Because of the prestige associated with Manhattan retail real estate, New York store locations are designated as flagships almost by default. Many global retail organizations have chosen New York addresses because of the credibility and visibility they provide. Many U.S. retail organizations established their legacy there.
Here are some of the most famous stores with New York addresses and the superlative aspects that have helped them gain their flagship designation.
Burton Snow Boards
106 Spring Street
Soho district
New York, NY
Flagship Features
First New York location
A "cold room" that replicates winter temperatures for trying out winter gear
FAO Schwartz
767 Fifth Avenue
Manhattan, NY
Flagship Features
A New York landmark and tourist attraction
Employs "entertainment retail" strategies
Grand Hall decorated with 20,000 computer-controlled lights
A giant dance-to-play keyboard (showcased in the Tom Hanks movie, "Big")
FAO Schweetz ice cream parlor with exclusive indulgent desserts
Gant
645 Fifth Ave.
New York, NY
Flagship Features
6,600 square feet
Three floors connected by a showpiece white spiral staircase
Displays which highlight the history of the brand
Hosts celebrity lectures
Houses Gant Limited Edition collections
Lord & Taylor
Fifth Avenue & 39th St.
Manhattan, NY
Flagship Features
600,000 square-foot, 11-story building
Historic landmark building
Owned and operated by Lord & Taylor since 1914
Famous part of Manhattan's retailing legacy and reputation
Macy's
151 West. 34th St.
New York, NY
Flagship Features
World's largest department store
1,000,000 square-foot, nine-floor building
A registered New York City landmark
Shoe department occupies two entire floors
Bridal suite with a walkway platform
Owned and operated by Macy's since 1902
Mrs. Field's
Fulton & Broadway
New York, NY
Flagship Features
The corporation's largest store in terms of both volume and concept
First bakery concept incorporating a large in-store dining area
Nokia
5 East 57th Street
New York, NY
Flagship Features
Second of 18 flagship locations planned for global expansion
High-tech decor, and cutting edge product demos and kiosks
Completely interactive, with an exhaustive range of products,
accessories, 3rd party devices, and mobile technology
Fully functional multimedia environments for testing all products
Staff members are all graduates of Nokia Academy
Palm Retail Stores
30 Rockefeller Center
New York, NY
Flagship Features
Largest store, in a prominent location
Carries Palm’s entire product line of smartphones, handhelds, mobile managers and accessories
Live demonstrations and real-time activations
Paul Smith
142 Greene Street
Soho, NY
Flagship Features
Thier first New York store
Houses all Paul Smith collections, including women's and men's clothing, furniture, art objects, curios, and vintage books
Prada
575 Broadway
Soho, NY
Flagship Features
23,000 square-foot space purchased for $40 million
Formerly the home of the Soho branch of the Guggenheim Museum Innovative retail architecture
Saks Fifth Avenue
611 Fifth Avenue
Manhattan, NY
Flagship Features
Owned and operated since 1924
10 floors of designer merchandise
8th floor shoe department has its own zip code, 10022-SHOE
Accounts for 20% of the entire chain's annual revenue
Wardrobe consulting, onsite spa and salon, afternoon tea
service, wedding services, coat and package check, package
delivery, local messenger service, concierge restaurant and theater reservations
Steuben Glass
667 Madison Avenue
New York, NY
Flagship Features
6,100 square-foot, three-level store in Manhattan's Crystal
District
Designed by architect Ralph Applebaum
Houses Steuben exhibition glass
Gallery with a complete collection of Steuben crystal, and ongoing special exhibitions
Tiffany's
Fifth Avenue and 57th Street
Manhattan, NY
Flagship Features
124,000 square-foot legendary retail location since 1940
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Made famous in the film, "Breakfast at Tiffany's"
Polished granite exterior, doormen, Alpine marble, and breathtaking chandeliers
Private selling salons with platinum ceilings
Fifth floor entertaining and exhibition area
Houses Tiffany & Co. Archives
UNIQLO
546 Broadway
Soho, NY
Flagship Features
36,000 square-foot store
Largest, and first flagship store outside of Japan
Designed by renowned architect Masamichi Katayama
Features products and styles only available at this location
Exhibits limited edition t-shirts created by top Japanese artists
Victoria's Secret
58th Street & Lexington
Herald Square
Midtown Manhattan, NY
Flagship Features
25,200 square feet, the largest Victoria's Secret store in the world
Located on one of the busiest corners in the world
"Great Hall" features the company's most fashion-forward products, plus vintage antiques, and special collections
Eight separate rooms for each sub-brand
Plasma screens throughout the store play Victoria's Secret fashion show footage
3,200 square-foot "Beauty Store" with makeover stations
Whole Foods
Time Warner Center
Manhattan, NY
Flagship Features
59,000 square feet
Largest supermarket in Manhattan
248-seat cafe
Houses New York City's first Jamba Juice location
Full-service sushi bar with organic seaweed
Walk-in greenhouse with exotic flowers
Wine shop, open on Sundays
Chocolate-enrobing station covers anything in chocolate
"Beauty Pod" with makeovers and beauty expert consultations
"Trial Bar" of take-home personal care samples
"Soap Bar" with hand-crafted, homemade, and artisan soaps
"Made In New York" section with locally made products
