Who.A.U., stands for Who Are You, a South Korean brand with a passion for the California lifestyle, is the latest contender entering the already-crowded teen-young adult category. Who.A.U. is embarking on an ambitious U.S. launch strategy, with plans to open 12 to 18 stores in the first year. “Who.A.U. could eventually be as big as Hollister,” predicted Daniel Pang, executive vice president of U.S. operations for the South Korean group. Hollister has 416 stores in the U.S. Get ready, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister and American Eagle Outfitters — there’s another new competitor coming to America. Who.A.U. in November will open its first store in a 4,100-square-foot space at Stamford Town Center in Stamford, Conn. via WWD
Hmm…another California lifestyle store competing with Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister and American Eagle Outfitters, not a big fan of this trend but I know a lot of teens are. Are you anticipating this launch?
Are you freakin’ kidding me???
I’m Korean actually, and I went to a Who.A.U. store before… Complete rip off of American Eagle if you ask me…
B-O-R-I-N-G!
Well there’s a niche that isn’t totally overcrowded- neo preppy, SoCal blah blah blah.
Will they out-Abercrombie Abercrombie? Who cares? I’d rather have actual Korean street style clothes!
They do have some stuff that I actually like, unlike Abercrombie and Fitch and all them. I can’t seem to find a way to order those things online
I’m freakin from SoCal and I don’t even wear that stuff…
wow. its just like a replica of hollister and abercrombie. i’m not to interested.
It’s not going to make it. There are too many of these kinda stores. Not interested.
Looks like a Hollister clone. Even the site. If they really wanna compete, the true test will be in New York where there will be a Hollister opening on Broadway in 2009.
I think a store like this will make it. I mean, every time i go shopping in the U.S. all i see is girls and guys in nauseatingly boring tees, jeans, and ugly worn flip flops/trainers. I mean it’s the uniform for many Americans! And almost all the stores in the malls carry almost exclusively those types of clothes. So why not add another? It probably will do well in Connecticut.
I agree though, that it would be much nicer to see more typically Korean clothing than a Korean store that tries to copy American clothing. As a Korean, it would be nice to have Asian styles be more accessible in America.
actually the first store will open this august 8 at garden state plaza in new jersey
actually no, august 15th.
who au looks like its own by abercrombie and fitch but a complete rip off. i dont like it.they should try to be different so it wont look like its own by ANF.
It’s definitely a complete rip off.. Not only that but it claims to be quality made and after trying some of the clothes on, I beg to differ. The clothes feel stiff and very uncomfortable. And the style is really weird and ugly. With Hollister and Abercrombie as its competitors, it probably won’t make it.
Cool clothing! Helpful employees with great attitudes! Reasonable prices! What else do you want? This beautiful store rocks! Enjoy!
I went into WHO.A.U. today at garden state and I was in shock. Having worked for abercrombie I found it almost exactly alike. The only thing I did like was that most of the clothing reminded me of when ANF’s sub stores(HCo, Ruehl) first opened before the clothing in them was changed to resemble ANF. If I had to pick, I would rather go to WHO.A.U just because it is new and people do not know the brand and wear it just for the name, like ANF. Also the prices are cheeper.
Was interested in WHO.A.U. until I came across this news article.
http://www.union-network.org/UNIsite/Sectors/Commerce/Multinationals/Korean_Eland_workers_company_destroys_WhoAU_brand.htm
Apparently they like to imprison their employees for not working hard enough.
Okay, i went to the store at GSP the other day, and i think its an exact copy of all those stores such at ANF, abercrombie and Hollister but then again, i like some things. They actually sell black, like American Eagle, but im not a big fan of american eagle.
Even though its a little more expensive, Who A.U., i’d probably shop there than Holister and ANF
i haven’t even been in those stores in ages, but i would consider Who A.U.
mkays, i think koreans have such cute sweaters.
rofl
such a sophisticated laid back style?
well, i think the bear and surf board logo is really weird but,
i think the sweaters at who.a.u are super cute (:
pretty cheap quality for pretty good money though;
i think it MIGHT make it.
MAYBEEEE
i bought a nice fleece sweater there though.
really cute. (:
I just went into the store today, bc it caught my eye. I loe it! its like abercrombie & hollister but more casual. it will deff make it. i baught a skirt and i love it ! im defff gonna try to see if i can be eligable to work there this upcoming december. its an amazing store. dont miss out. stop by and give it a glance