Hammerson has announced today that four new brands will open at its flagship destination, Highcross in Leicester this autumn in a flurry of new deals. Ted Baker, Rolex, Thérapie Clinic and Laser Clinics United Kingdom are set to open between October and November, demonstrating how brands continue to invest in physical spaces particularly at Highcross, which continues to offer creative experiences for customers.
The centre has captured existing and new audiences through a range of events and initiatives since reopening in Spring, including becoming dog-friendly, hosting Bandstand Live, a weekend with cultural performances and hosting the city’s biggest-ever public art event with Rocket Round Leicester. This is in addition to over 100 shops and restaurants at Highcross, anchored by John Lewis.
The new Ted Baker store will introduce its new magnolia icon branding, born out of the brand’s deep-rooted association with florals. The motif can be found across its latest collection of men’s and womenswear as well as the store’s interior design. Ted Baker, synonymous for its leather accessories from holdalls to wallets, recently ranked as the UK’s second most popular luxury brand in a YouGov poll, topped by Rolex.
In a new concept, Watches of Switzerland Group is refitting its Goldsmiths store to become one of its new luxury format stores. It will focus on fine watch brands such as Rolex, OMEGA and Breitling, complemented by fine-jewellery brands from Gucci to FOPE, and supported by an in-store hospitality experience. Since non-essential retail reopened this spring, jewellery has been a top performer across Hammerson’s portfolio with the average spend up 25 per cent compared with 2019 levels, as customers self-treated after coming out of lockdown and made luxury investment purchases in-lieu of holidays abroad.
The introduction of health and wellbeing brands is an example of how Hammerson continues to diversify the brand mix and respond to evolving consumer needs. Prominent medical clinic, Thérapie Clinic, which operates across England, Ireland and Scotland, will open its 60th clinic at Highcross and offer various treatments from laser hair removal and cosmetic injections to dental braces. Initial consultations with the brand’s expert team will be free of charge at the new clinic. Global leader in aesthetic treatments, Laser Clinics United Kingdom, will further enhance the health and wellbeing offer with its first-ever clinic in Leicester. Customers will be able to book appointments for laser hair removal, cosmetic injectables and professional skin treatments.
Iain Mitchell, UK Commercial Director, Hammerson said: “Premium brands and those with an experiential element have been some of the best performing since we reopened earlier this year and these four deals typify this demand. Whilst Ted Baker and Rolex have a strong following internationally, Laser Clinics United Kingdom and Thérapie Clinic demonstrate how we are evolving our destinations. We are excited to bring these brands to Highcross.”
