MAAP Targets Global Growth with Roll Out of Several New LaB Retail Concept Stores
- Five new MAAP LaB retail concept stores opening before the year end, across Asia, Australia and Europe
- New MAAP LaB Seoul opens this August, the brand’s first store in Asia
- First European MAAP LaB opened in Amsterdam early this year in March with another set to follow later this year
September 2024, Melbourne: Melbourne-based cycling apparel brand MAAP is rolling out a number of new MAAP LaB stores globally over the coming months as it continues to expand its own retail store footprint. The new stores embody MAAP's passion for a Life around Bikes, emphasising real world connections within local communities.
MAAP's LaB concept aims to redefine the retail experience by crafting spaces that mirror the essence of their local environment, fostering community engagement and meaningful connections. While each LaB is uniquely tailored to its surroundings, they all share a consistent design language that will make them instantly recognisable anywhere in the world. The spaces will host everything from events and group rides to in-store activations, all thoughtfully designed to reflect the rhythm and perspective of the local community.
The flagship MAAP LaB opened in Melbourne in 2022, with the first European store opening in the Netherlands in 2024. The new MAAP LaB Seoul opens its doors this August, marking the start of a number of new stores in the APAC region with LaBs in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei and Sydney set to follow over the coming months. Outside of the APAC market, plans are also well underway to introduce new LaB stores in Europe before the end of the year.
Speaking about the growth of the MAAP LaB concept globally, co-founder Oliver Cousins said: “We’ve always had strong ambitions of expanding the LaB concept and creating our own community and cultural hubs around the world. So, this next phase of expansion is one we’re hugely excited about, to further develop and give back to our growing global community.”
“Each of our new LaBs will offer a familiar look whilst delivering a unique feel and experience within. Connections with local brands and creative cultural reference points are core to the LaB offering, something that we are continually working on developing in our pursuit of progression.”
The expansion of MAAP’s owned bricks and mortar stores comes at a time when many brands are moving away from the high street to focus efforts online in what has proven to be a tough period for retail across all sectors in many leading global markets. However, for MAAP, physical retail expansion presents the opportunity to connect with riders and communities in ways that wouldn’t otherwise be possible in the digital age.
The growth of MAAP’s LaB footprint will not impact the brand’s established and growing network of key wholesale retail partners.
MAAP LaB Seoul opens officially on Thursday 22nd August with a number of events including a launch party and exclusive in-store activations, and will be followed by MAAP LaB Singapore mid-September. MAAP LaB Hong Kong and MAAP LaB Taipei will follow, opening to the public from mid October. MAAP’s new, second European LaB will then also follow.
Each LaB will have its own subdomain on MAAP’s website as well as its own social media presence. MAAP LaB Seoul can be found online here and on Instagram here.
A full collection of images can be found here.
About MAAP
MAAP was established in 2014 to develop the art and progression of cycling through a considered approach to style, innovation and performance. With a fresh blend of bold patterns and technically advanced performance fabrications, MAAP’s products are designed for a global community of cyclists pushing their training, racing and adventuring to ever greater levels.
Tom Copeland