Posts from October 2022

Game4Padel, the provider of Padel leisure courts in the UK, has confirmed it plans to open at up to 50 new venues across the UK. Padel is a highly popular, emerging sport which incorporates aspects of tennis, badminton and squash and is played with small racquets without strings. Game4Padel wants to partner with a wide range of venues, including leisure centres, sports clubs and increasingly, commercial venues such as retail centres. Michael Gradon, CEO of Game4Padel said: “We have plans to open courts at up to 50 new venues in the next year, and so accessing a court will be much easier for people all across the country.” To raise its profile in the UK, an exhibition court will be built at Westfield London from 5-7 November and will feature stars on the court such as Andy and Jamie Murray, Andrew Castle, and Annabel Croft. Game4Padel will be working with Swedish company Instantpadel, which develops courts which can be erected in just under six hours. Instantpadel’s Christoffer Granfelt said: “Our-world unique solution combined with Game4Padel’s knowledge of the UK market, will allow us to rapidly expand the availability of courts all across the UK, particularly in urban settings.”

News

IKEA to launch ‘Plan & Order’ points in the North West

IKEA is set to unveil three new Plan & Order stores this winter. The Swedish retailer will open the new stores in retail parks and shopping centres in Aintree, Preston, and Stockport. IKEA looks to strengthen its physical presence in the area, which it calls a ‘key region’, by also expanding its service offering. The plan and order points will offer a ‘free, bespoke design consultation with experienced IKEA kitchen and bedroom storage experts.’ Marsha Smith, the Deputy Country Retail Manager for IKEA UK & Ireland said: “Our investment in the North West is part of our long-term plan to transform our retail business, making it easier for our customers to shop using a number of convenient ways. With a variety of stores, service offers and digital solutions that complement each other, our aim is to be there for customers, however they want to meet us.”

News

Bensons for Beds to launch new outlet format

Bensons for Beds is set to open a new outlet in Lakeside Village in Doncaster on Friday. The 4,700 square foot shop, called Bensons Outlet, will be the first of its kind and will offer up to 60% off the retail price on branded furniture and bedding. Frankie Haynes, the chief customer officer of Bensons for Beds, said: “We know that households are feeling the pinch right now and Bensons Outlet is an exciting new pilot that enables us to bring high quality items at fantastic value for money”. “All our other Bensons stores will continue to provide discounts and value for money, but our new outlet in Doncaster will be special, giving customers special deals on items they can take away that day.” Bensons for Beds has seen around 20 new stores open since the beginning of December. Other stores in Lakeside Village include Clarks, M&S Outlet, Next Outlet, and Mountain Warehouse.

News

Marks & Spencer plans to boost Ocado food delivery

Marks & Spencer has launched a comprehensive review to expand and improve its food delivery operation with partner Ocado. M&S chief executive, Stuart Machin, wants to increase M&S’s share of the UK’s food spending in stores and online by more than 25%. Newly appointed Ocado chief executive, Hannah Gibson, will spearhead the review to make the M&S/Ocado partnership even more competitive with rival grocers, such as Sainsbury’s and Waitrose. The review’s aims include increasing M&S’s food range availability from the current 75% offering to almost 100% via Ocado. Bosses are also keen to appeal to budget-conscious shoppers by having more products available from the ‘Remarkable,’ range.

News

Morrisons in supermarket sell off

Morrisons plans to sell a portfolio of five stores to boost its balance sheet in the current uncertain economic conditions. The supermarket giant’s owner Clayton Dubilier and Rice (CD&R) is reportedly seeking a sale and lease back deal for the stores. The move is considered to be the first of its kind in Morrisons 123-year history. According to The Sunday Times, property advisor BNP Paribas, is seeking buyers for the stores, which come with 20-year leases and rental uplifts linked to inflation. CD&R is seeking circa £150m for the portfolio. CD&R acquired the grocer in a highly-leveraged £7bn deal last year. The deal was approved by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in June. The owner’s plans follow on from a separate proposed sale and lease back of Morrisons warehouses and food manufacturing sites. Morrisons currently own 86% of its 497 supermarkets.

News

Why use a retail property agent?

Considering purchasing or renting a retail property? Particularly if this is a first for your business, it can be daunting to know where to start. This is when it is a good idea to use a retail property agent. The role of a retail property agent is not only to market and promote properties on behalf of the landlord, but also to act as an intermediary between the seller and prospective buyer, or landlord and prospective tenant, to ensure that both sides are satisfied with the outcome of the deal. Here are a few ways retail property agents use their expertise to help save you time, money and stress during the process of finding your ideal retail space. Knowledge of the area When deciding to expand your business into a new area, it is a great idea to have someone in your corner who understands the local market. Local agents will have excellent knowledge of the current market trends in their area and can use their experience to your advantage. Likewise, local agents will also have a good grasp of demographics, footfall and competition within the area and can help you decide whereabouts your business is most likely to thrive....

Advice

Dobbies set to open flagship store in November

24th October 2022

Garden centre retailer Dobbies has announced the launch of one of its ‘biggest to date’ stores in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. The retailer will open the 70,000 sq. ft. garden centre off the M5 at Ashchurch on November 3 which will feature a Waitrose food hall as well as a soft play area for children. Dobbies said in a statement that it expects to welcome more than 750,000 customers each year and that around 100 new jobs would be created for the local community. Graeme Jenkins, the Chief Executive of Dobbies Garden centres said: “Our Tewkesbury store marks another major milestone for Dobbies and our growth strategy, and I am extremely proud of all the hard work that has gone into creating our flagship centre.” The new store will be the first in a new phase of major development in the area, which will see the forthcoming Cotswold Designer Outlet expected to open in 2024, and more than 1,300 houses built to the south.

News

Moomin seeking locations in Central London

24th October 2022

Originally created by Swedish-speaking Finnish author and artist Tove Jansson in 1945, the Moomin books have developed into a globally-recognised brand generating over 900 million dollars in sales annually. The brand has gone from strength to strength in recent years, as the current Moominvalley TV series has been broadcast in over 50 countries, there are now two Moomin theme parks, and Moomin has an audience of over 1 million fans across all its social channels. Moomin is now seeking additional locations in Central London to open shops selling branded products such as clothing, homeware and jewellery. There are already more than 30 Moomin Shops and Moomin Cafes globally, including two shops in London (Covent Garden and Camden). Despite children being the initial target audience, the age profile and demographic of visitors to the Moomin shops is very broad. The cartoons featured in the London Evening News in the 1950s, and on TV in the 1980s and 90s, so the brand retains a strong adult fanbase in the UK. The UK is responsible for 30% of the global Moomin Shop’s online sales. Requirements Locations: Size: 600 to 1,200 sq ft Contact Richard Wassell of twentyretail has been appointed to find suitable...

Requirements

Toys “R” Us to trial partnership with WHSmith

24th October 2022

Toy store Toys “R” Us has reached an agreement with WHSmith to open nine shop-in-shops within the stationers. The stores are set to open in the first half of 2023 and the trial will initially last 12 months, with a possible extension if an agreement can be made. The toy store will receive a fixed percentage royalty fee based on sales revenue, while WHSmith will be responsible for any costs associated with the shop-in-shop’s operating installations. Toys “R” Us went into administration in the UK in 2018 but declared a return last year, and recently announced the launch of two flagship online stores, with dedicated sites for both Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us. Yehuda Shmidman, the CEO of Toys “R” Us parent company WHP Global, said: “The momentum behind the Toys “R” Us brand and its return to key markets including the UK and United States has been phenomenal. Since acquiring the brand in March of last year, we have grown its global footprint by 50% and we are still in early innings for what customers can expect from both Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us as we head into 2023.”

News

ASOS plans to open a physical store

Asos is planning on opening a physical shop to sell discounted clothes to shoppers. The new boss of Asos, José Antonio Ramos Calamonte, announced that the online fashion retailer was “exploring all options” to get rid of excess stock. This would consist of out of season clothes put on sale that the online retail giant has not been able to shift. If it happens, it would be the first time Asos has opened a physical store in the UK. The need to clear stock comes after Asos reported a collapse in profits and it said it would post a loss for the next six months. Calamonte also said that Asos had hiked prices this year. It said the cost of goods had gone up by “mid-single digits”.

News

Søstrene Grene to make its Scottish debut at St Enoch Centre

Danish retailer Søstrene Grene has announced it will open its first ever store in Scotland at the St Enoch Centre. With its contemporary Scandinavian style, Søstrene Grene will welcome shoppers to the brand’s first Scottish store to discover a world of homeware and ‘hygge’ inspiration – a special state of contentment, warmth and belonging to the present. The home accessories and lifestyle brand will be selling its affordable furniture, kitchenware, home accessories, wellbeing, stationery, toys and much more. The brand prides itself on setting prices that are never higher than they need be. And just in time for Christmas, the store also boasts a selection of festive decorations and items for DIY wreath-making. The family-owned retailer was created by sisters Anna and Clare in 1973 with the aim of bringing ‘beauty to everyday life’ and Søstrene Grene currently operates more than 260 stores in 15 countries worldwide.

Deals News

Merry Hill leads the West Midlands with new EV infrastructure

Sovereign Centros has announced the installation of 32 twin-socket electric vehicle (EV) charging points at Merry Hill, a top 10 UK retail and leisure destination. EV charging specialist Zest has invested in the centre to deploy the charge points and provide long-term operation. With the ability to charge 64 cars simultaneously, this is one of the largest EV charging initiatives in the West Midlands. Responding to consumer demand to address the current undersupply in the local area, Merry Hill’s EV chargers consist of two different types: fast and rapid. Selected to reflect the average customer dwell time at Merry Hill, visitors are able to charge while they shop, with the 22kW fast chargers adding 90 miles’ range in just one hour. A selection of rapid chargers are also available, which can fully charge most cars in less than an hour, providing customers with options to match the purpose of their visit to the centre. According to research conducted by CACI earlier this year, 68% of consumers who intend to own an EV will visit retailers and businesses more frequently if they provide the right charging facilities. With EV sales up by 76% in the UK in 2021, and 42% of consumers indicating...

News

Retail sales fall to below pre-Covid levels

Retail sales fell to below pre-Covid levels in September, according to ONS data, due to the cost-of-living crisis and store closures for the Queen’s funeral. Sales volumes were down -0.3% in September compared to February 2020, while sales values jumped 11.8%, due to inflation. Month on month sales volumes dipped 1.5% and were down 6.2% compared to September 2021. Lisa Hooker, PWC industry leader for consumer markets, said: “Worryingly, September was the first month post-lockdown when retail sales volumes dipped below pre-pandemic levels, suggesting that consumers’ post-Covid pent-up demand may have fully unwound.” She claims that this does not bode well for retailers over the Christmas period. “There is no question that the momentum is downward as retailers enter the critical Golden Quarter period in the run up to Christmas,” “Political and economic uncertainty, combined with increasing utility bills and the threat of higher mortgage interest rates will put a severe dampener on consumer spending in the coming months. Lower demand, cost inflation and political uncertainty will also be weighing on retailers, who will without doubt be battening down the hatches for the bitter winter ahead.” Grocery store sales volumes fell by 1.8% in September, which leaves them 3.2% below...

Insights

TAG Heuer launches new boutique at Lakeside

The Watches of Switzerland Group has opened a TAG Heuer boutique in the Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex. The store’s contemporary interior is an homage to the brand’s heritage in motoring, with tones of grey and TAG Heuer’s distinctive red. The managing director of TAG Heuer Europe, Rob Diver, expressed his excitement at working with ‘long standing partner’ The Watches of Switzerland Group to re-locate to the larger space in the Lakeside Shopping Centre. ‘The team will welcome existing as well as new customers into the new concept boutique and offer the full TAG Heuer experience, sharing their expertise in the search of the perfect timepiece’, he added. The store will offer TAG Heuer’s latest releases including limited edition pieces as part of a catalogue containing over 150 timepieces. The president of the Watches of Switzerland Group UK & Europe, Craig Bolton, expressed his delight at the opening of the ‘beautiful’ TAG Heuer Boutique. He added that he was ‘excited to see the Watches of Switzerland and TAG Heuer partnership grow from strength to strength.’

News

Gilly Hicks and Clarks snap up former Topshop unit at Manchester Arndale

Manchester Arndale is delighted to announce that Gilly Hicks and Clarks will be moving into part of the former Topshop space, taking two newly created units. Gilly Hicks’ new store coincides with its sister company Hollister moving to the centre’s former Disney Store unit. Clarks, the popular British footwear brand, will occupy a 3,551 sq ft unit on a 10-year lease. This will be Clarks’ only store in Manchester city centre, located in a prime position on New Cannon Street. This coincides with the announcement that iFix and Pizza Hut will also be joining the lineup. These arrivals follow a flurry of other new lettings that include Pure Fashion, who recently committed to a 3,709 sq ft store on a five-year lease, Debenhams.com, Tommy Hilfiger, Pandora, Canada Goose, Kick Game, Carvela and Kurt Geiger with other retailers demonstrating their confidence in the scheme by renewing their leases. This surge of leasing news follows the announcement that Manchester Arndale is now at 95% retail occupancy, confirming its position as one of the premier shopping destinations in the North West. Colin Flinn, spokesperson for Manchester Arndale, said: “We are delighted that Clarks, Gilly Hicks, iFix and Pizza Hut have decided to join the line...

Deals

Watch: Alex Schlagman discusses The Vacancy Partnership

On the 27th of September SaveTheHighStreet.org announced the launch of the Vacancy Partnership. At the Completely Retail Marketplace 2022 event, Alex Schlagman, Co-Founder of SavetheHighStreet.org explained the motivation behind the partnership: “The reality is we are going through the most transformational period in the entire history of high streets and town centres, it feels like every week theres a new crisis in the news. A number of industry partners have come together and said how do we turn this on it’s head, how do we look at vacancy as a catalyst for positive change, how do we look at it as an opportunity…how do we encourage and support a new generation of high street entrepreneurs.”

Insights News

Lush to open new store at Victoria Station

Lush has reopened its store in Victoria Station with a new shop design and dedicated consultation area to celebrate 22 years within the station. At it’s re-opening Lush Victoria Station will be hosting in-store product making and will offer an extra treat to the first 50 customers. Christopher Morris Mills, Lush Victoria Trainee Manager commented: “We are thrilled to be re-opening our doors to the wonderful commuters of London Victoria Station and can’t wait for our local community to experience all that our new space has to offer. This re-model comes at an incredibly exciting time of year for us as we will re-open with both our Halloween and Christmas ranges in full force, ready to make the end of this year one to remember. The teams involved in this project have worked tirelessly to bring our shop up to date with dynamic visual displays to showcase all the innovative cosmetics that we have to offer. We look forward to welcoming everyone back through our doors very soon.” In 2022 Lush will make a retail investment approximately £7.6m for new shops, relocations and refits across the UK&I and Europe. As part of Lush’s mission to ‘Leave the world Lusher than...

News

Pilkington heads up brand new Completely Retail news service