Christmas showed that bricks-and-mortar is far from dead as shoppers flocked back to shops to snap up their gifts.
This is a trend that was present throughout 2022 and one that retailers are reacting to.
Just this week Mark & Spencer revealed it would open 20 new stores over its next financial year.
Retail Gazette rounds up the retailers that are looking to expand their store estates this year.
Monsoon
Monsoon is set to open 22 new stores this year as its trading recovers post-pandemic.
The women’s fashion retailer, which was bought out of administration in June 2020 by founder Peter Simon in a pre-pack deal, currently has 154 UK stores split between Monsoon and sister brand Accessorize, down from 230 at the time it went into administration.
Monsoon CEO Nick Stowe is keen on locations in well-heeled regional towns and cities and believes the fashion chain could grow to around 200 UK stores again.
He added that the changes to business rates next year could make opening stores “more attractive”.
Asda Express
Back in October Asda unveiled plans to open its first two standalone convenience stores under the new ‘Asda Express’ brand.
The Asda Express stores opened at Sutton Coldfield in November and Tottenham Hale, a month late.
The supermarket plans to launch a further 30 sites, creating about 500 new roles, this year as part of a ‘test & learn’ approach to developing its convenience model.
It is targeting a whopping 300 Asda Express stores by 2026 as new owners, the Issa brothers and TDR Capital put convenience at the heart of its growth plan.
With sales in convenience stores forecast to grow by 13% to over £50bn by 2027, Asda says it “has a significant opportunity to grow sales and market share in a sector where it currently has a limited presence”.
Mango
Back in November, Mango opened its first-ever store in Newcastle in Eldon Square as it looks to expand.
The retailer, which has 35 UK stores is seeking to expand its presence here.
Mango global expansion director Daniel López said: “The opening of our first store in Newcastle is a step further in our strategic goals for international expansion and strengthens our presence in the United Kingdom, a strategic market for Mango and one of the most important for the fashion world.”
Shopping centres appear to be a key target areas as last year it opened new store in the Glasgow Fort, Dartford Bluewater and London’s Battersea Power Station shopping centres.
Primark
Primark is set to open 27 new stores during the financial year, after opening 10 stores last month as it continues its expansion spree.
Although the bulk of these stores will be in the US, where it is embarking on aggressive expansion plan, it is opening more shops in the UK.
The retailer will open four new stores in Bury St Edmunds, Salisbury, Teesside Park and Craigavon. Some existing stores will also be refurbished.
Primark chief executive Paul Marchant said the investment showed it was “playing a part in ensuring that UK retail continues to grow and thrive and give people another reason to visit their local high street”.
Ikea
Back in October, Ikea said it would be expanding in the North West as part of its ongoing transformation to make it easier and more accessible for customers to shop with the business.
The Swedish furniture giant called the North West a key region, with plans to open new Plan & Order Points in Aintree, Preston, and Stockport, with an expanded service offering.
The units, located in retail parks and shopping centres will showcase around five kitchen and wardrobe solutions as well as having a consultation area packed with information, samples, tools and specialist knowledge.
The brand, which will open a flagship store on London’s Oxford Street later this year, is also looking for more physical space in the capital.
Dune
Dune is looking to open more stores, particularly in locations where it used to have department store concessions.
The retailer was hard hit with the demise of Debenhams and House of Fraser’s store estate shrinking.
Its expansion comes after the footwear retailer returned to profit following an “encouraging” post-Covid recovery.
Dune posted a £2.9 million EBITDA in the year to 29 January 2022, compared to a £9.8 million the previous year.
Dune said that many stores were achieving pre-pandemic levels of sales with retail like-for-likes rising 29.4% over the year, although this was pitched against a year when store closures were rife.
The footwear retailer also has its eyes on international expansion as sales across other nations now represent 26% of the total.
WHSmith
WHSmith plans to open 150 new stores across 16 countries and in airports as varied as Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Brussels, Oslo and Melbourne after posting a “significant recovery” back in November.
It is also still expanding in the UK, and is on track to open 15 new stores in its current financial year.
WHSmith saw total sales rise 92% thanks to a strong performance in its travel stores.
Chief executive Carl Cowling said: “Our recently opened stores in the UK are trading ahead of our initial expectations and we have received excellent feedback from customers and landlords. We see significant scope to grow the brand globally.”
Flannels
Flannels owner Frasers Group unveiled plans for the next cohort of flagship stores last November as boss Michael Murray continues to expand the premium retailer.
Flannels will open flagship stores in Leeds and Cardiff this year following the successful openings at Gateshead’s Metrocentre, Sheffield Meadowhall and Leicester Fosse Park.
Flannels chief executive Murray said at the time: “Our plans to expand with a series of new experience-orientated flagships, demonstrates how we’re doubling down on our commitment to ‘new luxury’ and bringing world-class experiences to untapped markets.
“Our expansion plans not only demonstrate the confidence we have in our strategy, but they also show our continued belief in the future of the UK’s high streets, which through our stores, we aim to re-ignite.”
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