// Westfield London to increase its physical retail footprint this year
// Space NK will more than triple the size of its store at Westfield London this January
Westfield London is looking to increase its physical retail footprint this year as major retailers open larger stores at its centre.
The centre‘s operator Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) said a number of new fashion, dining and healthcare brands including personal care and beauty products retailer, Space NK, which will more than triple the size of its store at Westfield London this January.
The new store, which will become among the retailer’s largest in the UK, will increase from 893sq ft to 2,960sq ft.
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This comes after URW said major international brands were taking larger spaces at its centres, including the recently opened JD Sports which has expanded to 45,000sq ft, plus Tommy Hilfiger, Stradivarius, Bershka, Lacoste, Footlocker, Skechers, Calvin Klein and Dr Martens at Westfield Stratford City.
Meanwhile, Apple launched a larger refurbished space at Westfield London, with 21ft high triple glazed glass frontage, and toy retailer Hamleys opened its second biggest UK store at 11,000sq ft.
At Stratford City, fashion brands Accessorize and Nicce as well as independent activewear brand, Validate opened their new stores in Q4.
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield UK leasing director, Kate Orwin said: “Over the last quarter at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City we have seen major global and international brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Apple and Hamleys increase their footprints by more than 30,000sq ft. combined.
“We’re also seeing ongoing interest from new concepts and digital native brands signing up for physical space which clearly demonstrates that retailers recognise the importance of being able to connect which customers in a physical environment, complementing an often omnichannel consumer journey.”
