New Look to launch new concept store at Bluewater

New Look is relocating to a new 12,120sq ft concept store in Bluewater shopping centre, with the new site opening on 3 April.

Located on the Upper Thames Walk area of the shopping centre, next to Clarendon Fine Art, the store will feature the fashion retailer’s first omni-hub space, with initiatives to streamline the shopper journey such as digital inspiration, showrooms and displays.

The move comes despite New Look recently looking to speed up its store closure programme ahead of tax rises in April, with around a quarter of the retailer’s 364 stores nationwide understood to be at risk when leases expire, according to The Times.

The upgraded store takes inspiration from New Look’s £3m investment into its Manchester shops, where the retailer trialled new site designs to improve product merchandising and better align its shopfloor to its brand identity.

The Bluewater store will also feature a dedicated service hub, designed to improve collections and returns.

The store will house womenswear, a menswear showroom, as well as a mezzanine floor dedicated to its 915 collection, featuring casual clothing, sportswear and accessories for girls aged 9 to 15.

To mark the opening, the retailer will offer its first 200 customers goody bags for spending in store from 3 April until 5 April.

Additionally, surprise gift cards will be hidden around the shop, a DJ will perform for customers, free treats will be provided with all purchases, and shoppers who spend £50 will be able to win prizes from an in-store claw machine.

The company is also offering shoppers a chance to win a gifted haul, with one customer per day to be chosen at random to win a shopping bag.

New Look retail director Elaine Cartwright said: “Our decision to relocate and re design our Bluewater store demonstrates our commitment to bricks and mortar retailing in the UK and the important part stores play in our communities.

“Bluewater has been a major retail destination for some time, so showing up in this location with purpose and credibility is an important element of our retail portfolio strategy.”

“Our new store will bring to life our omni-hub space, where digital and physical customer journeys will come together in real life.”

New Look joins Haribo in recently opening a new store at Bluewater shopping centre, with the sweet brand launching its 11th retail site in the UK last month.

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