Braehead, one of the Scotland’s most popular retail destinations, owned by Property Company SGS and asset managed by Global Mutual Properties, opened its doors to a new H&M store last Friday.
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, hosted an in-person pottery masterclass with The Craft Pottery Studio and provided textile-screen printing on organic tote bags. The store also featured 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, said: “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.”
He added: “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 int:o 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.”
