On, Hoka lace up at Dallas mall for first stores in region

Two rising names in athletic footwear are readying stand-alone stores not currently available in North Texas.

The brand behind “On Cloud” is set to get a store in NorthPark Center, while Hoka is ready to grab a retail shop in the same mall.

Switzerland-based On, known for athletic shoes with open cushions that flex with every step, is set to open its store next year, according to the company. This will be the third store in Texas for the brand, with the others being in Austin and Houston.

Hoka is joining NorthPark on the first floor, according to the mall’s website. It would be a new addition in the region. Hoka, which often sports brightly-colored footwear, features thick shoe bases that add cushioning.

Hoka is part of California’s Deckers Brands, which also has the well-known UGG label, along with Teva.

The additions add to the dynamic lineup at NorthPark Center, one of the largest and storied malls in the region. Its stores include the recent opening of JD Sports, a European shoe retailer, whose lineup includes On and Hoka footwear, its website shows.

On — which launched about 15 years ago — has seen growing momentum as it gains fans among runners and more mainstream buyers. On Wednesday, the company said third-quarter net sales jumped about 25% and roughly 35% on a constant currency basis.

“We’re strengthening our connection with customers through experiences that showcase our premium positioning — from our most elevated stores to the growing momentum of our apparel business,” Martin Hoffmann, CEO and CFO of On, said in a statement.

The company has roughly a dozen of its own stores in North America, including stores in New York, Southern California and Chicago, along with locales around the world.

“We plan to open additional retail stores in other major metropolitan centers as well as athletic destinations where we believe they can operate profitably and create further brand momentum,” the company said in an annual filing earlier this year.

Hoka’s business has seen growth as well. Net sales increased 11% during the second fiscal quarter that ended Sept. 30.

First designed for ultra-runners, the brand has broadened its appeal, and has more than 50 of its own stores, a recent regulatory filing shows.

“HOKA has established itself as a prominent global performance brand, extending far beyond its disruptive origins,” CEO Stefano Caroti said during a quarterly financial call, according to a transcript that was posted on the company’s website.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the NorthPark Center floor where Hoka is slated to be located.