retail
Primark has launched two new concepts at its Oxford Street East store in London. Following the opening of a Greggs café in the retailer’s Birmingham store, along with a Greggs clothing range, the London flagship will now be home to a ‘Tasty by Greggs’, “the most Instagrammable Greggs in the world”. The store will also host Primark’s third vintage clothing concession in partnership with Wornwell by Vintage Wholesale, following launches in Birmingham and Manchester stores last month.
Ikea plans to expand its presence in the North West with three small-format stores in Aintree, Preston and Stockport. The Plan and Order branches will allow for in-store consultations and order points, and will be situated at retail parks and shopping centres. Ikea UK and Ireland deputy country retail manager Marsha Smith said: “Our investment in the North West is part of our long-term plan to transform our retail business… our aim is to be there for our customers, however they want to meet us.”
Leisure
Noodle brand Marugame Udon is set to open a further six restaurants by next spring, including its first regional site. Marugame already operate six restaurants in London, which are set to be joined by new sites in Bromley, Kensington, The Strand, London Waterloo and Liverpool Street. The first out-of-London site will open at Reading’s Oracle Shopping Centre in February 2023.
Property
Shaftesbury has launched a new pop-up restaurant space for small businesses in London’s Chinatown. The first occupier is wheelcake and bubble tea company Dragon Cat Café. The incubator space aims to be “perfectly placed to provide emerging brands with high footfall… within a destination renowned for championing debut concepts and independents.” Dragon Cat Café co-founder Cynthia Lee said: “Being part of Chinatown London is something that simply wouldn’t have been achievable for us were it not for the support of Shaftesbury”.
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