SWL's Retail Radar - 18/12/24

Retail Radar, from SWL, provides you with a snapshot of the latest retail news from the UK and around the globe. These narratives highlight key events, emerging trends, and notable advancements, providing a deep dive into the dynamic retail landscape.

Aldi announces £650m investment to fuel UK expansion in 2025

Aldi UK has announced plans to allocate approximately £650 million to its UK store network in the coming year.

The German budget supermarket intends to establish new outlets in locations such as Fulham Broadway in London, Billericay in Essex, and Cheadle in Stoke-on-Trent. Overall, the retailer is aiming to open around 30 new stores throughout 2025. This investment is part of Aldi’s ongoing strategy to accelerate its growth in towns and cities across the UK.

The company highlighted that its 2025 expansion plans build on an equally active store-opening schedule in 2024. Recent launches include sites in Totton, Hampshire; Cribbs Causeway, Bristol; and Pwllheli, Gwynedd.

These developments contribute to Aldi’s long-term goal of reaching 1,500 stores nationwide. The supermarket has already invested £800 million this year to expand its UK presence. In early 2025, Aldi plans to open an additional eight stores, with around 40 more set to follow in the next financial year.

Giles Hurley, CEO of Aldi UK and Ireland, emphasised the company’s commitment to offering the best value groceries to customers across Britain. He noted that surging demand for Aldi’s low prices has strengthened the retailer’s resolve to continue expanding. He also acknowledged that some areas still lack an Aldi store, and the 2025 expansion aims to address these gaps while progressing towards the long-term target of 1,500 stores.

Sainsbury’s debuts its first-ever airport store at Edinburgh Airport

Sainsbury's has launched its first-ever airport outlet at Edinburgh Airport, marking a significant step in enhancing the food, drink, and shopping options available to travellers.

Situated in a 2,449-square-foot space before the security gates, the new Local store operates around the clock and is staffed by a team of 26 employees.

Store Manager of the Edinburgh Airport branch, Jordan Mudie, expressed excitement about welcoming customers after months of preparation. He emphasised the team’s enthusiasm for providing high-quality food and exceptional service in this prime travel location.

Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s Director of Property, Procurement, and EV Ventures, shared the company’s ambition to replicate the success of its other travel-focused stores, such as those in UK train stations. He mentioned that customer feedback will play a key role in shaping the offering at this new location, with the aim of expanding Sainsbury’s presence in more airports nationwide.

The opening follows Sainsbury’s recent efforts to elevate its convenience store experience, which began with a comprehensive review of its product range in October. This initiative forms part of a broader strategy to deliver an upgraded shopping experience, assessing whether certain items should be added or removed and focusing on the growth of food-to-go and dine-in options.

Miniso announces the opening of its first UK airport store

MINISO UK is gearing up for the grand opening of its first UK airport store this week.

The retailer will officially launch its Miniso-Go outlet at London Stansted Airport on 19th December. Occupying an 80-square-metre space, the store will feature a variety of travel essentials alongside popular collections inspired by Harry Potter, Hello Kitty and Friends, and Disney. Shoppers will also find an array of lifestyle products, beauty items, and snacks.

To mark the occasion, the first 200 customers spending £5 or more will receive a complimentary gift. The celebration will also include a special appearance by Miniso’s mascot, PenPen, adding an extra touch of fun to the event.

Saad Usman, Miniso UK’s Chief Operating Officer, highlighted the suitability of Stansted Airport as a location, describing it as the perfect hub for showcasing Miniso’s playful and affordable collections. The store is designed to offer travellers a blend of style, convenience, and enjoyment, whether they are heading off on an adventure or returning home.

This new opening follows Miniso’s recent foray into travel retail, which began with the launch of its first UK travel store at London Paddington in October. The brand also operates a Miniso-Go outlet in London Victoria, alongside regular stores in locations such as Wembley, Windsor Royal, Bristol, Manchester Trafford Centre, and Bluewater.

Peter Newbould, CEO of Lagardère Travel Retail UK & Ireland, emphasised the unique appeal of the Miniso-Go concept. He noted that the new store enhances their existing retail offering at Stansted, providing passengers with a vibrant and engaging shopping experience that’s sure to leave a lasting impression.

Charlotte Tilbury prepares to launch its largest-ever flagship in Covent Garden

Charlotte Tilbury Beauty is preparing to unveil a significantly expanded flagship store in Covent Garden early next year, featuring a host of new services after what the brand described as a "tremendous success" in the area.

The new store, set to open on 9th January 2025, will span 4,300 square feet and offer a completely immersive Charlotte Tilbury experience. It will showcase the brand's full range of makeup, skincare, and fragrances, making it the largest Beauty Wonderland in the world.

Having launched its first-ever store in Covent Garden in 2015, Charlotte Tilbury is now relocating from its original boutique to a much larger, more prominent location on the corner of the Royal Opera House and James Street. This new flagship will be three times the size of the original store, which opened two years after the brand was founded.

A key feature of the new store will be the world-first Skin Spa, offering a premium menu of four exclusive, results-driven facial treatments, available only at the Covent Garden location.

In addition, beauty experts will be on hand to assist customers in finding their ideal skincare routine. The store will also introduce the brand’s first-ever Pillow Talk Bar, an interactive space dedicated to the beloved Pillow Talk range.

The store will feature Charlotte’s Pillow Talk Parlour and Charlotte’s Beauty Boudoir, which will serve as venues for group masterclasses, influencer and press events, and private celebrations.

Michelle McGrath, Executive Director at Shaftesbury Capital PLC, commented on the expansion, noting that Charlotte Tilbury has been a key player in Covent Garden’s beauty offering since its debut in 2015. She highlighted the ongoing investment as a testament to the strong collaboration between Shaftesbury Capital and its partners, reinforcing Covent Garden’s status as a leader in the UK beauty and wellness scene.

Company founder Charlotte Tilbury remarked that the new store represents the beauty store of the future, combining education, cutting-edge technology, Instagram-worthy moments, and themed spaces. She expressed excitement about offering customers a beauty universe where they will leave feeling their most beautiful and confident selves.

Søstrene Grene invests in a European logistics centre to drive UK growth

Sostrene Grene is set to open a new 45,000 square metre distribution centre in Venlo, Netherlands, as part of its strategy to enhance delivery efficiency for its stores and customers, including those in the UK.

Scheduled to begin operations by autumn 2025, the facility, developed in partnership with Prologis, will help improve stock availability, shorten delivery times, and support the retailer’s sustainability goals, such as achieving a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.

Since its UK debut in 2016, Søstrene Grene has expanded to 24 stores and aims to grow this number to 100 by 2030. The new distribution centre in Venlo is expected to play a crucial role in supporting this expansion and meeting the increasing demand from customers.

As a pilot project for sustainable construction, the facility will incorporate solar panels, energy-efficient technologies, and recycled materials.

Mikkel Grene, CEO and co-owner of Søstrene Grene, expressed that the UK remains one of the retailer’s most promising markets, with customers drawn to its distinctive combination of Scandinavian design and affordability. He highlighted the company’s commitment to responsible growth, noting that the new distribution centre would not only contribute to sustainability but also enhance service for customers.

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