{"id":230389,"date":"2023-03-31T14:03:14","date_gmt":"2023-03-31T13:03:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theindustry.fashion\/?p=230389"},"modified":"2023-03-31T14:03:14","modified_gmt":"2023-03-31T13:03:14","slug":"retail-recap-the-important-openings-and-partnerships-of-march-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theindustry.fashion\/retail-recap-the-important-openings-and-partnerships-of-march-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Retail Recap: The important openings and partnerships of March 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

As March comes to a close, the retail sector has picked back up from a slow start to the year. There has been a flourish of store openings and pop-ups taking place across the country.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Throughout the month, there has been positive trading updates, as retail returns to pre-pandemic levels<\/a><\/span>. This is backed up by a variety of trading updates shared this month from companies including PVH<\/a><\/span>, Inditex<\/a><\/span>, H&M <\/a><\/span>and Prada Group<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, March also saw struggles for retailers such\u00a0Scotch & Soda, which filed for bankruptcy<\/a><\/span>\u00a0and iconic menswear retailer Wellgosh, which\u00a0<\/a>closed its doors<\/span>.<\/p>\n

TheIndustry.fashion has curated a list of all the retail stores and pop-ups that have opened this month, as well as a number of partnerships from businesses including Tommy Hilfiger<\/span><\/a>, Sandro<\/a> <\/span>and Mugler.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Store Openings<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Swaine opened its largest store ever on New Bond Street as part of \u201cradical rebrand\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Swaine, one of the UK\u2019s oldest luxury goods brands, founded in 1750 and formerly known as Swaine Adeney Brigg, opened a new 7,000 sq ft flagship store at 126-127 New Bond Street<\/span><\/a> \u201cas the centrepiece of its most radical rebrand in 273 years\u201d.<\/p>\n

UNIQLO is set to open joint store with Theory in Covent Garden on 27 April<\/strong><\/p>\n

Having debuted a flagship joint UNIQLO and Theory store on London's Regent Street last spring, Fast Retailing is to open another joint-fascia store in Covent Garden next month<\/a><\/span>.\u00a0The 1,450sqm store spans three floors and features entrances on both Long Acre and Floral Street.<\/p>\n

Joe Browns invests significantly in retail and plans for 10 new stores by the end of 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joe Browns, the fashion and homeware retailer, has confirmed plans to significantly increase its number of bricks and mortar locations<\/a><\/span>, opening 10 new stores by the end of 2024.\u00a0The announcement significantly increases its footprint from the two existing stores, located in Sheffield's Meadowhall and York.<\/p>\n

NEXT returning to Glasgow shopping centre with new flagship store<\/strong><\/p>\n

NEXT signed a 10-year lease for a new 28,000 sq ft flagship location at St. Enoch shopping centre in Glasgow<\/a><\/span>. The new store is set to open its doors this October, strengthening St. Enoch reputation in the local area as a vibrant, go-to destination.<\/p>\n

\"Frasers<\/p>\n

Frasers Group opened Sports Direct flagship at Manchester Arndale<\/strong><\/p>\n

Following on from the flagship store openings in London and Birmingham, Frasers Group opened a third Sports Direct flagship at Manchester\u2019s Arndale<\/span>\u00a0on<\/a>\u00a024 March, as the group\u2019s elevation strategy gathers pace.<\/p>\n

Centre:mk continued \"upward momentum\" with new experimental H&M store<\/strong><\/p>\n

H&M in Milton Keynes is upsizing and relocating to Centre:mk<\/a><\/span>, presenting a new concept store that will offer both fashion and homeware.\u00a0The new store, set across two floors, will open 1 April 2023.<\/p>\n

COS arrived in Edinburgh with new store in St James's Quarter<\/strong><\/p>\n

COS opened the doors of its first store in the Scottish capital<\/a><\/span>, located in the newly opened St James's Quarter retail and residential destination in the heart of Edinburgh.<\/p>\n

Australia's Forever New opened its first store in London<\/strong><\/p>\n

Australian womenswear Forever New is opened a new flagship in Westfield London<\/a><\/span>, marking its first store in the UK\u2019s capital city. The new space stocks the brand's elegant and airy dress designs, which embody its \"playful approach to print and colour\".<\/p>\n

M&S added Nobody\u2019s Child pop-up to 30 stores following successful trial<\/strong><\/p>\n

Retail giant Marks & Spencer welcomed eco-conscious fashion brand Nobody\u2019s Child to 30 stores across the UK<\/a><\/span>. The 400 ft pop-up concessions offer a 30-piece capsule collection of Nobody\u2019s Child\u2019s signature styles including the brand's best-selling Alexa and Felicia dresses.<\/p>\n

Bloobloom eyewear to open five more London stores following new \u00a35m investment<\/strong><\/p>\n

French designer eyewear brand Bloobloom, which was founded in 2018 and has stores on London\u2019s Carnaby Street and Marylebone High Street, is to open five additional London stores<\/a> <\/span>in 2023, following a new \u00a35m round of seed funding.<\/p>\n

NEXT set to return to Gloucester Quays outlet following improved sales period<\/strong><\/p>\n

NEXT is to make its return to Gloucester Quays, the outlet and dining destination in the South West<\/a><\/span>. Set to welcome the retail giant later this spring, the news follows a 'record breaking' 2022 sales period for the destination.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Oysho<\/p><\/div>\n

Inditex opened UK's first Oysho store in Westfield London<\/strong><\/p>\n

The sports brand of the Inditex group, Oysho, has announced the opening of its first store in the UK at Westfield London in Shepherd\u2019s Bush<\/a><\/span>.\u00a0The new 3,500 sq ft retail space is divided into two floors and boasts an eight-meter high glass fa\u00e7ade.<\/p>\n

\"Nike

Nike Unite<\/p><\/div>\n

Nike to open Nike Unite concept store in West Midlands' Merry Hill<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nike is set to open its Nike Unite retail concept at Merry Hill shopping centre<\/a><\/span>, marking the regional debut for the concept, and the first within a shopping centre environment.<\/p>\n

Under Armour opened first UK Brand House in Liverpool<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sportswear brand Under Armour opened its first UK Brand House at Liverpool ONE, located on South John Street<\/a><\/span>. The 3,000 sq ft space hopes to offer a \"seamless experience\" for Under Armour athletes and consumers.<\/p>\n

Pop-ups<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Shein took on brick-and-mortar retail with trio of UK pop-ups<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chinese ecommerce giant Shein branched out with in-person experiences across the UK<\/a><\/span>, this time it took on Birmingham, Bristol and Cardiff. The global fast fashion e-commerce site is continuing to build its in-person retail with touch points all over the UK.<\/p>\n

Boohoo announced its debut pop-up shop enabling shoppers to buy in person for the first time<\/strong><\/p>\n

Online fashion giant Boohoo announced an in-person pop-up experience in the UK's capital city<\/a><\/span>, showcasing the brand\u2019s spring collection.\u00a0Targeting Gen Z consumers, the pop-up was open for two days only, 25-26 March 2023, at 6-10 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 8QL.<\/p>\n

\"Elton

Rocket Man Elton John at Selfridges<\/p><\/div>\n

In Pictures: Rocket Man Elton John launched pop-up at Selfridges Corner Shop<\/strong><\/p>\n

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Hello Selfridges. The department store introduced a new Elton John pop-up to its Selfridges Corner Shop<\/a><\/span>, transforming the creative retail space into a glittering representation of Elton John's world.<\/p>\n

Kat Maconie\u2019s sculptural shoes visited London\u2019s Carnaby Street in pop-up<\/strong><\/p>\n

British footwear designer Kat Maconie brought her 80s-inspired footwear designs to the heart of London at a pop-up on Carnaby Street<\/a><\/span>.\u00a0The pop-up opened at 29 Carnaby Street on 10 March 2023 and is running until 1 July 2023.<\/p>\n

Odd Muse made its brick-and-mortar debut in Covent Garden<\/strong><\/p>\n

Digital fashion retailer Odd Muse opened its first brick-and-mortar presence with a pop-up shop in Covent Garden<\/a><\/span>. Odd Muse\u2019s 3,000 sq ft pop-up store opened this March, located at 4 Slingsby Place, Covent Garden.<\/p>\n

Partnerships<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Sandro launched UK rental service with HURR<\/strong><\/p>\n

Paris-based fashion brand Sandro launched its first UK rental service in partnership with leading rental platform HURR<\/a><\/span>, giving customers the opportunity to rent pieces from the current SS23 collection.<\/p>\n

\"muller\"

Mugler for H&M<\/p><\/div>\n

H&M previewed Mugler collaboration and unveiled<\/strong> campaign music video<\/strong><\/p>\n

Global retailer H&M confirmed that its designer collaboration with the house of Mugler is due for release 11 May 2023<\/a><\/span>, launching a new campaign to showcase the collection.<\/p>\n

Ulla Johnson launched PreLoved in partnership with resale tech company Archive<\/strong><\/p>\n

New York-based womenswear brand Ulla Johnson partnered with re-commerce company Archive<\/a> <\/span>to launch Ulla Johnson PreLoved, which will facilitate peer-to-peer sales.<\/p>\n

Umbro and MTV partnered up on 90s nostalgia-evoking collection<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sports brand Umbro looked to the acid house days of the late 80s and early 90s for its collaborative collection with MTV, the pioneering music video channel<\/a><\/span>.\u00a0The collaboration was described as being inspired by a \"time when working class kids, football fans, and students came together in disused warehouses, abandoned office blocks and country fields to rave together\".<\/p>\n

\"\"

Shawn Mendes for Tommy Hilfiger<\/p><\/div>\n

Shawn Mendes promoted new Tommy Hilfiger collection with Regent Street flagship visit<\/strong><\/p>\n

Multi-platinum singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes, who recently joined forces with Tommy Hilfiger on a sustainable collection, took over the brand\u2019s London flagship store<\/a> <\/span>on 20 March. The Tommy Hilfiger X Shawn Classics Reborn collection sees timeless classics recoded in new styles.<\/p>\n

Gucci made the move into pre-loved with Vestiaire Collective<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gucci made the move into pre-loved in partnership with Vestiaire Collective<\/a><\/span>, in a bid to make circular fashion an integral part of the lives of its customers. The Gucci Preloved service employs Vestiaire Collective's SaaS platform to offer a personalised service whereby customers can take their bags to participating Gucci stores to be evaluated and valued.<\/p>\n

Mr Porter and Arket launched exclusive collaboration men\u2019s and kidswear collections<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mr Porter and Nordic lifestyle brand Arket launched exclusive limited edition menswear and childrenswear capsule collections<\/a> <\/span>for the first time, \u201cinspired by nature\u201d.<\/p>\n

The Teletubbies made their way into wardrobes with Christian Cowan collaboration<\/strong><\/p>\n

First collaborating with Koi footwear, the Teletubbies joined forces with British fashion designer Christian Cowan for a capsule collection<\/a> <\/span>in a continuation of its 25th anniversary celebrations.<\/p>\n

\"m&s\"

M&S installation on South Bank<\/p><\/div>\n

M&S revealed \u2018love your boobs\u2019 art installation on London\u2019s South Bank<\/strong><\/p>\n

Retail giant M&S collaborated with body casting artist Lydia Reeves to celebrate boob diversity<\/a><\/span>, forming a key part of its \u2018love your boobs, it starts with a bra fit\u2019 campaign.<\/p>\n

Gap Inc brought Athleta to the UK via JV with Next.co.uk<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gap Inc made another of its brands \u2013 this time activewear line Athleta<\/a><\/span> \u2013 available to shoppers in the UK and Ireland as part of its joint venture deal with NEXT.<\/p>\n

Napapijri teamed up with Superga for latest collaboration<\/strong><\/p>\n

Italian outerwear brand Napapijri continued its recent slew of collaborations, this time joining with Superga<\/a> <\/span>for a footwear capsule collection.<\/p>\n

Rihanna returns to Fenty x Puma following Super Bowl performance<\/strong><\/p>\n

Global sportswear giant Puma announced Fenty\u2019s triumphant return on social media <\/a><\/span>with a simple statement by CEO Arne Freundt, which reads, \u201cshe\u2019s back\u201d.<\/p>\n

Features<\/strong><\/h1>\n