Latest Retail News

ME Asset Management acquires 132-bed Swansea hotel

3rd February 2026

ME Swansea, a subsidiary of ME Asset Management, has acquired a 132-bed Premier Inn hotel in Swansea, supported by a £9.6m loan facility provided by ASK Partners. The hotel, operated under a long occupational lease to Whitbread PLC with ten years unexpired, occupies a prominent waterfront location, benefitting from year-round demand driven by tourism, business travel, and regeneration across the city. ME Asset Management specialises in repositioning overlooked or underperforming properties through strategic investment and asset enhancement. Backed by a consortium of property professionals, the business is looking to establish itself as a new entrant in the operational real estate space. Mike Ginsberg, investment manager at ASK, said: “This loan presented an attractive opportunity to finance a well-located, income-producing asset with a strong operator covenant. The long lease to Whitbread provides cashflow visibility, while Swansea’s ongoing regeneration creates compelling demand fundamentals for quality hospitality assets. We were pleased to support ME Swansea on a transaction that aligns closely with our lending strategy.” Verender Badial, CEO of ME Asset Management, added: “This acquisition reflects our focus on high-quality, income-producing assets in resilient regional markets. Swansea continues to attract significant inward investment, and the Premier Inn is exceptionally well located. ASK has been an […]

Christie & Co makes four appointments to retail and leisure team

3rd February 2026

Specialist property adviser Christie & Co has appointed four business agents to its retail and leisure team, a move which it said reflects strong market activity and growing demand in the retail sector. Martin Ward has joined the team to cover the Scottish market. Based in Glasgow, Ward brings over 20 years of experience in the property market across Scotland and England, having held senior roles with leading agencies. Harry Coughlin has been appointed to cover the West Midlands and surrounding counties, including Warwickshire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, and the Welsh Borders. He brings 12 years of property experience, having worked across corporate and independent agencies as well as running his own firm. After starting his Christie & Co career in the pubs and restaurants team, he now brings his expertise to the retail sector. Also joining Christie & Co’s retail and leisure team is Jack Guest, who will cover the South West region, including Gloucestershire, the Cotswolds, Herefordshire, and South and Mid Wales. Finally, Chris Nay joins to cover North Wales and Merseyside, bringing a decade of sales experience to the role. Steve Rodell, managing director of retail and leisure at Christie & Co, said: “We are...

News

CBRE IM offloads Richmond retail parade

3rd February 2026

CBRE Investment Management (CBRE IM) has sold 35-40 The Quadrant in Richmond upon Thames to a London-based property company. The retail parade provides 5,752 sq ft of accommodation and is fully let to Greggs, Flying Tiger, Flight Centre, and Snappy Snaps. The property occupies a prominent trading position on The Quadrant, located between Richmond Station and George Street, benefitting from high levels of footfall. Forge advised CBRE IM, whilst Jackson Criss acted for the buyer. Joe Baio, equity partner at Forge, said: “We were delighted to advise our client, CBRE IM, on the successful disposal of 35-40 The Quadrant. A full-scale marketing campaign generated a competitive bidding process, attracting both domestic and international capital and delivered a strong exit for our client. The transaction reflects the depth of investor demand for well-located high street assets, even where comprehensive asset management has been delivered, but the long-term fundamentals remain compelling.”

Deals

MINISO signs at Cribbs as Skechers set to upsize

2nd February 2026

MINISO is set to join the retail lineup at Cribbs Mall, as Skechers invests in an upsize at the Bristol shopping centre. The pop culture retailer has signed a 10-year lease for a 2,300 sq ft unit, which will open later this year. The store will offer a range of products including plush collectibles and toys, blind boxes, beauty products, accessories, and snacks. Meanwhile, footwear retailer Skechers is set to upsize to a new 4,700 sq ft unit after signing a 10-year lease. This follows significant upgrades at Cribbs Mall from the likes of Mango, H&M, and River Island, alongside the arrivals of AllSaints and Animal last year. Katie Searle, director of asset management at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, said: “The arrival of MINISO and Skechers upsize comes as we continue to evolve the retail line-up at Cribbs to ensure we cater for our growing GenZ audience. Innovative and growing brands such as MINISO and Skechers are queueing up to join our line-up at Cribbs thanks to us having the second largest catchment of all UK regional malls. “This shopper base continues to grow thanks to the increased investment taking place across the Cribbs Causeway area, including the neighbouring Brabazon […]

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK

Completely Retail

8 Margaret Street

The subject comprises a single storey ground floor retail unit of block construction and a roughcast finish. The property sits under a pitched and slated roof and has two retail windows which fronts Margaret Street. Internally, the property is largely open plan in nature with a WC off the main entrance. There is an external courtyard exclusive to the property accessible from a rear door and gate off Margaret Street.

Requirements

Costa Coffee looks to brew up new openings

26th January 2026

Costa Coffee has released its latest list of requirements as it looks to expand its presence across the UK. The coffee shop chain, which opened over 80 new stores in 2025, is seeking units located in retail parks, high streets, shopping centres, and travel destinations. The operator is also looking to expand its drive-through estate. 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 footfall. Ideal units will extend to at least 125 sq ft, with grab-and-go kiosk units, standard retail units, and conversions considered. Costa is also seeking drive-through units ranging between 1,250 sq ft and 2,200 sq […]

Insights

Comment: Supporting Small Business scheme ‘prolongs the agony’ for hospitality and retail sector

27th January 2026

As the Government plans to introduce new measures to deal with business rates from April this year, a leading specialist on business rates at Form Property believes that retailers, pubs and restaurants in the UK are quietly heading towards a business rates reckoning – and some won’t survive it. Andrea Barnes, head of business rates at Form Property, says that the retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) sector is already ‘on life support’: “In recent years, many businesses have absorbed the loss of vital retail and hospitality relief – previously worth 75 per cent but reduced from April 2025 to 40 per cent. Layer on top of that the new legislation fixing multipliers at a minimum of 0.38, plus rising rateable values at the 2026 revaluation, and the numbers quickly become unworkable. “For a typical independent pub or restaurant, rates bills are set to rise by an average of £8,000-£10,000 a year from April 2026. In some cases, increases are even higher – enough to swallow margins that are often already razor-thin. “If the Government doesn’t act quickly, the fallout will be dramatic. New modelling from the UK hospitality trade body shows around six pubs, restaurants, hotels and other hospitality venues […]

Advice

Finding the right retail property for you

20th March 2024

Every business is unique, and for those who want to enter the world of physical retail, finding the right property is no different.

Third.i Group secures supermarket as first commercial leasing at Vauxhall’s Graphite Square

30th January 2026

Third.i Group, the British division of Australian developer Third.i, has signed Sainsbury’s as its first commercial tenant at the Graphite Square regeneration scheme in Vauxhall, London. The supermarket retailer has agreed to take a ground floor unit on a substantial lease term, with the store expected to open in the first half of 2026. Sainsbury’s will look to provide convenience and neighbourhood retailing to Graphite Square’s 250 plus residents, as well as the residential community within Vauxhall and Nine Elms alongside the area’s working and commuting population. The store will blend into Graphite Square’s new public realm which aims to improve pedestrian connectivity between Vauxhall station and Albert Embankment. Designed by Ben Adams Architects, the public realm has been integrated into the wider development, featuring dedicated urban greening additions and contemporary street furniture. Julian Baker, sales director at Third.i Group (UK), said: “The arrival of Sainsbury’s Local at Graphite Square marks an important first step in bringing every day, community-focused retail to the heart of Vauxhall and reinforces Third.i’s vision for Graphite Square as a dynamic mixed-use development. This leasing reflects our commitment to delivering developments that respond to modern urban lifestyles and contribute meaningfully to Vauxhall’s future.” Jonathan Arthur,...

News

Princesshay Exeter hails strong performance in first full year under new ownership

3rd February 2026

Princesshay in Exeter is hailing strong trading and leasing performance in 2025, its first full year under the ownership of Frasers Group. Over the course of the year, Princesshay welcomed 10.7 million visitors, a year-on-year increase of 6.4%. Growth was recorded every month when compared to 2024, with December delivering an uplift of 9.8%, ahead of benchmarks for the South West (+3.3%) and the UK (+0.1%), according to Springboard MRI. This increase in footfall was supported by continued leasing activity at Princesshay in 2025: over the course of the year, 13 new lettings and 19 lease renewals were completed – extending to over 100,000 sq ft. This included Frasers Group-owned units on Sidwell Street and Paris Street. High-profile brands that opened at the shopping centre in 2025 included Sweaty Betty and Victoria’s Secret. This momentum has continued into 2026, with Charles Tyrwhitt set to open next month and Pandora relocating to a central mall unit in February. Plans are also progressing for the redevelopment of the former Debenhams store and the reimagining of the adjacent restaurant blocks as a means to revitalise the Cathedral-facing outdoor square. Frasers Group acquired Princesshay in 2024. Victoria Chantler, asset manager at Sovereign Centros CBRE, […]

More Latest Retail News

Affinity outlet portfolio sees strong start to 2026

2nd February 2026

Affinity, a portfolio of four UK outlet shopping destinations, has begun 2026 with year-on-year increases in footfall and sales. Across the four schemes, footfall in the first week of the year was up on average by 14.3%. At Affinity Lancashire alone, this increase was 23.5%. Portfolio-wide sales during the same period were up by 16.2% year-on-year, with Affinity Lancashire again leading performance, delivering an increase of 17.9%. This performance comes after a successful 2025 for the Affinity portfolio, during which every centre delivered a year-on-year sales uplift compared with 2024. Affinity Devon led the portfolio, achieving a 4% annual sales increase. This was underpinned by a standout year for leasing, with both Affinity Staffordshire and Lancashire reaching 100% occupancy. A range of new openings were delivered during the year, including Castore at Affinity Lancashire and Staffordshire, Skechers and Tesco Express at Affinity Sterling Mills, and Pure Gym at Affinity Devon. James Kevill, asset manager at Global Mutual, said: “2025 proved to be a highly successful year across all four Affinity schemes. A clear focus on optimising the retailer mix, deepening community integration and enhancing the customer experience delivered tangible value, reflected in increased footfall and spend. With a strong foundation firmly […]

Investment group acquires Sevenoaks retail asset

2nd February 2026

Private real estate investment group Compagnie Du Parc (CdP) has acquired the Bligh’s Meadow retail asset in Sevenoaks in partnership with RevCap. The scheme extends to 77,000 sq ft and is home to tenants including Gail’s, Whistles, Costa, Cook, and Holland & Barrett. The acquisition represents a shift in strategy for CdP, which has traditionally focused on industrial assets in Greater London. The group is now looking to target uncovered shopping centres and high street blocks in affluent towns in the South East. Jonathan Coenca, managing director of CdP UK, said: “It was important for us to be highly selective with our first retail acquisition, and Bligh’s Meadow represents exactly the type of asset we have conviction in – a dominant, open air scheme in an affluent town with strong fundamentals and clear long-term relevance. “This transaction demonstrates our commitment to the UK market and our ability to deploy capital in different ways, including alongside joint-venture partners such as RevCap. We remain very active in the light industrial market and continue to look for further opportunities across both sectors.” Knight Frank, Moorhall Capital and Kingsley Napley advised CdP and RevCap. JLL advised the vendor. Estama has been appointed as to...

Highcross Leicester completes nine new lettings in first year under new centre director

2nd February 2026

Highcross Leicester completed nine new lettings and saw continued investment from existing tenants in 2025, its first year under the management of a new centre director. Since the appointment of Michelle Menezes, brands such as Mango, Wingstop, Maki & Ramen, and Space NK opened their first locations in Leicester at the scheme, which also welcomed the likes of Rituals, Superdrug, Nomination, Austen & Blake, and Bill’s. Alongside these additions, Highcross saw investment in 2025 from tenants such as H&M, which completed a revamp of its store, alongside a number of refits, upsizes, and refurbishments from other retailers. Michelle Menezes, centre director at Highcross Leicester, said: “My first year has been about getting the fundamentals right – listening to our retailers and shoppers, supporting their performance and ensuring the centre is well placed for long-term success. “In a challenging market, retailers are rightly selective about where they invest. Our focus has been on creating the right environment in terms of space, experience and partnerships to offer a commercially sustainable destination, and it’s encouraging to see that reflected in both new lettings and continued reinvestment. “There’s no doubt the retail and leisure industries have faced real challenges over the past year. However, […]
News

SHW: Out-of-town retail sector remained strong in 2025

30th January 2026

The retail warehousing sector remained strong throughout 2025, according to property advisory SHW’s Q1 2026 Retail Focus report. The report found that retail warehousing was the standout sector within retail, with low vacancy rates, supply side constraints, and occupier demand leading to sustained rental growth in 2025. SHW found that the investment market also continued to be buoyant in 2025, with over £2bn transacted. Although lower than 2024, investment volumes were in-line with the 10-year average, with returns on retail warehousing averaging 9.8% over the last 12 months. Investment activity focused in particular on good secondary stock, which can offer a more attractive return, with investors such as Redevco and Realty amongst those looking to capitalise on these opportunities. Jeremy Good, director at SHW, said: “The occupational sector also remains robust. Vacancy rates remain relatively low at approximately 5%, and those units that came to the market following the failures of both Homebase and Carpetright were acquired by a range of other operators including food retailers, DIY stores, discount retailers and gym operators. We have also seen an increase in strategic acquisition of freehold interests of solus stores by a number of retailers to secure vacant possession for their own […]
News