Oprah enters the wild world of brick-and-mortar retail

Posted Jun 28th 2007 4:00PM by Beth Gaston Moon
Filed under: Newspapers, XM Satellite Radio (XMSR)

For those of you who just aren't sated by the daily one-hour program, the monthly magazine, occasional feature films and made-for-TV movies, and the radio content available at XM Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: XMSR), you'll be relieved to hear that a one-stop shop for all things Oprah is in the works.

Oprah Winfrey's privately held company, Harpo Inc., released a statement indicating that construction has started on a store carrying Oprah merchandise. The boutique will be located catty-corner from the Harpo Studios building in downtown Chicago and will be one story and 4,500 square feet. Many details, including an opening date, have yet to be worked out.

The queen of the entertainment world already sells some products through an online store. Oprah fans can pick up a $14 iPod cover with the Oprah logo, DVDs, and African apparel and artwork. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that these and other Oprah-related merchandise will also be available in the retail store. Know a co-worker or friend that's expecting? The $36 'O Baby' velour jogging suit could be the perfect gift.

Beth Gaston Moon is an analyst at Schaeffer's Investment Research.

Tags: Harpo, Oprah Winfrey, OprahWinfrey, retailing, xm satellite radio, XmSatelliteRadio, XMSR

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

6-28-2007 @ 4:34PM

Tom Barlow said...

I wonder if Oprah will instruct her store staff to stay open if a star wants to shop after-hours.

7-18-2007 @ 1:07PM

Dawn Billings said...

I am always inspired by Oprah's unstoppable essence. She is continually charting new waters for herself and inspiring others to do the same as they attempt to emulate her courage. We need more dreamers who are willing to put action behind their dreams. She is a living testimony to the art and magic of making dreams come true. I have researched and studied the impact of great dreams on success, especially in the lives of children, (detailed in my book: Greatness and Children: Learn the Rules) and those with great dreams, who are willing to reach for the stars, take necessary action, and persist through the inevitable obstacles that will try to hinder them, will wake up one day to find themselves holding a star in their hands. Keep up the good work Oprah. Dawn Billings, M.A., LPC www.DawnBillings.com