Despite the rise of ecommerce, bricks-and-mortar stores are still the dominant force in the retail sector in 2026.
Physical retail stores still represent 80.4 per cent of global retail sales. Ecommerce was responsible for 20.5 per cent of global retail sales in 2025, with forecasts that it will hit just 23.7 per cent of all retail sales by 2030.
Many retailers remain laser-focused on their bricks-and-mortar operations. For example, The Works axed its ecommerce arm altogether earlier this year to concentrate on its store-led growth.
Others are celebrating physical store milestones, with Primark recently hailing its 500th shop launch in Naples, Italy.
Retail Gazette looks at retailers that have recently marked store milestones in an increasingly online world.
Primark
Primark launched its 500th store in Naples, Italy, on 1 September, with the store based at La Cartiera shopping centre.
The fast fashion giant has come a long way, having grown from operating one single store in Dublin, Ireland in 1969.
The brand now serves customers across 19 countries in Europe, the US and Middle East. It employs over 80,000 staff members representing 190 nationalities.
CEO Eoin Tonge officially opened the 500th store, joined by members of Primark’s leadership team and senior Italian leadership team, alongside the Mayor of Pompei, Giuseppe Tortora, to cut the shop’s ribbon.
The new site represents a €8 million (£6.86 million) investment for the chain.
The launch was followed by three more store openings the same week in Portugal, Romania and the US.
Dreams
Dreams hit the milestone of opening 225 stores nationwide in August, meaning it has more UK shops than any other bed retailer.
The business launched a store in Manchester Fort shopping park for its 225th location, with the new site leading to seven new jobs in the local area.
To celebrate the launch, customers were granted 10 per cent off when spending £750 or more at the shop from 21 August to 3 September.
CEO Jonathan Hirst explained that reaching 225 stores was “a proud moment for everyone at Dreams” and meant “more people across the UK than ever can easily visit us in store and get the support they need to find their perfect sleep solution”.
Uniqlo
Uniqlo is set to open its 25th UK shop on 24 September, with the site based in Cambridge’s new Grande Arcade on St Andrews Street.
It comes as the brand gears up for further regional expansion, with its new shops targeting Canary Wharf, London and Leeds next year.
The new site, which spans 8,600 sq ft, is spread over two floors and will sell a full range of women’s and men’s LifeWear.
To mark the launch, Uniqlo will offer free goody bags to the first 300 shoppers who spend more than £69.90 on its opening day.
Additionally, there will be a chance for app scan customers to win a trip to Tokyo.
Screwfix
Back in January, Screwfix hit 1,000 stores across the UK, Ireland and France.
The company initially launched its first shop in Yeovil in 2005. Now, it has opened an average of one store per week over the last decade as it also grows internationally.
During 2016, the DIY chain opened its first shops in the Republic of Ireland, and has since launched over 40 stores, leading to almost 500 jobs.
Furthermore, in 2025 the business introduced its ultra-compact format, Screwfix City, which is designed to offer greater convenience for tradespeople in city centres.
Now, the brand is “aiming to open over 1,000 stores in the UK and Ireland, with the potential for up to 600 stores in France,” according to its CEO John Mewett.
Grape Tree
Health foods retailer Grape Tree opened its 200th shop in Harrow, London, at the start of September.
The shop, which measures 2,000 sq ft, is based at St Anns Shopping Centre, The Grocer reported.
In July 2025, the company’s founder and CEO Nick Shutts set the goal of hitting 200 stores by 2026 under its major UK expansion plan.
It comes after the CEO sold a majority stake in the brand to its staff in December 2025.
Grape Tree has launched 11 new shops since then. Ten further openings are also set to launch before the end of the year.
Of course, while some retailers invest in bricks-and-mortar in 2026, it doesn’t mean it’s the right approach for everyone.
For example, in July it was reported that H&M had been shutting stores around the world, with its latest six month report for 2026 revealing that more closures were on the way.
British Heart Foundation also recently revealed its first 87 shops set to shut under plans to close around 150 locations over the next two years.
Rather than being a numbers game, retailers launching stores in 2026 need to make them count by focusing on factors like experiential retail, discovery and human interaction.
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