Full list of international retailers opening up shops in the UK from Wingstop to Sephora
THE high street will soon be filled with a flurry of international brands giving towns a welcome boost – and shoppers more choice.
Over the past few years, an influx of European, American and Asian stores have been making a name for themselves within the UK.
Customers will have noticed the likes of Wingstop, Sephora and Miniso popping up on their local high street – but how many more are set to arrive?
Jonathan De Mello, head of JDM Retail, told The Sun that whilst the UK economy is not performing fantastically well, there is still an interest from international brands.
He said: “The UK has become an increasingly attractive proposition for international brands seeking to expand their store footprints.
“Real estate availability is high and property costs are 30% lower than pre-Covid levels.”
It comes as good news for the UK’s high streets, which have been battered by a number of prominent brands going bust in the face of weak consumer spending and rising costs.
The Sun has rounded up the most popular international brands opening locations, which you can check out below.
Sephora
French makeup giant Sephora launched in the UK all the way back in 2005, but pulled out due to strong competition from other brands.
It then made a second return in 2022, launching in Westfield Stratford.
The shop has garnered huge attention, especially from young Gen Z and Gen Alpha shoppers who have a strong interest in makeup and skin care.
Its a bit more pricey than Boots or Superdrug, as it sells high end brands such as Colour Wow and Charlotte Tilbury.
Since 2022, the home of all things beauty has opened a second site in Westfield White City and a third in Manchester’s Trafford Centre.
If you don’t live close to these locations, don’t worry a Sephora site may open near you soon.
The brand plans to open its doors in Eldon Square, Newcastle on Friday September 13.
Additionally, it will open its sixth location in the Bullring & Grand Central shopping centre in Birmingham this winter.
Wingstop
Wingstop arrived in the UK from the US just under six years ago and has quickly become a household name.
The home of Lemon Pepper Chicken just opened its 50th UK store this August in Bolton.
Retailers opening stores
IT'S not all bad news on the high street as several retailers are bucking the trend and opening shops.
- German discounter Aldi has announced it will open 35 new UK stores this year. The openings form part of Aldi‘s long-term target of operating 1,500 stores in the UK.
- Asda has been opening hundreds of convenience stores as it looks to rival major players Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
- Purepay Retail Limited , the parent company of Bonmarché, Edinburgh Woollen Mill (EWM) and Peacocks, Purepay Retail Limited, has said it wants to open 100 new high street stores over the next 18 months.
- Home Bargains has said it wants to “eventually have between 800 and 1,000 retail outlets open”.
- Primark is also opening new branches and investing and renovating more than a dozen of its existing shops.
- Screwfix is set to open 40 new stores nationwide as its owner, Kingfisher, seeks to expand the DIY brand’s national presence.
- Tesco has revealed plans to open 70 more stores across the UK over the next year as part of major expansion plans.
- WHSmith has turned its focus to the travel side of its business, with plans to open new sites in airports, railway stations and hospitals.
Wing Stop also confirmed that six new sites would open across Crawley, Ealing, Manchester, Lakeside, Whitechapel and Walthamstow later this year.
News of greater expansion plans come hot on the heels of the opening of its largest site to date in Westfield shopping centre in Stratford London earlier this year.
Tom Grogan, co-founder of Lemon Pepper Holdings, said in a statement that 2024 marked the chain’s “biggest ever year of growth”.
“We are proud to be opening across the country and creating up to 750 new jobs,” he added.
“In just five short years as a business, we have certainly made our mark, offering the best-tasting wings in the business alongside an authentic and customised dining experience.
“There is huge momentum, and we are just getting started. We can’t wait for more of the UK to try our delicious food.”
Miniso
Shein has been busy taking the fast-fashion market by storm, but another Chinese retailer has also been making waves in the UK.
Miniso found its footing in the British retail market in 2019, opening its first shop in Ealing. it now has 28 sites in the UK including spots in Oxford Street and Westfield Stratford City.
It sells a range of gadgets, toys and accessories at an affordable price.
The stores are quite colourful and you can expect to see products featuring children’s characters such as Hello Kitty.
To give you an idea of what the pricing is like, you can pick up a cosmetics bag for £2.50 and a Bluetooth headset for £7.50.
Miniso has wants to open over 10 new stores during the rest 2024.
The next opening is in Paddington, London later this year.
It also eyeing up locations in the South West of the UK and plans to open three stores in Northern Ireland in 2025.
Bath and Body Works
This all American brand sells a range of scented candles and body washes.
It launched in 1990’s in New Albany, Ohio but did not arrive the in the UK until 2022, opening a site in Bluewater Kent.
It now has six locations in the UK which you can read listed below:
- Metrocentre- Newcastle
- Meadowhall Centre- Sheffield
- Bluewater Shopping Centre -Kent
- The Trafford Centre – Manchester
- Westfield London – Shepherds Bush
- Manchester Arndale
The personal care brand also has some concession stands in retailer Next.
It is not clear year yet if it has any further plans for expansion but The Sun has asked and will update this piece when we find out more.
Sculpted by Aimee
Shoppers appetite for makeup and cosmetics has not died down despite a national cash crunch.
The rise of beauty influencers on TikTok and Instagram has also led to a growing demand for the likes of lipstick and foundation.
So it is no surprise that there has been an influx of international makeup brands cropping up in the UK.
Sculpted by Aimee is an Irish cosmetics brands which has been making moves across Britain.
The makeup line, best known for its bronzing drops and primers, has opened a flagship site on London’s Carnaby Street and in Belfast.
If you don’t live in those locations don’t worry.
Sculpted by Aimee also has a number of concessions in Boots and recently open stands in Selfridges Manchester and London branch.
Oysho
This is a new clothing brand which has opened two sites earlier this year in Westfield Stratford and Shepherds Bush.
It is owned by Inditex the parent company of Zara, Bershka and Pull & Bear and sells a range of gym and lounge wear.
Prices are typically of what you would expect on the high street, charging £25 for a pair of black biker leggings.
A sports bra will set you back £22.99.
It is not clear year yet if it has any further plans for expansion but The Sun has asked and will update this piece when we find out more.