River Island expands into Newcastle’s Eldon Square | kbnmart

River Island is moving to a new store in Eldon Square, Newcastle. The new store covers 20,000 sq ft+ and is located in St Andrews Way on two floors in a former Topshop unit. It will offer an “enhanced shopping experience featuring “Carefully curated collections, digital fitting rooms, and a whole new look.”

The company is doing its best for the site with the store. It includes exclusive product edits and specialty sections as well as next-generation technology, so customers can order items in-store or for home delivery.

It is said to be a digital-first store, and that focus also extends to the fitting rooms, “where products will be identified upon entry for easy purchase.” Using a touchscreen interface, customers can order additional sizes, choose alternative styles or get other help such as styling tips.

“Newcastle has been a beacon of cultural dynamism over the past decade, attracting investment and establishing itself as a major destination, and we are excited to be part of that story,” said Gemma Scarvey, Digital Marketing Director at River Island. “Our new store promises to redefine the shopping experience for our customers, enriching their journey through our brand amidst the vibrancy of this thriving city.”

Eldon Square is owned by XPE Group PLC, formerly known as Intu Debenture PLC, which the company rebranded just this month.

The company said the change “represents a significant shift away from the former Intu Debenture PLC group and towards a future-facing company. Under its new identity, the company will implement strategies aimed at securing the future of its three schemes – including investing in key brands such as River Island.”

“The expansion of the River Island store represents a significant milestone for Newcastle’s retail landscape and represents our first retail announcement since our rebranding,” said Pete Cooper of XPE. “The new store supports our strategy to elevate Eldon Square, providing unparalleled opportunities to engage with customer experiences. As Eldon Square continues to evolve with strategic developments such as Next and Sephora, we are excited to contribute to the region’s thriving retail ecosystem. We look forward to fostering meaningful partnerships that will take Newcastle’s retail offering to the next level.”