rue21 comes home for a new store

Cranberry Township just got a little trendier

rue21, Inc., a leading retailer of teen apparel celebrated the grand opening of its new flagship store at Cranberry Mall on February 26. The nearly 8,000 square foot store hosts clothing and accessories for both girls and guys, including the company’s new plus-size line which will be offered to the Pittsburgh region exclusively at its Cranberry Township store.

Though rue21 is headquartered in Cranberry’s Thorn Hill Industrial Park and it hosts more than 1,120 stores in 47 states, it had never operated a location in what is essentially its back yard. When the decision came in to open up shop in Cranberry, the company pulled out all the stops. The new flagship store includes rue21’s first-ever interactive area, called the rueLounge, where customers can relax and interact with each other and is equipped with free Wi-Fi, a cellphone charging station, iPads to browse and shop the company’s website, and a flat screen TV streaming videos and branding content.

The company does not limit its focus solely to the latest clothing trends. Diversity, philanthropy, sustainability and responsible sourcing are top priorities for the business. rue21 touts its commitment to ensuring diversity in its workforce, as well as its dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of its employees and customers. The company boasts a long list of philanthropic activities and nonprofits that it supports, such as Toys for Tots, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and Threads for Teens, among many others.

 Sustainability and responsible sourcing are key components of the company’s operations, including energy efficient lighting, company-wide recycling initiatives, and requirements for vendors to provide documentation that the materials used to manufacture products sold in rue21 stores are produced in compliance with laws on forced labor and human trafficking. According to the company, these priorities are “goals that will never go out of style.” More about rue21...