Frasers Group is reportedly advancing plans to acquire two prominent outlet shopping centres in a deal valued at around £400 million, underlining its continued appetite for large-scale retail and mixed-use property investments. The retailer is understood to be in discussions to purchase the McArthur Glen-managed outlet schemes in York and the East Midlands from Aviva Investors, according to market reports. The potential acquisition would further strengthen Frasers Group’s growing portfolio of destination retail assets across the UK. York Designer Outlet, extending to approximately 350,000 sq ft, is anchored by a strong line-up of national and international brands including M&S, H&M, Nike and Paul Smith. Meanwhile, East Midlands Designer Outlet offers around 230,747 sq ft of retail space and accommodates more than 65 brands. Developed in 2002, the scheme occupies a strategic location on Normanton Road, करीब 6.5 miles south-west of Mansfield. The move follows Frasers Group’s acquisition of Swindon Designer Outlet last autumn. The 250,000 sq ft scheme, set within the historic Great Western Railway buildings in central Swindon, comprises around 110 units and represents a blend of heritage-led regeneration and modern retail. Frasers Group has remained highly active in the UK property investment market, pursuing a strategy focused on acquiring and repositioning large-scale retail destinations. Recent transactions include the purchase of Braehead Shopping Centre in Glasgow in November 2025, as well as Waterfront Retail Park in Greenock earlier in the year. Advisory roles on the potential deal are being handled by CBRE on behalf of Frasers Group, while Aviva Investors is being advised by Morgan Williams. The proposed acquisition highlights continued investor confidence in outlet retail formats, particularly those offering strong tenant mixes, regional catchments and opportunities for asset enhancement within evolving consumer markets. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Lidl has unveiled plans to open 50 new stores across the UK over the next 12 months, forming part of a wider £600 million investment programme that signals a significant push in the industrial and retail property sectors. The discount supermarket chain described the initiative as the most ambitious standard store opening programme currently planned within the UK grocery market. The expansion is expected to generate close to 2,000 new jobs nationwide, supporting both local economies and regional development. Among the locations earmarked for new stores are Abbots Langley near Watford, Warrington in Cheshire, and Thornbury in Gloucestershire, with several openings scheduled for completion this summer. The rollout reflects continued demand for modern retail space and highlights ongoing investment in strategically located sites. Alongside its store development pipeline, Lidl is strengthening its logistics network to support its growing footprint. Construction is progressing on a new warehouse facility in Leeds, which is expected to become operational next year. In London, the company has submitted proposals to expand and integrate its existing distribution warehouses in Belvedere, further enhancing capacity within a key urban logistics hub. Ryan McDonnell, chief executive of Lidl GB, said the expansion is designed to deliver long-term value beyond retail growth. He noted that the programme will contribute to regional economic development, create high-quality employment opportunities, and provide greater certainty for British suppliers seeking to scale their operations. Kate Dearden, minister for employment rights and consumer protection, welcomed the investment, describing it as a strong example of how large-scale corporate growth can align with wider economic objectives. She highlighted the importance of job creation, fair wages, and improved living standards, adding that Lidl’s plans demonstrate confidence in the UK’s economic strategy while delivering tangible benefits to communities and businesses alike. The programme underlines the continued role of major retailers in driving demand for new commercial and industrial space, with logistics infrastructure playing an increasingly critical role in supporting expansion across the sector. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Boots Opticians today unveils its new Wigmore Street store, a luxury destination for premium designer frames and specialist eyecare.   Located in the heart of London, Boots Opticians Wigmore Street brings together cutting-edge clinical technology, specialist expertise and an elevated customer experience.    Following a seven-week refurbishment, the store now showcases over 40 designer brands including Lindberg, Porsche Design and Gucci, alongside Cartier and Chopard frames which are exclusively available to customers in the Wigmore Street store. Consumers can also access expert in-store services including optomap eye scans, dry eye relief and contact lens care.   From specialist consultation areas to contact lens trial stations, every element of Boots Opticians Wigmore Street has been carefully considered with both customers and clinicians in mind, to support personalised, proactive eyecare. The store also reflects the brand’s ongoing investment in innovation and its role at the forefront of eyecare in the UK.  Rich in history, the store – formerly Dollond & Aitchison – held a royal warrant and supplied eyewear to Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh.  Boots Opticians has occupied the site since 2009 following the merger of the two brands.   Gordon Dingwall, Director of Retail, Operations, Property & Franchise at Boots Opticians, says: “We’re incredibly excited to open Boots Opticians Wigmore Street, in one of London’s most conic luxury retail destinations. Combining world class brands and expert clinicians, the store has been thoughtfully designed using gold motifs, heritage-inspired patterns and tonal gradients from our Boots brand identity.  Boots Opticians Wigmore Street represents a marked evolution for Boots Opticians, celebrating the store’s rich history whilst setting a new benchmark for premium eye care.”   The opening reflects Boots Opticians’ commitment to helping customers see what’s possible through better eye health. Customers can book an appointment at Boots Opticians Wigmore Street online at bootsopticians.com or in-store. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

When refurbishment works began at the Waterside Shopping Centre in Lincoln, the objective was straightforward but ambitious: restore confidence in a tired retail destination by completely transforming its external appearance. Years of exposure had taken their toll on the rendered facades, which were suffering from widespread crazing, cracking and chipping. Large areas were beyond repair, leaving the building looking dated and uninviting. For a city-centre scheme intended to attract new visitors, tenants and hospitality operators, the condition of the exterior simply did not reflect its potential. In 2019 a comprehensive programme of works commenced to revitalise the elevations. The majority of the failed render, measuring approximately 1,100 square metres, was removed and replaced with weberpral M monocouche render, selected for its durability and consistent through-colour finish, complemented by PVCu render beads from Renderplas. High-quality finish Principal contractor Barwin, a specialist in facade restoration and refurbishment with more than three decades of experience, understood that achieving a high-quality render finish depends on more than just the render itself. The detailing defines the result. Over 2,500 linear metres of beads were required across the scheme, including bellcast beads, stop beads, corner beads and movement joint beads. These components would determine the straightness of lines, the sharpness of corners and the long-term durability of vulnerable edges. Although Renderplas PVCu beads were not included in the original specification, Barwin made the deliberate decision to use them. The choice was based on prior experience and confidence in their performance. Inferior beads can distort during installation, corrode over time or compromise the crispness of architectural detailing. On a prominent retail scheme undergoing complete rejuvenation, those risks were not acceptable. Martin Hill, Senior Estimator at Barwin, explains the reasoning clearly: “Renderplas beads complement the quality finish of the render really well. It was a no-brainer to use them. They are readily available and don’t distort or fall apart. They also remain dead straight and give a perfect, crisp finish.” Avoiding rectification work His comments reflect a common challenge within facade refurbishment projects. Contractors are often asked to rectify problems caused by substandard beads that have warped, cracked or rusted, leading to uneven lines and premature failure of the render system. In contrast, Renderplas PVCu beads are engineered to remain straight and dimensionally stable while offering enough flexibility for efficient installation. Their corrosion-proof composition eliminates the risk of rust staining, and their structural integrity supports clean movement detailing and long-term facade performance. Importantly, Renderplas external render beads are fully BBA certified and guaranteed for 25-years or the lifetime of the render system. This assurance provides specifiers, contractors and building owners with long-term confidence that the detailing will perform as intended without costly maintenance interventions. Long-term quality The completed facades at Waterside now present a bright, contemporary backdrop to a revitalised retail and leisure environment. Crisp corners, sharp edges and consistent lines enhance the monocouche finish and contribute to a cohesive architectural appearance. The transformation has helped reposition the centre as an attractive, modern destination, alive with new bars, shops and restaurants. The project demonstrates a fundamental principle of facade construction: long-term quality is achieved through informed material choices. By insisting on Renderplas PVCu beads, even where they were not specified, Barwin ensured that the renewed render system would not only look impressive on completion but remain reliable and resilient for decades to come. The scale of the refurbishment required careful planning and was delivered across five phases. Although scheduled for completion within six months, the works were finished in just five, demonstrating effective coordination and experienced site management. In external rendering, details matter. When corners are executed correctly and movement is properly managed, the entire facade benefits. Renderplas continues to provide the construction industry with durable, BBA-certified PVCu render beads that deliver crisp architectural detailing and lasting performance, ensuring that on projects like Waterside, corners are finished precisely and never cut. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

IKEA has opened a new Plan and Order Point at Kingsway West Retail Park in Dundee, expanding its presence in Scotland. The new location focuses on helping customers plan kitchens, bedrooms and living spaces, offering tailored design consultations. Visitors can book a free appointment with in-store specialists or make use of self-service tools to create their own designs. Customers are able to order from IKEA’s full product range at the site, with options including next-day collection or home delivery. The store also includes a collection point for online orders, as well as a returns service. Kevin Coventry, Market Manager at IKEA, said the new space has been created to inspire customers while showcasing kitchen ranges and smart storage solutions. He added that the aim is to provide affordable home furnishing options suited to a wide range of needs. The Dundee opening is part of IKEA’s broader UK expansion plans. Over the past year, the retailer has launched seven new locations, including city centre stores in London’s Oxford Street and in Brighton, Plan and Order Points in Hull and York, and smaller format retail park stores in Harlow, Norwich and Chester. The new site strengthens IKEA’s footprint in Scotland, complementing its existing stores in Edinburgh and Glasgow, with a further Plan and Order Point planned for Aberdeen. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Marks & Spencer is continuing its push to grow its food business, with plans to open its third new food store in just two weeks. The latest site, located in Farnham, is set to open on Wednesday 25th. The 18,600 sq ft store is one of 12 former Homebase locations currently being redeveloped by the retailer. This follows two recent openings: a 16,000 sq ft store in Luton Bramingham and a 15,000 sq ft food outlet at Hatfield Oldings Corner, both also converted from former Homebase units. These rapid launches form part of M&S’s wider strategy to significantly expand its food division by increasing its store footprint across the UK. The larger format stores allow the retailer to introduce an enhanced in-store experience, including features such as hot chicken counters, bakeries and dedicated coffee areas. Alex Freudmann, Managing Director of M&S Food, said the business is undergoing a major transformation, with a focus on delivering both value and high-quality, innovative products to customers. He explained that securing the right locations with sufficient space is key to offering a broader range suited to families and everyday shopping needs. He added that the company is bringing M&S Food to three new towns this month, with a strong pipeline of further openings planned throughout the year. In addition to new stores, M&S is also investing in its existing estate. Its latest renewal project launched last Thursday at Westway in Chelmsford, following an eight-week refurbishment. Looking ahead, M&S is targeting around 500 locations across the UK for new, larger sites capable of stocking its full food range, with the average store size expected to reach around 18,000 sq ft. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Wickes is planning a major expansion of its UK footprint, targeting up to 300 stores nationwide after delivering stronger than expected financial results for 2025. The DIY retailer, which currently operates around 230 locations, has outlined plans to open between four and five new stores in 2026, alongside a programme of refurbishments covering a further 15 to 20 sites. The pace of expansion is expected to increase significantly from 2028 onwards as the group accelerates its growth strategy. The announcement follows a solid year of performance for the business, during which Wickes opened five new stores and completed 11 refits and refresh projects across its estate. For the year, the company reported revenue of £1.64bn, representing a 5.9% increase on the previous year. Adjusted pre-tax profit rose by 14.4% to £49.9m, while statutory pre-tax profit more than doubled to £48.7m, compared with £23.2m in 2024. Wickes attributed the improved performance largely to continued momentum within its core retail operations, which recorded a 6.5% rise in revenue over the period. The business has been investing in both new locations and the modernisation of existing stores, with a focus on enhancing customer experience and driving long-term returns. Chief executive David Wood said the results reflect consistent progress against the company’s strategy, with its store investment model proving particularly effective. He noted that the strong returns being generated from new openings and refurbishment programmes had given the business confidence to step up investment and pursue further expansion across the UK. The move signals Wickes’ ambition to strengthen its position in the competitive home improvement market by increasing its physical presence while continuing to upgrade its existing estate. With a clear pipeline of new stores and ongoing improvements to its current portfolio, the retailer is positioning itself for sustained growth over the coming years as it works towards its long-term target of a 300-store network. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The retailer’s sales also increased during the period, up 13% year-on-year to £3.3bn. This comes after Mango opened 25 stores in the UK last year, including a second flagship on London’s Oxford Street, and in locations such as  Birmingham, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Belfast, Craigavon (NI), and Cardiff. Speaking to Drapers, Mango’s vice chair and chief expansion and franchise officer Daniel López said: “It is an interesting market for us and we can see a lot of growth. We opened 25 new stores [in 2025] and for the 2026, the forecast is to open 15 more.” He added that the retailer’s bricks and mortar estate was important to bringing it “closer to customers”. “We believe bringing Mango close to customers is what really helps us to be more creative and interact with customers, to guide them and give recommendations,” he added. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals