River Island to open expanded concept store at Newcastle’s Eldon Square

River Island is set to relocate and upsize its store at Eldon Square shopping centre in Newcastle.

Spanning over 20,000 sq ft, the new store will be located across two floors on St Andrews Way in the former Topshop unit.

The new concept store will offer exclusive products, specialist sections, and next-generation technology, allowing customers to order items in-store or for home delivery.

The digital-first service will also extend to the fitting rooms, where products will be identified on entry for ease of purchase. Customers will also be able to make use of touch screens to ask for more sizes, choose alternative styles, or get help from in-store experts.

River Island’s new opening aligns with the strategic vision of Eldon Square’s owners, XPE Group, which recently rebranded from Intu Debenture.

Under its new identity, XPE Group will look to implement strategies aimed at future-proofing its three schemes, with its portfolio also including XSite Glasgow and The Potteries Centre Stoke.

Pete Cooper, director at XPE Group, said: “The expansion of River Island’s concept store represents a significant milestone in Newcastle’s retail landscape, marking the first retail announcement since Intu Debenture rebranded to XPE Group. The new store supports our strategy of elevating Eldon Square, providing unparalleled opportunities for engaging customer experiences. As Eldon Square continues to evolve with strategic developments like Next and Sephora, we’re excited to contribute to the region’s thriving retail ecosystem. We look forward to fostering meaningful partnerships that will take Newcastle’s retail offering to the next level.”

Gemma Scarfe, digital and marketing director at River Island, added, “We’re thrilled to announce our new relocated store in the Eldon Square development. Newcastle has been a beacon of cultural dynamism in the last decade, drawing in investment and shaping itself as a premier destination, and we are excited to be part of that story. Our new store promises to redefine the shopping experience for our customers, enriching their journey through our brand amidst the vibrancy of this thriving city.”

In April, councillors green lit proposals to transform 200,000 sq ft of vacant floorspace at Eldon Square into new leisure and cultural spaces. Once completed, the development is estimated to add about £16m to the city’s economy each year.