GOLETA, Calif., Nov. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Deckers Brands (NYSE: DECK), a global leader in designing, marketing and distributing innovative footwear, apparel and accessories, today announced the grand opening of its first-ever UGG® Australia technology-driven concept store, located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Centered exclusively on the consumer, the new store serves as Deckers' second "Innovation Lab" - the first being the Company's Brand Showcase store in the Santa Barbara, California area - to test the latest Omni-Channel models, merchandising approaches and other innovations that can be deployed across Company-owned retail locations.

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"Omni-Channel isn't just a catchphrase for Deckers; it's an integral part of our culture of innovation and our retail strategy - one that we've made investments in for more than five years now - to engage with our consumers with respect to their preferred shopping channel. That strategy is on full display at the UGG® store, where we are merging the best of digital and physical shopping experiences, and setting the foundation for future Omni capabilities across our brands," said Dave Powers, President of Omni-Channel for Deckers Brands.

"UGG® has successfully evolved into a year-round lifestyle brand with strong equity among consumers. We've been able to drive loyalty and engage with new consumers due in part to the emphasis we've placed on Omni-Channel as it provides new opportunities for us to serve them through their multi-platform shopping journey," said Connie Rishwain, President of UGG®.

The 2,110 square foot store, now open to the public, underscores Deckers' steadfast commitment to delivering compelling products to consumers through seamless shopping experiences. Its luxurious aesthetic is complemented by sleek, interactive digital enhancements. By introducing elements of online shopping into the physical brick-and-mortar store, Deckers is giving UGG® consumers the opportunity to shop the nearly 230 SKUs on display, as well as Infinite UGG products - an "endless aisle" of merchandise not found in store. The product assortment is further heightened by two popular UGG® customization programs:


    --  The "UGG By You" program places the consumer in control of the design
        process to make their mark on five classic styles - Classic Mini,
        Classic Short, Bailey Bow, Bailey Button and Fluff Flip-Flop.
    --  The "Bling It On" program enables consumers to transform their coveted
        UGG® staples through a selection of dazzling Swarovski® crystal
        patterns and statement-making looks.

The Company is also introducing radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology that allows consumers trying on merchandise to view digitally triggered content on four 65-inch HD touchscreens throughout the store, including product information and options, style tips, videos, related marketing campaigns, and suggested complementary products. Consumers can send themselves SMS texts with a product link right from the HD screens. Deckers Brands partnered with Control Group, a New York-based technology and design consultancy, to create the frictionless, interactive intelligence solutions incorporated into the RFID tags and touchscreens.

UGG® sales associates will be equipped with iPads to attend to product questions, provide customer service support, and complete E-Commerce purchase transactions for items not available on the sales floor. In addition, consumers will have access to free Wi-Fi while shopping so they can connect with their social channels and share their shopping experiences. When the consumer's journey moves from the sales floor to the checkout, transactions of in-stock merchandise will be completed on tablets - these are minimal cash wrap solutions created to re-configure the store layout and showcase even more UGG® brand products. Select Infinite UGG orders can be shipped overnight for free or picked up in-store.

The UGG® store is situated on the first floor of Tysons Galleria, a premier upscale shopping center located at: 1746G Galleria at Tysons II, McLean, Virginia - a 20 minute drive from the nation's capital. More details on the store, including store hours, can be found at: http://www.uggaustralia.com/storelocator.

About Deckers Brands
Deckers Brands is a global leader in designing, marketing and distributing innovative footwear, apparel and accessories developed for both everyday casual lifestyle use and high performance activities. The Company's portfolio of brands includes UGG®, I HEART UGG®, Teva®, Sanuk®, TSUBO®, Ahnu®, MOZO®, and HOKA ONE ONE®. Deckers Brands products are sold in more than 50 countries and territories through select department and specialty stores, 130 Company-owned and operated retail stores, and select online stores, including Company-owned websites. Deckers Brands has a 40-year history of building niche footwear brands into lifestyle market leaders attracting millions of loyal consumers globally. For more information, please visit www.deckers.com.

About UGG Australia
Founded in 1978, UGG Australia has built a reputation on luxury and comfort by using only the finest materials in the world, employing the highest standards of craftsmanship, and delivering new and innovative styles well beyond the original sheepskin Classic boots. UGG Australia is recognized as a premium lifestyle brand with more than $1 billion in annual sales, offering footwear, loungewear, outerwear, home products, accessories and handbags under the UGG Women, UGG for Men, UGG Kids, UGG Handbags, UGG Loungewear, UGG Home and I HEART UGG® product lines. UGG Australia concept and outlet stores offer the ultimate brand experience with 120-plus locations worldwide, including New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing. For more information, visit our website, www.uggaustralia.com, and our blog, blog.uggaustralia.com. #THISISUGG

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SOURCE Deckers Brands