Mall-goers and fashion enthusiasts have always had a tough time choosing a favorite between the retail giants Zumiez and Tillys. Both stores have very similar items and clothing offerings, but small details make each store unique and different from one another. Which store is actually better? Keep on reading to find out…
Background
For those who are unaware of the background of these brands, Zumiez is a retail store which sells action sports related apparel, equipment, footwear, and accessories, such as; snowboards, skateboards, and backpacks. The company was started near Seattle, Washington in 1978, with headquarters currently in Everett, Washington. The stores mostly operate within malls, which normally contain their target demographic. The company has been in business for over 35 years.
Tillys on the other hand, sells clothing with a west coast inspired mentality, but is located on both the east and west coast of the United States. It opened it’s first store in 1982 in Southern California, and is currently headquartered in Irvine, California. As of 2019, Tillys currently has 229 stores, including four RSQ by Tillys pop-up stores. The stores are located in 33 of the 50 states.
Locations
In terms of location, both Tillys and Zumiez stores are located primarily in malls, but also have been known to exist in power centers and neighborhood centers. Also, both companies in fact simultaneously trade on the stock exchange, and have both been an investor favorite in the past, but currently are not as profitable as their former peak performances due to the rising popularity of online shopping.
Similarities
Vast similarities between the brands exist, and could make the shopping experience almost equivalent among customers. Each company provides products within the action sports world, primarily focusing on the popularity of surfing, skating, and other action sports. Both companies also sell their fare share of streetwear. Their products are marketed with a teenage focus, and possess a “cool factor” among kids. Many items are difficult to find in other stores, with both stores offering a variety of private labels, adding to their broad merchandise mix. Both companies are constantly updating their merchandising strategies to keep customers interested and keep their stores fresh and relevant.
Advantages of Each
Despite the numerous similarities between the two companies, they each have differences as well that make them both unique and a threat to one another in terms of competition . In comparison to Zumiez, Tillys has larger stores which occupy more square footage within the malls or shopping centers, which also means that they carry more merchandise overall. Tillys has newer merchandise delivered more often, about five times a week, and this merchandise is by exclusive brands not carried by competitors like Zumiez. The store also carries lots of in-house brands like RSQ, Full Tilt, Blue Crown, and Infamous.
Zumiez has it’s own advantages. In addition to the apparel, footwear, and accessories offered by Tillys, it also carries hard goods like skateboards and snowboards. Zumiez has went the extra mile by adding couches and video games inside their stores, which makes the shopping experience more fun and convenient. This gets shoppers to stay in their store for longer periods, and gets them more used to the stores’ operations and brands. Zumiez has tried to differentiate itself from competitors like Tillys by holding an annual “Couch Tour,” which is located within the malls where the store is located. It features live entertainment, skateboarding demos, and an amateur competition.
Conclusion
Both Tillys and Zumiez offer exceptional products based on action sports and streetwear. Depending on what you are looking for, one might be better than the other. If you are back-to-school shopping and need a wide selection of items, then perhaps Tillys large store offerings should be the store to check out. If you are looking for the latest in streetwear, head on over to Zumiez as they seem to focus on this type of fashion a little more. Both appear to have a loyal customer base which could easily crossover with one another. Though the similarities and differences exists for both companies, the fact remains Zumiez and Tillys both are great stores and will be around for a long time.
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