A wave of retail expansion is sweeping across UK high streets as numerous fashion retailers are opening new stores despite existing challenges.
- British menswear brand Charles Tyrwhitt has opened its eighth new location in 18 months, adding to its global presence.
- Mango is aggressively expanding its footprint with plans to open 20 new UK stores this year alone.
- Uniqlo continues its strategic growth in Europe, with flagship stores enhancing the consumer experience.
- Sosandar, Seasalt, and others are contributing to a vibrant retail scene with multiple new store openings.
In a significant move, British menswear brand Charles Tyrwhitt inaugurated its eighth new location within 18 months in Cheltenham. The store occupies a 2,787 sq ft space that was once home to local brand Superdry. This new store, equipped with omnichannel capabilities like shoppable touch screens, increases Charles Tyrwhitt’s total count to 44 globally, with further plans for six more stores by year-end.
Spanish fashion retailer Mango has embarked on an expansive journey with new outlets in Glasgow, Sheffield, Plymouth, Windsor, and Norwich. A notable addition in July was its first international store for teens, Mango Teen, in London. Mango already boasts 60 locations in the UK, supported by 16 shop-in-shops. The international retail director, Alexandra Jeanneau, emphasized expansion as a core pillar of their strategic plan, aiming for over 500 new stores by 2026 across eight strategic markets.
Japanese retailer Uniqlo has opened its 20th UK store in Coal Drops Yard, following a recent opening at Tottenham Court Road. This 9,000 sq ft store is part of a broader strategy to open 10 new stores in Europe next year, progressing to 20 by 2026. According to Uniqlo’s UK COO, Alessandro Dudech, flagship stores are integral to their expansion strategy as they offer comprehensive brand experiences.
British womenswear brand Sosandar has ventured into physical retail with new stores in Chelmsford and Marlow. Their aim is to establish a presence in 50 locations within the next five years, adding another layer of competition on the high streets. Cornish brand Seasalt has expanded into Scotland with a new store in Glasgow’s Silverburn shopping center, contributing to a total of over 70 stores across the UK and Ireland.
Go Outdoors has marked a significant milestone by opening the largest outdoor store in Europe, located in York’s Vangarde Shopping Park. This extensive 125,000 sq ft retail space is set to increase with two more stores before the year’s end. Meanwhile, Scamp & Dude expands its presence with a large store in Manchester’s St Ann’s Square, and French Connection plans additional openings, both on high streets and in shopping centers.
Oliver Bonas has also increased its store size in Brighton, with a notable 4,770 sq ft space, contributing to over 80 outlets in the UK and Ireland. In parallel, New Zealand brand Rodd & Gunn has ventured into the Scottish market with its first store in Edinburgh, indicating a broader plan for 40 sites in five years.
The collective efforts of these brands are redefining the UK retail landscape, indicating a resilient industry adapting to modern consumer demands.
