Trafford Palazzo, the North West’s shopping and leisure destination owned by Peel Retail & Leisure, has announced that Sports Direct will be its latest occupier. The sports retailer, part of Frasers Group plc, has committed to opening a 40,000 sq. ft store on a long-term lease, set to launch in early 2025.
The new Sports Direct Trafford store will feature a range of leading sports and leisure brands, including Nike, adidas, Puma, and ASICS. The store will also include specialist sections for running, football, and outdoor equipment, catering to men, women, and children. Additionally, the store will showcase other Frasers Group brands, such as USC, GAME, and Jack Wills.
The two-floor store will be located at the entrance to the link bridge connecting Trafford Palazzo to The Trafford Centre, benefitting from the site’s annual footfall of five million visitors. Since Peel Retail & Leisure’s acquisition of Trafford Palazzo, the centre has seen a 10% year-on-year increase in foot traffic, driven by new leisure offerings and flagship brands.
Mark Whittaker, Managing Director at Peel Retail & Leisure, commented: “This is a significant signing for Trafford Palazzo and a brand that continues to have real pull with consumers. Through a clear strategy of transforming Trafford Palazzo into a destination that delivers experiences as well as selective shopping, we have secured a unique mix of occupiers who are delivering flagship and new concept stores, which in turn is boosting our visitor numbers. Our vision is to attract best-in-class operators, and we have no doubt Sports Direct’s new concept will enhance and complement our offering in both the centre and the wider TraffordCity destination.”
A spokesperson for Frasers Group added: “We are pleased to be opening a new 40,000 sq. ft Sports Direct store, located in Trafford Palazzo. The store will offer customers the world’s best sports and lifestyle brands, as well as bring other brands from Frasers Group’s ecosystem, including USC, GAME, and Jack Wills, to the location.”
As part of TraffordCity, Trafford Palazzo spans 350,000 sq. ft of retail and leisure space and includes anchor tenants such as Primark, Sealife, and Legoland. Recent additions include experiential brands like NERF AX, King Pins, and soon-to-open Archie’s Atomic. With strong connections to Greater Manchester’s tram system and the North West’s motorway network, Trafford Palazzo remains a key destination for both shoppers and brands.
The addition of Sports Direct will create jobs in the local economy and further establish Trafford Palazzo as an important shopping and leisure hub.
