Knightsbridge
This coverage examines retail activity and trends in Knightsbridge, providing insights for UK retail executives, managers, and brand professionals. Reporting includes store openings and closures, investment projects, redevelopment activity, and the performance of retailers in this luxury-focused London district. The analysis helps professionals assess opportunities, challenges, and consumer behaviour shaping retail in Knightsbridge.
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May- 2023 -17 MayDepartment Stores
Harrods boss calls for return of VAT-free shopping for overseas visitors
The managing director of Harrods, Michael Ward, has called on the government to rethink its removal of VAT-free shopping for overseas visitors in a bid to boost luxury shopping in London. Ward, who is also the chairman of Knightsbridge Partnership, told The Times: “We’re in the middle of a difficult…
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10 MayHigh Street
UK footfall falls 13% on Coronation Day but London welcomes boost
Last week saw mixed results for retailers as footfall dropped by 13.2% from results in 2022 on Coronation Day (6 May), while central London saw a 11.3% boost in footfall and an additional 21.5% between the hours of 10am and 3pm, according to Springboard. Across the whole week, footfall increased…
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9 MayHigh Street
Coronation Day footfall down by 20%
On Coronation Day, footfall across all UK retail destinations was -20.6% lower than the previous Saturday, and -24.6% lower between 10am and 3pm, as the event “somewhat inevitably” drew customers away from stores. However, according to the latest findings from Springboard, the coronation did lead to an uplift in footfall…
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2 MayHigh Street
Bank holiday sees footfall rise 12.9%
The bank holiday weekend saw footfall ramp up “significantly” from Friday onwards, with an increase in footfall over Saturday and Sunday of +12.9% from the week before last, according to mRI Springboard. The average week on week % change from Sunday to Thursday was only +0.9%, but averaged +10.3% over…
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Nov- 2022 -16 NovemberHigh Street
Alpha Tauri enters UK market with London flagship
AlphaTauri, the fashion retailer owned by Red Bull, has continued its global expansion plans with the opening of a London flagship store in Knightsbridge. It is its first fully-owned store in Britain and marks the company’s entry into British brick-and-mortar retail. The 326m2 store on Brompton Road showcases the latest…
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Oct- 2022 -31 OctoberDepartment Stores
Harrods swings to profit in FY21
Harrods has revealed it has returned to profit for the year ending 29 January 2022 (FY21), as the group’s operating profit hit £55.5m, up +£121.9m year-on-year from a loss of -£66.4m in FY20. Harrods’ turnover also increased 35.5% to £581.9m, up year-on-year from £429.5m, and gross transaction value (excluding VAT)…
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Dec- 2021 -7 DecemberDepartment Stores
Harrods launches new partnership with Klarna
Luxury retailer Harrods has announced a new partnership with Klarna, a global retail bank, in a bid to offer customers more “flexible” and “convenient” payment options. Harrods UK will allow shoppers to use Klarna’s Pay in three payment options for beauty purchases in Harrods Beauty Hall, as well as across…
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Jul- 2021 -22 JulyClothing & Shoes
Burberry opens flagship store in London
Burberry has announced the opening of its first flagship store which features the brand’s new global design concept, situated in Sloane Street, London. The store opening mirrors that of founder Thomas Burberry, who opened his first London store in the SW1 area 130 years ago, it still remains the home…
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Nov- 2020 -9 NovemberDepartment Stores
Harrods forced to reorganise £200m credit
Harrods has been forced to reorganise its £200m credit line due to the second national lockdown causing the closure of its flagship Knightsbridge store. According to The Sunday Times, the department store negotiated a revolving credit facility with the Qatar National Bank in August, to avoid breaching covenants it made…
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Aug- 2019 -7 AugustHigh Street
Boots to trial in-store interpretation service
Health and beauty retailer Boots is trialing an interpretation service for non-English speaking pharmacy patients, starting in five stores across the UK. The service is being provided by US firm Voyce, with the service being accessible via in-store iPads. Voyce connects colleagues and patients with interpreters who can translate over…
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