Champs Sports Unveils New Retail Concept in Two Key Markets

Champs Sports, a division of Foot Locker Inc., has introduced a reimagined retail concept in two key markets, Brandon Exchange in Tampa, Florida, and Washington Square in Portland, Oregon. The stores reflect Champs Sports’ commitment to blending sport and everyday life to deliver a redefined retail experience.

Developed with customer insights and designed to embody the “Sport For Life” brand platform, the new concept introduces an inviting and modernized storefront featuring a bright, organized design and an extensive selection of multi-brand apparel, footwear and accessories. Product storytelling comes to life through elevated presentation walls and digital displays. The light aesthetic emphasizes a contemporary vision of sports culture.

“At its core, Champs Sports focuses on serving sport and style enthusiasts with head-to-toe assortments,” said Tony Aversa, senior vice president and general manager of Champs Sports. “The reimagined store concept redefines what the Champs Sports in-store shopping experience can be, enhancing every step of the customer journey. Tampa and Portland are dynamic markets making them ideal locations to unveil a new store experience that reflects our brand ethos. The concept also strengthens our ‘Sport For Life’ brand platform to connect sport to life in an innovative way that continues to engage with the communities we serve.”

Key features of the redesigned store include  sports-inspired storefronts with elevated digital storytelling; premiere walls highlighting outfit-building and try-on experiences; family zones that make full-family shopping easier with women’s and kids’ footwear ; 3D scanning and omnichannel tech for precision fit and seamless purchasing, and Champs Run Club fixtures  with curated gear, interactive signage, and community-focused activations .

While the new concept features a flexible design and enhanced functionality, allowing for ease of merchandising and reimagining product displays over time, to further enhance the customer experience, Champs store associates are equipped with improved tools to assist customers, along with multiple checkout points for seamless service.

Central to the new store concept is the expanded focus on Champs Run Club — an in-store and nationwide program promoting movement and inclusivity through running. The dedicated Run Club in-store fixtures highlight performance running products and tailored assortments to serve the needs of local running communities.

Strategically positioned near important hubs allowing for agility with testing and learning, the Brandon Exchange location is close to St. Petersburg, Florida, where Foot Locker, Inc. will open its new global headquarters, and the Washington Square location in Portland is embedded in a market with deep roots in sport and sneaker culture.

To celebrate the new store design, Champs Sports hosted grand opening events in partnership with Nike at the Washington Square store in Portland on July 26 and 27. The event featured customer-focused experiences including live entertainment, giveaways, customization and more. At the heart of the weekend was a Champs Run Club event, designed to bring together local runners of all levels for a celebration run starting and ending at the store. There was also a grand opening event at the Brandon Exchange location on August 9 and 10.

"We’re thrilled to partner with Champs to help bring their vision for immersive retail to life," said Jason Kirrer, vice president of North America sales and marketplace at Nike. "The reimagined store concept reflects our shared objectives to celebrate sport and serve athletes through elevated retail and experiences. We’re excited to help mark the grand-opening moment of Champs Sports in Washington Square with a high-energy weekend that goes beyond retail to connect and engage with our shared communities."