The Range has successfully completed the first phase of its ambitious store conversion programme, transforming 55 former Homebase locations into fully operational superstores. The move follows The Range’s acquisition of the Homebase brand and up to 70 of its stores in November, following the DIY retailer’s fall into administration. Now rebranded under The Range fascia, the sites have been revitalised to offer a broader and more convenient customer experience. Several of the newly launched stores now include dedicated garden centres and kitchen showrooms, with bathroom displays expected to be added to selected locations in the coming months. CDS Superstores, the parent company of The Range, confirmed that details of the second rollout phase will be revealed shortly as part of the group’s wider growth strategy. The retailer also continues to strengthen its collaboration with grocery partner Iceland, with the partnership now extended to over 150 co-located stores across the UK. Alex Simpkin, CEO of CDS Superstores, commented: “We’re extremely proud of the transformation achieved across these former Homebase sites. These stores not only safeguard jobs but offer customers an enhanced retail environment tailored to their home and garden needs. “Our growing partnership with Iceland, alongside the introduction of Wilko own-brand products, reinforces our focus on convenience, quality and value. We remain committed to supporting local communities and delivering a standout shopping experience.” As high street retail continues to evolve, The Range’s strategic expansion underlines its ambition to become a dominant force in the UK’s home, garden and value retail sectors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Danish lifestyle brand Søstrene Grene has unveiled ambitious plans to double its UK presence, with a goal of reaching 100 stores nationwide by 2027. The popular homewares retailer is continuing its rapid expansion with new locations confirmed for Canary Wharf in London, Harrogate in North Yorkshire, and Stirling in Scotland, all set to open this summer. These additions follow the recent launch of its Oxford Circus flagship in March – the brand’s fifth store in the capital. This UK growth is part of Søstrene Grene’s wider international strategy, which includes the opening of 60 new stores globally in 2025. Chief Executive Officer and co-owner Mikkel Grene said: “Customers in the UK have responded incredibly positively to the Søstrene Grene concept. We continue to see strong footfall, high levels of engagement, and real appetite for new locations – even in areas where other retailers are pulling back.” Grene noted that the company’s confidence to expand lies in its ability to enhance and support local high streets. Founded in 1973, Søstrene Grene now operates more than 330 stores across 17 European countries. The brand is known for its distinctive Scandinavian design, offering a curated range of homewares, furniture, kitchen accessories, and creative hobby items. “We’re making long-term investments because we believe in the ongoing relevance of physical retail,” Grene added. “Especially when it creates a meaningful customer experience and an emotional connection. We see an opportunity to bring something different to the UK high street at a time when fresh thinking is needed.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Lifestyle and fashion brand Anthropologie is preparing to open its first-ever store in the North West, having secured a prominent spot at Liverpool ONE. Set to occupy a 7,000 sq ft flagship unit on Peter’s Lane, the store will offer the brand’s signature mix of womenswear, footwear, accessories and homeware—all under one roof. The move marks a significant milestone in Anthropologie’s UK expansion and brings yet another sought-after name to Liverpool’s retail heart. Rob Deacon, Asset Management Director at Liverpool ONE – Landsec, commented:“2025 is already shaping up to be a landmark year for Liverpool ONE. The arrival of Anthropologie further elevates our line-up of premium and international brands, reinforcing our position as one of the UK’s most dynamic retail destinations. This is yet another compelling reason to visit.” Anthropologie’s signing comes hot on the heels of several major additions to the centre. Japanese retailer UNIQLO recently opened its doors at Liverpool ONE, marking its first foray into the city, while global beauty powerhouse Sephora and fashion group TFG London are both due to open later this month. With momentum building, Liverpool ONE continues to attract world-class brands seeking to tap into the region’s vibrant and style-savvy consumer base. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Fashion favourite Mango has officially opened its latest concept store at Overgate shopping centre in Dundee, bringing its fresh ‘New Med’ aesthetic to Scotland for the very first time. Situated on the ground floor and spanning more than 3,700 sq ft, the new store focuses exclusively on womenswear and showcases Mango’s latest design approach—characterised by Mediterranean-inspired styling, natural materials and a relaxed, contemporary feel. More than just a retail space, the store incorporates a range of customer-focused features, including a click-and-collect service and a dedicated ‘Committed Box’ where visitors can drop off clothing and footwear for repair or recycling, underlining the brand’s growing commitment to sustainability. Malcolm Angus, Centre Manager at Overgate, commented:“We’re thrilled to welcome Mango to Overgate. The buzz around the opening has been phenomenal and it’s a fantastic addition to our evolving retail line-up. The brand’s arrival marks another exciting step in the transformation of the centre.” Mango’s debut in Dundee comes ahead of another major milestone for Overgate, with Frasers Group set to unveil a 100,000 sq ft FRASERS flagship store at the centre this June, following its acquisition of the scheme in 2023. Property consultancy Orinsen acted on behalf of Overgate in securing the deal. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Sainsbury’s has kicked off its 2025 store expansion drive with the opening of a brand-new supermarket in Felixstowe — the first of 14 planned site conversions following a major property acquisition in late 2024. Located on a 19,000 sq ft site, the Felixstowe store marks the retailer’s first presence in the Suffolk town, bringing Sainsbury’s full grocery offer to local residents for the first time. The store is part of a strategic expansion effort that will see over 400,000 sq ft of new retail space added to Sainsbury’s portfolio over the next two years. The newly opened supermarket is one of 14 locations secured last autumn, largely comprising former Homebase units and two sites previously operated by the East of England Co-op. Alongside larger supermarkets, the retailer has also announced plans to open 25 additional convenience stores over the same period. Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s Chief Property and Procurement Officer, said: “We’re thrilled to open our first ever store in Felixstowe, bringing our quality food and excellent service closer to more customers. It’s also a proud moment for the business as this store marks the first of many new supermarkets we’ll be unveiling over the next two years.” He added: “Our expansion reflects the confidence we have in our brand and our commitment to investing in communities across the country. The Felixstowe site has been transformed in just a few months, and we’re looking forward to continuing this momentum as we bring more Sainsbury’s stores to life.” The wider expansion is part of a bold growth strategy to strengthen the supermarket’s reach in both new and existing markets, offering customers greater convenience and access to its full range of products. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Frasers Group has strengthened its retail presence in the capital with the opening of two new stores at Westfield Stratford City in East London, unveiling new locations for both Sports Direct and FLANNELS. As part of its ongoing London expansion strategy, Sports Direct has launched a two-storey, 20,000 sq ft flagship store. The new space offers a wide range of apparel, footwear, and sports equipment for men, women, and children, featuring top brands including Nike, Adidas, PUMA, Under Armour, New Balance, and ASICS. The store also includes a dedicated section for GAME, the gaming and technology arm of the Frasers portfolio. Lauren Barrie, Group Head of Retail at Frasers Group, said the move underlines the importance of London as a key growth market: “The launch of our Westfield Stratford store follows major openings on Oxford Street and at White City, reinforcing our ambition to create cutting-edge retail destinations in the capital.” Alongside Sports Direct, FLANNELS has opened a 5,000 sq ft boutique at the centre, offering a curated selection of luxury and contemporary fashion across menswear, womenswear, footwear, and accessories. Barrie added: “FLANNELS Stratford marks another step in our ongoing commitment to reimagining the luxury shopping experience. Even in the face of broader retail headwinds, we remain focused on delivering high-quality, immersive environments that meet the evolving expectations of today’s consumer.” The dual openings are part of Frasers Group’s wider strategy to modernise and elevate its retail offering across key urban locations, blending accessible sportswear with premium fashion in high-footfall shopping destinations. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A wave of store reinvestments is sweeping through The Liberty Romford as four major high street brands commit to upgrading their spaces, signalling growing confidence in one of East London’s most prominent shopping destinations. Jewellery favourite Pandora is spearheading the rejuvenation, currently undertaking a significant refit of its 1,582 sq ft store in Liberty Square. The revamp introduces the retailer’s latest concept layout, which includes a newly designed central island feature, a more spacious shop floor, and the addition of on-site engraving services, allowing customers to personalise their purchases. But Pandora is far from alone in recognising the value of a refreshed presence at The Liberty. Also set to benefit from a major uplift is The Perfume Shop, which is planning a full upgrade of its 1,157 sq ft store located on the centre’s East Mall, with works expected to complete in May. The new fit-out aims to enhance the shopping experience through improved layout and customer flow, as well as updated displays to showcase their growing portfolio of fragrance brands. Meanwhile, health and wellness retailer Holland & Barrett is responding to increasing footfall and customer demand by refitting its expansive 2,629 sq ft store, also on the East Mall. The refurbishment, scheduled for this spring, reflects a broader shift within the brand towards creating more engaging, experience-led environments for consumers. Digital and mobile giant EE has already completed its transformation at the centre, introducing its latest store concept to its 2,559 sq ft space. The new format incorporates immersive technology experiences and digital consultation zones, aimed at helping customers better engage with the brand’s evolving suite of services. This flurry of activity comes as part of a wider strategy by Redical, the owner of The Liberty Romford, to future-proof the shopping centre and ensure it evolves in line with consumer expectations and changing retail dynamics. The strategy focuses on enhancing the tenant mix, creating dynamic spaces for experiential retail, and reinforcing the centre’s role as a vital social and commercial hub for the local community. Daniel Tucker, Leasing Manager at The Liberty Romford, commented on the renewed interest from national retailers: “Brands are finally recognising, and taking advantage of, the full potential that The Liberty Romford has to offer as the number one London satellite shopping centre for retail spend opportunity. This latest wave of commitments from leading brands is a clear signal of the confidence they hold in the centre and its location, and we’ll continue to work together with partners to strengthen and elevate the tenant mix while delivering positive change for the wider area.” The reinvestment trend follows hot on the heels of new leasing activity at the centre, including the recent arrival of jewellery and accessories brand Lovisa. These developments reflect growing optimism around the centre’s positioning, particularly as it serves an expansive catchment area stretching across East London and Essex. In parallel to the store refurbishments, long-term planning for the next chapter of The Liberty Romford is already underway. Developer HUB has been appointed to lead the upcoming transformation of the site, which is likely to include a mix of residential accommodation alongside enhanced commercial and community infrastructure. Though still in its early stages, this next phase could help reshape the town centre, boosting local employment, housing availability, and economic resilience. For many within the property and retail sectors, The Liberty Romford represents a compelling case study in how regional shopping centres can adapt and thrive in the post-pandemic landscape. While many UK high streets continue to grapple with vacant units and subdued footfall, The Liberty is charting a different path by actively reinvesting in its spaces and collaborating with occupiers to deliver experiences that go beyond conventional retail. This proactive approach reflects wider shifts in consumer behaviour, where the in-store experience, customer service, and community feel are becoming as important as the products on offer. Retailers are increasingly recognising the importance of creating environments where customers want to spend time — not just transact — and Romford’s main shopping hub is stepping up to meet that demand. The renewed momentum also comes at a time when East London is experiencing substantial regeneration. Improved public transport links, investment in housing, and a growing population are all contributing to Romford’s rising profile as a destination in its own right. For retailers, this means an opportunity to tap into a younger, more diverse consumer base looking for convenience, variety, and quality. With more refurbishments and signings expected over the coming year, the sense of momentum at The Liberty Romford shows no sign of slowing. As more brands commit to enhancing their presence in the centre, local shoppers stand to benefit from upgraded experiences, expanded services, and greater choice. Cushman & Wakefield and Green & Partners advised on leasing for The Liberty Romford, while representation for Pandora was provided by Stephen Kane & Co. What’s clear is that in a shifting retail landscape, places like The Liberty Romford are proving that well-managed, community-focused centres can not only survive but flourish — attracting new investment, modernising facilities, and retaining their central place in the lives of local residents. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals