In a nod to upscale Tucson shoppers, the House of Vuitton will soon bring its French couture to the Old Pueblo.
Louis Vuitton, the Paris-based retailer and designer of upscale handbags, watches, luggage and other accessories, has signed an agreement with La Encantada shopping center to open a 3,000-square-foot store. It's expected to open by late September.
"It's a huge coup for Tucson. Louis Vuitton is one of the world's most renowned luxury brands around," said Kai Hsiao, senior manager at La Encantada, 2905 E. Skyline Drive, who announced the deal Friday.
Known for its line of leather goods and "LV" monogrammed purses, wallets and sunglasses, Louis Vuitton joins two other upscale retailers — Tiffany & Co., a New York based jeweler, and BCBG Max Azria, a women's clothing boutique — planning to open in Tucson this fall. Some Louis Vuitton handbags and luggage pieces carry price tags between $1,200 and $2,000.
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Tiffany & Co., announced Sept. 29 as its opening date for a 4,000-square-foot store at La Encantada.
An opening date for BCBG's 4,000-square-foot-store hasn't been confirmed, but company officials expect to open this fall next to the Louis Vuitton store, Hsiao said.
The stores join other high-end stores at La Encantada including Cole Haan, Anthropologie and St. John Sport, bringing the total number of stores there to 50. The center opened in November 2003.
"Louis Vuitton has been on our wish list since we built the center," Hsiao said. "One of the great benefits we see is the store being a major draw for Mexican nationals who shop for luxury goods."
When Tiffany & Co. announced the opening of the local store, company officials cited the high number of winter tourists and shoppers from Mexico as a customer base, Hsiao said.
The announcement of the three stores is significant for Tucson's retail scene, said Melinda Burke, director of the University of Arizona's Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing.
"It says something about the development of Tucson and also the influence of the Mexican shopper," Burke said. "It's a great thing for Tucson when we have more choice. It brings, and keeps, people here to shop. You can stay in Tucson to find luxury goods. You don't have to drive out of town to shop."
When high-end retailers look at certain markets to open stores, they're looking in places where they can get the most return on an investment, Burke said.
"There is a certain cachet among retailers who like to be among their peers," she said. "It also means, as a community, we have an economy that can support that sort of retail."
● These stores have announced that they will be opening in La Encantada shopping center this fall:
l Louis Vuitton: Sells leather goods, purses, wallets, sunglasses and other upscale merchandise
l Tiffany & Co.: A New York-based jeweler
l BCBG Max Azria: A women's clothing boutique
SOURCE: Staff reports
