New Balance, FatFace, JYSK and Bath & Body Works expand

New Balance opens in London

New Balance has opened a new brand hub in Covent Garden.

The space will be used throughout the year for seasonal sell-in activity, strategic planning, product storytelling and work with partners. It will also host partner meetings, brand ambassador events, press previews and stakeholder meetings.

The hub has separate areas for lifestyle and performance products, including running, football and tennis. It also includes a new “Made In” lounge, building on the concept used at the brand’s Oxford Street flagship store. The lounge highlights the craftsmanship of products made at its Flimby workshop.

The company said the new site is a major investment in the UK market and will help strengthen relationships with partners as it continues to invest in London.

FatFace heads to Altrincham

FatFace will open a new store in Altrincham this autumn.

The 1,550 square foot store will create six jobs and takes the retailer’s estate to a network that already includes 172 stores in the UK and seven in the Republic of Ireland. Recruitment has already started.

The store will stock FatFace’s core range and its new winter collection, including knitwear, nightwear, occasionwear and gifts. It will also carry the retailer’s latest collaboration with the V&A, inspired by the world of Wonderland.

Alongside its store growth, FatFace is also expanding its online presence across Europe through Next and Zalando.

JYSK enters Wales

JYSK will open its first Welsh store at Parc Tawe North Retail Park in Swansea in early 2027.

The store will cover more than 1,000 square metres and offer more than 1,000 product lines. Categories will include furniture, mattresses, home décor, storage and outdoor living, with some prices starting below £1.

The opening marks the first time the Danish retailer has expanded into a new UK nation since launching in England in 2008. More Welsh stores are planned during 2027.

JYSK currently operates 26 stores in the UK. Its global turnover increased by 12.9% to DKK 52.3 billion in the 2025/26 financial year. Earlier this year it also outlined plans to open up to 100 stores in European cities including Dublin, Amsterdam and Madrid.

Bath & Body Works opens in Scotland

Bath & Body Works will open its first standalone Scottish store at Frasers Plus Braehead before Christmas.

The 2,000 square foot shop will sell fragrance, beauty and seasonal gifts. It follows the retailer’s recent announcement of a standalone store at Merry Hill, adding to its existing concession presence.

The Braehead centre is also welcoming other brands. White Stuff is due to open soon, following the recent arrival of SuperPark’s first UK site.

Bath & Body Works will join retailers including Rituals, Boots, Lush, M&S, TK Maxx and Scotland’s largest Superdrug at the destination.

What RHR thinks

We believe these four openings show that investment in UK stores is spreading beyond London. Market towns, retail parks and regional shopping centres are attracting investment too. Each retailer is choosing the format that works best for its business. New Balance’s hub shows that branded spaces are increasingly being used for partner and media engagement as well as retail. FatFace and JYSK show confidence in successful towns and retail parks, where operating costs can be lower. Bath & Body Works moving from concessions into standalone stores suggests strong demand in the UK beauty and gifting market. We believe more international and value-focused brands will follow, particularly in regional destinations that combine shopping and leisure.

What this means for hiring. FatFace has started recruiting for six roles at its new Altrincham store. Bath & Body Works and JYSK openings are likely to support store management and shop floor jobs. New Balance’s brand hub may create opportunities in events, partner relations and brand operations.