In Review 2025: The big openings, refurbs and pop-ups of the year

2025 has seen a lot of change in the fashion and retail industry, with many high-profile fashion businesses opening new retail locations, upsizing existing stores and introducing new technologies.

As we approach 2026, TheIndustry.fashion has curated a list of the top ten important updates and openings from the past year.

Mango ramped up expansion with 20 more UK store openings in 2025

As part of high-street brand Mango's expansion and consolidation plan, it opened 20 new stores in the UK during the year. The new stores can be found across London, Central England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Cardiff.

Daniel Lopez, Director of Expansion and Franchising at Mango, said: "The UK is one of the priority markets for Mango’s international growth, Our 2025 expansion plan follows the store openings success in 2024 to move forward in capillarity and getting even closer to our customers with stores in which we can offer them the mango experience."

Founder Grace Beverly brought TALA's first-ever store to Carnaby Street

TALA is brought its cult-favourite activewear and leisurewear to brick-and-mortar retail for the first time, opening up shop on London's famous Carnaby Street.

At the time, Beverly took to LinkedIn to make the store opening announcement, writing: "I can’t believe I’m actually writing this, but after nearly 6 years of TALA, and 2 years of pitching & planning, I can finally tell you that we’re opening our first ever TALA store, our Flagship on Carnaby Street in Central London."

This was followed by a second store opening in Westfield London.

ZARA unveiled new 'high-tech' store concept in Manchester

ZARA, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, opened the doors to its new, relocated 32,291 sq ft flagship store at Manchester’s Trafford Centre.

It introduced the brand’s latest high-tech store concept, showcasing an extensive range of fashion across womenswear, menswear and kidswear, as well as dedicated spaces for fragrances and special collections such as ZARA Origins and ZARA Athleticz.

The store has been described as "reinforcing ZARA's commitment to retail innovation" – offering customers a new destination where fashion, architecture, sustainability and advanced technology "come together to create an elevated shopping experience".

Dries Van Noten made stand-alone store debut in London

For fans of Dries Van Noten, the wait was finally over: The cult-favourite Belgian brand opened its first-ever standalone store in London at Hanover Square.

Set within a former bank and spanning two floors, the Chandelier-lit space blends a sense of history with a retail environment. Here, visitors can take an "immersive journey" through fashion, perfume and beauty, antiques and design.

George strayed from Asda, debuting fashion-led concept store

Asda, along with The Spice Girls' Mel B, opened the doors to its first standalone George concept store at Crown Point Retail Park in Leeds. Marking a new chapter for the retailer, the space was designed to feel like a high-street fashion destination rather than a traditional supermarket offshoot.

The new format Leeds store served as a blueprint for the future of George’s bricks-and-mortar strategy, as Asda looks to boost non-food sales by repositioning George as a credible standalone fashion and lifestyle retailer. The aim: to deliver a modern, curated shopping experience that puts the offshoot's fashion-forward identity front and centre.

Frasers Group opened concept store that 'reinvents the traditional department store'

Frasers Group officially opened the doors to its concept store in Dundee in June, marking a new chapter in the group’s evolving physical retail strategy.

Located in the heart of the city’s Overgate Shopping Centre, the 60,000 sq ft, three-storey store "reinvents the traditional department store" format, merging sports, premium fashion, lifestyle and beauty under one roof - and creating over 80 new jobs in the process.

Lauren Barrie, Head of Retail at Frasers Group, said: "We’re always looking for new and innovative ways to inspire our customers and create standout shopping experiences. Our new Frasers concept store in Dundee does exactly that, bringing together sport, premium fashion, lifestyle and beauty under one roof. We’re proud to be a part of shaping the future of Dundee’s retail landscape with this exciting new addition."

NEXT opened new concept store at Lakeside with first FatFace concession

NEXT opened the doors to its flagship at Lakeside Shopping Centre in July, marking one of the largest and most ambitious stores in its retail portfolio.

Spanning 83,000 sq ft, the store offers an elevated shopping experience designed for the modern consumer. Alongside NEXT’s full range across womenswear, menswear, childrenswear and home, the concept introduces several new elements to the Lakeside retail landscape. This includes the first-ever FatFace concession within a NEXT store, as well as dedicated spaces for Bath & Body Works and Costa Coffee.

M&S invested £300m in new, upsized and refurbished stores

Marks & Spencer invested £300 million in new, upsized and "renewed" stores this financial year, with over 300 locations being considered for new stores across the UK, "from Elgin to Exeter".

The British high street giant has embarked on its mission to open 16 new stores, which includes two full-line stores, two outlet stores and 12 food halls, while also upsizing nine stores and refurbishing a further 12.

In the last year, M&S has signed 47 deals for new and renewed stores to open by FY 2028 - more than the previous three years combined and marking "a significant acceleration in momentum" in its investment across its owned estate.

It means M&S aims to have 180 full-line stores and 420 food halls delivering the best of M&S food, fashion, home and beauty by the end of FY 2028.

Gap's back: The retailer returned to Covent Garden as part of UK retail revival

Gap made a confident return to the UK high street, with three new standalone London stores as part of a wider push to reinvigorate the brand globally.

The American retailer, synonymous with relaxed denim and laidback style, has so far opened its new Covent Garden store, with White City and Wembley to come.

The opening marked a significant moment for Gap’s comeback strategy. After scaling back its UK operations in 2021 and shifting focus online, the brand is now investing in a renewed brick-and-mortar presence, this time under the operational wing of NEXT Plc, which runs Gap’s UK and Ireland stores and ecommerce through a joint venture. This reflects the changing mood in fashion retail, where physical spaces are being reimagined as experiential and cultural hubs.

Matilda Djerf brought Djerf Avenue back to London with Selfridges pop-up

Swedish fashion label Djerf Avenue, founded by content creator and entrepreneur Matilda Djerf, returned to London for its second UK pop-up. The brand's  Selfridges on Oxford Street opened on 17 November and will remain open until 28 January 2026.

Following the success of its first London pop-up in Covent Garden last year, the installation offers fans another opportunity to experience the Djerf Avenue world in person. Visitors can find a specially curated selection of the brand’s ready-to-wear clothing, including bestselling robes, classic tailored sets, new arrivals and seasonal favourites.