Zara will upsize Metrocentre location into megastore

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Dec 12, 2022

Big is good but bigger now appears best. Inditex’s Zara has become another major brand to upsize operations in a key city centre mall, following on the heels of a major upgrade announcement for Hugo Boss’ Boss brand at Liverpool One.

The Spanish fashion giant is to move into a new 42,000 sq ft store – more than double its existing space – at the Metrocentre in Gateshead, and is set to open in late 2023.

Work on the new store has already commenced, and the upgraded space will feature an expanded product offering across womenswear, menswear and kidswear.

The major upsize is part of Metrocentre owner Sovereign Centros’s strategy “to bring the biggest and best flagship stores to the North East shopping centre”, it said.

Sovereign Centros spokesman Ben Cox added: “An investment of this scale from one of the globe’s leading brands is a major demonstration of the strength of Metrocentre. Zara’s expansion over two levels completes the re-anchoring of Red Mall alongside the arrival of Flannels and Sports Direct into the former Debenhams. Given Zara’s current popularity with Metrocentre’s customers, and the truly impressive quality of their most recent flagship openings, we’re certain the new store will be a huge success.”

Zara’s new store will add to Metrocentre’s portfolio of occupier giants such as JD Sports, H&M, Harrods Beauty, River Island and Next.

Last week, Zara also open an upsized store at the Blanchardstown Centre in Dublin, going from a 14,000 sq ft unit to a 52,000 sq ft space – it’s largest in Ireland to date.