Castore is set to expand its retail footprint in 2025, with plans to open between five and 10 new stores following its strongest-ever Christmas trading period. The premium sportswear brand saw a surge in sales over the festive season, driven by strong demand for football shirts and Formula 1 merchandise. Sales of McLaren F1 and Red Bull Racing gear rose by 20% year-on-year, while the brand’s womenswear range also saw significant growth, with sales up more than 30% compared to the previous year. Co-founder Tom Beahon commented:“We are delighted to have delivered such resilient trading in a challenging environment, and this positive momentum has continued into January. Our strategy remains focused on omnichannel retail, combining the best of digital, physical stores, and direct-to-consumer sales to maximise Castore’s reach. Product innovation remains central to our success, and we look forward to launching exciting new ranges this year.” Castore, which currently operates 25 stores across the UK and Ireland, expanded last year with new locations in Centre:mk, Derbion, Braehead Shopping Centre, and The O2 London. Looking ahead, Beahon remains optimistic about the brand’s growth prospects:“Despite economic uncertainties, we are confident about 2025 and expect continued profitable expansion in both the UK and international markets.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

WHSmith has confirmed it is considering strategic options for its high street business, including a potential sale, as the retailer sharpens its focus on its expanding global travel division. The company, which operates around 500 high street stores across the UK, has seen its travel arm grow significantly, now contributing 85% of its trading profit. In contrast, its high street stores remain centred around books, stationery, and greeting cards. Reports suggest that WHSmith has engaged investment bankers at Greenhill to oversee the sales process, with discussions already underway with potential buyers. A deal could be finalised in the coming months. Last year, WHSmith’s high street business generated an operating profit of £32 million, though the company has been restructuring its portfolio, recently announcing the closure of 17 stores. While a sale is under consideration, WHSmith has stated that no final decision has been made, and further updates will be provided in due course. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Books and stationery retailer The Works has unveiled plans to open 60 new stores over the next five years as part of its growth strategy. The company aims to boost sales to over £375 million by 2030. Currently operating 506 stores across the UK, The Works is focusing on expanding its footprint in approximately 100 target locations. Recent activity included three new store openings, two relocations, and eight closures of underperforming outlets during the first half of the 2025 financial year. A further net reduction of five stores is expected by the end of the year, followed by plans to resume growth with five new stores in 2026. In the 26 weeks ending 3rd November 2024, The Works reported a 1.3% increase in total revenue, reaching £124.2 million. Like-for-like sales dipped slightly by 0.8%, aligning with expectations, while adjusted pre-tax losses improved from £10.4 million to £6.5 million. Chief Executive Officer Gavin Peck remains optimistic despite challenges such as fragile consumer confidence and rising costs. He commented: “We are confident that our actions to grow revenue, enhance margins, and reduce costs will deliver better results this year and in FY26. Our new strategy lays the groundwork to transform The Works, significantly improving performance and shareholder returns in the years to come.” The retailer’s plans signal a renewed focus on sustainable growth and operational efficiency, positioning it as a key player in the competitive retail landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Discount retailer Savers has announced ambitious plans to open 32 new stores across the UK in 2025. Known for offering a wide range of health, household, toiletries, and beauty products, the company is actively seeking locations in retail parks, high streets, and shopping centres to expand its footprint. Savers is targeting units with ground-floor sales areas ranging from 1,800 sq ft to 5,000 sq ft, ensuring ample space to cater to its growing customer base. Here’s the full list of locations Savers is eyeing for its expansion: By focusing on key locations and optimised retail spaces, Savers continues its mission to deliver high-quality, affordable products to more customers across the UK. Stay tuned for updates as the expansion unfolds in 2025. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Aldi is set to open nine stores in the capital this year as part of a £55 million investment within the M25.   Building on its promise to bring unbeatable value to even more Londoners, the supermarket has revealed four of the locations set to welcome new Aldi stores in the next 12 months.  Shoppers in Wimbledon, Fulham Broadway, Caterham and Orpington are all set to benefit from a new Aldi store in 2025. The openings form part of Aldi’s £650 million investment in Britain in 2025. The investment also includes upgrades at some of its existing locations within the M25, including an extension to its Colindale store. Aldi has a long-term ambition to open another 100 stores in London, creating around 3,500 new jobs. Jonathan Neale, Managing Director of National Real Estate at Aldi UK, said: “We strongly believe that everyone in Britain should have access to high quality food at our unbeatable Aldi prices.  But we know that there are still thousands of shoppers in the capital that don’t yet have access to an Aldi nearby. “We don’t think it’s fair that so many people still have to make do with big prices at other supermarkets, which is why London continues to be a real focus for us as we work to bring even more Aldi stores to shoppers across the capital.” Aldi has been named by Which? as officially the UK’s cheapest supermarket of the year for 2024, the fourth year in a row the supermarket has picked up the title. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Landsec has closed 2024 on a high, reporting a stellar performance across its retail destinations during the year’s ‘golden quarter.’ Sales and footfall surged ahead of expectations, solidifying its position as a leader in the UK retail property market. Impressive Growth in Spending and Footfall During the quarter, more than £800 million was spent across Landsec’s portfolio, marking a 3.8% year-on-year increase—well above the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) reported sales growth of 0.4% for the same period. Notably, Trinity Leeds experienced a remarkable 13.1% boost in sales, driven by the arrival of major brands like Nike and Zara earlier in the year. Footfall also saw a notable uptick, rising 1.9% year-on-year, in stark contrast to the BRC benchmark, which recorded a 2.5% decline during the same period. December alone brought an additional one million visitors to Landsec retail destinations, underscoring their appeal as go-to shopping and leisure hubs. Strategic Investments Paying Off This success builds on Landsec’s earlier half-year results, which revealed that occupancy rates at its major retail destinations had surpassed pre-pandemic levels. A shift in strategy by brands to focus on fewer, higher-quality stores has aligned perfectly with Landsec’s emphasis on premium retail experiences. Bluewater in Kent emerged as a standout performer, welcoming ten new stores during the quarter, including high-profile names like Sephora, Bershka, and Aesop. Bruce Findlay, Managing Director for Retail at Landsec, highlighted the company’s growing dominance:“Following our recent acquisition of Liverpool ONE, we now own seven out of the top thirty performing retail destinations in the UK. These best-in-class locations continue to outperform benchmarks as both brands and shoppers gravitate towards prime spaces.” The All-Day Experience Advantage Landsec attributes its success to offering more than just retail. The combination of premium brands, well-designed stores, and all-day-out experiences has proven to be a winning formula. With increased footfall and sales, brands are reinvesting in these prime locations, ensuring continued growth and consumer appeal. As Landsec heads into 2025, its strategy of curating vibrant, high-performing retail spaces positions it as a key player in shaping the future of UK retail. The strong results from the ‘golden quarter’ are a testament to the enduring value of investing in premium destinations that cater to both brands and consumers alike. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has confirmed the successful acquisition of significant funding to redevelop the former Marks & Spencer site at 97-102 Taff Street in Pontypridd Town Centre. With a contractor now appointed, construction is set to begin in February 2025 as part of the Southern Gateway redevelopment project. The site, demolished in 2023 to prepare for its transformation, will be developed into a modern ‘riverside plaza.’ This public space will reconnect the townscape with the river for the first time in over a century, providing a functional and attractive area for residents and visitors alike. The project includes several key features: The Council appointed Horan Construction Ltd to lead the £5.6 million redevelopment in Pontypridd, funded through the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Programme (£3.68 million) and the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (£1.95 million). Site mobilisation will commence in January 2025, with completion expected in early 2026. Cabinet members received a detailed project update in July 2024, and significant progress has since been made, including a competitive procurement process and finalised designs. The Council will soon release further details about the construction phase, including timelines and updates for town centre visitors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Greggs, the beloved UK bakery chain, has announced ambitious plans to open up to 150 net new stores in 2025 after a record-breaking year of expansion. The company revealed a “strong pipeline of opportunities” that will support its continued growth, with plans including 50 store relocations to optimise its presence across the country. A Milestone Year in 2024 Last year, Greggs achieved a milestone by opening 226 new stores, marking its highest-ever annual growth. After accounting for 28 closures and 53 relocations, the company achieved a net increase of 145 shops, bringing its total to 2,618 by year-end. This figure includes 2,057 company-managed stores and 561 franchised locations. In its latest trading update, Greggs reported a 7.7% increase in sales during the final quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Total annual sales reached an impressive £2.01 billion, a significant rise from £1.81 billion the previous year. CEO Reflects on Success and Future Plans Roisin Currie, Chief Executive of Greggs, hailed the chain’s achievements:“2024 was another year of good progress by Greggs, with a record number of new shops opened and the £2 billion sales milestone surpassed. I’m incredibly proud of our teams who, day in and day out, do such a fantastic job for our customers.” Looking ahead, Currie expressed optimism despite challenges in the broader retail environment:“We enter 2025 with a strong pipeline of new shop opportunities and continue to broaden our menu and enhance our digital capabilities. Additionally, we are investing in our supply chain capacity to support our growth strategy. While lower consumer confidence continues to impact high street footfall and spending, our value-for-money offer and the quality of our freshly prepared food and drink position us well to navigate the challenges ahead.” Balancing Growth and Resilience Greggs’ success comes amid a challenging retail landscape, with high street footfall still recovering from pandemic lows and ongoing pressures on consumer spending. The bakery chain’s focus on affordable, freshly made food and expanding its digital services has helped it stand out in a competitive market. By continuing to innovate and expand, Greggs is poised to maintain its position as one of the UK’s favourite food-to-go chains. With plans for 150 new stores this year, the company is clearly ready to take another bite out of the market in 2025. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

B&Q has announced its plans to acquire five leasehold Homebase stores across the UK for a total investment of £2.5 million. This strategic move will add over 269,000 square feet of retail space to B&Q’s growing portfolio, cementing its position as a leader in the home improvement sector. A New Chapter for B&Q The five stores, located in Altrincham, Basingstoke, Biggleswade, Leamington Spa, and Worcester, will undergo a transformation as they are converted to the B&Q brand. Subject to landlord approvals, the transaction is expected to be finalised in the first quarter of Kingfisher’s 2025/26 financial year. Store conversions are scheduled to begin in spring 2025, with completion anticipated by the year’s end. This acquisition follows B&Q’s recent expansion into Ireland, where it acquired three Homebase stores in late 2024, adding over 100,000 square feet of retail space. Excitement at the Helm Graham Bell, CEO of B&Q, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition:“We’re thrilled to be adding these five stores to our network, bringing a total of eight new sites to our footprint in the UK and Ireland. Our goal is to offer home improvers the convenience and choice they deserve, and we’re committed to transforming these stores to meet those needs. It’s a fantastic way to kick off 2025, and we look forward to welcoming our new customers and colleagues to the B&Q family.” A Response to Market Changes The move comes after Homebase faced significant financial difficulties, entering administration in November 2024. This led to 74 of its stores being placed on the market. B&Q’s strategic acquisition highlights its adaptability and determination to seize growth opportunities in a shifting retail landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Co-op has unveiled plans to bolster its presence across the UK with the opening of 75 new stores in 2025. This growth initiative includes both Co-op-operated and franchise stores, alongside major refurbishments for 80 existing locations, as the retailer focuses on enhancing its role as a hub for convenience and community services. Expanding the Co-op Network The expansion aims to ensure easy and convenient access to Co-op stores nationwide. Among the first new openings, Salford Quays – The Anchorage and East Benton – Newcastle Upon Tyne will welcome Co-op-operated stores in early 2025. Franchise growth will contribute up to 50 additional stores, allowing Co-op to extend its reach into communities it might not otherwise access, thanks to partnerships with trusted collaborators. Building on 2024’s success, Co-op will continue its innovative approach to franchise locations, which include university campuses, petrol forecourts, hospitals, and even military bases like HMS Collingwood. Revamping Existing Stores Up to 80 stores will undergo significant refurbishments, designed to modernise and maximise the potential of Co-op’s property portfolio. Early 2025 will see major makeovers completed in locations such as Exeter, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridgeshire, Hampshire, Avonmouth, Hereford, and Clapham. These refreshed stores will embody Co-op’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and community engagement. A Hub for More Than Groceries Co-op stores go beyond traditional retail, offering services like parcel collection, payment options, and quick online delivery. Acting as micro-distribution hubs, stores support Co-op’s growing ecommerce platform, enabling rapid delivery of fresh groceries through partnerships with Just Eat, Uber Eats, and Deliveroo. As retailers scale their online operations alongside physical growth, many are turning to ecommerce outsourcing to streamline marketplace selling and support scalable online growth. Co-op aims to expand its quick commerce market share to over 30%, solidifying its position as a leader in online grocery delivery. In-store digital media screens, member savings, and support for local causes also highlight Co-op’s focus on creating a sense of community and delivering economic and social benefits to its members. Sustainability at the Forefront Co-op’s green ambitions include plans to install up to 76,000 solar panels across 700 sites in its food, funeralcare, and logistics portfolio over the next three years. This move reinforces Co-op’s commitment to carbon reduction and sustainability. A Vision for the Future Matt Hood, Co-op’s Managing Director, stated:“We want everyone to have easy and convenient access to a Co-op store, wherever they live. This year, we are completely focused on achieving that through an ambitious and exciting new store strategy. “As a membership organisation owned by six million members, we are experts in convenience shopping. By combining quality products, great value, ethical retailing, and quick online delivery with community participation, we’re creating stores that act as active hubs of local life.” With a robust plan for expansion and innovation, Co-op continues to cement its role as a leading convenience retailer while supporting its members and communities across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals