Lifestyle retailer MINISO has announced the opening of its 50th UK store, selecting Milton Keynes as the latest location in its nationwide expansion. The new shop will launch at centre:mk on 29 October at 12pm.
The retailer’s latest store will be situated on Silbury Arcade and span 1,550 square feet. It will feature an extensive range of over 1,000 products, with offerings that include vinyl plush pendants, blind boxes, surprise bags, toys, beauty items, lifestyle accessories and snacks. The collections are selected in keeping with the brand’s ‘Life is For Fun’ ethos, and stock is frequently refreshed to reflect changing trends and demand.
The Milton Keynes launch marks a milestone for MINISO, which opened its first UK outlet in 2019. Since then, it has rapidly increased its presence in key retail locations across the country. Recent openings include stores in Glasgow Central, Croydon, Kingston, Braehead and Liverpool.
In line with the new store announcement, the retailer has also confirmed the creation of 300 seasonal roles across the UK in preparation for the upcoming Christmas period. Each MINISO store is expected to take on an average of five temporary employees, with applications now open via the Indeed jobs platform.
The launch in Milton Keynes is strategically significant. The city is currently the UK’s second-fastest growing and centre:mk has become one of the top 10 retail destinations nationwide. With a catchment area of 10.5 million, the centre continues to attract a broad mix of regional and international brands.
Customers visiting the new MINISO store will also have access to exclusive licensed collections featuring well-known franchises such as Hello Kitty and Friends, Sylvanian Families, Disney and Pokémon. These branded ranges cater to growing demand among Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers for collectibles and pop culture merchandise.
“centre.mk has a total catchment of 10.5m – so it made perfect sense for us to select the city for the prestigious opening of our 50th MINISO store,” said Saad Usman, Chief Operating Officer at MINISO UK. “Our brand is built around delivering an engaging and vibrant shopping experience for all visitors, which is a perfect match for centre:mk’s first-rate retail offering. From globally loved characters to the latest collectible trends, our stores are designed to surprise and delight customers of all ages, and we look forward to becoming part of the Milton Keynes community.”
Kevin Duffy, Centre Director at centre:mk, added: “MINISO’s decision to bring its popular brand to centre:mk is a reflection of the centre’s vast catchment area, high footfall and our ability to attract global retailers, and a clear endorsement in both Milton Keynes and the strength of centre:mk as a dominant regional centre.”
To mark the store opening, MINISO will host a day of launch celebrations on 29 October. The first 50 customers will receive exclusive golden wristbands, granting access to a Golden Goody Bag valued at £50 with a minimum £5 spend. A further 300 visitors will be given Goody Bags worth £25, also with a qualifying spend of £5.
The opening day will also include a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the brand’s mascot PenPen, as well as live entertainment such as K-pop dance performances and music. On 30 October, a Tombola event will be held in-store. Customers spending £25 will be eligible to take part for a chance to win a £25 MINISO voucher or other prizes, while stocks last.
As part of the nationwide celebrations, customers at other UK MINISO stores – excluding airport locations – will receive a free gift with purchases over £25, while promotional stock remains available.
“At MINISO, we believe ‘Life is for Fun’, so we wanted to spread that happiness across all our stores,” added Usman. “Opening the 50th store is a time for celebration and to give back to all our customers who have supported MINISO on our journey so far.”
To apply for one of the seasonal Christmas roles, applicants are advised to email recruitment@kouriten.com with ‘Christmas Roles’ in the subject line.
