KENJI to make North East debut at Metrocentre Gateshead

East Asian-inspired lifestyle brand KENJI is set to make its regional debut at Gateshead’s Metrocentre next March.

The retailer will be opening a 3,589 sq ft store on the scheme’s Lower Green Mall, adjacent to Søstrene Grene which itself will open at the centre in November.

The new store will offer a range of plushies, toys, stationery, fashion, homeware, and East Asian-inspired snacks.

KENJI’s signing at Metrocentre comes as the Lower Green Mall nears full occupancy, with a recent flurry of investment from new arrivals and existing tenants. Swatch is relocating from a kiosk to an 846 sq ft unit, while Accessorize has committed to refurbishing its 2,781 sq ft store.

Ben Cox, director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, asset manager of Metrocentre, said: “KENJI will be a fantastic addition to Green Mall, part of a quality cluster of gifting brands. In recent years, we’ve seen the growing importance of creating meaningful retail experiences, which is something KENJI has embraced through innovative use of technology and engaging product ranges. This signing reflects KENJI’s confidence in Metrocentre as the leading destination in the North East for the best of retail.”

Eddie Shepherd, managing director of Kenji, added: “We are celebrating our tenth anniversary, and the new store in Metrocentre will be our first in the North East. We see expanding our retail portfolio nationwide as the most significant growth opportunity for our brand, and as part of that, having stores in the UK’s best shopping centres is vital. Metrocentre has consistently demonstrated its commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience, which perfectly complements our aspirations and the immersive nature of our stores.”

The signing of KENJI follows the recent openings of Urban Outfitters and Stradivarius at Metrocentre, with womenswear sales at the scheme up by 13.1% in July and 13% in August compared to 2024.