The Glasgow-based retailer is looking to expand nationwide
- Farewell to CVAs
Two landmark court cases threaten to wipe out Company Voluntary Agreements for good. Mia Hunt outlines the significance of the Mourant vs Sixty SPA ruling
Published: 01 September, 2010 - Hammerson plots a new course
Hammerson chief executive David Atkins is leading a radical restructuring of the company, with a pledge to put occupiers’ interests at the heart of the business
Published: 01 September, 2010 - Food feedback
Coverpoint’s managing director Jonathan Doughty serves up his regular shopping centre foodservice review. This month he visits a new start-up, Lunya at Liverpool One.
Published: 01 September, 2010 - Footfall index
The Experian UK FootFall National Index for July 2010 saw a 4.2 per cent month-on-month uplift. Although such an increase had been anticipated due to the annual school summer breaks and summer sales, it was less marked than the month-on-month increase for the same time last year.
Published: 01 September, 2010 - Clas Ohlson signs for two new stores in UK
Clas Ohlson is to open stores in Chapelfield Norwich and St David's in Cardiff
Published: 27 August, 2010 - Overgate sales grow and grow
The Overgate shopping centre in Dundee has announced sales growth for the 15th consecutive month
Published: 25 August, 2010 - “New era for retail in stations” says Network Rail
Gavin McKechnie has been appointed by Network Rail as head of retail in the property division and will focus on the enhancement and expansion of the retail estate at some of Britain’s busiest stations, including King’s Cross, Waterloo and Birmingham New Street.
Published: 16 August, 2010 - Bluewater sales growth continues
Bluewater has reported its sixth consecutive month of sales growth, following an increase of 4.2 per cent in July compared to the same time last year, out-performing BRC-KPMG figures which recorded a 2.6 per cent national increase.
Published: 13 August, 2010 - Retail sales stutter
Retail sales growth slowed dramatically in July according to the BRC/KPMG Retail Sales Monitor
Published: 10 August, 2010
Trespass plans nationwide expansionOutdoor clothing specialist Trespass is planning a nationwide expansion which could see it open 100 new stores in the next two years.
Published: 28 July, 2010- Heat and Light in Leeds
Red Hot World Buffet, the East Midlands-based fast-casual dining concept, is to make its Yorkshire debut this summer at The Light, Leeds,
Published: 22 July, 2010 - Luxury shops lead retail expansion
Luxury goods retailers have been found to be the most expansive in the whole retail sector, making up 23 per cent of new store openings during the past year, according to CB Richard Ellis.
Published: 20 July, 2010 - Greggs targets north west for expansion
Greggs the Bakers has secured a dozen properties across the North West as part of a major acquisition programme that will see it open 90 shops nationwide in 2010.
Published: 15 July, 2010 - Muted response to VAT hike
January rise in VAT will hit consumer confidence, warns JLL
Published: 15 July, 2010 - Sunshine sparks sales surge
The BRC/KPMG Retail Sales Monitor showed an improving picture in June 2010.
Published: 15 July, 2010 - Food feedback - Taco Bell
Coverpoint's Jonathan Doughty serves up his regular shopping centre foodservice review. This month he visits Taco Bell at Lakeside, Thurrock.
Published: 15 July, 2010
Life & Style launches nationwide property searchLife & Style, the new fashion and homewares brand that has risen from the ashes of Ethel Austin and Internacionale, has unveiled plans to double its portfolio up to 200 plus stores over the next few years.
Published: 28 June, 2010- Catering upgrade for Milton Keynes
The nature of shopping centre foodservice is changing, and thecentre:mk is the latest centre to upgrade its catering offer with Destination Dining, a new £10m restaurant quarter completing the centre’s refurbishment
Published: 17 June, 2010 - Food feedback
Coverpoint’s Jonathan Doughty serves up his regular shopping centre foodservice review. This month he visits The Real Greek at Westfield London
Published: 17 June, 2010 - Tools of the trade
Building product and tool retailer Toolstation is growing fast with 24 deals in the pipeline.
Published: 17 June, 2010 - SouthGate Bath adds to catering offer
Multi Development and Aviva Investors have signed four new restaurant brands at SouthGate Bath. Jimmy Spices, PizzaExpress, Caffe Nero, and Cake Café are all due to open over the coming months.
Published: 17 June, 2010 - Consumers cautious ahead of budget
UK retail sales values rose 0.8 per cent on a like-for-like basis from May 2009, when sales had fallen 0.8 per cent. On a total basis, sales were up 3.0 per cent against a 0.8 per cent increase in May 2009.
Published: 17 June, 2010 - Footfall at risk from football
Retail sales could suffer as a result of the football World Cup according to new research from King Sturge.
Published: 11 June, 2010 - Charles Tyrwhitt launches 50-store requirement
Charles Tyrwhitt, Britain’s biggest mail order shirt company, has unveiled plans to heighten its presence on the high street by opening as many as 50 stores across the country.
Published: 04 June, 2010 - Smartphone sales boost acquisitions by phone stores
As the Apple iPad arrives in the UK, new figures from The Local Data Company show UK mobile phone shops are among the most acquisitive retail sectors. The number of stores grew 12.5 per cent over the past year.
Published: 28 May, 2010 - Food feedback
Coverpoint’s Jonathan Doughty serves up his regular shopping centre foodservice review. This month he visits Chilango at Meadowhall.
Published: 25 May, 2010 - Footfall up 5% on May Bank Holiday
Footfall rose 1.6 per cent in April compared with the same time last year, while May Bank Holiday saw a year-on-year rise of nearly 5 per cent.
Published: 12 May, 2010 - Whitgift bags UK debut for Kathy Van Zeeland
The Tie Rack Retail Group has launched a new retail format in the UK with Kathy Van Zeeland bags making its UK debut at the he Whitgift shopping centre in Croydon.
Published: 12 May, 2010 - UK attracts global brands
The UK has maintained its position as the world’s most international retail market, according to CBRE. Attracting 58 per cent of all international retail brands surveyed, the UK is now closely followed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where 54 per cent of international retailers are present.
Published: 06 May, 2010 - Sense on Sunday: Retailers push to save Boxing Day sales
Many of central London’s top retailers are mounting a campaign to relax Sunday trading laws to allow the Christmas Sales to start on Boxing Day, which this year falls on a Sunday.
Published: 26 April, 2010 - Retailers lag behind other sectors in offering enhancements and add-ons
Despite an increasingly competitive market, retailers are lagging far behind other sectors in offering enhancements or add-ons such as insurance or complimentary items.
Published: 23 April, 2010 - A new high street bank is promising to shake up Britain’s retail banking system
Metro Bank, Britain’s first high street bank to be granted a full-service banking license in more than 150 years, has started putting together its branch network with four acquisitions in London.
Published: 22 April, 2010 - London retailers launch Boxing Day Campaign
Two months ago, Shopping Centre started a debate on relaxing the Sunday trading laws. Now many of central London’s top retailers are mounting a campaign to relax Sunday trading laws to allow the Christmas Sales to start on Boxing Day, which this year falls on a Sunday.
Published: 22 April, 2010
Food Feedback: Ed's Easy Diner at Euston StationCoverpoint’s Jonathan Doughty serves up his regular shopping centre foodservice review. This month he visits Ed’s Easy Diner at London’s Euston Station
Published: 22 April, 2010- Easter sales boost March figures but April could suffer as a result, says BRC
UK retail sales values rose 4.4 per cent on a like-for-like basis from March 2009, when sales had dropped 1.2 per cent. Good Friday and Easter Saturday fell in the March trading period this year but in last year fell in April, which boosted the year-on-year comparison. On a total basis, sales rose 6.6 per cent against only 0.6 per cent growth in March 2009.
Published: 13 April, 2010 - Sharp fall in retail administrations
Retail administrations are down 65 per cent year on year according to research by Deloitte.
Published: 13 April, 2010 - Easter footfall is up on last year and online retailers get more hits
The Experian FootFall UK National Index for March 2010 up until the end of Easter weekend revealed a year-on-year positive performance of 1.0 per cent and a modest month-on-month uplift of 0.1 per cent.
Published: 09 April, 2010 - London retailers launch Boxing Day campaign
Central London retailers are mounting a campaign to relax Sunday trading laws to allow the Christmas Sales to start on Boxing Day, which this year falls on a Sunday.
Published: 08 April, 2010 - Leisure attracts institutional investors
2010 could be the best year of the cycle for current vendors of leisure assets to sell as a result of a wider than usual spectrum of buyers entering the market, according to the latest commercial leisure bulletin from Savills.
Published: 07 April, 2010 - Rates revaluation comes into effect
The 2010 Rating List came into effect at the beginning of April with new valuations for all business and non-domestic property in England, Scotland and Wales as determined by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and Assessor in Scotland.
Published: 06 April, 2010 - The impact of business rates on retailers will harm economic recovery
As a string of property tax increases come into affect this month, experts in the retail industry warn that millions of UK jobs could be at risk.
Published: 01 April, 2010 - Land Securities’ Brand Empire signs fourth brand
Land Securities’ independent subsidiary Brand Empire has signed its fourth international brand for expansion into the UK market. Leading Israeli cosmetic company Laline will open its first full range store this summer.
Published: 01 April, 2010 - Waitrose trials C-store format in Cambridge
Waitrose is to trial its new convenience store format in Cambridge, taking 3,000 sq ft at 6-8 Fitzroy Street, on a 15-year lease from Invista Real Estate Investment Management.
Published: 29 March, 2010
Next steps up growth plans with new Home storesNext is on the acquisition trail again with a requirement for a dozen new Home stores in the current financial year.
Next unveiled an improved set of results with pre-tax profit up 18 per cent to £505m on turnover of £3.406bn in the 12 months to January 2010. And after a long period of decline like-for-like sales turned positive again with 0.5 per cent growth over the year.
Published: 25 March, 2010- Budget 2010: Small shops get a welcome reprieve while established retailers are left to fend for themselves
Small shops will benefit from the Chancellor’s “welcome” reduction in business rates, but worries have surfaced over the lack of support for established retailers.
Published: 25 March, 2010 - Sainsbury’s lifts growth target
Sainsbury's is stepping up its growth plans and plans to increase its estate by 15 per cent over the next two years.
Published: 25 March, 2010 - Can retail survive with the current laws on Sunday trading?
Last month, Trafford Centre operations director Gordon McKinnon stoked the fires of controversy over Sunday trading once again. Where does the debate stand now?
Published: 17 March, 2010
Food Feedback: Piazza by Anthony, Corn Exchange in LeedsJonathan Doughty serves up his regular shopping centre foodservice review. This month he visits Piazza by Anthony in the Corn Exchange, Leeds.
Published: 17 March, 2010
Retailer Spotlight: Deichmann ShoesOn the back of sharply increased turnover in the UK, Deichmann Shoes has announced plans to open ten UK stores in 2010, twice the number it opened in 2009.
Published: 17 March, 2010- Sunday trading legislation is outdated, says Gordon McKinnon
Gordon McKinnon, director of operations at Manchester's Trafford Centre, questions the relevance of Sunday Trading laws when retailers need all the sales they can get.
Published: 11 March, 2010 - Poor online return policies are damaging to brand reputation
Retailers are losing out on customer loyalty by using complicated and unclear returns policies for goods bought online.
Published: 09 March, 2010 - Retailers continue to branch out in the UK
Despite the spate of retailer administrations, the number of shop branches run by multiples in the UK continues to grow, according to new research from CBRE.
Published: 04 March, 2010 - Food Feedback: Napoli at Eat Central, Westfield Merry Hill
Coverpoint's Jonathan Doughty serves up his monthly shopping centre catering review. This month he visits Napoli in the new Eat Central at Westfield Merry Hill.
Published: 01 March, 2010 - Milton Keynes catering line-up complete
thecentre:mk’s new restaurant quarter, Destination Dining, is now fully let as Carluccio’s and Yo Sushi take the remaining 9,000 sq ft.
Published: 26 February, 2010 - Deichmann Shoes steps up UK growth plans
On the back of sharply increased turnover in the UK, Deichmann Shoes has announced plans to open 10 UK stores in 2010, twice the number it opened in 2009.
Published: 25 February, 2010 - Pound shops on the rise in British high streets
The number of pound shops on the UK’s high streets has almost doubled in the last 10 years, reflecting the broadening appeal of budget shopping, according to new research from Experian.
Published: 25 February, 2010 - Subway sandwich franchise defies recession
The global recession has barely dented the pace of growth at the sandwich franchise business Subway, according to head of real estate John Devine.
Published: 25 February, 2010 - Land Securities lands Cortifiel deal
Land Securities, through its subsidiary Brand Empire, has struck a deal with the Spanish fashion giant Grupo Cortefiel to bring three of its core brands to the UK.
Published: 23 February, 2010 - Domino's accelerates growth target
Domino's Pizza has increased its store openings target for 2010 to 55 per year after unveiling sharply increased profits.
Published: 22 February, 2010 - Buyout frees Pets at Home for expansion drive
The £995m purchase of Pets at Home by private equity investor Kohlberg Kravis Roberts is expected to lead to a new wave of store openings by the pet retailer.
Published: 18 February, 2010 - Oil Crunch will affect retail prices, warns Sir Richard Branson
An impending ‘oil crunch’ threatens the retail sector with rising costs of production and higher prices for consumers, according to an industry taskforce.
Published: 12 February, 2010 - Closure of Ethel Austin stores is likely to affect small towns
Discount clothing chain Ethel Austin and its sister firm Au Naturale went into administration today, putting over 3,700 jobs at risk.
Published: 08 February, 2010 - Republic unveils plans for 12 new store openings in 2010
Multi-brand fashion retailer Republic has announced plans to open a further 12 stores in 2010, including a strategic move into the Irish market, as part of a strategy to double turnover in the next three years.
Published: 02 February, 2010 - Food Feedback: Aiso in MyZeil, Frankfurt
Jonathan Doughty serves up his monthly shopping centre catering review. This month he visits Aiso at MyZeil in Frankfurt.
Published: 20 January, 2010 - Retailer Spotlight: Store Twenty-One
QS was once a Marks & Spencer manufacturer that sold surplus stock and seconds under the Quality Seconds fascia. But by the 1990s retailing had become its main activity with a nationwide portfolio trading from mainly secondary locations.
Published: 20 January, 2010 - Blacks announces expansion plans despite recent store closures
Blacks Leisure, the specialist retailer in outdoor clothing and equipment, has announced plans to expand despite recently shedding a number of loss-making stores.
Published: 15 January, 2010
The £24m Eat Central scheme
Westfield opens £24m foodcourt Eat CentralWestfield’s £24m foodcourt development opened on 22 October at Merry Hill shopping centre in the West Midlands. Eat Central boasts a range of national and international retailers including Nandos, Pizza Express and Napoli, and has created 200 permanent jobs in the area.
Published: 25 November, 2009
The Mission at The Oracle, Reading
Food Feedback: The Mission at The Oracle, ReadingThe Oracle in Reading celebrated its 10th anniversary at the end of September 2009. In those 10 years, it has established itself and Reading as the regional shopping and leisure destination in the Thames Valley. Its design and configuration has enabled it to become the heart of Reading City Centre, with its linkage to Broad Street, and the clustering of substantial food and leisure on both sides of the River Kennet.
Published: 25 November, 2009- Food Feedback: Memsaab at Highcross Leicester
Coverpoint’s Jonathan Doughty serves up his regular shopping centre catering review. This month he visits Memsaab at Highcross Leicester
Published: 02 October, 2009
Chaophraya at Liverpool One
Food Feedback: Chaophraya at Liverpool OneCoverpoint’s Jonathan Doughty serves up his regular shopping centre catering review. This month he visits Chaophraya at Liverpool One.
Published: 27 August, 2009- Food Feedback: Patisserie Valerie at Cribbs Causeway
Coverpoint’s Jonathan Doughty serves up his regular shopping centre catering review. This month he visits Patisserie Valerie at the Mall at Cribbs Causeway.
Published: 20 July, 2009 - Lowry outlet mall drives sales
Manchester’s Lowry outlet mall has reported an 8 per cent rise in footfall and a 7 per cent rise in like-for-like sales in the year to May 2009. Centre manager Robert Hallworth said: “The Lowry Outlet Mall has performed way above expectations for May. The success has been down to strong, targeted marketing to really drive footfall as well as adding another great brand – Bella Italia – to our offering.”
Published: 29 June, 2009 - Food Feedback: St Pancras Grand at St Pancras International
This month, Coverpoint's Jonathan Doughty visits the new St Pancras Grand brasserie at London’s St Pancras International station.
Published: 26 June, 2009 - Las Iguanas livens up catering in UK shopping centres
A splash of colour and an injection of fun might be just the solution to escape the current grim times and a growing number of people are finding this antidote in a visit to Latin American restaurant concept Las Iguanas.
Published: 26 June, 2009Raymond Blanc opens at Portsmouth HarbourCelebrity chef Raymond Blanc opened the doors of the latest restaurant in his successful Brasserie Blanc chain this month at Gunwharf Quays, Land Securities’ designer outlet centre on the waterfront at Portsmouth Harbour.
Published: 17 April, 2009
Meat & Wine Co, Westfield
Food Feedback: Meat & Wine Co at Westfield LondonCoverpoint’s Jonathan Doughty serves up his regular shopping centre foodservice review. This month he visits the Meat & Wine Co at Westfield London.
Published: 18 March, 2009Food feedbackFor years Bristol city centre has languished behind other cities in the UK, but with the opening of Cabot Circus, The Bristol Alliance has, at a stroke, created a vibrant and compelling retail and foodservice heart to the city.
Published: 15 October, 2008Food feedbackAs ever we aim to bring you up to the minute news, and this month Food Feedback comes from Leicester. On 4 September 2008, Highcross opened and the Showcase Cinema De Lux also previewed its new offer to the city.
Published: 30 September, 2008Food feedbackWhiteleys has seen numerous changes over the last 20 years, since the building opened as a shopping centre in 1989, not least the foodservice offer. The last year has seen the opening of Rowley Leigh's acclaimed Le Café Anglais at Level 2 of the centre, in addition to the existing offers including Yo! Sushi, Café Rouge, ASK and Bella Italia, all supporting, and supported by, the Odeon cinema.
Published: 28 August, 2008Food feedbackLocated in the heart of Essen, Germany, the first phase of the Limbecker Platz shopping centre opened its doors in March, providing over 100 retail and foodservice units in a three-storey covered mall. Phase 2 of the development, due for completion in autumn 2009, will see the number of stores doubled, and will take the GLA to over 70,000 sq m once fully open.
Published: 17 July, 2008Cream of the cropWith success in Asia and the United States under its belt, Japanese-owned specialist bakery franchise Beard Papa is set to take the UK by storm.
Published: 17 July, 2008Food feedbackWith its stylish and sophisticated boulevard, acres of glazing, exposed brickwork and quality mix of retail and foodservice offers, thoughts of the Victoria Quarter, Leeds or Hays Galleria come to mind. It's only the departure signs for Paris Nord and Brussels that confirm that this is St Pancras International, the new multi-million pound home to Eurostar. And what a home it is!
Published: 16 June, 2008Last laughHaving started life on the high street, Giraffe decided a couple of years ago to bring its family-friendly restaurant concept to the shopping centre environment. But instead of replicating its high-street menu, the restaurant chain has enjoyed huge success with a menu designed specifically for fast-paced shopping centre clientele.
Published: 16 June, 2008marketeerSo it's fare thee well to all my loyal readers, Sid & Doris Bonkers.
Published: 16 June, 2008Teen influenceFor all the talk of hoody bans, young teenagers are an important demographic for shopping centres, not only because this is the age when they first shop on their own, and form preferences that can last a lifetime, but because they can influence where a family chooses to shop.
Published: 16 June, 2008Food feedbackSpring signals the start of a pipeline of new shopping centres due to open in 2008. One of these, Eden in High Wycombe, is an 850,000-sq ft development encompassing the existing Octagon shopping centre, and is anchored by Marks & Spencer and House of Fraser. The Multiplex development, officially opened in March 2008, is not yet fully open, with some tenants still fitting out.
Published: 19 May, 2008Plat du jourA decade ago the idea of going out to dinner at your local shopping centre would have been both unappetising and an impossibility, considering most centres offered a food court set-up which closed by 6pm.
Published: 19 May, 2008Food feedbackTerminal 5 has only been open for two weeks and has received more publicity than either British Airways or BAA could have possibly imagined, sadly, none of it positive.
Published: 21 April, 2008Food feedbackOn a recent trip into Leeds, in between meetings, I was in need of something quick, healthy and most of all different, so I stopped by Bagel Nash in The Light. The Light is a leisure and fashion destination in Leeds city centre, and its foodservice combines national brands such as Browns, Nandos and Starbucks with local brands such as Brio, Maxi's and Bagel Nash. It is typical of modern developer thinking to incorporate a local flavour into the foodservice mix as a way of avoiding fascia fatigue.
Published: 18 February, 2008
Westfield London takes shape
Westfield unveils Westfield London catering line-upWestfield has unveiled the first signings in what will ultimately be a collection of over 50 food operators within the £1.6bn Westfield London development which opens later this year.
Published: 14 February, 2008
The Atrium, Camberley
Prezzo and Wagamama sign at the Atrium, CamberleyCrest Nicholson Regeneration and Standard Life Investments have let two more units at The Atrium, their £130m mixed-use development in Camberley, Surrey.
Published: 23 January, 2008
- Clas Ohlson signs for two new stores in UK
- The Mall, Norwich, offers ‘fish pedicure’ wit...
- Hammerson press forward with Silverburn expan...
- Sapphire Retail goes into administration
- Pirate Cove adventure park tees off at Bluewater
- Hollister chooses Chapelfield
- Plans submitted for Octagon facelift
- TK Maxx and HomeSense join Metrocentre
- Refurbishment begins at The Malls
- Waterford City could get new retail park




