Page 62 - #202 October 2025

New Balance, Lusail, Qatar

MINISO, Amsterdam, Netherlands

the success of its DTC model, which is a hallmark of luxury brands, Livorno, Salerno, Cosenza and Genoa. A further new store in Parma
allowing for deeper brand affinity and sustainable growth in key was also announced that year. Primark’s investment in Italy is part of
markets, according to Canada Goose US. the retailer’s ambitious international growth plans to expand across
The unique Danish brand Flying Tiger Copenhagen is in the midst new and existing markets. For example, the international fashion
of a global expansion drive, driven by a strong 2024 performance. retailer will also open its first GCC stores this year, beginning with
They have ambitious plans to open 1,000 new stores by the end of 2028. The Avenues Mall in Kuwait this month, followed by multiple Dubai
This expansion is supported by new capital, a new online presence locations in early 2026.
and strategic partnerships. Key to this strategy is digitising the store The global lifestyle brand MINISO is aggressively focused on global
opening process with platforms like ServiceNow, expanding omni- expansion, with plans to open 900-1,100 stores annually between
channel offerings and entering new international markets, which 2024 and 2028, aiming for over 10,000 stores worldwide by 2027.
just this year alone have included Malaysia, Singapore, Canada and The strategy involves targeting key markets in Europe and the US,
Thailand. This recent expansion across Asia, as well as sites in the leveraging its Intellectual Property (IP) strategy centred on popular
Middle East, have marked a milestone for the company in what has entertainment franchises to drive “interest-driven consumption”
been an incredible era for their international growth. among young shoppers. The company is investing in enhancing the
Even more Italian shoppers are set to enjoy a Primark store in in-store experience through innovative and immersive concepts to
their region, as the fashion retailer continues to expand across the cater to growing demand for its unique, high-margin products. Back
country. Primark has announced a new €40M investment in five new in August, the brand celebrated the opening of its first flagship store
stores in Italy: one each in Rome, Biella, Perugia and two in Naples, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. With its refreshed brand image
which will bring its Italian store footprint to 26. These new stores and retail environment, the new store marks both a major step in
will also create 700 new jobs. Primark began its Italian story in 2016, MINISO’s expanding presence in the Netherlands and the brand’s
opening its first store at the ‘Il Centro’ shopping centre, Arese, Milan. expansion across Europe as it further strengthens its presence in
This announcement follows Primark’s €50M investment in Italy in the market.
November 2023, which included five new store openings in Turin, The Spanish, Barcelona-based brand Desigual’s international

Eataly Caffè, Rockefeller Center, New York, US