SGS UK Retail has announced that JD, the leading retailer for sports, fashion and lifestyle brands, is significantly upsizing at Braehead Shopping Centre, reinforcing its position as Scotland’s number one retail and leisure destination.  Located at the heart of the lower level and serving as a focal point for the centre, JD is expanding its footprint by a third to create an 18,000 sq ft store, due to open in 2026. The expansion will enable JD to showcase its full multi-category offer, spanning athleisure, footwear, accessories, and sportswear for men, women, and juniors, and responds to strong demand from both local and regional shoppers.  The enhanced space will feature the brand’s latest store concept, with dedicated product zones, immersive experiences, and an even broader selection of leading global names, including Montirex, Nike, adidas, The North Face, and Under Armour. JD’s expansion follows a series of recent lettings and investments in the centre, including the recent arrival of MINISO and Flying Tiger Copenhagen.  In addition, SGS has launched a new brand identity for Braehead, which is being rolled out across signage and wayfinding, as well as all the centre’s consumer marketing.  Huw Kmiot, Associate Director of Asset Management, at Pradera Lateral, asset manager of Braehead Shopping Centre, commented: “JD’s upsize is a powerful demonstration of Braehead’s momentum, and the confidence that major brands have in our long-term vision for the centre. Combined with an ongoing investment programme, including our new brand identity and marketing campaign, and the recent launch of Braehead Ambition, we’re evolving the offer, elevating the experience, and ensuring the destination continues to resonate with an ever-increasing number of consumers. Using our new strapline ‘Why have silver when you can have gold?’ for the first time, the new campaign captures the breadth and diversity of Braehead’s offer as Scotland’s leading retail and leisure destination.” James Air, Director of Group Acquisitions at JD, added: “Braehead has long been a strong performer for JD, and this upsize reflects our commitment to continued growth at the destination.  The new store will deliver the very best of JD, combining cutting-edge design with an unrivalled product mix at a top retail location.” JD’s upsize, the other recent openings and the rebrand align with the goals of Braehead Ambition – the recently launched strategic partnership between Braehead Shopping Centre, XSite and Braehead Arena.  Reporting to a board comprised of SGS UK Retail, TDL Media and XPE Group Plc, the asset management and operational team – including Pradera Lateral, Savills, BWP Group, Lunson Mitchenall, BGP, and Metis – is working collectively to deliver a coherent, compelling experience while amplifying the natural trading synergy between the adjacent assets. Lunson Mitchenall and Savills acted for Braehead. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

IKEA is set to open its first new-format retail park store at Harlow Retail Park in Essex, marking a significant step in the homeware giant’s evolving UK strategy. The Harlow site will debut IKEA’s innovative ‘small store’ concept – a streamlined format designed to be quicker and more cost-efficient to launch than the traditional large-scale outlets. By repurposing the existing structure at the retail park, IKEA has been able to fast-track the store’s development, with doors set to open just over 100 days after securing the lease. Designed with convenience in mind, the store will feature a compact, easy-to-navigate layout. Customers can expect a curated showroom and market hall experience, access to the full IKEA range online, and a dedicated food offering. The Harlow opening forms part of a broader UK expansion, with two additional small-format stores planned for Norwich and Chester in the coming months. IKEA also intends to open new ‘Plan and Order’ points in Dundee and York, alongside a new city centre store in Brighton, scheduled for 2025. Peter Jelkeby, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer of IKEA UK & Ireland, commented: “The opening of the IKEA Harlow small store is a landmark moment for us as we continue to evolve our retail offer and explore new ways to serve more people in more places. We look forward to joining this thriving town as part of the local community when we open our doors later this month.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

SGS UK Retail, TDL Media and XPE have launched a strategic partnership to align the marketing, management and leasing of Braehead Shopping Centre, Braehead Arena and XSite, the adjacent regional leisure destination.  Called Braehead Ambition, the partnership will add value for visitors, retailers and operators, working in collaboration to deliver a consistent and clear approach to the customer experience across the extensive Braehead estate. Reporting to a board comprising SGS UK Retail, TDL Media and XPE Group Plc, the asset management and operational team includes Pradera Lateral, Savills, BWP Group, Lunson Mitchenall, BGP, and Metis.  The owners and their advisors will work as one team to enhance and evolve the assets, and visitors, retailers, and operators can look forward to an even more enlivened, coherent and compelling experience, amplifying and expanding the natural trading synergy between adjacent ownerships. Totalling 1,450,000 sq ft and attracting a combined 16.3 million visitors a year (which is expected to grow to 17.6 million by the end of 2026), Braehead Shopping Centre, XSite and The Arena offer shopping, dining, leisure and entertainment, along with live events, exhibitions, sport and extensive free parking.  As well as the local population, the destination serves a loyal and growing catchment of 2.2 million people with over £6.3 billion of available retail and leisure spend.  Braehead Ambition will ensure Braehead is always the destination of choice for consumers, and for retail and leisure businesses looking to open in Glasgow. Commenting on the creation of the partnership, Claire Barber, CEO of SGS UK Retail, said: “The scale and diversity of Braehead Ambition’s offer means the destination is more relevant to more consumers more of the time.  The partnership will position Braehead as a lifestyle choice, creating even higher levels of loyalty and engagement that will drive the commercial performance of the individual assets, and the wider social and economic prosperity of the area.” Barry Cox, Non-Exec Director at XPE Group Plc, commented: “This partnership celebrates a shared commitment to offer consumers a unique destination, one whose total is greater even than the sum of the parts.  As consumers are becoming ever more discerning as to where and how they spend their time and money, bringing together the strength of our individual assets to create the strongest destination of scale in Glasgow makes total sense for our customers, our business partners, and for Renfrew.” Councillor John Shaw, Convener of Finance, Resources and Customer Services at Renfrewshire Council and Chair of Renfrew Local Partnership, also welcomed the initiative, adding: “I welcome the creation of this strategic partnership between Braehead Shopping Centre, Braehead Arena and XSite.  Individually, each is very popular and very successful, but together they create a destination unrivalled in Scotland.  This collective approach creates more choice, scale and opportunity, and I am confident the partnership will fuel further success for Braehead and bring additional benefits to the local area through community engagement.” All the assets in Braehead Ambition are benefiting from ongoing programme of enhancement, with over £12 million being invested by XPE Group Plc in XSite, and anchored around the recently announced K1 go karting attraction.  Similarly, SGS UK Retail has secured several new brands, upsizes and renewals at Braehead Shopping Centre, and Braehead Arena, which is now owned by TDL Media, has received upgrades that increase its flexibility as a 5,200-seat multi-purpose events and sports venue. In addition to Braehead Shopping Centre, Braehead Arena and XSite, the area has become established as a hub for premium automotive brands, such as Ferrari, Land Rover, Mercedes, BMW, Harley Davidson and Ducati, and is also home to IKEA and Sainsbury’s.  Alongside the significant growth in housing, public realm enhancements to Renfrew Riverside and major infrastructure investment, including the recently opened Renfrew Bridge spanning the River Clyde, are adding value to local residents and businesses. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The much-anticipated Scotch Corner Designer Village, a major outlet shopping destination currently under development in North Yorkshire, has announced the addition of 19 new retail and food brands to its growing tenant line-up. Set to open in spring 2027, the centre is strategically located at the Scotch Corner junction near Darlington. With these latest additions, the development is now 82% pre-let and will feature a total of 73 stores upon completion. Newly confirmed retailers include prominent names such as Guess, Castore, Monsoon, Jack & Jones, Molton Brown, Brook Taverner, White Stuff, Haribo, Lindt, Superdry, Radley London, Hobbs, Phase Eight, and M&S. These brands will join an already impressive roster including Boss, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Levi’s, Skechers, Clarks, Moss, and Dune London. The scheme’s food and beverage offer is also expanding, with Pizza Express, Pret A Manger, 200º Coffee, Knoops, and Slim Chickens joining previously announced operators Wagamama and Five Guys. Sarah Hodkinson, leasing director at Scotch Corner Designer Village, commented:“We are thrilled with the enthusiasm shown by both major retail brands and the local community. Dozens of high-profile names have committed to the project, signalling strong confidence in our vision and delivering a positive story for the region and the wider North of England.” Beyond retail, the development will include 2,000 car parking spaces with electric vehicle charging points, a new fuel filling station, and several drive-through dining options. Plans are also in place for a significant on-site film and television facility, totalling 329,914 sq ft. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Livingston Designer Outlet in Scotland has reported strong sales growth among retailers that have recently invested in store refurbishments and upgrades. A standout example is premium kitchenware brand Le Creuset, which relocated to a larger unit in November 2024. Since the move, the brand has seen a notable uplift in performance, recording a 48% year-on-year increase in sales across November and December, along with a 33% rise in footfall during the same period. This positive trend continued into the first quarter of 2025, with Le Creuset achieving a 42% year-on-year growth in sales, a 31% increase in footfall, and a 7% improvement in its sales conversion rate. Nicky Lovell, Head of Outlets and Retail Business Development at Global Mutual, commented:“The performance of Le Creuset at Livingston Designer Outlet clearly demonstrates the value of reinvestment in outlet retail. For brands aiming to remain relevant and attractive to customers, upgrading their store environments is essential. The outlet sector continues to gain momentum, and it’s exciting to see major global brands investing in destinations like Livingston. These refurbishments underline that outlet shopping is firmly positioned at the heart of many of the world’s most dynamic retail strategies—and we are proud to play a part in that.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Marks & Spencer (M&S) has announced plans to invest over £300 million into its store estate this year, as part of a significant expansion and modernisation programme. The retailer will open 16 new stores in 2025, including 12 food halls, two full-line stores, and two outlet branches. Among these are the already confirmed full-line stores at Bath SouthGate and Bristol Cabot Circus, along with new food halls planned for Bell Green Sydenham, Abingdon, Cannock, and Farnham. In addition to the new openings, M&S will be extending nine existing stores and refurbishing a further 12 as it continues to enhance its in-store experience for customers. Over the past year, M&S has signed agreements for 47 new or renewed stores, all scheduled to open by the end of the 2028 financial year—exceeding the total number opened over the previous three years combined. The company also revealed that it is actively assessing more than 300 potential locations across the UK as it looks to further expand its national footprint. Stuart Machin, Chief Executive Officer of M&S, commented:“This year we are stepping up the pace of our programme and investing over £300 million to rotate and renew stores across the country. We have a rigorous strategy to ensure we have the right stores in the right places, and this year we will deliver 37 new and renewed stores showcasing the best of our food, fashion, home, and beauty to our 32 million customers.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Merry Hill has announced that Marks & Spencer will be introducing its latest store concept to the top 10 UK destination, following a combined significant investment package from the acclaimed British retailer and landlord. M&S has been at Merry Hill for 35 years, first opening in 1990. The decision to invest in the centre, introducing a brand-new fit-out and an M&S café for the first time, signifies a long-term commitment from the brand, creating a best-in-class anchor space for Merry Hill. The destination has been transformed in recent years with other anchor brand additions such as Hollywood Bowl, Harvey Norman, and XF Gym. Working in partnership with Merry Hill’s owners, M&S will be consolidating its offer from its two current units into one, with the store next to Primark set to expand to an overall area of 93,000 sq ft to accommodate the new concept. It will include a full fashion collection across womenswear, kidswear, and menswear, as well as larger home and beauty departments, and a refreshed, larger Foodhall. The destination will also be home to a new-look M&S standalone café in-mall area when the refurbished store opens in late 2025. Graeme Jones, Executive Director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, on behalf of Merry Hill, commented: “The last couple of years have been transformational for Merry Hill, and agreeing with M&S to invest in the destination means we’re carrying that momentum forward. They have a strong legacy here and the move into one store will provide them with a great platform for growth which will also benefit the centre as a whole, particularly our customers. “It’s no coincidence that M&S’ investment has come to Merry Hill, joining our super regional peers in having the latest concept from a brand every destination wants. That makes this collaboration incredibly important as it means we can showcase M&S as a key anchor tenant with a lasting commitment to Merry Hill, delivering the best experience possible for our visitors.” Merry Hill’s anchor tenants have all invested in the centre in recent years. It is now anchored by two new leisure experiences in Hollywood Bowl and XF Gym, as well as an English debut and flagship for international retailer Harvey Norman, and the likes of H&M, Next, and now M&S have all upgraded their stores, ensuring the best possible visitor experience and inspiring other brands to follow suit. JLL, Time Retail Partners, and Font Real Estate represent Merry Hill.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Metrocentre in Gateshead has announced a wave of new investment, as four well-known brands commit to revitalising and upgrading their presence within the shopping destination’s Platinum and Green Malls. Boots, the health and beauty giant, has led the charge with a significant refurbishment of its existing 40,000 sq ft unit in the Green Mall. A tenant for nearly four decades, Boots has modernised its store to enhance accessibility to both its product range and opticians’ services. In the Platinum Mall, Clintons has completed a major store refit, unveiling a new retail concept that includes a wider selection of gifts and party supplies, complementing its established greetings card offering. Fellow Platinum Mall occupant and tour operator Kuoni has also invested in its space, installing a sleek new digital window display and reconfiguring the interior layout to create a more contemporary and engaging environment for customers. Rounding out the quartet, café chain Muffin Break – a longstanding Metrocentre favourite – has launched its new store concept, offering visitors an upgraded and refreshed experience. Ben Cox, Director at Sovereign Centros (part of CBRE), asset manager of Metrocentre, commented: “This cluster of brand investments clearly demonstrates Metrocentre’s continued importance within the retail landscape. Our close partnerships with occupiers play a crucial role in creating an exceptional shopping experience, and we are committed to helping brands maximise their potential within the centre. These enhancements reflect strong confidence in the destination and a long-term commitment from retailers.” The latest upgrades follow the recent announcement that Urban Outfitters will open its first UK store of the year at Metrocentre, occupying 8,000 sq ft in the Upper Mall – further cementing the centre’s position as a premier retail hub in the North East.

CDS Superstores, the parent company of The Range and Wilko, has announced ambitious plans to expand both retail brands, releasing updated property requirements as part of their latest growth push. The company is targeting a mix of city centre and out-of-town locations across the UK. Wilko is seeking retail units between 20,000 and 25,000 sq ft in size, ideally located in shopping centres or central urban areas. Meanwhile, The Range is focusing on larger, out-of-town sites ranging from 25,000 to 60,000 sq ft. CDS confirmed it is open to both freehold and leasehold opportunities, as well as development land and joint venture proposals. This expansion follows a period of significant momentum for the group. Over the past six months, The Range has launched 55 new stores and opened hundreds of in-store concessions, underlining its robust performance and market demand. Antony Darbyshire, Head of Property at CDS Superstores, said: “Demand for our retail brands has never been stronger. We’ve been gearing up for growth by investing heavily in our operational infrastructure, including warehousing and transport. At a time when many retailers are scaling back, we’re bucking the trend. We’re committed to bringing leading retail experiences to even more communities and we’re calling on landlords, developers and agents to partner with us to unlock our next phase of expansion.” The announcement signals a confident and proactive approach to retail growth, positioning The Range and Wilko as key players in the evolving high street and out-of-town retail landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Marks & Spencer is set to launch its latest store concept at Merry Hill in Dudley, following a substantial investment into the retail destination. The retailer, which has maintained a presence at Merry Hill since 1990, will debut a new store layout along with an M&S Café—marking the first time the café has featured at the centre. In collaboration with the centre’s owners, M&S will consolidate its two existing units into a single, significantly larger space. The expanded store, located next to Primark, will span approximately 93,000 sq ft. It will offer an extensive fashion range across womenswear, menswear, and childrenswear, along with enhanced home and beauty departments and a revamped, larger Foodhall. The new store is expected to open in late 2025. Graeme Jones, Executive Director at Sovereign Centros (part of CBRE), speaking on behalf of Merry Hill, commented: “The last couple of years have been transformational for Merry Hill, and securing this investment from M&S allows us to build on that momentum. M&S has a long-standing presence here, and this consolidation into a flagship store creates a fantastic platform for their growth while enhancing the overall customer experience at the centre. It’s no coincidence that M&S has chosen Merry Hill for their latest store concept—joining the ranks of major regional destinations that feature cutting-edge retail environments. This partnership underscores M&S’s continued commitment to Merry Hill and its role as a key anchor tenant.” M&S is the latest major brand to invest in Merry Hill in recent years. The centre is now home to leisure anchors such as Hollywood Bowl and XF Gym, and hosts the UK flagship store for international retailer Harvey Norman. Retailers including H&M and Next have also undertaken significant upgrades to their stores. Merry Hill is represented by JLL, Time Retail Partners, and Font Real Estate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals