News
GPE completes fully-let Duke Street St James’s development
3rd September 2026Great Portland Estates (GPE) has completed 30 Duke Street St James’s in Central London, with the mixed-use development already fully pre-let. The mixed-use scheme’s two retail units have been let to Australian menswear brand M.J. Bale and restaurant group L’Eto, while global investment firm CD&R committed to its new office headquarters in May 2025. GPE said the leasing campaign secured average rents 6.7% ahead of estimated rental values, supporting an anticipated development profit on cost of 37.1% and an ungeared internal rate of return of 30.5%. Designed by Make Architects, 30 Duke Street offers column-free floorplates, premium amenities and over 3,700 sq ft of roof terraces. Tom Crawley, senior product manager at GPE, said: “Completing 30 Duke Street St James’s fully pre-let demonstrates the strength of demand for best in class space in the heart of St James’s. The scheme reflects the quality of our product, the expertise of our team and our ability to deliver exceptional workplaces for leading global businesses.”
Deals
Northern Ireland’s The Boulevard secures debuts for Crocs and Hollister
3rd September 2026Crocs and Hollister are set to open at The Boulevard in Banbridge, with the former opening its first store in Northern Ireland. Crocs will make its national debut in September, taking a 1,733 sq ft unit at the outlet shopping centre. The store will offer the brand’s distinctive collections of clogs, sandals, trainers, and accessories. Meanwhile, Hollister will be opening its first-ever outlet store on the island of Ireland at the scheme in October. It’s second location in Northern Ireland, Hollister’s store will offer the fashion retailer’s collections of apparel, accessories, and fragrances. Crocs and Hollister join a number of retailers who have chosen the scheme for their first or only location in Northern Ireland, including Kate Spade NY, IKEA, French Connection, Adidas, Levi’s, Vila, BPerfect, TFG London, which opened a tri-brand store earlier this year, combining Hobbs, Phase Eight and Whistles under one roof. Paul McCann, asset manager at Lotus Property, said: “The arrival of Crocs and Hollister is a major endorsement of The Boulevard’s continued success and its strength in the retail market. These signings build on a continued record trading period and underline the scheme’s ability to attract leading global brands. The Boulevard is now known for a […]
Requirements
Toolstation eyes new sites as it looks to expand London and South East estate
22nd April 2026Toolstation has released its latest property requirements list as it looks to expand its store estate across Greater London and the South East. The trade supplies retailer is seeking units on high streets and trade parks ranging between 2,000 sq ft and 5,000 sq ft in size, located in prominent and visible roadside locations. Ideal units will be situated in easily accessible locations, with access to parking and loading bays essential. Target locations include: GCW has been retained to find suitable locations.
Insights
The rise of ‘treatonomics’: how changing spending patterns are affecting retail destinations
9th July 2026Times of economic difficulty and reduced consumer confidence have traditionally seen consumers tighten their purse strings, occasionally saving up for a larger purchase. But a recent shift in spending patterns suggests that shoppers are now shunning big-ticket purchases in favour of smaller, less expensive products or experiences. This concept, dubbed ‘treatonomics’, has been observed by Alex Petit, head of research and insights at Global Mutual, within the group’s portfolio of outlet shopping centres. “What we’ve seen is that cost-of-living crisis, combined with people wanting to keep on treating themselves, means that people are suddenly treating themselves on much smaller price points. That’s what we’re seeing with treatonomics”, she tells Completely Retail News. Data from the ONS found that despite increasing costs, sales volumes have remained broadly flat against pre-pandemic levels. This implies a shift towards consumers spending money less often, but instead choosing to make select purchases of higher values. “People are being very considered”, says Petit, “I think it comes from the pandemic as well, when we were all locked at home and we were deprived of a lot of things. People now have a slightly different outlook on life as there’s this hang-up psychologically, from us not being […]
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
Hines acquires trio of UK retail parks
2nd September 2026Global investment manager Hines has expanded its UK retail park portfolio with the acquisition of three fully-leased assets, totalling approximately 438,000 sq ft. The schemes, which were acquired on behalf of the Hines European Core Fund (HECF), comprise Nugent Shopping Park in Greater London, Altrincham Retail Park in Manchester, and Straiton Retail Park in Edinburgh. Nugent Shopping Park is a 139,000 sq ft scheme located in Orpington, anchored by a full-line M&S store and occupied by a range of leading national retailers. The asset benefits from a large London commuter catchment, limited competing retail park supply, and attractive rental growth prospects. Spanning 228,000 sq ft, Altrincham Retail Park serves a large catchment in North West England and is occupied by retailers including Lidl, Boots, B&Q, Currys, B&M, Pets at Home, and TK Maxx. The fully-leased asset serves an affluent customer base and offers attractive rental growth potential. Straiton Retail Park extends to 71,000 sq ft and is anchored by Home Bargains, The Food Warehouse, and Dunelm. The asset is supported by a strong tenant mix and regional catchment, as well as stable income characteristics. Hines said the acquisitions come as UK retail parks benefit from a scarcity advantage, with new […]
