Braehead owned by property company SGS and asset managed by Global Mutual Properties, has announced that H&M has opened the doors to its new new Braehead store in Glasgow.
H&M has re-located from its former unit to a new ground floor space, spanning 17,000 sq ft, on a 10-year lease. Visitors to the store will enjoy a new, bespoke interior, with an emphasis on creating a warmer and more relaxed environment.
The upgraded store comes as the retailer steps up investment in both its physical and digital stores, with a renewed focus on the integrated customer experience, as well as sustainability.
To celebrate the opening, H&M will collaborate with Glasgow-based talent and businesses over the coming months, for a series of in-store events and projects. On opening day, Liana Mostafa, who created H&M’s Glasgow launch campaign, will be hosting an in-person pottery masterclass with The Craft Pottery Studio, and provide textile-screen printing on organic tote bags. The store will also feature painted art pieces and a live in-store art installation developed by songwriter and graphic artist, Rachel E Miller.
With sustainability at its core, the new store will also offer H&M’s Garment Collection and Recycling service. This allows customers to donate any unwanted clothes and textiles, by any brand, whilst shopping in-store. All items are recycled, with 0% going to landfill and customers are rewarded through Conscious Points and digital vouchers.
Founded in Sweden in 1947, H&M opened its first UK store in 1976. Over forty years later, its UK and Ireland portfolio has grown to include more than 240 stores.
Braehead is a leading retail and leisure destination in Renfrewshire, close to Glasgow. It is currently home to over 100 fashion and lifestyle brands – from specialist boutiques to high street favourites – including Apple, Next and Pandora. It draws from a local catchment population of 2.25 million and has excellent transport links.
Steve Gray, Head of European Retail Asset Management at Global Mutual, comments:
“Our centre team and shoppers will be delighted to see H&M open the doors to its upgraded store. This is a brand with whom we’ve enjoyed a long-standing relationship, and we are incredibly excited to support them on the next stage of their journey with us.
“The new offer – and indeed H&M as a brand– really embody what the future of retail is all about. Their emphasis on sustainability and improved customer experience is key here.
“Brands across the board are focused on creating unique, more compelling in-store experiences – which really drive footfall. H&M’s offer at Braehead reflects this, and their collaboration with local Glasgow-based talent is a great example of innovation to drive visitor engagement.”
Toni Galli, Country Manager for H&M U.K. & Ireland said:
“We can’t wait to show our customers our brand-new store in Glasgow. At H&M, we always look to proactively invest and support the local communities where we operate, so by tapping into the fabric of Glasgow, we hope to achieve this. Our aim is to offer our customers a modern and meaningful shopping experience were style, creativity and culture are celebrated, and we are confident that our new Glasgow store will offer exactly this.”
