Sarenza Marketing Director Discusses the Shift to Physical Retail

French online footwear and apparel retailer Sarenza has opened its first physical retail location on April 8, 2026, in Angers, France. The store, named Sarenza studio, is located within the l’Atoll Angers shopping centre.

The opening marks a transition for the company, which has previously operated as an e-commerce entity. The new physical presence will offer a selection of footwear, accessories, and womenswear.

Product Offering and Brand Partnerships

The inventory at the Sarenza studio location includes a mix of internal brands and external partners. The store features Sarenza.com’s own brands, including Georgia Rose.

The offering also incorporates several brands from the premium division of the Beaumanoir group, which is the parent company of Sarenza. These include brands such as Caroll and Morgan.

the store hosts approximately 20 guest brands, including Levi’s, Lacoste, and Vanessa Bruno.

Corporate Strategy and Expansion

This launch is part of a broader development strategy by the Beaumanoir group. According to Thomas Beaumanoir, the group’s deputy chief executive officer, the strategy capitalizes on the success and expertise of its multi-brand model, which is already utilized through other retailers such as Boardriders, La Halle, and Vib’s.

The Beaumanoir group, a ready-to-wear specialist based in Brittany, acquired Sarenza from Monoprix in November 2022 to expand its online capabilities.

Following the opening in Angers, the company plans to open a second physical store in Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois, France, in May 2026.

Market Context for Physical Retail

Sarenza’s move into physical stores occurs amid a broader trend of consumers returning to brick-and-mortar environments. Forrester forecasts that physical retail will account for nearly 80% of global retail sales in 2025.

In North America, projections for the fourth quarter of 2024 indicated that 83.8% of retail sales would occur in physical stores, with 16.2% occurring via e-commerce.

Generation Z has shown a particular interest in in-store shopping. A survey from the retail member organization ICSC found that 97% of Gen Z respondents shop at brick-and-mortar stores. Deloitte reported that in 2023, this demographic was responsible for more than $100 billion in combined global spending power.

The appeal of physical retail is often attributed to the social experience and the ability for shoppers to touch and try products, providing immediate gratification compared to the convenience of online shopping.

However, the sector faces challenges. Forrester reported a significant decline in the quality of customer experience in retail between 2023 and 2024. From January through August 2024, 4,548 stores closed in the U.S., while 4,426 opened.