Christmas is fast approaching and retail stores are launching pop-ups and permanent spaces to take advantage of the increased festive footfall.

A number of brands this month are new to the Big Apple, including perfume, furniture, accessories and sportswear retailers. We continue to see retailers including other services in their stores, such as cafes, libraries and museum-like displays.

The festivities are also inspiring some interesting décor and activities in store, with Christmas trees made from other objects, unique advent calendars, giveaways and limited edition products.

Read on for the most exciting retail we have found in New York in November.

Image credit: Commodity

Commodity, Soho

Digital perfume brand Commodity has launched its first physical space and flagship store in New York.

The store is located near other perfume stores and also department stores like Sephora, who also stock Commodity products. The brand wanted to ensure that the store was not competing with other stockists.

The space has been designed to resemble a museum with signs throughout to help the customer explore the Commodity collection. There is also a special display area dedicated to previously sold scents that the brand is bringing back to market due to popularity with shoppers.

The store was launched with a number of celebrations including partnering with famous perfumers and scent influencers, such as Christelle Laprade and Demi Rawling. Loyal Commodity customers were also invited to these events, and they were streamed online for the wider customer base.

Image credit: CNW Group/Cozey Inc

Cozey pop-up, Manhattan

Cozey, an online furniture retailer, opened its first physical space in the USA, with a pop-up showroom open until 10 January 2025.

The brand has designed its showroom space to be accessible and dogs are also welcome. The Cozey range of modular sofas is available for customers to test out, alongside a range of other products such as tables, accent chairs and shelves. The pop-up will also stock lighting products from Luminaire Authentik.

Cozey is testing the North American market to see how the pop-up approach fares after successful store and pop-up launches across Canada.

Gymshark pop-up, Soho

British sportswear brand Gymshark launched a pop-up to tease the opening of a permanent store in New York. The pop-up will be open until the end of January 2025.

The store has been designed to represent festivity with a red colour scheme throughout. Gymshark customers can expect to find popular ranges available to purchase, including Power and Vital. The brand has also developed a number of items that are exclusive to the New York location.

Visitors will be able to enjoy weights piled up to look like Christmas trees as well as a gift wrapping area for any Christmas presents that they purchase. There is also a special advent calendar called the 24 Lockers of Liftmas which is a series of gym lockers with presents hidden behind the door.

The store has also had athletes attend the store for meet-and-greets and photo opportunities, including David Laid, Analis Cruz and Erika Holguin. Gymshark also promises other giveaways, prizes and discounts.

Telfar, Soho

Another physical store debut this month comes from luxury accessories brand Telfar.

The store is located in an area where a number of counterfeit sellers offer versions of the Telfar bag, with the brand keen to point out that shoppers can easily purchase the real thing.

Telfar is popular with celebrities and famous for a shopping bag referred to as the Bushwick Birkin, with its stock regularly selling out quickly online. The physical space will provide more opportunities for Telfar fans to purchase its products.

The store has a space for its ready-to-wear range, and a bar of bags with a list of every bag Telfar has created, in the style of a Chinese takeaway menu. There is also a TV studio in-store for shoppers to use and the content they create can be watched on the screens throughout the space.

Image credit: Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton, Manhattan

Luxury retailer Louis Vuitton has opened a temporary store while its flagship is renovated.

The Art Deco building has five floors showcasing different elements of Louis Vuitton. The interior décor includes Courrier Lozine 90 trunks to celebrate the brand’s heritage in trunk making. Throughout the building there are photographable areas including displays of popular Louis Vuitton bags of the past, a retro phone booth and commissioned artwork from local artists.

Visitors will find women’s and men’s collections, leather goods, skiwear, dog accessories, gifts, and jewellery. There is also a range of furniture including a curated selection of vintage pieces. Louis Vuitton has added a chocolate bar from Le Chocolat Maxime Frédéric and a café/library called Le Café Louis Vuitton, with over 600 books showcasing New York artists.

The top floor is a VIP area that is for private browsing of the Objets Nomades range, custom designed carpets, and fine jewellery.

Image credit: On

On, Flatiron

On, the Swiss running brand, has opened its third store in New York.

The store is located within a historical 1930s space where the design team has kept some of the architecture, including the columns. This is juxtaposed with modern modular storage and sleek wooden benches.

The opening was celebrated with a launch party that included complimentary coffee from A Place Coffee Brewers, food from Chaos Citchen, gift bags for New York City marathon runners, and tattoos to celebrate marathon times from Tiny Zaps.

Image credit: Dior

Dior Beauty, Soho

Luxury brand Dior has launched its first beauty boutique in the USA.

The store has been designed with the festive spirit, with gold star creations in the window and on the walls, a golden centrepiece that resembles a Christmas tree, creating a sparkling aesthetic.

The store features a range of fragrances in the Haute Parfumerie space, where customers can find iconic Dior scents including J’adore and Miss Dior. There is also a collection of luxury makeup and skincare, including Rouge Premier lipstick containing gold and L’or De Vie, made from rare grapes.

Seasonal additions include a high-end advent calendar, limited edition lipstick cases and a perfume music box, with Dior promising that there will be more Christmas treats to come.