Over the last five years we have seen new international retail entrants to the UK focus their attention on London, with 119 international brands opening their first ever UK store in the Capital between 2011 and August 2015.

However, this doesn’t mean regional centres are being completely overlooked and we are now seeing a number of international brands open shops in cities outside of London. So far this year examples include Kiko, Massimo Dutti and Supertrash taking stores in Brighton, Leeds and Liverpool respectively. By the end of this year we expect there to have been seven international brands to have opened their first regional stores.

The top regional centres for these new openings have been Brighton and Manchester, with three apiece since 2011. Previously, few of these retailers have looked beyond Greater London for new stores but this is starting to change as economic conditions and spending across the UK begin to improve. Last year five international retailers, including Khaadi (pictured) and Calzedonia, opened their first stores outside London. Only two international retailers opened their first stores outside the capital in 2013.

Although these are not huge numbers, it does point to improving confidence in the regional retail markets. Many of those who have now established their first regional stores and seen how successful these have been, are now looking to other key centres for opportunities.

Further information

For more details, contact Savills Retail.