Retail Property News

Ikea opens first of three new small-format stores

24th July 2025

Ikea has opened the first of three new smaller format stores in Harlow, Essex, with two more set to open in Norwich and Chester later this year. The new retail park locations look to offer a simpler and quicker shopping experience for customers, as part of Ikea’s strategy to be closer to where people live, work, and shop. In the smaller format stores, customers can explore roomsets and browse from a range of furnishings and small furniture. The stores feature a curated showroom, seasonal collections, and access to Ikea’s 12,000-strong product range, which can be delivered directly to customers’ homes or collected from the store. Along with the option to buy pre-used items for store credit, planning services are available for kitchens and bedroom storage, with a team of staff on hand to assist customers. A selection of Swedish food is also on offer, to eat in or take away. Peter Jelkeby, CEO and CSO, Ikea UK & Ireland, said: “The opening of Ikea Harlow marks an exciting milestone as we explore new ways to bring Ikea closer to our customers.  We are opening our doors just over 100 days after acquiring the lease to the site, having made use […]

Leasing launched at Brighton retail and leisure block

24th July 2025

Savills has launched the leasing at King’s Quarter, a new retail and leisure development in Brighton city centre. Based in a former Barclays bank on North Street, the development offers a total of 17,678 sq ft of retail and leisure accommodation across the ground and basement floors. Various splits and configurations will be considered, ranging between 4,000 sq ft and 40,000 sq ft in size, with retail and leisure uses suitable to be let either separately or together. The upper floors of the six storey building are currently used for offices, however Savills said these can be incorporated subject to access and egress considerations. Located within the city centre in close proximity to Churchill Square Shopping Centre and Brighton train station, King’s Quarter sits nearby to the likes of Decathlon, Sports Direct, TK Maxx, The Ivy, and Premier Inn. The property is also supplemented by the 587 space NCP Brighton Theatre multi-storey car park, which is located to the rear.

Lifestyle brand opens first store outside of London at Victoria Leeds

24th July 2025

Luxury lifestyle brand BYREDO has opened its first UK store outside of London at Redical’s Victoria Leeds shopping centre. The northern flagship spans 2,154 sq ft across two distinct areas. The main space showcases BYREDO’s core categories, including fragrance, body care, and candles within a brutalist environment. The second, more intimate area is home to the BYREDO’s make-up collection, alongside pieces from the brand’s ‘Byproduct’ collection, which includes products such as woven blankets and leather goods. The opening follows the brand’s success as a concession within Harvey Nichols at Victoria Leeds, with BYREDO looking to complement the scheme’s established self-care line-up, joining luxury skincare brand Aesop in Victoria Quarter. Rachel Bradburn, head of leasing at Redical, said: “Health and beauty as a category performs exceptionally well at Victoria Leeds. Our premium mix of brands has fostered an elevated retail experience, in which BYREDO fits in seamlessly. The brand’s first standalone store outside of the capital adds yet another point of difference to the destination, further establishing Victoria Quarter as the go-to premier location for luxury names in beauty, fashion, and more.” BYREDO is the latest brand to make its northern debut at Victoria Leeds, joining Nobody’s Child and TUMI’s first […]

Suit Direct: “Nothing is off the table” as it targets new stores

23rd July 2025

“Nothing is off the table” for Suit Direct, as it looks to open up to 50 new locations over the coming years. The men’s formalwear retailer – which currently operates 30 stores – has renewed its long-standing partnership with Savills as it looks to identify suitable locations and grow its full-price offer. The brand has seen considerable growth over the last few years, having previously traded primarily from concessions within Debenhams department stores and outlet centres. Following Debenhams’ collapse in 2019, Suit Direct needed to replace a sizeable chunk of its revenue. “That’s when we embarked on the journey of going on to the high street with a full-price proposition”, Amanda Argent, retail director at Suit Direct, tells Completely Retail News. “We then engaged with Savills, who did a piece of research to support us in finding the locations we should be targeting. “We did go through a rapid amount of openings post-Covid, taking advantage of empty units where other retailers had collapsed. That has changed significantly now. Some of those stores worked really well, some were on short-term leases so we have lost them now, and some we still have”, she adds. Currently, the brand operates 10 outlet stores […]

Poundland to close 25 stores in August as part of restructuring

23rd July 2025

Poundland is set to close 25 of its stores in August as part of its restructuring and recovery plan. The discount retailer unveiled the plan in June after it was acquired by Gordon Brothers earlier this year, following a period of poor sales. The plan includes the closure of 68 stores in total, along with the shutting down of other stores following lease expirations. Darren MacDonald, retail director of Poundland, said: “It is, of course, sincerely regrettable that our recovery plans include any store closures, but sadly that’s necessary if we’re to achieve our goal of securing the future of thousands of jobs and hundreds of stores.   “While our anticipated network of around 650-700 stores remains a sizeable one, we entirely understand how disappointing it will be for customers when one nearby closes.  “Nevertheless, we look forward to continuing to welcome them to a nearby Poundland.  “It goes without saying that we will work closely with colleagues through a formal consultation process in stores scheduled to close, exploring any suitable alternative roles. That work is underway.” The stores set to close are located in:

Mappin & Webb to return to Birmingham city centre after 20 years

23rd July 2025

Mappin & Webb is set to make its return to Birmingham city centre for the first time in two decades. The Watches of Switzerland Group – which owns Mappin & Webb – has signed a 10-year lease at The Burlington on New Street. The jewellery retailer will expand and develop the former Watches of Switzerland showroom and the two adjoining units into a new Mappin & Webb showroom, spanning over 7,500 sq ft. Nina Meeks of Hortons, which acted for the landord, said: “Mappin & Webb’s decision to return to Birmingham with a new showroom reflects the strength of the city’s reputation as a destination for luxury retail. As the brand celebrates its 250th anniversary, we’re proud to welcome such an iconic name in British jewellery and watchmaking back to The Burlington and into the heart of the city.” The boutique joins The Watches of Switzerland Group’s existing stores in Birmingham, including a Goldsmiths showroom and the Breitling boutique in the Bullring.

Luxury jewellers to open third location at Centre:mk

23rd July 2025

Luxury diamonds and jewellery specialist Pravins is set to open its third location at Centre:mk in Milton Keynes. Taking a 1,250 sq ft unit on Sunset Walk, Pravins will join the scheme in October, offering a range of pieces including fine jewellery and bespoke engagement and wedding rings. The boutique will also feature a champagne and cocktail bar, while offering in-person and virtual consultations. Kevin Duffy, centre director at Centre:mk, said: “Joining renowned jewellers including Beaverbrooks, Loupe, Goldsmiths, and Swarovski, Pravins will deliver yet another bespoke and premium experience for our guests at Centre:mk. Pravins’ commitment to the centre for its third store reinforces our position as one of the top 10 prime regional destinations in the UK, and we are certain this new flagship for the brand will resonate well with our affluent expansive catchment.” Sanjeev Shah, director at Pravins, added: “For a family-owned business like ours, it is so important to get our store locations right. Situated in a strategically important regional destination, Centre:mk’s prime location will allow us to reach an even greater consumer base where we will maintain our commitment to excellence in experience and product, just as we do across all Pravins stores.” Pravins will […]

PURESEOUL opens debut Welsh store at St David’s

22nd July 2025

Korean beauty retailer PURESEOUL has opened its 10th store and its first in Wales at St David’s Shopping Centre in Cardiff. The opening of PURESEOUL’s Cardiff store – which is its first outside of England – follows the brand’s launch of its multi-storey flagship on London’s Carnaby Street earlier this summer, and continues a year of rapid expansion for the brand. Leslie Tang, co-founder and CEO of PURESEOUL, said: “Our offline rollout is accelerating, and this store marks the beginning of our next phase – expanding strategically, but at pace, across the UK. Every location we open is 100% driven by our customers’ voices. We’re listening, we’re moving quickly, and we’re aiming for 30 stores by the end of 2026.” Helen Morgan, Centre Director at St David’s Cardiff, added: “Our guests have been keen to see more K-beauty brands here at St David’s, so we’re delighted that PURESEOUL will be joining the centre later this year. PURESEOUL’s line-up of trend-led and trusted Korean beauty brands is the perfect complement to our existing health and beauty mix and is set to offer a great experience to Cardiff shoppers.”

M&S opens first airside food stores at Heathrow

22nd July 2025

Marks & Spencer has opened its first-ever airside food stores at Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5. The two stores add 1,500 sq ft to M&S’s estate and open as the UK Summer Holidays start, offering a selection of the M&S Food on the Move range at Gate A, and a second gifting store situated at Gate B. As part of M&S’s store rotation and renewal programme, the stores will expand the retailer’s existing convenience estate, which consists of fifteen landside airport stores across the UK and Europe. Alex Freudmann, managing director at M&S Food, said: “Our stores programme is focused on making sure we have the right stores in the right place with the right space, whether these are full-line, food halls or convenience stores. Terminal 5 is the UK’s busiest terminal, making it the perfect location to debut our airside offer. “This launch builds on the success of our well-established landside airport stores across the UK and allows us to serve customers even closer to their departure gates. Whether travellers are looking for breakfast, lunch or dinner, or a British gift to take home, we’re aiming to bring some M&S magic to their journey through Heathrow.” Ross Baker, chief commercial […]

Charlotte Tilbury to expand West End presence with Carnaby Street signing

22nd July 2025

Charlotte Tilbury is set to expand its presence in London’s West End after signing a deal with Shaftesbury Capital to open a new store on Carnaby Street. The make-up, fragrance, and skincare brand will open a 4,200 sq ft store at one of the busiest entrances to the street, joining recent arrivals at Carnaby Street including PURESEOUL, TALA, and Farm Rio. The store will join Charlotte Tilbury’s existing flagship within Shaftesbury Capital’s West End portfolio in Covent Garden, which tripled in size at the end of last year. William Oliver, director of retail and restaurant leasing at Shaftesbury Capital, said: “Carnaby Street is known for being home to some of the best, internationally recognised brands that the retail industry has to offer. It is a vibrant hub of high-quality, sought-after names that resonate with its London consumers, just as much as the huge volume of domestic and international visitors Carnaby Street attracts. Charlotte Tilbury is theatrical and immersive, something that mirrors the foundation and heritage of Carnaby Street, and its global appeal and innovative approach are the qualities we look for, to ensure we deliver the elevated retail experience people have come to expect here.” This news follows the recent...

Vedra Property Group appoints retail surveyor

22nd July 2025

Vedra Property Group, a retail-focused advisory firm which provides asset management, investment, and occupational services, has appointed Hugh Wilson as a retail surveyor. Wilson joins from MCR Property Group where he held the role of acquisition manager, responsible for creating and supporting investment, leasing, and asset management strategies. Prior to his time at MCR, Wilson was land manager at Dominus, and had also spent four years as property portfolio and acquisitions manager at Lidl. Vedra said the appointment supports its ambition to become established in the retail asset management sector, and that Wilson’s experience will support the firm’s expanding retail occupational services and asset management capabilities. Chris Harris, joint managing director of Vedra Group, said: “I am delighted to welcome Hugh to Vedra. Hugh brings client-side retail real estate experience and knowledge as we continue to expand into the retail occupational services sector, with a unique proposition supporting retail property teams providing a focus on service and value.” Hugh Wilson added: “I am thrilled to be joining Vedra at such an exciting time for the business, as it continues to grow with determination. I look forward to supporting clients by providing first class service, with a retailer mindset and understanding […]

Competitive socialising concept opens at Metrocentre

21st July 2025

Competitive socialising concept Activate has opened at Gateshead’s Metrocentre. The venue features 12 spaces and nine game types – including laser, mega grid, hoops, portals, and more. The arrival of Activate follows the concept’s opening at The O2 in London, which has become the top-performing Activate venue globally. We Do Play – which owns the Activate brand – is also behind other entertainment experiences in the UK, including Flip Out and Putt Putt Social. The group also founded the Boom Battle Bar brand. Activate joins Metrocentre’s existing leisure line-up – alongside established operators such as Treetop Golf, Clip ‘n Climb, and Namco Funscape. Ben Cox, director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, asset manager for Metrocentre, said: “This is a big moment for Metrocentre, introducing a concept to the North East for the very first time. It’s the perfect fit for our vision of delivering new and exciting reasons for repeat visits, showing that Metrocentre is more than just a place to shop. It’s a dynamic and interactive operator where visitors of all ages can come together for memorable, immersive experiences, alongside some of the best brands in the UK.” Originally launched in Canada in 2017, Activate now has 60 locations across Canada,...