The world’s first womens football store opened in Manchester
Foudys
New store openings provide an insight into more than retailer investment. They represent a snapshot of how brands are responding to the shifting ways that we shop.
Here’s a round-up of five UK store openings that stood out so far this year, and what they say about where the retail industry is going.
Foudys – the world’s first dedicated women’s soccer store
Opened June 2026, Manchester, England
More than just another sports shop, Foudys caters exclusively to female soccer players and enthusiasts with products, merchandise and experiences designed just for them. Expert staff offer everything from boot-fitting to period-wear advice.
Foudy’s founder Helen Hardy described her motivation in opening the store, saying in a statement: “For too long, women and girls have been underserved by traditional sport retail, with stores designed through a male lens and products, experiences and advice that don’t always reflect their needs.”
What this shows us
There is power in leaning into clearly defined communities. This shop is proudly serving a niche market. Rather than trying to cover all sports, it focuses on soccer. Instead of serving all soccer enthusiasts, it leans into an underserved female demographic.
This clear positioning gives the store a built-in focus and mission to attract loyal customers. As one shopper put it, “What I love most is that this isn’t just a shop. It’s a space where players, fans and young girls can come together, feel represented and celebrate their love of football. I would have loved this when I was growing up.”
SKIMS – first international flagship store for digitally native brand
Opened July 2026, London, England
Co-founded by celebrity entrepreneur Kim Kardashian, shapewear brand SKIMS was launched in 2019. The brand began as an e-commerce business, then began selling in retail stores via wholesale in 2020, with Nordstrom as its first retail partner.
SKIMS opened a New York flagship in 2024. The July 2026 London store opening is their first international flagship store.
Situated in a prominent position on Regent Street, and stretching across two floors, the store concept was created by New York design studio Rafael de Cárdenas and is dominated by a huge sculpture by artist Vanessa Beecroft in the entrance.
What this shows us
The Regent Street store is the perfect example of a “brand temple” – a flagship retail concept to bring the SKIMS vision to life in a 3D space.
“Opening our first UK store on London’s iconic Regent Street is a landmark moment for SKIMS. Its global prestige and vibrant history make it the perfect setting to debut our immersive retail experience,” states Robert Norton, SKIMS chief commercial officer, in a press release.
The key is in the phrase “immersive retail experience”. In an era where not every brand wants or needs hundreds of shops, this store opening highlights the continued importance of a brand temple.
Being able to express the brand fully in a physical, immersive environment allows SKIMS to build a deeper relationship with loyal customers and establish itself as a serious global player.
Marks and Spencer Pantheon Store – the shape of things to come
Opened July 2026, London, England
Marks and Spencer unveiled their renovated Pantheon central London flagship store in July 2026. Part of a £90 million investment into stores across the capital, the renovated 100,000-square-foot retail space showcased a new blueprint for store refurbishments.
The fashion, home and beauty floors all showcased a new design concept that will be rolled out across the rest of the Marks and Spencers estate over time.
Featuring curated collections and easily shoppable zones, the new store concept pays particular attention to the store’s atmospherics, with ambient lighting, bespoke scents and curated playlists.
What this shows us
The Pantheon renewal is part of a £300 million investment by Marks and Spencer into their stores in 2026.
Their continued experimentation with new store formats and concepts shows that this high street stalwart is betting heavily on physical retail as a key part of the business’ future.
P. Louise City – TikTok’s number 1 beauty brand creates a stand-alone store.
P.Louise founder Paige Williams in her first UK flagship store – P.Louise City
P.Louise
Opened July 2026, Manchester, England
P.Louise, the record-breaking beauty retailer that started life on TikTok, has opened a 19,000 square foot retail space in Manchester’s Trafford Palazzo shopping center.
Founded by Paige Williams in 2014, the brand took off in 2018 when Paige began selling her own-brand products on TikTok Shop. After experiencing rapid growth, the brand expanded into retail through a partnership with Boots announced in May 2026. The flagship store followed shortly after, opening its doors in July.
Brought to life with a £6.7 million investment, P.Louise City is described by the brand as a “fully realized beauty universe designed for beauty lovers, content creators and experience-seekers alike”.
What this shows us
Like the SKIMS London flagship, P.Louise City highlights the importance of a brand-temple. Where SKIMS is minimalist with nude tones, P.Louise City is about as maximalist as it gets, with sugar pink and gold on every surface. But despite the difference in aesthetics, the store’s purpose is the same.
“Launching in Boots was a huge milestone for us because it brought P.Louise to the high street for the very first time, but P.Louise City takes that experience to another level,” explains Williams via a statement.
“This isn’t just a store; it is our world brought to life. Everything we do is about creating memorable moments for our community and giving them bigger and better ways to connect with the brand they love, and that’s exactly what P.Louise City is all about.”
The Mini Mall – Making physical retail space a reality for smaller brands
Opened July 2026, Leeds, England
The Mini Mall is on a mission to act as a “premium high street incubator” for Yorkshire-based traders, crafters, artisans and makers.
Set across nearly 5,000 square feet inside the Merrion Center shopping mall, the concept promotes “space as a service”. Brands hire a location within The Mini Mall, and trained retail staff handle the selling.
With a city-center, ground-floor location, the concept benefits from higher footfall than most brands could achieve individually.
What this shows us
The Mini Mall addresses a common issue. Many small businesses simply do not have the money to afford a permanent physical store. They also lack the time to sell in person.
Offering space as a service solves this problem and allows small businesses to put their products in front of customers in a physical space. This allows customers to touch, feel, taste, and smell them for themselves.
Given that empty retail spaces across the UK are often too large for a single small business to take on, concepts like The Mini Mall offer a way for small businesses to take on larger retail spaces collectively. It is a powerful concept that could be replicated across the country and offer something new and different to both brands and customers alike.