In the recently opened New York City foot Locker store, NikePlus members can use their Nike app to scan Nike items, as well as reserve Nike items online and pick them up inside Nike lockers at Foot Locker.

Footwear retailer Foot Locker Inc. has linked up with Nike Inc. to offer more digital, app-based services in one of its stores.

Foot Locker opened its new 9,000-square-foot “Power Store” in New York City last week. Shoppers who are members of Nike’s free NikePlus loyalty program and have the Nike app on their smartphones can use the in-store features in the app—called Nike App at Retail—at this Foot Locker location. When a shopper comes into the store, the Nike app detects the shopper’s location and shifts into the Nike App at Retail mode, which offers store-specific features.

“When [Nike] members enter the door, they’re recognized immediately. And with their app, they can scan products, learn features and benefits of the shoes or apparel,” says Ann Hebert, vice president of global sales for Nike.

The Nike App at Retail allows a shopper at this Foot Locker location and select Nike stores—in Portland, Santa Monica, California, Los Angeles and New York City—to scan barcodes with her smartphone to learn more about products, check in-store inventory, and reserve online and pick up in Nike lockers at the Foot Locker store.

advertisement

Only Nike products are available for reserve online pick up in store, according to a Nike spokeswoman.

Neither Foot Locker nor Nike would disclose the terms of their partnership in this deal. However, “partnerships are vital to our growth strategy and Foot Locker has been a key Nike partner for more than four decades,” says the spokeswoman. “What makes this special is it’s the first time NikePlus membership services and experiences are available in a multi-brand partner store via the Nike App at Retail.”

The Foot Locker location also offers the Nike Unlock Box—a vending machine that a NikePlus member unlocks by scanning her QR code to receive a new, free product from a vending machine, such as a pair of Nike socks. Shoppers can unlock new items every 14 days. However, Nike’s Instant Checkout feature—allowing a shopper to complete her purchase from her mobile device via the Nike app—is only available at the select Nike stores and not at the Foot Locker store, the Nike spokeswoman says.

In addition, Foot Locker’s store also features a Nike “ShoeCase,” which allows Nike members to have early access to shoe releases. Nike members scan their member pass and they’re entered into a real-time drawing to win the opportunity to buy a pair of high-end sneakers.

advertisement

Nike’s ShoeCase at the Foot Locker store in New York City.

 

Foot Locker plans to open other digitally focused stores, but the retailer did not specify a time frame or location. Currently, the athletic gear retailer operates approximately 3,200 stores in 27 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Nike’s robust mobile shopping app launched more than two years ago and accounts for “well over” 50% of Nike’s online revenue, Nike said in its 2019 second quarter earnings report. The app encourages shoppers to enroll in the NikePlus loyalty program, which gives them access to such perks as discounts, personalized recommendations and exclusive product offers. These perks are available online and within the app.

advertisement

Foot Locker is No. 61 in the Internet Retailer 2019 Top 1000. Nike is No. 34.

Favorite