The news it true, although it's still hard to believe.
Colette in Paris will close its doors at the end of the year and fashion world is heartbroken. For those that are unfamiliar with Colette, let me fill you in. In a nutshell, Colette is
the store that all other stores look to for inspiration, direction, and insight on how to support emerging brands, create a unique customer experience, and create a store that simply has that
"je ne sais quoi", the thing that you can't describe because there simply aren't words for it. After 20 years in business setting the pace for other retailers to follow suit, Colette will close for good, citing the upcoming retirement plans for founder Colette Roussaux.
The closing of the store signals tough times ahead for traditional brick-and-mortar retailers who are already weary of how the industry continues to change and evolve. The New York Times reports that Colette was fully owned by Ms. Roussaux and her daughter Sarah Andelman. Annual sales exceeded $32 million last year, and 25% of that came from e-commerce. The end of an era is near.
Photo credit: Menswear Style UK
