Introduction to Miami

Miami is the capital of Florida's Miami-Dade County and the most populous metro region in the southern US after Washington, D.C. It is also one of the largest urban areas in the country, and a global city with the largest concentration of international banks in the US. In 2016, the population of Miami was estimated to be just over 440,000 (not including the metro area). Miami has a plethora of beaches, offers lively nightlife, an active art scene and a variety of cuisines.

Demographics

Miami has a diverse culture: The most significant national origin in Miami is Cuban (34.1% of the population), followed by Nicaraguan (5.6%), Haitian (5.5%), Honduran (3.3%), Dominican (1.7%) and Colombian (1.6%). The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) also ranked Miami first in terms of its percentage of foreign-born residents at 59% – just behind Toronto at 50%.

Top Five Shopping Destinations:

1. Miami Design District: The Design District is located between Midtown and Wynwood and is a destination for luxury shopping. The Design District is known for its sleek modern architecture and is dedicated to innovative fashion, architecture, design and restaurants.
2. Lincoln Road Mall: Lincoln Road Mall is Miami Beach’s outdoor shopping mall with a variety of shopping and dining options. The stores along Lincoln Road Mall consist of: Kiki, Urban Outfitters, Victoria’s Secret, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta, to name a few.
3. Washington Avenue: Washington Avenue is the place to find independent boutiques and unique, small stores on South Beach.
4. Collins Avenue: Between 5^th and 9^th Streets, shoppers will find stores such as Barneys New York, Armani Exchange and Dash Boutique. Shoppers can also find stores such as Urban Outfitters, Arden B and Victoria’s Secret.
5. Bal Harbor: The Bal Harbor shops have a selection of designer boutiques and restaurants in a garden-like setting.

Famous Retail Events

Miami Fashion Week: Miami fashion week is dedicated to positioning Miami as a high-quality fashion hub, and showcases a variety of apparel for men and women.

Top Innovative Retailers

BASE [caption id="attachment_92016" align="alignright" width="380"] Source: baseworld.com[/caption] BASE was founded in December 1989 by Bruce Cannella and Steven Giles, who created the store for men who enjoy records, indie magazines, and have a monochrome closet. BASE is a dedicated men’s store whose product line includes: avant-garde pieces, t-shirts, books, records and décor pieces, to name a few – plus unexpected items such as custom “SCENSE” blends and grooming products. BASE carries more local Miami brands than international ones, an example is Miansai, a men’s jewelry company. Location: BASE, 2215 NW 2^nd Ave, Miami 33127. The Webster [caption id="attachment_92017" align="alignright" width="425"] Source: thewebster.us[/caption] The Webster is luxury multi-brand retailer established in 2009 by Laure Heriard Dubreuil. The flagship store is located on Miami Beach, with two other locations in Miami at Bal Harbor and Sawgrass. The store aims to create an intimate home-look, using furniture and contemporary art. The Webster has partnered with retailers such as Le Bon Marche, Lane Crawford and Ritz Paris. The products include designers such as Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang and Proenza Schouler. On the first floor, shoppers can find luxury sportswear and swimwear. The second floor features men’s and women’s ready to wear and accessories. Location: The Webster, 1220 Collins Ave, Miami Beach 33139. Café Galleria [caption id="attachment_92019" align="alignright" width="380"] Source: Instagram.com/galleriamiami[/caption] Café Galleria is in the heart of downtown Miami. Café Galleria was founded and created by Jeremy Sapienza, a former writer and editor. His aim for Café Galleria was to create an intimate, design friendly space. The Galleria sells an eclectic mix of plates, pottery, succulents, coffee accessories, artwork and incense, among other things. The products are from local artisans and vintage stores. The Café Galleria also serves specialty coffees and gourmet vegan pastries. Location: Café Galleria, 69 SE 1^st Street, Miami 33131. Eight Space [caption id="attachment_92020" align="alignright" width="332"] Source: shopeightspace.com[/caption] Eight Space is stocked with active apparel and swimwear. Eight space has rotating installations, monthly wellness programs and fitness classes in a minimalist space in the heart of Wynwood.  Eight Space claims to be the ultimate lifestyle destination for women, with limited edition products and designer brands such as: Zimmermann, Flagpole, Jade and Solid & Striped. Location: Eight Space, 174 NW 26^th Street, Miami 33127.   Glottman [caption id="attachment_92021" align="alignright" width="322"] Source: glottman.com[/caption] Glottman is a design and lifestyle product store and showroom for textiles, furniture and lighting. The location also houses a studio for lighting design, interior design and architecture. The goal is to create personal relationships with clients and a personalized experience for shoppers. Founder Oscar Glottman said he believes small details of a project are the most important. Location: Glottman, 6101 Biscayne Blvd, Biscayne Bay 33137 Wynwood Shop [caption id="attachment_92022" align="alignright" width="333"] Source: wynwoodshop.com[/caption] Wynwood shop is a creative space that displays emerging brands, artists and creators. The store displays a wide variety of art – including from local Miami street artists, graphic designers and illustrators. Wynwood Shop plans to expand to include photography, paintings and typography. The merchandise includes items for interior design, home décor, fashion and accessories. The store aims to be an experience, including a coffee and tea lounge for shoppers to socialize and relax. Outdoors, the shop holds live music events and pop-up markets. Location: Wynwood Shop, 196 NW 24^th Street, Miami 33127. Nike Miami [caption id="attachment_92023" align="alignright" width="396"] Source: news.nike.com[/caption] Nike Miami is a two-story building sprawling across 31,000 square-feet of retail experience. The store features design elements specific to Miami. The first floor displays a unique art piece by Jessy Nite, a local Miami artist, and features a Nike + Running trial zone where customers can run on treadmills to test different shoes. The second floor has a Nike + Basketball Trial zone, where shoppers can test basketball shoes by playing a quick game – the space is 285 square feet. Nike+ members are offered premium services at the Nike Miami store such as being able to book a one on one appointment, easy returns through the shoppers Nike+ profile, a 30-day trial period for products and Nike+ Run Club, among others. Location: Nike Miami, 1035 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach 33139. Sweat Records [caption id="attachment_92024" align="alignright" width="380"] Source: sweatrecordsmiami.com[/caption] Sweat Records is a Miami-based hybrid indie music store, coffee shop and event space. The store aims to be more than just a space for purchasing music. Sweat records hosts in-store events, such as live music, movie nights and other cultural events. The company has an e-commerce site to sell the shop’s “made in Miami” products globally. The store offers a variety of products, including: turntables, headphones, record accessories, CDs, magazines, books, gifts and local music. Location: Sweat Records, 5505 NE 2^nd Ave, Miami 33137. Iniva Boutique [caption id="attachment_92025" align="alignright" width="407"] Source: inivaboutique.com[/caption] Iniva Boutique is a concept store that features products from Africa. The shop has locations in Port-Gentil in Gabon, Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso and Miami. Founders Sandra Bellon and Sophie Pozmentier work with African craftsmen to curate the concept store’s product line of arts, crafts, décor, apparel, accessories and home design pieces from Africa. Shoppers can also enjoy a cup of Ethiopian coffee. Location: Iniva Miami, Upper Buena Vista, 5010 NE 2^nd Ave, Store 202, Miami 33137. Must See Shopping Area: Upper Buena Vista Shopping Mall [caption id="attachment_92026" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Source: upperbuenavista.com[/caption]   Upper Buena Vista is a no ordinary shopping mall: It’s a quaint collection of shops and eateries and dubs itself a “retail sanctuary.” The jungle atmosphere is unique in itself, but the mall also includes memorable outlets such as:

1. Sangre de mi Sangre: Custom made jewelry from Mexico.
2. Wynwood Shades: An eyewear store that carries high-end labels, as well as creations from up and coming designers.
3. Creations Dorees: Haitian-made sandals.
4. Selfish Too: Miami fashion boutique, selling apparel and accessories.
5. True Joy: Features apparel from local designers.