Shopping Centres

West End loses out on £310m in sales without tax-free shopping

Retailers in London’s West End have lost an estimated £310m in sales in the first half of 2025 due to the ongoing absence of tax-free shopping, according to new research released by New West End Company. The figure represents a 40% increase on the £220m lost over the same period…

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Affinity portfolio hits 98% occupancy in H1

Affinity, a portfolio of four UK outlet shopping centres, has welcomed a “standout” half-year performance, with 98% of space now let across the portfolio. The group said its sites in Devon, Staffordshire, Lancashire and Sterling Mills reported a combination of “strong trading, proactive asset management, and compelling retail and leisure…

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Søstrene Grene and Hollister to open new stores at Midsummer Place

Property investment group NewRiver has announced two new lettings at Midsummer Place in Milton Keynes, with the addition of Søstrene Grene and Hollister.  Søstrene Grene will open its first Milton Keynes in August 2026. The Danish lifestyle brand has leased a 6,329 sq ft unit on a multi-year lease, and…

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Pop Mart to open largest UK Store at Liverpool One

Pop Mart has announced it is set to open its largest UK store to date in Liverpool One, marking the international toy retailer’s debut in the city. Founded in Beijing in 2010, Pop Mart has built a strong following through limited-edition product drops, collaborations with artists and brands, and its…

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Network Rail sees retail sales hit record £915m in 2024/25

Network Rail has reported that its 19 managed stations saw retail sales rise by a “record” 8.7% to £914.7m in 2024/25, driven by growth and convenience outlets.  During the period, like-for-like sales rose 5.8%, with London Waterloo generating £107.5m and London Bridge £100.1m, making them the first two stations in…

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British shoppers drive surge in EU VAT-free spending after UK scheme scrapped

British spending on VAT-free shopping in the European Union (EU) has risen more than fivefold since 2021, as consumers increasingly choose to buy luxury goods abroad rather than in UK stores, according to the Times.  New figures from the Association of International Retail (AIR) show that Britons spent £742m in…

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Hotel Chocolat opens flagship store at Manchester Arndale

Hotel Chocolat has opened one of its largest stores at Manchester Arndale, signing a 10-year lease to occupy the 7,288 sq ft unit. The new flagship store includes a café space whilst also selling its range of ethically sourced chocolate bars, hot drinks and gifts.   Since being founded in…

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Cotswolds designer outlet officially opens to public

Cotswolds Designer Outlet has opened to the public, offering a mix of fashion, lifestyle and food brands alongside family-friendly facilities. The new outlet, developed by Robert Hitchins and managed by Multi-Realm, is located just off Junction 9 of the M5, on the edge of Tewkesbury. More than 50 national and…

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NCA arrests four over cyber attacks on M&S, Co-op and Harrods

Four people have been arrested as part of a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation into cyber attacks on Marks and Spencer, Co-op and Harrods. Two men aged 19, a 17-year-old boy, and a 20-year-old woman were detained at home addresses in the West Midlands and London on 10 July.  They…

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Retail sales see sharpest monthly fall since December 2023

Retail sales volumes fell by 2.7% in May, according to the latest retail sales figures from the ONS, marking the sharpest monthly decline since December 2023. The fall followed a revised 1.3% rise in April and was driven largely by reduced spending in food stores and weaker sales of clothing…

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