News
Landsec ups stake in Bluewater
13th October 2026Landsec has completed the acquisition of an additional 10% stake in the Bluewater shopping centre in Kent for £95m. The real estate investment trust said the acquisition price represents a yield of 7.4%, based on the net rental income that the group’s existing investment is currently generating. Landsec said that the acquisition increases its ownership interest in Bluewater to 74% and improves the operational flexibility of its overall investment, driving additional efficiency benefits. Over the five months to 31 August 2026, retail sales at Bluewater were up 7.4% and footfall increased 3.0%, ahead of the UK national averages of -1.7% and 0% respectively. Landsec first purchased a stake in the shopping centre in June 2014, taking 30% ownership. It then upped its interest by £172m in December 2021 and then by £120m in 2024.
Deals
Hampshire shopping centre reaches full occupancy following Deichmann signing
7th October 2026Princes Mead Shopping Centre in Farnborough, Hampshire, has reached full occupancy following the signing of Deichmann. Opening before Christmas, the footwear retailer’s new store will offer a range of national brands and independents for men, women, and children. The opening marks a milestone for Princes Mead, with every retail unit within the mall occupied once Deichmann opens its doors. Located in Farnborough town centre, Princes Mead brings together over 30 stores, with retailers at the scheme including Boots, JD Sports, Clarks, Holland & Barrett, The Works, and Yours, alongside independent shops such as Dress Mode, Party Buzm and The Crafters Collective. The F&B mix includes the likes of Costa Coffee, Subway, and a recently refurbished Burger King. Duncan Coombes, centre manager at Princes Mead, said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming Deichmann to Princes Mead. Its range of affordable footwear will be a welcome addition for our shoppers, and reaching 100% occupancy makes this opening a particularly proud moment for the centre. “Our focus is on making Princes Mead a place that serves local people, with shops they value and reasons to visit throughout the year. This milestone is an opportunity to thank our retailers and the community for their continued […]
Requirements
Costa Coffee brews up further expansion
8th September 2026Costa Coffee has unveiled its latest property requirements as it looks to continue its expansion across England, Scotland, and Wales. The coffee shop chain, working with its long-standing partner Savills, is looking to open new locations in retail parks and shopping centres, as well as on high streets and within travel locations. Costa Coffee is also looking to open drive-through units in out-of-town retail locations. Ideal units will range in size between 1,250 sq ft and 2,200 sq ft and be located adjacent to foodstores, retail warehousing, and leisure space. Within retail parks, Costa is seeking units ranging between 1,500 sq ft and 2,500 sq ft in size with external seating. Freestanding or in-line units will be considered, with nearby car parking a necessity. Ideal units will be situated in out-of-town locations with significant traffic flow, adjacent to foodstores, and retail and leisure clusters. In high street and shopping centre destinations, Costa is looking for units between 1,500 sq ft and 2,500 sq ft with outside seating. Locations such as universities, hospitals, and leisure destinations will also be considered. The operator is also looking to open new sites within travel locations such as transport hubs and train stations with significant […]
Insights
Alliance Retail Exchange: Retail space is the name of the game in the out-of-town market
2nd October 2026A lack of quality out-of-town space continues to be the challenge faced by retailers in 2026, according to the delegates Completely Retail News spoke to at September’s Alliance Retail Exchange (ARX) event. Demand for retail warehousing space remains high, but many retailers and operators are continuing to find a lack of churn to be the biggest obstacle to their expansion plans. As a result, rents are expected to grow, while landlords and prospective tenants are having to be more creative to create new opportunities in the out-of-town market. This may lead to the development of new stock, the splitting of existing units, or the creation of new formats. The event, which was sponsored by PureGym, was held at The Brewery in London and attracted over 500 delegates, including agents, landlords, and retailers. The morning of the event saw a welcome speech and breakfast before the floor was opened to dealmaking. This was followed by a presentation by Savills’ Sam Arrowsmith and George Trimmer, which looked at the lack of out-of-town space available to retailers. The presentation highlighted how, outside of drive through formats and bespoke discount grocery stores, no new stock is coming to the market. That said, the general […]
Advice
Turn lease events from growing pains into commercial gains
10th March 2026By Simon Matley, director for dilapidations and occupier services at TFT After a period of acquisition, a large commercial retail portfolio can become either a major liability or a powerful cost saver for retailers who need every advantage they can get in a challenging consumer market. For national multiples and high street brands, often with sizeable portfolios numbering in the hundreds of units, or for smaller regional operations that are growing at speed, flexibility and control are hugely important. Brands today are adapting their portfolios in light of changing consumer behaviour and omni-channel retailing, and this is shaped by the increasingly sophisticated data capture that allows them to better understand stock, fulfilment, customer behaviour, and operations. For many who have been acquiring premises over the past 10 years, they will almost certainly find that data allows them to be more efficient in the space they need, not least because of the growth of last mile logistics and on demand deliveries which enables occupiers to be nimble in how they use their spaces. Whether they operate on the high street, in retail parks or rely on distribution centres, retailers want to scale fast, explore new territory and snap up the right […]
News
Bodycare opens new ‘Studio Store’ concept at Merry Hill
13th October 2026Bodycare has opened a new store at Merry Hill in the West Midlands, expanding on the scheme’s existing health and beauty offer. The retailer’s new 3,000 sq ft ‘Studio Store’ concept looks to combine Bodycare’s everyday offer with dedicated spaces for discovery, entertainment, and community activity. At the store’s heart is a fully equipped professional Creator Studio, available free of charge to local creators. This opening follows the recent opening of Superdrug’s refurbished store at Merry Hill, which spans 12,831 sq ft and is the brand’s largest store in its UK estate. Alistair Winning, leasing manager for Redical, said: “Merry Hill is constantly evolving to reflect the needs and expectations of our catchment, and Bodycare’s new Studio Store is a great example of how we are continuing to broaden and strengthen our offer. Its combination of health and beauty, and community activity aligns perfectly with our wider all-day proposition, while bringing something fresh and engaging to our customers, giving them another reason to visit time and time again.” David Stern, managing director of Bodycare, added: “We’re re-introducing Bodycare in a completely new way, creating stores that combine outstanding value with discovery, creativity and community. Merry Hill and its community focus […]
