The North Face® to Open 2nd Spanish Store on June 25

The North Face®, the world’s premier supplier of technically innovative outdoor apparel and equipment, is proud to open its second retail store in Spain. The new store—which marks the 29th European retail store for The North Face®—will open on Monday, June 25, 2007 on an intimate side street adjacent to the central plaza of historic Benasque.

“Not only is Benasque home to the premier ski resort in the Pyrenees, but its rare combination of 3,000-meter peaks and the fertile Esera River valley offers both sport and scenery. We feel the Benasque area embodies The North Face® philosophy of ‘Never Stop Exploring®’,” said Patrik Frisk, Vice-President and General Manager of The North Face® Europe, Middle East and Asia. “Together with our retail partner, Barrabes Esqui Montaña, we will offer a singular shopping experience, and will serve the Benasque community and its visitors as a resource for exploration and environmental stewardship,” Frisk added.

The Benasque store features 74 square meters of retail space and highlights contemporary outdoor products, while remaining true to the local architectural history of the Pyrenees Mountains. Nestled between a bustling central plaza and a quiet street, the store will offer customers a visually compelling, exclusive shopping experience as they explore the complete selection of The North Face® authentic outdoor apparel, footwear, equipment and accessories for men, women and children.

The North Face® collections featured at the new Benasque store include the Adventure Travel™ Collection, which draws on decades of innovative, technical design experience to offer essentials for any adventure. From travel bags to t-shirts, all the products in this collection are lightweight, functional, packable, and suitable for adventures near and far. Also featured is the Flight Series™ Endurance Collection, which enables ultra-distance athletes to maximize performance. Designed to meet the needs of endurance athletes and perform in ever-changing conditions, the apparel, footwear and equipment in this collection expand the options for long-haul athletes.

Barrabes Esqui Montaña, a leading Spanish retailer for outdoor clothing and equipment, will serve as the retail partner of The North Face® for the management of the new Benasque store. “We’re delighted to be working with both The North Face® and the city of Benasque,” remarked Arturo Barrabes, President of Barrabes Esqui Montaña. “With its innovative products and welcoming ambiance, this new store is the perfect complement for the active and cultured community of Benasque.”

Turning again to the Italian design firm, Brombini & Saccardo, The North Face® adapted the historic building into a world-class destination for outdoor enthusiasts and shoppers alike. The historic building features a characteristic Pyrenees look, which Brombini & Saccardo were careful to preserve. The building is faced with the original local stones, and local wood encases the large windows. An illuminated flag sign with the iconic The North Face® logo is visible from the central plaza.
Inside, the store design mimics the brand positioning: a blend of nature and innovation. Warm, oiled oak floors give way to an Italian stone tile entry to withstand the wear and tear of ski boots. The raw wood and stone is the perfect foil for more contemporary elements, like stainless steel displays and translucent acrylic panels. A visually arresting red wall at the rear of the store anchors the space and holds a metal slat wall displaying footwear.

The Benasque store marks the second dedicated retail store from The North Face® to open in Spain, the first being in Madrid. Over 10 additional stores are planned to launch in locations across Europe in the coming year.


About The North Face®

The North Face®, a subsidiary of VF Corp., was founded in 1968. Headquartered in San Leandro, California, the Company offers the most technically advanced products on the market to accomplished climbers, mountaineers, extreme skiers and explorers. To meet the growing demand for The North Face® products from consumers on the Old Continent, the Company began its European operations in 1983. Today The North Face® is distributed worldwide, including the following European countries: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The Company’s products are sold in specialty mountaineering, backpacking and skiing retailers, premium sporting goods retailers and major outdoor specialty retail chains. Additional information about The North Face® can be found on the Company’s website at www.thenorthface.com.