Key Takeaways
1. The Razer Store in San Francisco aimed to create a community experience for gamers, focusing on interaction rather than just sales.
2. The store closed on March 31 due to decreased foot traffic and various economic factors affecting retail in the area.
3. The store had fewer than ten visitors per day, indicating a significant decline in customer interest.
4. Pre-pandemic trends showed a drop in foot traffic, signaling trouble for the store long before its closure.
5. Other Razer locations in cities like London and Las Vegas are thriving, featuring more modern and inviting designs.
When the Razer Store opened at the Westfield San Francisco mall in 2016, it was meant to be a place for gamers to come together, participate in tournaments, and experience Razer products up close—something that isn’t easily done online or in larger retail chains. This concept was more about creating a memorable experience than just focusing on sales figures. Sadly, the store closed its doors for the last time on March 31, and it seems the rest of the mall will likely follow suit by the end of April.
Reasons for Closure
This closing is just one of many retail spaces in the city shutting down due to various factors like remote work trends, uncertainty in the tech market, and the rough conditions around downtown, all leading to fewer people shopping. When a brick-and-mortar store relies on foot traffic and attention from passersby, having no shoppers in the vicinity is definitely a warning sign.
Low Visitor Count
As reported by the San Francisco Examiner, the Razer store saw less than ten visitors each day. Given that this store is right by one of the mall’s entrances, it’s likely that the number of people visiting the store is close to the overall count of those entering the mall daily.
Local Observations
Having lived in San Francisco and visiting the Westfield mall every few weeks, it was clear that the Razer store was in trouble even before the pandemic hit. Foot traffic had already been dropping, and it seemed like the Razer store was often deserted throughout the week.
Meanwhile, other Razer locations, including those in London, Santa Clara, and Las Vegas, are still doing well. These shops are more recent than the one in San Francisco and feature brighter, more inviting designs.
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