Skechers has officially launched its first-ever Skechers Performance flagship store, a groundbreaking retail experience located at West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton. The store marks a new chapter for the California-based brand, offering an immersive destination where customers can engage with its latest performance technologies across multiple sports.
Spanning over 7,500 square feet, the new Skechers Performance store is the largest of its kind. The store integrates interactive elements, including dedicated half-courts for pickleball and basketball, allowing shoppers to test Skechers’ performance footwear in real time.
“With the world’s elite pros wearing our shoes from the court to the pitch, mound, and green, our retail stores’ innovative performance products have become a magnet for athletes who want game-changing products with essential comfort,” said Michael Greenberg, President of Skechers. “Our new performance store offers competitors at every level the complete experience: from our largest-ever offering of performance footwear, apparel, and accessories to Skechers specialists and educators for our diverse sport technologies.”
The new Skechers flagship replaces a Guess store that occupied the prominent main-floor location for years. The store overlooks the Ice Palace at West Edmonton Mall, offering a unique shopping experience with views of one of the mall’s most iconic attractions.
Expanding Skechers’ Commitment to Athletes
The new store highlights Skechers’ increasing focus on high-performance footwear and apparel. While the brand has long been known for its comfort-oriented lifestyle shoes, its recent push into performance categories has been gaining momentum, with endorsements from high-profile athletes in basketball, golf, soccer, and pickleball.
Shoppers will find dedicated sections featuring Skechers’ latest technology, including Skechers Hyper Burst Pro™, Skechers Performance FitKnit®, Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins®, Skechers Arch Fit®, and Skechers Max Cushioning®. These innovations are designed to enhance comfort, stability, and energy return, catering to professional athletes and casual enthusiasts alike.
David Beecroft, Country Manager of Skechers Canada, emphasized the strategic decision to open the flagship in Edmonton. “Edmonton’s vibrant sports culture and passion for hosting year-round athletic events make it the perfect home for Skechers’ first performance destination,” he explained. “And as the second-largest mall in North America, West Edmonton Mall is a massive draw that will attract all walks of life to this exciting new concept.”
An Experience Beyond Retail
The store’s design takes cues from modern sports facilities, with state-of-the-art LED screens providing dynamic visuals that showcase Skechers’ latest campaigns and athlete partnerships. The addition of in-store courts transforms traditional retail into an interactive experience, allowing shoppers to feel the difference in Skechers’ technology before making a purchase.
To mark the grand opening, NHL legend and media personality Paul Bissonnette made an appearance, drawing in fans and sports enthusiasts. “Paul’s an avid sports fan, and his presence at our opening event has attracted his fans and fellow athletes,” Beecroft said. “It’s exciting to see how much we’re investing in the performance space and how much our product can elevate their game.”
Skechers’ Growing Influence in Sports
Over the past decade, Skechers has expanded its presence in performance footwear, signing an impressive roster of professional athletes. Its lineup includes basketball stars such as Julius Randle, Jabari Walker, Terance Mann, Joel Embiid, and Rickea Jackson, along with golf champions Matt Fitzpatrick and Brooke Henderson. The brand has also made significant inroads into soccer, with global stars Harry Kane, Mohammed Kudus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Barış Alper Yılmaz wearing Skechers cleats. Additionally, pickleball pros Tyson McGuffin and Catherine Parenteau have joined the brand’s growing roster.
Retail Expansion and Future Plans
Skechers’ performance push is not just limited to West Edmonton Mall. With over 5,300 retail stores worldwide, the company continues to expand its global footprint. The West Edmonton Mall location serves as a model for future experiential retail spaces that could roll out in other major cities. However, it is not yet known if Skechers will open more stores of this type in Canada.
Shoppers who visit the flagship can explore Skechers’ complete performance collection, including running, training, walking, trail, hiking, and golf categories. The store is staffed with trained specialists who can provide insights into Skechers’ various performance technologies, helping customers find the best fit for their athletic needs.
A Strategic Move in the Canadian Market
The opening of the Skechers Performance flagship highlights Canada as an important market for the brand. With a growing interest in fitness and active lifestyles, the demand for high-performance footwear is on the rise. Skechers’ ability to offer advanced sports technology at an accessible price point makes it a formidable player in the segment.
West Edmonton Mall: A Retail and Entertainment Landmark
West Edmonton Mall, located in Edmonton, Alberta, is a premier shopping and entertainment destination. Spanning approximately 5.3 million square feet, it stands as the largest shopping centre in North America.
A Brief History
Opened on September 15, 1981, West Edmonton Mall (WEM) was developed in multiple phases throughout the 1980s and 1990s. It was among the first shopping centres to offer a wide range of amenities, from water parks to themed streets, making it attractive year-round, especially during winter.
Attractions and Amenities
Beyond its extensive retail offerings, WEM boasts a variety of attractions:
- Galaxyland: An indoor amusement park featuring numerous rides and games.
- World Waterpark: Home to the world’s largest indoor wave pool.
- Ice Palace: A skating rink that has hosted public skating and hockey events.
- Sea Life Caverns: An underground aquarium housing over 100 species of marine life.
- Themed Streets: Areas like Bourbon Street and Europa Boulevard offer unique shopping and dining experiences.
Economic and Cultural Impact
WEM attracts approximately 32 million visitors annually, with daily foot traffic ranging from 90,000 to 200,000 shoppers, depending on the season. The mall employs over 24,000 people, making it a significant contributor to Edmonton’s economy.
Its blend of retail, entertainment, and dining options has solidified WEM’s reputation as a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists.
Quick correction: this is on the main floor, not the second floor. (The Guess store was always on the main floor.)
Oh thank you, I’ll updated the article.