Page 6 - #184 September 2023

UK

EE LAUNCHES NEW EXPERIENCE STORE IN
BLUEWATER SHOPPING CENTRE

The UK’s best network, EE, has opened its brand-new
Experience store in Bluewater Shopping Centre, bringing
technology to life for Kent shoppers.
Situated in one of the UK’s largest shopping centres,
the new EE Experience store is packed with the latest
connected technology, from top-of-the-range games
consoles to smart home devices, giving visitors to the
south-east retail destination the opportunity to have fun
and get hands on with game-changing innovations.
The second of EE’s innovative new concept stores
showcases a host of ‘experience zones’ and ‘room sets’,
with each area carefully curated to give Kent shoppers a
taste of future living and demonstrate how cutting-edge
technology and connectivity can enhance everyday lives.
The experience zones in the store include the
Welcome Zone, the Gaming Zone, the Base Camp area
and finally the Tech Live station.

LEADING UK RETAIL AND LEISURE DESTINATION THE TRAFFORD CENTRE IS THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THAT SNOWFLAKE GELATO, PURVEYOR OF AWARD-WINNING LUXURY GELATO,
IS EXPANDING ITS PRESENCE AT THE CENTRE WITH TWO NEW SITES, BRINGING ITS TOTAL LOCATIONS THERE TO THREE. THE NEW KIOSKS, LOCATED IN PROMINENT AREAS OF THE
TRAFFORD CENTRE, WILL BROADEN THE BRAND’S REACH AND OFFER OF ITS ARTISANAL GELATO TO EVEN MORE OF THE TRAFFORD CENTRE CUSTOMER BASE. GUESTS CAN CHOOSE FROM
CONVENIENT KIOSKS FOR A QUICK AND SATISFYING TREAT, OR ENJOY A SIT-DOWN EXPERIENCE, ALLOWING THEM TO FULLY IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN THE WORLD OF SNOWFLAKE GELATO.
ALONG WITH ITS NEW SITES, SNOWFLAKE GELATO IS INTRODUCING A RANGE OF EXCITING NEW FLAVOURS, FROM CLASSIC FAVOURITES TO INNOVATIVE CREATIONS.
SØSTRENE GRENE TO OPEN PHASE EIGHT AND HOBBS
FIRST SURREY STORE SET TO UPSIZE

Victoria Place in Woking is to welcome Danish homeware retailer, Sovereign Centros has announced that premium womenswear
Søstrene Grene, later this year, as part of its rapid expansion across brands, Phase Eight and Hobbs, are upsizing within Merry Hill.
the UK. Occupying a prominent position on Henry Plaza between Both are relocating from their existing units at the destination
M&S and Moss Bros, the brand is opening a 4,673sq ft store, its first- into adjacent stores on the Upper Mall, bringing the sister brands
ever in Surrey. together into 6,000sq ft of retail space.
Søstrene Grene Victoria Place will align with the brand’s dedication Specialising in designer women’s clothing, Phase Eight will
to one of the defining characteristics of Dannish culture, ‘hygge’, which stock its comprehensive selection of elevated women’s fashion,
refers to a quality of cosiness that produces a feeling of contentment, including special eventwear, style solutions and workwear across
by stocking a range of products designed to encourage this. Items on sizes 6-26. Alongside them will be Hobbs’ extensive collection
offer will include homeware such as furniture, home accessories and of luxury womenswear, spotlighting its sophisticated and clean
soft furnishings for both indoors and out; art supplies including DIY silhouettes for every occasion. Premium footwear, accessories
kits and a wide range of stationary. and jewellery from both brands will also be on offer.
In keeping with Søstrene Grene’s Nordic origins, the new Victoria The new Phase Eight and Hobbs stores will open adjacent to
Place store will employ its signature Scandinavian aesthetic, using a the recently launched Vanilla, showcasing the brands’ continued
combination of wood accents and carefully curated lighting to inspire commitment to Merry Hill through its selection of an upsized
visitor’s creativity and provide a neutral backdrop for the brand’s unit within the centre. They have joined 30 brands who have
eclectivce selection of products. renewed or upsized since the start of last year.

06 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL SEPTEMBER 2023