Zagat Releases 2007 NYC Shopping Survey

Zagat Survey today debuted its newly designed 2007 New York City Shopping guide with over 7,500 shoppers weighing in on the hottest spots to shop til you drop. Covering 2,324 of the city's best stores, including 167 newcomers, the guide proves once again that New York City has anything and everything available to satisfy shoppers.

"New York City is constantly evolving and reinventing itself," said Tim Zagat, CEO of Zagat Survey, "and the city's shopping scene exemplifies this."

Who Doesn't Love a Makeover? Every fashionista knows how important a style make-over can be. It seems only fitting that the 2007 New York City Shopping guide is the first book to showcase Zagat's new look. The user-friendly guide is the first in a series of redesigned books that will launch a whole new look for Zagat for the remainder of 2007 and beyond. Besides a new cover and graphics, the bulked up guide contains several other new features, including a new list of icons, an introduction packed with information about trends and newcomers, a fold out color map, and neighborhood maps that zoom in on key locations.

Top Newcomers: From beautiful boutiques to fabulous flagships, the 167 additions to this year's guide offer endless options for serious shoppers. Whether shoppers crave the "couture luxury" at Guy Laroche, or the "effortlessly chic aesthetic" at Rogan, these newcomers are just a few of the noteworthy gems that are guaranteed to satisfy all shopping needs -- and wants.

Top Rated Newcomers: Fashion/Beauty

1. Guy Laroche

2. Lancome

3. Porsche Design

4. Rogan

5. Tracy Reese

Top Rated Newcomers: Home/Garden

1. Alessi

2. Signoria

3. Kate's At Home

4. Madura

Top Rated Newcomers: Lifestyle

1. Greenwich Letterpress

2. Morgan Library

3. Samsonite Black Label

4. Toy Space

5. Nokia

Comeback Kid: Though SoHo sales slipped post 9/11, the area is experiencing a revival, largely fueled by foreign retailers and big brand name businesses. Newcomers such as M Missoni, True Religion and UGG Australia have helped entice shoppers to spend their cash on the streets of SoHo. Japanese companies spiced up the scene, led by the "fresh, fun" Nave, hip childrenswear find, Trico Field, and the massive manufacturer Uniqlo, which offers, "disposable clothing at its finest." Not to be left out, Italian home-goods companies Alessi, Sicis and Salviati also entered the neighborhood, and British imports Ben Sherman, Mulberry and Ochre settled in as well. Germany's Oska and Sweden's skateboarder and snowboard inspired WeSC round out the Euro- Asian invasion. Surveyors have taken note, voting SoHo their favorite NYC shopping neighborhood.

Flashy Flagships: With so many stores to choose from, 61% of surveyors said that the thing that most influences them to check out a store is the way it looks. Among the flashy flagships vying for shopper's affections, there is the gleaming glass cube that marks the entrance to Apple's new Fifth Avenue store, Anthropologie's two-story Rockefeller Center branch complete with an art gallery and Puma's latest endeavor in Union Square. With storefronts as fashionable as the items sold inside, it's no wonder these flagships have caught shopper's eyes.

The Guide: As with all Zagat guidebooks, the 2007 New York City Shopping survey is made by consumers for consumers. In addition to Top Lists for Popularity, Quality, Presentation, Service, and Good Values, the guide also includes a list and map of Key Newcomers, and individual maps for neighborhoods. Stores' quality ratings are also categorized by fashion/beauty, home/garden, lifestyle, and location, with subcategories from active wear to accessories, silver to stationary and cookware to cameras.

The 2007 New York City Shopping guide ($14.95) was edited by Catherine Bigwood, Randi Gollin and Troy Segal and is available at bookstores, by calling (888) 371-5440, and online at ZAGAT.com.

About Zagat Survey, LLC

Zagat Survey is the world's leading provider of consumer survey-based leisure content. With more than 250,000 surveyors, Zagat Survey rates and reviews restaurants, hotels, nightlife, movies, music, golf, shopping and a range of other entertainment categories. Zagat content is available in print, on the Web, on the Palm and Pocket PC operating systems, on mobile phones, and on TV. For more information, visit ZAGAT.com.