So far this year international luxury fashion brands Balmain, Alexander Wang and Versus Versace have opened their first UK stores in London. By the end of 2015 we expect another four to have opened, which makes 2015 a new peak in international luxury fashion openings in the capital. In 2012 only one international luxury fashion brand opened in London and last year there were six.

Availability constraints on Bond Street, the traditional first point of call for any new luxury entrant, have meant an increasing number of brands looking to new emerging luxury destinations for opportunities. All four of the new luxury openings expected by the end of this year will be on pitches within the wider luxury quarter of Mayfair, such as Albemarle Street and South Audley Street.

Overall, 15 new international retail entrants have opened in the London so far this year, including Lindex, IWC Schaffhausen, Billionaires Boys Club, DSquared and Cuple. There are a further 13 due to open by the end of the year, bringing the total number of entrants to 28. This compares with 33 new entrants in 2014 and 31 in 2013.

The gradual decline in new entrants tends to reflect availability constraints rather than a softening in appetite from international brands to enter the UK market. London continues to be a global shop window for retailers and provides a strong international platform to showcase brands, not just generate sales.

Looking ahead, we anticipate more European and international retailers will want to expand into London. While Oxford Street, Bond Street, Covent Garden and Regent Street will maintain their position as‎ the main focus for new entrants, some brands could potentially look for space outside of the core prime streets in the same way we have seen locations such as Westfield London secure a number new retailers over the last three years

Further information

For more details, contact Savills Retail.