Off the corner of West 4th Avenue and Pine Street in Vancouver’s area of Kitsilano, RYU’s flagship store offers a shopping experience for the well-rounded and fitness-minded individual. One of the newer tech-apparel giants, RYU (Respect Your Universe) differentiates itself by providing spaces in its stores to facilitate activities that RYU apparel is designed for, which in their case, is anything and everything. As described in The Vancouver Sun, “The store has [an] area which trainers can use at no charge to work with their own clients; a retail space [..] that allow for hosting after-hours classes and community meetings; and an outdoor courtyard for complimentary fitness classes.”1 RYU is more than just a retailer for urban athletic apparel, it provides a gathering space to foster a sense of community.
RYU’s exceptional business model has received the WGSN Futures Award for ‘Best Store,’ 2 as well as a feature in “The 16 Best VANCOUVER COMPANIES To Work For,” recognizing its unique brand. RYU identifies its core values as, “respect, curiosity, bold expression, aliveness and discipline,” 3 and with this in mind, it’s no wonder why the employees see their role as more than just sales associates. They are true members of the community that RYU immerses itself in, as the store’s design allows employees to witness the fitness journey of their customers every step of the way. Therefore, RYU fosters in its employees a sense of influence and meaning within its community, providing a positive and empowering work environment.
The company’s CEO, Marcello Leone, explained that, “[a successful brand] requires an understanding of the customer, and a real culture of what your brand is and what it stands for.” 4 It is clear that RYU retains these values to the extent that employees of all levels must share these beliefs.
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References
- “RYU Apparel Makes National Headlines.” CNW. N.p., 16 Aug. 2016. Web. 04 Feb. 2017.
- “RYU Apparel Wins WGSN Futures Award for ‘Best Store'” RYU Apparel Wins WGSN Futures Award for ’Best Store’. N.p., 1 June 2016. Web. 04 Feb. 2017.
- “Careers at RYU Apparel Inc.” RYU Apparel. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2017.
- Aleesha, Harris. “Son of Vancouver fashion boutique makes jump to athletic wear.” Www.vancouversun.com. N.p., 30 Mar. 2015. Web. 04 Feb. 2017.