News
Revo announces pair of new board appointments
30th October 2025Revo, the forum for UK retail-led mixed-use real estate, has announced two new appointments to its board. Toby Ogilvie Smals, director of retail investments at Savills, and Nick Thornton, founder of Aver PR, have joined Revo’s executive board as directors. In his role at Savills, Ogivile Smals leads the acquisition and disposal of retail assets on behalf of a client base that includes institutions, private equity firms, property companies, and asset managers. He has over two decades of sector expertise, having joined Savills as a graduate in 2005. In his role as founder of Aver, Thornton utilises his 30 years’ experience in the property sector to provide a range of clients in the build environment with strategic communication advice. Aver works with some of the industry’s biggest owners, asset managers, investors and advisors on some of its best known assets. Toby Ogilvie Smals said: “I’m delighted to be joining Revo at a time when the retail and leisure built environment is evolving rapidly in response to shifting consumer behaviours, capital flows, and placemaking priorities. I’m looking forward to supporting Revo’s mission by strengthening industry engagement, driving membership growth, and helping shape a commercially and socially resilient future for our urban spaces.” Nick Thornton added: “It is a privilege to be […]
Deals
Affinity brings Castore to all four of its outlet shopping centres
30th October 2025Affinity, the portfolio of four UK outlet shopping centres, has welcomed sportswear brand Castore to all of its schemes. The brand has already opened at Affinity Lancashire, Affinity Staffordshire, and Affinity Sterling Mills, with its newest store set to open at Affinity Devon in November. The new 2,313 sq ft store, located between Weird Wish and The Works, will offer a range of both men and women’s sportswear, including merchandise from sports including football, Formula 1, cricket, and golf. James Kevill, asset manager at Global Mutual, said: “It has been a great year for Affinity, and Castore’s arrival across all four of our centres is a clear vote of confidence in the portfolio. This expansion underlines both our strong relationship with leading brands and our ongoing commitment to providing the best shopping experience for our customers.”
Requirements
Toolstation appoints agents as it gears up for London expansion
23rd October 2025Toolstation has appointed GCW as it aims to open more stores within London. The trade supplies retailer is looking for high street units in prominent and visible roadside locations, ranging between 3,500 sq ft and 5,000 sq ft in size. Suitable units will have access to parking and loading. Toolstation also has an immediate requirement for smaller format stores within high street units inside London’s north and south circular roads, ranging between 2000 sq ft and 3000 sq ft and ready to open in early 2026. Target locations include:
Insights
New research reveals three markets set to dominate UK retail
11th September 2025New research from data specialists CACI and leasing agency P-Three suggests that three key markets are set to dominate the UK retail market: beauty, footwear, and social wellness. According to the report, the beauty market is being transformed by three key movements: clean beauty; Korean beauty; and accessible luxury fragrance. This shift has been reflected in occupier demand, with premium brands like Le Labo and Byredo choosing Leeds for their debuts outside of London, while Charlotte Tilbury has launched new spaces in Covent Garden and Soho. CACI’s Brand Dimensions data correlates with these trends, showing a 15% spending increase in this market comparing June 2025 with the same month in 2023. It has also noted positive performance for brands with strong store acquisition plans, with PureSeoul (+86.5%), Space NK (+20.2%), Sephora (+14.9%), and Rituals (+33.7%) all benefiting from year-on-year sales growth as of June. Meanwhile, the footwear industry is experiencing a nostalgic revival, with brands such as Crocs, Uggs, and Birkenstocks regaining their popularity. Simultaneously, the athleisure movement has continued to grow, fuelled by ‘Gorpcore’ streetwear and sneaker culture. This is evidenced by recent openings in London from brands such as Salomon, On Running, and Saucony. As a result, some […]
News
Embattled retailer Bodycare to open up to 50 stores following acquisition
29th October 2025Embattled beauty retailer Bodycare is set to open between 30 and 50 new stores in 2026 after its brand and intellectual property were acquired by the former chief executive of The Body Shop. Bodycare had fallen into administration last month and was forced to close all of its remaining stores. Now, new owner Charles Denton is planning a first wave of re-openings in early 2026 as part of a revival. These new openings – which will be mainly in the north west of England – will be subject to landlord approval. Charles Denton said: “Bodycare is much-loved and trusted – it matters deeply to the communities it serves. We now have the mandate to bring stores and jobs back by transforming Bodycare’s rich legacy into a modern, scalable and profitable business.” Nick Holloway, managing sirector at Interpath and joint administrator, added: ‘We are pleased to hand Bodycare to an experienced new owner with a clear plan to restart operations. We wish the business every success in the future.”
