Matalan is ramping up its store modernisation programme after reporting its refurbished sites delivered stronger-than-expected trading this year.

The value fashion and homewares chain has completed 30 refurbishments in 2025 as part of a £25m multi-year investment, which outperformed the wider estate by 14% in 2025.

Stores in locations including Rhyl, Hull and Wrexham have reported sales uplifts of around 20% year on year, with customer satisfaction also rising.

Following the performance of the first phase, Matalan said it will increase next year’s planned refits from 30 to 40.

Upgrades include simplified layouts, clearer signage, brighter interiors with new LED lighting, expanded visual merchandising and improvements to parking, external signage and lighting.

Meanwhile, the retailer is also adding new concessions, including Little Mistress, Blue Vanilla and Quiz, alongside plans to roll out new self-service tills early next year to speed up transactions and support self-serve click & collect.

It is understood this refresh programme will be central to Matalan’s wider transformation, with the full estate set for modernisation over the next three to five years.

Chief retail officer Katherine Davis said the investment was focused on “what matters most to our customers”, adding that results so far showed “higher footfall, happier shoppers and even more compelling reasons to visit your local Matalan”.

Elsewhere, Matalan has also appointed Steve Ridehalgh as director of international. Reporting to Davis, he will lead the retailer’s overseas growth strategy as it moves into the next phase of its turnaround.

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