Not only did November welcome icy winds here in the UK but it also welcomed a fresh slew of retail news. November kicked off the start of the festive season with Britain’s high streets undergoing festive makeovers from glimmering lights to tree-clad window displays.
We have seen countless Christmas campaigns from John Lewis’ iconic adverts to Loro Piana’s festive takeover of Harrods. Meanwhile, retailers clamour to get new stores up and running as the gold quarter descends upon the industry.
From new store openings and senior leadership appointments to acquisitions and more, here are some of the news highlights from an action-packed four weeks.
New Openings
Zara opened a 51,000 sq ft flagship store at Birmingham’s Bullring
Zara opened the doors to a shiny new 51,000 sq ft store at Birmingham’s Bullring & Grand Central shopping centre. This marks the completion of repurposing the former Debenhams department store.
Bringing its latest store concept to Birmingham, Zara showcases its full range of womenswear, menswear, and childrenswear across two floors.
AllSaints ramped up global store expansion kicking off in London and NYC
AllSaints, the British brand known for its grunge aesthetic, embarked on a store expansion with new retail locations across the UK, United States, Europe and Asia.
Here, in TheIndustry.fashion’s hometown of London, AllSaints opened a new store on Brompton Road on 22 November – just in time for the peak Christmas trading season. AllSaints has also recently opened a new store in Liverpool ONE, featuring the iconic sewing machine display.
H&M reopened at Westfield Stratford with its first concept store in UK
H&M officially reopened the doors to its Westfield Stratford store with a brand new technology-centric concept that is yet to be seen in the UK.
After an extensive renovation, the concept store provides improved omni-channel services to make shopping more fluid and innovative than ever. Shoppers are invited to browse a curated selection of H&M’s womenswear, menswear, kid’s fashion, beauty, and homeware.
JD opened a ‘bigger and better’ store at White Rose in Leeds
JD opened a new store at the White Rose shopping centre in Leeds boasting 15,537 sq ft, more than double the size of its previous unit at the location.
Ahead of Black Friday and just in time for the key Christmas trading period, the “bigger and better” store is now showcasing the latest collections from JD mainstays including Nike, Adidas, New Balance and more.
Pour Moi opened a new store in Kingston and eyes further retail expansion
British lingerie, swimwear and womenswear brand Pour Moi opened a new 2,465 sq ft store at 32-33 Market Place in Kingston Upon Thames, set over two floors in a unit which was previously occupied by Joules.
Pour Moi has two stores in Chester and one at Victoria Gate in Leeds, but Kingston marks the brand’s first in the south as it looks to expand its retail footprint in the UK – particularly where it sees strong online sales.
Flannels opened latest store in Milton Keynes in time for Christmas run-in
Frasers Group-owned luxury fashion retailer Flannels opened a new 20,000 sq ft store at the Midsummer Place Shopping Centre in Milton Keynes just as the busy Christmas trading period kicks in.
Flannels now has a portfolio of more than 80 stores in the UK and Ireland, as its dominance of being the “go to” place for luxury fashion brands across the country continues apace.
Bluebella brought its luxury intimates to shoppers at first-ever pop-up
British lingerie label Bluebella opened its first UK pop-up store, bringing its luxury intimates to London’s Covent Garden for clients to browse in person.
The pop-up shop invites customers to explore Bluebella’s latest collections, whether that be for personal indulgence or to shop for gifts ahead of the festive season.
Johnstons of Elgin opened new store in Mayfair’s Burlington Arcade
Scottish cashmere brand Johnstons of Elgin opened a new store in Burlington Arcade, 51 Piccadilly, in the heart of London’s Mayfair. Spread over three floors, the store showcases the finest Scottish craftsmanship including a hand-carved timber and stone table by sculptor Oliver Spendley on the ground floor to display accessories.
Paige brings its elevated wardrobe staples to Bicester Village
Paige, renowned for its elevated wardrobe staples and luxe denim offering, opened the doors to its second UK location at Bicester Village as it looks to further its retail presence internationally.
This marks the second time the brand has opened up shop overseas, following its store opening in London’s Chelsea last September.
Sports Direct opened latest elevated store concept in Milton Keynes
Sports Direct continued rolling out its elevated retail concept with a new 50,000 sq ft store spanning two floors at the Midsummer Place shopping centre in Milton Keynes.
Selling brands including Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Puma and Asics, as well as Frasers Group-owned brands USC, Evans Cycles, GAME and Jack Wills, the new store is the first in the UK to showcase Nike Strength, a premium training equipment range “designed to empower athletes of all levels”.
Big Name Appointments
Joseph appointed JW Anderson and Christopher Kane alumni as its Creative Director
Joseph, the contemporary, sleek womenswear brand, has today announced the appointment of Mario Arena as its Creative Director. He will be based in London at the brand’s new Design Department.
Mario Arena is taking the helm, succeeding husband-and-wife design duo Anna Lundbäck Dyhr and Frederik Dyhr, who have served as co-creative directors since 2020. Arena’s first collection for Joseph (Spring/Summer 2026), will hit stores in October 2025.
Kering shuffles leadership appointing new Balenciaga and Saint Laurent CEOs
Luxury fashion conglomerate, Kering, appointed Cédric Charbit as CEO of Saint Laurent and Gianfranco Gianangeli as CEO of Balenciaga, effective 2 January 2025.
Both will report to Francesca Bellettini, Kering’s Deputy CEO in charge of Brand Development. From January, Bellettini will solely be dedicated to the development of all Kering fashion, leather goods and jewellery houses.
Is LVMH owner prepping son Alexandre Arnault to take over?
Alexandre Arnault, son of Billionaire LVMH owner Bernard Arnault, exited Tiffany & Co. for his new role as deputy CEO of the wine and spirits division of LVMH. As the Bernard children move up the ranks of the business in a recent reshuffling, we’re closely observing to see who might take over from their 75-year-old father.
32-year-old Alexandre Arnault will take up the role at Moët Hennessy in February after four years at New York-based jeweller Tiffany, which LVMH bought in 2021. Prior to this, he headed the luxury luggage brand Rimowa.
Future Stores hired ‘The Customer Whisperer’ aka Kate Hardcastle MBE
Retail expert Kate Hardcastle MBE was appointed Non-Executive Director of Global Consumer Engagement at Future Stores – a new retail concept that blends the worlds of media, retail and digital performance marketing.
Known as ‘The Customer Whisperer’, Kate Hardcastle is an award-winning business consultant and renowned expert in shopping habits. She works with world-renowned brands including Disney and Evri.
Harvey Nichols appointed Vogue and former Topshop fashion lead as Creative Director
Luxury fashion and beauty retailer Harvey Nichols announced the appointment of Kate Phelan to the newly created role of Creative Director, with immediate effect. Phelan, one of Britain’s most esteemed stylists, is described as “a pivotal figure in the modern British fashion scene”.
Frasers Continues Making Headlines
Frasers has earned its very own section as there is never a dull moment when it comes to the British retail supergroup and this month was no different. Frasers’ showdown with Boohoo continued as did its pursuit to snap up more struggling retail businesses.
Frasers Group-backed Four Marketing acquired A-Cold-Wall
Distribution agency Four Marketing, which counts Frasers Group as its largest shareholder, snapped up A-Cold-Wall from multi-brand agency Tomorrow Ltd less than a year after it had acquired the brand from its founder, Samuel Ross.
In a joint statement, it is described as a “strategic acquisition which strengthens Four Marketing and Tomorrow’s shared vision for the future and commitment to A-Cold-Wall’s growth on a global scale”.
Frasers Group snapped up Holdsport in bid to dominate South Africa’s sports and outdoor market
Frasers Group significantly spread its global wings by acquiring South African sports and outdoor goods company Holdsport Group – owner of the Sportsmans Warehouse chain – for an undisclosed sum.
Previously in the hands of Old Mutual Private Equity, Holdsport is a “diversified business” operating across retail, wholesale, manufacturing, distribution, and e-commerce, focused on the sport, outdoor, and recreation sectors across South Africa and Namibia.
Frasers Group called for Mike Ashley to replace Boohoo Chair Kamani
Frasers Group published an open letter to Boohoo Group shareholders, urging that founder and Executive Chairman Mahmud Kamani must be replaced by Mike Ashley. This follows Boohoo’s rejection of Frasers’ demand to appoint Ashley CEO.
Stepping up its boardroom battle with Boohoo, the company wrote: “A simple choice: win with Mike Ashley or lose with Mahmud Kamani.” It urged Boohoo shareholders to vote to appoint Ashley and restructuring expert Mike Lennon as directors at its shareholder meeting on 20 December.
Former FRC Boss to Chair Frasers Group
Former Financial Reporting Council Boss Sir Jon Thompson is being lined up to take over as Chairman of Frasers Group.
Thompson, who joined Frasers Group’s board earlier this year as a Non-Executive Director, is expected to take over from David Daly at some point in 2025. Sources told Sky News that Thompson’s appointment as Chairman had yet to be finalised by Frasers’ board, but added that it was almost certain to take place.
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