWe in Berlin (Germany), Le Bon Marché, Galeries Lafayette and Samaritaine in Paris (France). In Belgium you have Inno and in Spain you have El Corte Ingles. Some department stores only have one, others have several branches throughout the country (domestic and/or foreign).