SGS UK Retail has announced that Braehead Shopping Centre is going from strength to strength, headlining outstanding sales and footfall growth for the year to date. In addition, SGS has signed a series of major new retail and F&B lettings and reinvestments, implemented a rebrand and new consumer marketing campaign, and launched Braehead Ambition, an operating partnership with Braehead Arena and the neighbouring XSite leisure destination. The combination of successes further cementing Braehead’s position as Scotland’s number one retail and leisure destination.  Huw Kmiot, Associate Director of Asset Management at Pradera Lateral, commented: “2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for Braehead.  With strong trading performance, a wave of exciting new lettings, and meaningful reinvestment from our existing brands, we’re seeing our strategy deliver tangible results and are building momentum for a strong end to the year.” The results follow the launch of Braehead Ambition, the strategic partnership to align the marketing of Braehead Shopping Centre, XSite, and Braehead Arena.  Driving a joined-up approach to experience, engagement and performance, Braehead ambition is backed by a board, comprising SGS UK Retail, TDL Media, and XPE Group Plc, and delivered by a collaborative team including Pradera Lateral, Savills, BWP Group, Lunson Mitchenall, BGP, and Metis. Braehead is asset managed by Pradera Lateral, and its leasing agents are Lunson Mitchenall and Savills. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Mango is preparing to launch a new flagship store at Festival Place, Basingstoke, later this year, marking another key step in its UK growth strategy. The international fashion brand will occupy a 7,104 sq ft unit at the heart of the scheme, designed around Mango’s contemporary ‘New Med’ concept. The store will stock both womenswear and menswear, providing a fresh fashion destination for local shoppers. Festival Place, home to more than 180 retailers, secured the letting as its first major signing since MDSR Investment acquired the centre in April for £99.1 million. Mango’s arrival is expected to enhance the scheme’s retail line-up and cement its role as a leading regional shopping destination. The move is part of Mango’s wider global expansion plan, which sets out to reach 500 stores by the end of next year. The UK plays a central role in this roadmap, with 20 new openings planned nationwide during 2025. Ross Campbell, director and head of asset management at Festival Place, commented:“The key focus of our asset management strategy since MDSR’s purchase of Festival Place has been to strengthen the fashion offer at the centre. Mango’s arrival marks a strong start to this programme. Being part of the brand’s growth ambitions is exciting, as it strengthens its UK presence this year with 20 new store openings, reflecting strong shopper demand for its offer.” Neil Hockin, Joint Managing Director and Head of Leasing at Lunson Mitchenall, added:“It’s a significant milestone that Mango has chosen Festival Place for its flagship store – its offer aligns seamlessly with the customer demographic, and it fills a clear gap in the local market with the nearest store more than 27km away. Across the high street fashion sector, we are seeing rising demand for prominent international brands, and Basingstoke reflects this trend strongly. This letting marks a key phase in our strategic asset management partnership with GCW and Estama to reinforce Festival Place’s standing as one of the UK’s premier retail and leisure destinations.” Lunson Mitchenall and GCW acted as joint agents on the deal. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Ikea has opened its first Brighton store, marking the retailer’s third UK venture into city centre shopping destinations. Located within the former Debenhams unit at Churchill Square Shopping Centre, the 6,695 sq ft store spans two floors and focuses on home furnishing accessories and small furniture. Larger items can be ordered in-store for home delivery or collection, making it easier for city residents to access Ikea’s full range. The new store features inspirational roomsets, a market hall, planning consultations for kitchens and bedroom storage, and a dedicated area for second-hand products. Customers can also enjoy Ikea’s dining offer, with a 100-seat Swedish Deli restaurant at the heart of the space. Karina Gilpin, manager at Ikea Brighton, said: “This opening reflects our commitment to making Ikea more accessible to people living in city locations. We want to bring convenience, choice and inspiration closer to where our customers live and work.” Mark Buchanan-Smith, Meeting Place manager at Churchill Square, added: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome Ikea to Churchill Square as it opens its very first store in Brighton. This long-anticipated moment marks a significant milestone for the city and reflects what our community has been asking for. Ikea will become a crucial part of our Meeting Place experience – helping us create a vibrant destination where people come together to shop, eat, and enjoy meaningful moments in the heart of Brighton & Hove.” The opening follows Ingka Investments’ acquisition of Churchill Square Shopping Centre in 2023 and underlines Ikea’s continued focus on expanding into urban high streets and shopping centres across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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