Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) has announced a number of new fashion, dining and healthcare brands including personal care and beauty products retailer, Space NK, which will more than triple the size of its store at Westfield London this January. The new store, which will become among the retailer’s largest in the UK, will increase from 893sqft to 2,960sqft.
This follows the trend seen across Westfield centres in 2022 with a series of major international brands taking larger spaces, including the recently opened JD Sports which has expanded to 45,000 sqft, plus Tommy Hilfiger, Stradivarius, Bershka, Lacoste, Footlocker, Skechers, Calvin Klein and Dr Martens at Westfield Stratford City.
Whilst at Westfield London, Apple launched a larger refurbished space with 21ft high triple glazed glass frontage, world-famous toy retailer Hamleys opened its second biggest UK store at 11,000sqft and Tommy Hilfiger celebrated the opening of its larger store with a major brand media domination across the centre. Homeware brand Raft also expanded in the Home Quarter.
These investments in physical retail further demonstrate the importance of instore experience and the ongoing appeal of the Westfield brand which continues to attract new brands to the centres.
Kate Orwin, Leasing Director at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield UK, said: “Over the last quarter at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City we have seen major global and international brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Apple and Hamleys increase their footprints by more than 30,000 sqft. combined. We’re also seeing ongoing interest from new concepts and digital native brands signing up for physical space which clearly demonstrates that retailers recognise the importance of being able to connect which customers in a physical environment, complementing an often omnichannel consumer journey.”
At Westfield London, Java Whiskers’ new flagship cat café opened the doors to its second UK destination. Newly signed NA Menswear and natural health and skincare brand Nature Republic will open soon alongside several exciting new signings expected to be announced soon. Other new openings include Sticks & Sushi on the Southern Terrace, McDonalds which recently opened a new 7,124sqft restaurant, innovative costume jewellery design company Nour Boutique and new to the UK international concept, roller rink Flippers Roller Bookie Palace which recently launched at Exhibition, Westfield London.
At Stratford City, fashion brands Accessorize and Nicce plus independent activewear brand, Validate opened their new stores in Q4. New signings all set to open at the centre in the first quarter of 2023 include F&B concepts Brick Lane Bagel and Hawaiian street food brand El Takoy, service offer from The Change plus international fashion brand Reserved and digital native brand Guilio.
