Highcross Leicester has announced the opening of beauty retailer Superdrug, signalling continued brand confidence in the destination following a flurry of new additions in recent months. Together, these openings reinforce Highcross Leicester’s appeal to leading UK brands, and its position as a prime retail destination in the region.   Superdrug’s new 8,800 sq ft store, located on the lower level of the mall, close to long-standing tenant Levi’s, showcases Superdrug’s vibrant range of beauty, health, and wellness products in its latest store format. Superdrug joins Highcross Leicester’s premium lineup of health and beauty brands, including Jo Malone, Lush, and Clarins.  Highcross Leicester’s beauty category has continued to level up in recent months, with the opening of Space NK’s city debut, taking a 3,000 sq ft unit on the lower level, near Reiss. It stocks best-in-class beauty brands such as Charlotte Tilbury, Rare Beauty, and Laura Mercier. Rituals also recently opened at the scheme, boasting its range of fragrances and must-have gift sets in its signature store layout. These openings build on the centre’s strong leasing momentum throughout 2025, adding more trusted beauty names to its tenant mix and appealing to the centre’s widespread catchment and diverse audience. Michelle Menezes, Centre Director at Highcross Leicester, commented: “Superdrug joining the retail lineup at Highcross Leicester not only strengthens our already dynamic beauty offer, which has seen phenomenal demand this year, but also enables us to deliver more choice and convenience for our visitors. This opening reflects the ongoing confidence that leading brands have in our destination, marking another important step in our vision to enhance the shopping experience and appeal to a widespread demographic.” Clare Jennings, Property Director at Superdrug, added: “We’re thrilled to bring Superdrug to Highcross Leicester with the opening of our brand-new store. This spacious location reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in physical retail, enabling us to offer an even broader selection of products and services to shoppers. Designed to deliver a modern and engaging shopping experience, the store showcases leading health and beauty brands, a dedicated premium fragrance section, and our popular in-store Beauty Studio offering threading and waxing services. We’re also proud to support the community by creating 60 new jobs and contributing to Leicester’s long-term growth.” These openings follow leading retailer H&M reopening its newly fitted-out 24,400 sq ft store, which features the brand’s latest interior with the integration of self-checkouts and click-and-collect services. Other retail brands at Highcross Leicester include Zara, Mango, Next, and Urban Outfitters, anchored by a 230,000 sq ft John Lewis. Time Retail Partners and LM act on behalf of Highcross Leicester. Mason & Partners act on behalf of Superdrug. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

FLANNELS, one of the most exciting players in luxury retail, has opened a brand-new standalone store in Overgate, Dundee. Located within a prime site on the upper level of Overgate, adjacent to the impressive new Sports Direct, the much-anticipated new FLANNELS store spans 5,000 sq. ft. FLANNELS Dundee presents a luxury, aspirational shopping experience within a striking interior, and houses luxury and contemporary menswear, womenswear, kidswear and accessories from labels such as Off White, Balenciaga, C.P. Company, BOSS, Vivienne Westwood, GANNI, REPRESENT, and The Couture Club. The arrival of FLANNELS to Overgate, the region’s premier shopping destination located in the heart of Dundee – Scotland’s fourth largest city and the UK’s first UNESCO City of Design – follows the recent opening of a three-storey FRASERS Dundee within the centre. Frasers Group acquired Overgate in March 2023 and since then has transformed the centre with a tranche of new store openings and significant lease extensions. Tenant occupancy of the centre is sitting at 90%. Commenting, Malcolm Angus, Centre Manager, Overgate said: “We are delighted to welcome FLANNELS to Overgate, in what marks another significant moment for the centre, and indeed the region. “FLANNELS is a greatly admired fashion retailer, offering highly desirable, luxury and contemporary brands. There has been huge interest in the arrival of FLANNELS to Dundee and this opening marks another exciting addition to the centre as it continues its remarkable retail transformation. “We look forward to welcoming our customers to FLANNELS and to experience its impressive luxury retail offering.” ABOUT OVERGATE Overgate is located in the heart of Dundee city centre, Scotland’s fourth largest city and the UK’s first UNESCO City of Design. The 440,000 sq. ft (37,161 sq. m) centre is the region’s premier shopping destination and is owned by Frasers Group. Frasers Group acquired Overgate in March 2023 and has accelerated a tranche of new store openings and significant lease extensions over the last 24 months. Anchoring the 70-unit centre is a 60,000 sq. ft FRASERS which opened in June 2025 – one of the largest shop fit-outs Dundee has ever seen, transforming Overgate and significantly strengthening the east coast of Scotland’s retail offering. Spanning three floors, the FRASERS store also houses Sports Direct, USC, and GAME. Other high street favourites within Overgate include Primark, Next, Mango, Rituals, Pandora, Clarks, H&M, DV8, River Island, New Look, Footasylum, Office, Schuh, JD Sports, Superdrug and Boots as well as a food and drink offering including Starbucks, Costa, Greggs, Muffin Break, Five Guys, Chopstix and Subway. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Superdry & Co is planning to open up to 15 new stores across the UK as it pushes ahead with a refreshed growth strategy and wider European ambitions. Chief executive Julian Dunkerton, who co founded the business, said the fashion brand is actively exploring new locations in cities including Bath, Dundee, Lincoln and Norwich. The planned openings form part of efforts to revive sales and reposition the retailer following a challenging trading period. Superdry was delisted from the London Stock Exchange in April last year and subsequently implemented a restructuring plan, approved in June 2024. Under that plan, the company is set to cut rents on 36 of its 94 UK stores and close 47 outlets, creating a leaner core estate from which to grow. Earlier this year the retailer rebranded as Superdry & Co, introducing a new look and feel across its portfolio. Flagship sites on London’s Oxford Street, as well as stores in Nottingham and Dundee, have already been refitted to showcase the updated aesthetic, which will be rolled out to future openings as the brand’s expansion gathers pace. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Merry Hill has announced that M&S has opened its latest renewal store concept at the top 10 UK shopping destination, featuring a brand-new Coffee Shop, fresh market-style foodhall, and expanded fashion, home & beauty offer. The opening represents a major investment by M&S and the landlord, and underlines Merry Hill’s position as a location where leading retailers continue to grow and thrive. Spanning 100,000 sq ft, the new M&S marks a significant reinvestment after 35 years at Merry Hill. The store brings together two existing units into one flagship space, reflecting M&S’s long-term commitment to its loyal customers at the centre. The new foodhall offers an enhanced shopping experience, with wider aisles, expanded product ranges, produce from M&S’ Select Farm partners and standout new features such as an iconic cheese barge, in-store bakery, and dedicated Flower and Wine Shops. Across fashion, home and beauty, the store has been reimagined to deliver a seamless shopping experience for customers. Home, menswear and kidswear now come together to form a full fashion destination on the upper mall, while womenswear has moved to the lower mall. Adding to the transformation is the brand-new M&S Coffee Shop, located just outside the main store, where customers can find a range of breakfast and lunch choices, alongside cakes and pastries, barista-made coffee and iced drinks. Graeme Jones, Executive Director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, on behalf of Merry Hill, commented: “This opening builds on the centre’s transformation in recent years. It’s a move that wouldn’t have been possible a few years ago, but with Merry Hill thriving, the time is right to create a growth platform for M&S and use that evolution to unlock new opportunities. Importantly, it delivers even more for our customers, enhancing the visitor experience at M&S, and allowing us to introduce new brands that have wanted to be here for a while, and are now willing to commit to Merry Hill, having seen the significant changes that have taken place.” Calum Telford, Regional Manager at M&S, said: “M&S Merry Hill is one of more than 20 new or renewed stores we are opening across the UK in the remainder of this financial year, and it’s fantastic for customers to see the full transformation. Renewing our stores is all about delivering the very best of M&S and the best possible shopping experience for our customers. Our transformed store does just that and our focus is now on delivering the trusted value and exceptional quality we’re known for. As we celebrate 35 years at Merry Hill, it is brilliant to be starting this next era for the store.” This landmark investment by M&S follows a wave of major anchor tenants joining Merry Hill, including Hollywood Bowl, international home retailer Harvey Norman, premium fitness brand XF Gym, and the soon to launch Funstation.  JLL, Time Retail Partners, and Font Real Estate represent Merry Hill.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Marks & Spencer is ramping up its search for new locations as it pushes ahead with plans to double the size of its food business. The retailer has published a fresh list of 500 target areas across the UK where it wants to open, relocate or significantly enlarge M&S Food stores over the coming years. The move underlines the scale of its growth ambitions and signals a major opportunity for landlords, developers and local authorities with suitable sites. M&S is focusing on highly visible, easily accessible properties that can accommodate generous trading floors. Across most of the country, the sweet spot is around 18,000 square feet of sales space, supported by good parking and strong road links. Inside the M25, the strategy is slightly different. Here, the retailer is seeking prominent, well-connected locations that benefit from steady footfall throughout the week and strong public transport links. These London and Greater London sites will typically house food halls ranging from 6,000 to 18,000 square feet of trading space, depending on the catchment and configuration. The expanded search comes as M&S prepares to open 20 new or renewed stores between November and March, all in the group’s latest “renewal” format. This concept places a bigger emphasis on fresh food, extended choice and ease of shop, with wider aisles, clearer layouts and improved car parking where possible. The refreshed design is intended to create a brighter, more modern environment that encourages customers to complete a full weekly shop rather than just a top-up. Many of the target locations are places where M&S currently has no presence, reflecting the brand’s belief that it can reach new shoppers as well as deepen its offer in existing markets. Towns such as Hove, Marlborough and Wallingford are among those on the wish list, alongside a wide range of suburban, commuter and regional centres from Elgin in the north of Scotland to Exmouth on the south coast. Alex Freudmann, managing director of M&S Food, said the performance of recently opened and upgraded stores had given the business confidence to accelerate its expansion. “The strong performance of our new M&S food stores gives us the confidence to explore even more locations across the UK, from Elgin to Exmouth,” he said. “With more than twenty stores opening or modernised before the end of the financial year, we are moving faster. “Our team want new sites where we could open a large M&S food store as we deliver on our strategy to bring the right stores to the right places and offer the best shopping experience, range and availability for our customers.” For property owners and developers, the updated requirements provide a clear steer on what M&S is looking for: prominent frontage, easy access for cars and pedestrians, and flexible floorplates capable of accommodating a modern food hall. With the retailer actively scouting for opportunities across 500 locations, competition between sites is likely to be strong as M&S seeks the best possible real estate to support the next phase of its food-led growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Frasers Group has acquired the 1.1 million square foot Braehead Shopping Centre in Glasgow from SGS UK Retail, in a deal believed to be worth around £220 million. The seller, SGS UK Retail, which also owns the Victoria Centre in Nottingham and Harlequin Watford, has overseen a major transformation programme at Braehead since completing a restructuring process in 2024. This work has helped secure a series of new tenants, including the first SuperPark in the United Kingdom, an indoor leisure and recreation attraction due to open early next year. Other recent arrivals at the centre include Miniso, Snowflake Gelato and BPerfect. Claire Barber, chief executive of SGS UK Retail, said:“The sale of Braehead was always part of our strategic plan and, through active management, we have delivered substantial value enhancement and successfully stabilised the asset, attracting new brands and increasing its relevance and appeal to customers. We have created a strong platform from which Frasers Group can continue to drive growth, leveraging its retail expertise to further unlock Braehead’s potential as one of Scotland’s leading retail destinations.“In light of strong leasing performance and the significant progress made in discussions with brands, we continue to see major value creation opportunities across the Group’s remaining three assets.” Michael Murray, chief executive of Frasers Group, said:“This acquisition is an important step in delivering our property ambitions and accelerating the Elevation Strategy. It strengthens the Group’s position as a leading operator and supporter of physical retail destinations while creating more opportunities to serve communities with the best brands, environments and experiences possible.” Frasers Group was advised by CBRE, while JLL acted for SGS UK Retail. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Ikea has chosen The Boulevard in Banbridge for its first-ever outlet store in Northern Ireland, rounding off a landmark year of expansion for Ikea UK & Ireland. The 2,691 sq ft pop-up store, which will trade until spring 2026, is designed as a convenient hub for planning services, home furnishings and online order pick-ups. Customers can explore a curated selection of 150 home furnishing accessories across kitchen, bedroom and living spaces, with Ikea co-workers on hand to offer product advice and support with home projects. A key feature of the new outlet is its “Collect Near You” point, enabling shoppers to have online orders delivered to The Boulevard for easy collection. This service complements existing collection locations in Ballymena, Limavady and Dungannon, strengthening Ikea’s footprint across Northern Ireland and making it easier for customers to access the full range without travelling to a larger store. The Banbridge opening comes at the end of a busy 2025 for Ikea in the UK and Ireland, as the retailer continues to roll out smaller, more flexible formats closer to where people live and work. This year has seen the launch of a city store on London’s Oxford Street, new city and smaller-format stores in Brighton, Harlow, Norwich and Chester, as well as “Plan and Order” points in Dundee, Hull and York. Together, these locations form a key part of Ikea’s strategy to blend traditional out-of-town stores with compact formats, planning studios and collection points in high street and regional centres. Alastair Coulson, managing director at Lotus Property, owner of The Boulevard, said he was delighted to welcome Ikea’s first pop-up initiative in Northern Ireland. He described the arrival of the global home furnishings brand as a strong endorsement of The Boulevard’s growing reputation for attracting “first” and “only” locations, and a timely boost as the scheme gears up for the Christmas trading period. With the Banbridge outlet now open, Ikea is signalling its commitment to meeting customers where they are, using a mix of store formats and collection points to offer greater choice, convenience and flexibility across the UK and Ireland. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals