In Review, March 2026: Headline highlights from M&S, Footasylum, Ferrari and more...

As March draws to a close, TheIndustry.fashion reflects on quite a turbulent start to spring, marked by strong uncertainty due to the conflict in the Middle East and rising inflation, but also a host of exciting new store openings as well as iconic fashion moments - from Paris Fashion Week to the Oscars.

In March, we have seen many UK retailers and brands take the leap and launch into international expansion mode, with the most recent example being M&S taking its fashion Stateside with a Nordstrom deal.

There have also been a host of new store openings featuring enhanced retail concepts and announcements of brands planning to expand their retail network, including Uniqlo, New Look and Jigsaw.

London has also welcomed a Ferrari Style flagship store on Old Bond Street, part of the race car manufacturer's new chapter to broaden its lifestyle strategy.

Yet March has also been a month full of turbulence, marked by the continued conflict in the Middle East and the rising prospect of higher inflation. Consumer expectations about the state of the economy have seen a dramatic drop, while price pressures are falling more heavily on fashion and footwear retailers and brands.

But it wouldn't be fashion if there wasn't also cause for celebration. Earlier in the month, actress Gillian Anderson walked the Miu Miu runway to close an illuminating Paris Fashion Week season, which also saw beautiful collections from Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood and Victoria Beckham.

TheIndustry.fashion reflects on another headline-grabbing month in British retail and beyond, from new openings to key insights into retail and footfall, and in-depth analysis.

New Openings 

New Look to open largest concept store at Metrocentre with 'enhanced omnichannel capabilities'

British fashion brand New Look will relocate to a new 11,000 sq ft space inside the Metrocentre in North East England this summer, making this the brand's largest concept store to date.

Marks & Spencer takes its fashion Stateside with Nordstrom deal

Marks & Spencer fashion is now available to buy in-store in the US for the first time, following the signing of a new partnership between the UK high street giant and premium American fashion retailer Nordstrom.

Jigsaw confirms UK retail footprint will grow by a quarter in 2026

Jigsaw is expanding its bricks-and-mortar footprint by almost a quarter, as it has “its sights set on an ambitious 2026”, following a strong Christmas trading period and the completion of a strategic turnaround that has returned the British brand to growth.

Garage confirms Manchester stores as it accelerates UK expansion

UK-based Vivobarefoot to open New York flagship this spring

Natural health footwear brand Vivobarefoot is set to open a US flagship store at 248 Lafayette Street in New York City this spring, marking a major milestone in the company's global expansion.

Uniqlo reopens expanded Covent Garden flagship with new kidswear, digital upgrades and personalisation studio

Uniqlo re-opened the doors to its refurbished Covent Garden store following a major expansion that increased the store’s footprint by 30%. Now spanning 1,700 square meters, the store features more space for both its womenswear and menswear ranges and introduces dedicated children’s and baby ranges for the first time at this location

In Pictures: Footasylum unveils new ‘immersive streetwear destination’ at Manchester Arndale

Footasylum unveiled its freshly refurbished and upsized store at Manchester Arndale, as its UK retail footprint continues to expand. The new ‘immersive’ 18,000 sq ft space, located on the ground floor of Exchange Court, follows Footasylum committing to a 20-year lease at the Arndale in 2025.

In Pictures: Ferrari Style opens London flagship as it advances its broader lifestyle strategy

Ferrari Style opened a sprawling 850 sq m flagship at the intersection of Old Bond Street and Piccadilly, strengthening its presence in the UK market and signalling a new chapter in its broader vision to expand beyond the automotive world.

In Pictures: Fred Perry’s new flagship store in London’s Soho

Fred Perry cemented its presence in London’s Soho with a new flagship store at 40-42 Lexington Street, adding to its long standing store around the corner at 12 Newburgh Street.

Mango unveils new King’s Road store as UK expansion continues

Mango opened a new 5,920 sq ft space on the King’s Road in London's Chelsea, marking its 25th retail location in London.

Boux Avenue set to unveil refurbished Bluewater flagship store

British lingerie, nightwear and swimwear retailer Boux Avenue  “officially” reopened its refurbished 2,238 sq ft flagship store at Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent.

H&M opens new Brighton flagship with omnichannel focus

H&M opened a new flagship store in Brighton's city centre that features enhanced omnichannel services such as mobile checkouts. The new flagship has taken over the former Topshop store at the front of Churchill Square Shopping Centre in Brighton's city centre.

Alexander McQueen to relocate Old Bond Street flagship amid wider restructuring

British fashion house Alexander McQueen is relocating its flagship store on 27 Old Bond Street to a "new, premium location" on the street in the final quarter of 2026. The move "reflects McQueen’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its presence in London”, the brand added.

Janie and Jack join Hatch to open dual-concept store in London

US-based childrenswear label Janie and Jack and maternity brand HATCH opened their first UK store, a dual-concept space in London's Chelsea neighbourhood. The store opened in the historic Gaumont Building on the King's Road in London, creating a shopping experience that represents both brands' shared commitment to reimagining modern family retail.

Topologie heads to Soho for third London store

Rock climbing-inspired accessories brand Topologie opened its latest London store at 79 Berwick Street in Soho.

Minka Dink joins the latest wave of King's Road pop-ups

Minka Dink joined multiple fashion and lifestyle brands, which are taking over 10,000 sq ft of curated pop-up space over the next couple of months on King’s Road.

Bristol to welcome Uniqlo’s first South West store

Uniqlo is opening a store in Bristol on 16 April 2026, the first time the Japanese fashion brand is coming to the South West of England. The store will span two storeys and will be located in Cabot Circus, on the corner of Penn Street and Brigstowe Street.

Footasylum returns to Glasgow’s Silverburn with ‘state-of-the-art’ store

Footwear and sportswear retailer Footasylum opened a new 10,305 sq ft store at Silverburn shopping centre in Glasgow, marking its return to one of Scotland’s retail and leisure destinations with an elevated store concept.

Roksanda opens concept store on Sloane Street

Designer label Roksanda opened a new concept store today at 171–172 Sloane Street. The concept store is open for three months, during which it will host activations and events with a series of partners, giving guests a better understanding of the Roksanda world.

Crocs to open first full-price UK store in Westfield Stratford City

Crocs opened its first full price store at Westfield Stratford City in East London on 20 March. The new location is the brand's first mainline, full-priced store in the UK, following the opening of its 1,456 sq ft outlet store at the London Designer Outlet (LDO) in Wembley at the end of last year. The American footwear brand today sells its shoes in more than 85 countries.

Joint Hobbs, Phase Eight and Whistles outlet store to open in Northern Ireland

TFG London, owner of Hobbs, Phase Eight and Whistles, is bringing them all together under one roof with a "first-to-market" store concept at The Boulevard outlet destination in Northern Ireland - set to open this spring.

Ace & Tate heads to Broadway Market for new London store

Dutch eyewear brand Ace & Tate opened a new store at 74 Broadway Market in Hackney, East London - its 10th store in the capital in 10 years.

Data insights 

Retailers recorded a subdued February, with a 1% drop in sales volumes as footfall continued to be low due to heavy rainfall. The steepest drop in footfall was recorded in London, where it fell to April 2024 levels.

March was marked by news that the number of retail jobs fell in 2025, while consumer confidence "collapsed" due to the Middle East conflict and the prospect of higher inflation. UK fashion and clothing costs had already risen by 0.9% in February.

Clothing and footwear sales drop as February slump offsets strong start to 2026

Sales volumes for textile, clothing and footwear stores fell by 1% in February, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed, compared to a 0.4% dip in sales volumes reported across all retail.

UK inflation remains steady despite price rises in clothing and footwear

UK fashion prices saw notable upward pressure in February, with clothing and footwear costs rising 0.9% for the month - their highest level since March 2025  - after remaining flat in January.

Consumer confidence 'collapsed' as Middle East conflict raises prospect of higher inflation

According to data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Opinium, consumer expectations about the state of the economy dropped to the lowest figure on record, falling to -53 in March from -30 in February, in light of the Middle East conflict raising the prospect of higher inflation.

Retail jobs decline as BRC warns of impact of rising employment costs

The UK had 2.81 million retail jobs in 2025, the lowest four-quarter average on record. That was 68,000 lower than in 2024 and 383,000 lower than in 2015, according to the latest data from the ONS. Meanwhile, the British Retail Consortium’s latest survey of retail Chief Financial Officers and Finance Directors revealed a “sharp rise in anxiety” about labour costs over the next year.

Scottish shops to pay £54 million more in business rates than English rivals

Medium and larger shops in Scotland are set to pay £54 million more in business rates than their counterparts in England in the next year, the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) has said. Some 2,296 shops in Scotland with a rateable value of £100,000 or above will be liable for the higher 54.8p in the pound rate from the start of April.

One in five witness retail violence or abuse, reveals BRC

More than a fifth of people (21%) witnessed violence or abuse against retail workers in the last year, according to a survey. Incidents included racial and sexual abuse, physical assault and threats with weapons while shopping, the poll by Opinium for the British Retail Consortium (BRC) found.

Consumer card spending subdued in February but clothing sales on the up

Overall UK consumer card spending increased just 1% in February, a slight rise from 0.8% in January, but growth in non-essential spending reached a six-month high of 1.8%, with clothing sales up 3.7% and pharmacy, health and beauty sales up 6.4%.

Wet weather hit February retail sales, but Valentine's Day offered 'bright spot’

Wet weather in February hit retail sales hard, with non-food sales decreasing by 0.4% year-on-year in February, according to research by the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Yet Valentine's Day offered a bright spot, with some categories performing better.

Retailers need lower business costs to invest in people, places and prices, urges BRC

The Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) responded to the Spring Statement, highlighting the need for government to lower business costs so that retailers can reinvest in their employees, retail locations and prices.

London records steepest drop in footfall since April 2024

London recorded its steepest drop in footfall since April 2024, as wet weather throughout February discouraged shoppers from heading out. Total UK footfall decreased by 4.7% year-on-year in February, down from -0.6% in January, as shoppers avoided in-store visits during one of the wettest Februaries on record, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Sensormatic.

'Fierce competition' kept February retail price rises in check

Shop price inflation eased in February as "fierce competition between retailers kept price rises in check", said Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

Features and comments

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• Centenary exhibition reveals Queen Elizabeth II was ‘closely involved’ in designing her wardrobe
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Paris Fashion Week 

• Gillian Anderson walks Miu Miu runway to close Paris Fashion Week
• Louis Vuitton showcases striking silhouettes on final day of Paris Fashion Week
• Matthieu Blazy reimagines Chanel heritage at Paris Fashion Week show
• Victoria Beckham doubles down on power dressing with two Paris Fashion Week shows
• Vivienne Westwood blends punk, tailoring and theatrical flair at Paris Fashion Week
• Chloé mixes Nineties grunge with the house’s soft bohemian aesthetic at Paris Fashion Week
• Horses roam the runway at Stella McCartney’s Paris Fashion Week show
• Dior blooms with peplums, bustles and waterlily florals in Paris Fashion Week show
• Bella Hadid walks Saint Laurent’s tuxedo revival at Paris Fashion Week