Nordstrom enters start-up arena with six Black Tux showrooms

By

Obi Anyanwu

Published
Mar 27, 2017

Nordstrom, the US consumer’s favorite retailer according to Market Force, announced on Friday a new partnership with men’s tailoring startup The Black Tux. The Seattle-based retailer plans to open six Black Tux showrooms in the next six weeks.

 
The Black Tux showrooms will serve as a location for customers to get measured for tuxedos, try on a number of tuxedo styles and place rental orders. The first showroom opened at the Nordstrom Mission Viejo location in Orange County, CA, and it will be followed by five additional locations in Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Seattle and Washington DC where Black Tux does not have a physical presence.
 
The new partnership will help Nordstrom to attract a younger customer, and it will give Black Tux great exposure. Nordstrom, through the partnership, can also better compete with other retailers that have partnered with startups or online companies, such as Neiman Marcus that opened a Rent the Runway shop-in-shop at its Union Square location in San Francisco and Saks that opened the first-ever Gilt store at its Off 5th Manhattan location on 57th Street.

Ads

Founded by Patrick Coyne and Andrew Blackmon in 2013, The Black Tux offers tuxedos and suits for rent online. The duo was inspired to launch the rental service while preparing for Blackmon’s wedding in 2011. The Los Angeles-based company currently operates physical locations in New York City, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and San Francisco.