International toy retailer POP MART is preparing to open its largest UK store yet at Liverpool ONE, marking the brand’s debut in the city. Located on Upper South John Street, close to KENJI and MINISO, the new 6,200 sq ft store will showcase POP MART’s extensive range of collectable blind boxes, featuring exclusive characters and popular lines such as The Monsters, widely known as ‘Labubus’. Rob Deacon, director of asset management at Liverpool ONE, Landsec, commented: “With regular sell-out product launches, POP MART has proven a viral sensation, and the store is set to appeal to a wide range of consumers across the North West. The brand launching its biggest UK store yet will provide yet another distinct point of difference to the destination, reinforcing Liverpool ONE’s position as a go-to location for globally renowned brands and one of the leading retail and entertainment destinations in the UK.” The opening adds to a strong run of new signings and store launches at Liverpool ONE, which is enjoying its busiest year for retail additions since 2008. Recent openings include MINISO, Sephora, TFG London, and Uniqlo. In 2025, the destination is set to welcome over 25 brands, covering more than 100,000 sq ft in total. CBRE, Colliers, and Time Retail Partners acted on behalf of Liverpool ONE, while Cushman & Wakefield represented POP MART. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Health and wellness retailer Holland & Barrett has unveiled fresh plans to expand its store network across the Midlands and East Anglia, as part of an ongoing growth and modernisation strategy. The announcement follows the recent relocation of its Ipswich branch to a new site, underlining the brand’s commitment to enhancing customer experience and accessibility. The company is actively seeking ground floor retail units between 1,500 and 2,000 sq ft in prime locations. Larger sites are also being targeted within major city centres and regional shopping destinations that offer high levels of footfall. In addition, Holland & Barrett has ambitions to explore smaller-format stores of 700 sq ft or more in travel hubs. Flexible retail formats such as concessions, kiosks, and pop-up stores in busy pedestrian areas are also on the table as part of a strategy to adapt to changing consumer shopping patterns. Key locations earmarked for potential openings or relocations include Ashbourne, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Birmingham (Moseley/Selly Oak), Birmingham City Centre, Cambridge, Cannock, Derby, Grantham, Leicester, Lincoln, Market Harborough, Meadowhall, Northampton, Norwich, Nottingham, Oswestry, Peterborough, Redditch, Sheffield, Shrewsbury, Sleaford, Solihull, Stoke-on-Trent, Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth, Warwick, Wednesbury, West Bridgford, West Bromwich, Wolverhampton, and Wrexham. The retailer has also indicated that other opportunities across the Midlands and East Anglia will be considered. For relocations, the focus is on securing sites that can provide improved layouts, greater visibility, and enhanced customer flow. Upsizing in select markets, such as Cambridge and Meadowhall, will allow the brand to expand product ranges and improve in-store services. Out-of-town retail parks remain a priority in several target areas, while designer outlet destinations such as McArthurGlen and Grantham are also on the radar. By diversifying its footprint, Holland & Barrett aims to capture a broader customer base, from urban shoppers to regional visitors. Property consultancy Rawstron Johnson has been appointed to identify and secure suitable premises, working closely with the retailer to meet specific size, location, and footfall criteria. With a strong presence in the UK health food and wellness sector, Holland & Barrett’s expansion plans reflect wider trends in retail, where brands are increasingly adopting a multi-format approach to cater to evolving shopper habits. Whether in a bustling city centre, a busy transport hub, or a popular retail park, the retailer’s objective remains the same – to make health and wellness more accessible to communities across the region. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Aldi has announced ambitious plans to open an average of one store every week for the remainder of 2025, alongside a major refurbishment programme aimed at modernising its existing estate. The German-owned discount supermarket, which has been steadily increasing its footprint in the UK, will also revamp 35 of its current stores before the end of the year. The dual strategy forms part of a £650 million nationwide investment to enhance accessibility, customer experience, and the overall quality of its retail spaces. Planned new store locations include Deeside in Wales, Market Harborough in Leicestershire, Fulham Broadway in London, Eastbourne in East Sussex, Treharris in Wales, Waterbrook in Kent, Shoreditch in London, Houghton le Spring in Tyne and Wear, Meadowfield in Durham, Litherland in Liverpool, and Brimington in Chesterfield. Jonathan Neale, managing director of national real estate at Aldi UK, said the strategy is about more than simply expanding geographically. “At Aldi, our goal is to make sure people across the UK have access to affordable, high-quality food, and opening new stores is key to making that happen. We’re now opening an average of one new store a week for the rest of 2025, showing just how ambitious our plans are to build a store network that will help us reach millions of new customers. But it’s not just about openings – it’s also about making sure we have the best-paid teams in place to run them.” The expansion drive comes amid a highly competitive grocery market, where discount retailers continue to gain market share as shoppers seek better value in the face of ongoing cost-of-living pressures. Aldi’s focus on frequent openings is expected to increase its presence in both urban and rural locations, making its low-price, quality-focused offer accessible to more communities. The refurbishment element of the programme will see older stores upgraded to meet modern retail standards, with improved layouts, updated interiors, and more energy-efficient lighting and refrigeration systems. This reflects Aldi’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and reducing operational energy consumption. With its latest investment, Aldi is positioning itself for sustained growth while reinforcing its reputation as one of the UK’s fastest-growing supermarket brands. For shoppers, the promise is clear – more stores, better facilities, and the same commitment to value that has underpinned the retailer’s success. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The UK shopping centre investment market is showing encouraging signs of resilience and strategic evolution, according to the latest research from Savills. After a strong 2024, which saw transaction volumes hit £2 billion — the highest annual total since 2017 and 54% above the eight-year average — 2025 has so far presented a more subdued picture. In the first half of the year, just £483 million was transacted across 11 deals, marking a 40% decline compared to the same period in 2024. However, Savills believes the fundamentals remain sound. Investor appetite for prime and super prime retail assets remains steady, and the borrowing landscape has improved significantly. Enhanced loan-to-value ratios and falling borrowing costs have made leverage increasingly attractive, helping to bolster confidence. Despite some uncertainty in the macroeconomic and geopolitical environment, Savills’ outlook for the remainder of 2025 is optimistic. More than £3.5 billion worth of high-quality shopping centre assets are either on the market or expected to become available within the next 12 months. This pipeline includes around 15 schemes, signalling a potential uptick in activity. That said, Savills notes a word of caution around possible oversupply, which could result in a few processes falling short of expectations. Mark Garmon-Jones, director of retail investment at Savills, commented: “We’re witnessing a real change in how investors approach the market. High-net-worth individuals and institutional buyers are now making more targeted acquisitions, often independent of broader market sentiment. This signals the rise of a conviction-led investment mindset, particularly in the core-plus space, and renewed appetite from US investors despite the wider global uncertainty.” Sam Arrowsmith, director of research at Savills, added: “While the first half of 2025 hasn’t matched last year’s momentum, there’s no doubt that the sector’s underlying strength remains intact. A combination of supportive debt conditions, persistent investor interest, and a robust stock pipeline suggests that the market is adjusting — not retreating. For investors ready to act strategically, the second half of the year could prove especially rewarding.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Jewellery retailer Pandora has opened its first UK airport store at Manchester Airport, marking a significant step in the brand’s expansion into travel retail. The new store, situated in Terminal 2, offers Pandora’s complete range of jewellery, including charms, bracelets, rings, necklaces and earrings. Passengers will also benefit from in-store engraving services, offering a personalised shopping experience for both travellers and gift buyers. This Manchester location is the first of three planned airport stores set to launch in 2025, as part of Pandora’s broader retail strategy aimed at increasing visibility in high-footfall travel environments. A store in Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal is scheduled to open in mid-August, followed by a third location at London Luton Airport in September. Ross Monaghan, Sales Director for Pandora UK and Ireland, commented: “We’re incredibly proud to open our first ever standalone airport store and delighted to partner with Manchester, a city that holds huge importance for Pandora in the UK. This new location comes at the perfect moment in the airport’s development and marks an exciting new chapter in our retail journey.” The airport store openings build on a strong year for the retailer, which also saw Pandora open a fourth store on Oxford Street earlier in March. As passenger numbers rise and demand for luxury retail in transit zones grows, Pandora’s airport presence looks set to play a key role in its UK growth strategy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Ikea has opened the doors to its first small-format store in Harlow, Essex, kicking off a wave of new compact locations designed to bring the brand closer to customers across the UK. Two more stores, in Norwich and Chester, are expected to follow later this year. Situated in retail parks, these new stores aim to offer a faster, more convenient shopping experience while maintaining Ikea’s signature inspiration and functionality. Visitors can explore curated roomsets, browse seasonal collections, and get hands-on with small furnishings and home accessories. While the full 12,000-product range isn’t held on site, customers can easily place orders for home delivery or in-store collection. As part of Ikea’s push towards sustainability and customisation, the Harlow store includes planning services for kitchens and bedrooms, a team of advisors ready to help, and the option to exchange pre-owned items for store credit. The beloved range of Swedish snacks and meals is also available, both to dine in and take away. Peter Jelkeby, CEO and CSO of Ikea UK & Ireland, commented: “The opening of Ikea Harlow marks an exciting milestone as we explore new ways to bring Ikea closer to our customers. We are opening our doors just over 100 days after acquiring the lease to the site, having made use of the existing structure to get our store ready at pace. “By continuously reviewing and adapting our store formats, we aim to offer a more personalised and accessible retail experience. These new small-format stores fit seamlessly into our wider omnichannel strategy, ensuring our physical and digital channels work together to meet the diverse needs of our customers.” The Harlow launch is part of a broader UK expansion strategy for Ikea in 2025. The company is also set to open additional Plan and Order Points in Dundee and York, new small-format stores in Norwich and Chester, and a city-centre store in Brighton. This follows recent openings in Hull and on London’s Oxford Street. With its new compact concept, Ikea is reshaping how Britain shops for home essentials—bringing big ideas into smaller spaces, and closer to home. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

EG On the Move, founded in 2023 by Zuber Issa and Imraan Patel following the restructuring of EG Group’s UK operations, is rapidly establishing itself as a major force in the UK’s forecourt and convenience retail sector. The company now operates over 150 sites nationwide and employs around 4,500 people. To fuel its next phase of growth, EG On the Move has appointed commercial property advisor Colliers to secure more than 120 new roadside sites over the next three years. The business is targeting locations ranging from 0.35 to 10 acres, with a preference for high-traffic areas such as A-road junctions, edge-of-town retail parks, and other prominent roadside plots. The company’s expansion strategy focuses on locations suitable for drive-through formats, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, petrol filling stations, and convenience retail. It is acquiring sites on behalf of a number of leading food and drink brands, including Starbucks, Greggs, Subway, Popeyes, Chaiiwala, and Sbarro. In addition to roadside plots, EG On the Move is also seeking retail units of up to 1,500 sq ft in high-footfall areas, such as university campuses, transport hubs, and town centre leisure districts. The latest expansion drive follows the company’s acquisition of 98 forecourts from Applegreen in early 2025, increasing its total portfolio to 151 forecourt sites and over 200 foodservice concessions. The deal also included a fuel card business, strengthening its offer to both consumers and fleet customers. EG On the Move’s continued investment reflects broader trends in the UK’s forecourt landscape—namely, consolidation, a growing shift towards EV infrastructure, and the rise of convenience-led retail as part of the roadside experience. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Shaftesbury Capital has announced that Charlotte Tilbury, the internationally recognised make-up, fragrance, and skincare retailer, will join Soho’s latest line-up of new brands later this year, opening in an anchor gateway unit to the globally renowned Carnaby Street. Visitors can expect the brand’s highly coveted range of award-winning skincare, makeup, and fragrance through a personalised experience and tailored expert advice from Charlotte Tilbury’s pro-make-up artists. Spanning 4,200 sq ft with a prominent frontage, the unit is located at one of the busiest entrance points to Carnaby Street, giving Charlotte Tilbury a huge presence at the top of the iconic shopping destination, and placing them alongside other recent arrivals, including PURESEOUL, TALA,and Farm Rio. Charlotte Tilbury has already made a significant impact on Shaftesbury Capital’s West End portfolio, with the recent opening of its upsized flagship store in Covent Garden, which tripled in size at the end of last year. Its upcoming space in Soho reflects the leading landlord’s ability to deliver a solid foundation for in-demand retailers to thrive, and the collaborative relationship it fosters and retains with brands to support expansion. William Oliver, Director of Retail & Restaurant Leasing at Shaftesbury Capital, said: “Carnaby Street is known for being home to some of the best, internationally recognised brands that the retail industry has to offer. It is a vibrant hub of high-quality, sought-after names that resonate with its London consumers, just as much as the huge volume of domestic and international visitors Carnaby Street attracts. Charlotte Tilbury is theatrical and immersive, something that mirrors the foundation and heritage of Carnaby Street, and its global appeal and innovative approach are the qualities we look for, to ensure we deliver the elevated retail experience people have come to expect here.” Charlotte Tilbury MBE, President, Chairwoman, Chief Creative Officer, & Founder Of Charlotte Tilbury said: “London’s limitless spirit of creativity and self-expression is so inspiring! From the early days of my career as a make up artist setting beauty trends at the seminal shows of London Fashion Week through to launching my first ever counter at Selfridges – the city has played such an integral part in my career. It’s the city where I opened my first ever Beauty Wonderland, and Covent Garden is now home to my biggest flagship store – it’s an innovative, immersive hub of beauty education, expertise and artistry, a re-imagining of the customer experience. In London, you can dare to dream it, dare to believe it and dare to do it!” This news follows the recent announcement of a series of landmark retail openings in Soho, the globally renowned destination now home to debut locations for TALA and Autry, new flagships for Farm Rio and PURESEOUL, and pop-ups for emerging brands De La Vali and Speltham.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Frasers Group has reaffirmed its commitment to property as a core element of its growth strategy, highlighting real estate investment as a “key focus” amid shifting retail dynamics. The group’s property division generated £13.9 million in revenue for the 2025 financial year, marking a 19.1% year-on-year increase. This accounted for 1.8% of total group revenue and reflects a strategy built around targeted acquisitions and asset enhancement. The uplift was underpinned by the annualisation of previous acquisitions, including Castleford’s shopping centres, alongside a string of high-profile deals completed during the year. These included Frenchgate in Doncaster, Princesshay in Exeter, Fremlin Walk in Maidstone, and a portfolio of Affinity outlets. Trading profit from the property arm rose by £5 million, driven by higher rental income. However, gains were partly offset by a £5.8 million increase in operating costs. In contrast, Frasers’ core retail division reported a 7.4% decline in revenue compared to the previous year. Although Sports Direct continued to deliver sales growth and the group acquired Twinsport during the period, these gains were outweighed by planned revenue reductions across Game UK, Studio Retail, and a number of brands previously acquired from JD Sports and SportMaster in Denmark. The luxury market also remained subdued, though the group noted some encouraging early signs of recovery. Michael Murray, Chief Executive of Frasers Group, said:“I’m pleased with our performance this year, despite the headwinds caused by last year’s Budget. We remain fully committed to our Elevation Strategy, which drove another record year of profitable growth and further delivery of our key priorities. We continued our strategy of confidently investing for the future, unlocking multiple opportunities for sustainable medium- to long-term growth.” He added:“We accelerated our international expansion, announcing partnerships in Australia, Asia and EMEA, to further build Sports Direct into a truly worldwide proposition. Our relationships with the world’s best global brands, including Nike, adidas and HUGO BOSS, are the strongest they have ever been, and our ambitious growth plans are now strengthening and scaling these partnerships even further.” “We captured over £125 million of synergies through strategic acquisition integrations and cost-savings, and continued to invest in real estate opportunities that deliver great value for the group.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Metrocentre in Gateshead has secured two significant retail deals, with Superdrug set to open its largest store in the region and Danish lifestyle brand Søstrene Grene preparing to launch its first outlet at the scheme. Superdrug will upsize its unit within the centre’s Red Mall to 10,000 sq ft, marking a 31% increase on its previous space. The upgraded store will feature the brand’s latest concept, including treatment studios and cosmetic services, as well as new signage, flooring, ceiling tiles, and energy-efficient LED lighting. The enhanced space will strengthen Superdrug’s position as a wellness anchor in the Red Mall, joining leading fashion and lifestyle brands such as Zara, Flannels, River Island, and upcoming arrivals Stradivarius and Urban Outfitters. Meanwhile, in the Lower Green Mall, Søstrene Grene has signed for a 5,000 sq ft unit opposite Next. Known for its Scandinavian-inspired home décor, furniture, crafts and gift items, the retailer will join an established line-up that includes ProCook, Clarks, and Holland & Barrett. Ben Cox, director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, asset manager of Metrocentre, said:“We firmly believe that creating growth opportunities for existing brands is paramount to not just a successful tenant mix, but the overall visitor experience. Superdrug will be benefiting from that after years of success, delivering a greater range of services and products in a better and more enhanced environment. The arrival of Søstrene Grene will also elevate the centre, with both retailers highlighting confidence in our destination as we provide even more reasons for people to visit and uphold our position as the go-to destination in the North East.” These latest signings follow continued investment in Metrocentre, including a full refurbishment of Boots’ 40,000 sq ft unit, as well as new openings for Kuoni, Muffin Break, and the regional debut of Clinton’s new store format. Lunson Mitchenall and Time Retail Partners represent Metrocentre on leasing. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals