H&M has finally brought its popular Home concept to Manchester, opening a new store at the Trafford Centre.
The shop has been given a complete overhaul and has expanded, adding in an entire department for homeware as well as its usual fashion sections.
The new-look H&M has less products on display to create a ‘warmer, more welcoming interior and relaxed environment’, which the retailer says is a UK-first.
Shoppers will finally be able to get their hands on H&M Home products in person, with everything from real plants to bath towels on sale.
Inside H&M Home at the Trafford Centre. Credit: The Manc Group
There’s a new nursery section filled with pastel-hued soft toys and furnishings, and walls filled with curtains, bedding and rugs.
H&M has also collaborated with locals in Manchester, like interior stylist @thenorthernhome_, who was chosen to style the new store’s dining room section.
H&M’s expansion manager Chris Clare said that the brand would be partnering with local businesses across the coming months, ‘proving how committed we are to Manchester and our loyal customers there’.
Credit: The Manc Group
He added: “We are also adding the extremely popular H&M HOME concept to the Manchester shopping agenda – which we know is loved by those in the city and region.”
H&M U.K. & Ireland country manager Toni Galli said: “The store will feature an open façade with no windows, creating a welcoming, modern and meaningful shopping experience where style, creativity and culture are celebrated.”
H&M opened its first UK store in 1976 and now has more than 200 shops across the UK and Ireland.
H&M is collaborating with locals in Manchester, like interior stylist @thenorthernhome_. Credit: The Manc Group
It will continue its sustainability mission at the Trafford Centre store, including its Garment Collection and Recycling service – shoppers can bring in unwanted clothes and textiles to be recycled, in exchange for a digital voucher and Conscious Points.
Toni added: “We are super excited to be offering our customers a brand-new store at the Trafford Centre this Spring.
“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 store at the Trafford Centre will offer exactly this.”
Zoe Inman, centre director at Trafford Centre, said: “The H&M reopening and expansion is such an exciting opportunity for Trafford Centre, we’re delighted to house H&M’s first of its kind concept store and design across the world.
“The expansion of bringing H&M HOME to the centre will enhance our customers’ shopping experience and strengthen the fabulous home and interiors offering.”
Featured image: The Manc Group
Shopping
Walkers launches TWO new permanent crisp flavours for the first time in decades
Emily Sergeant
Walkers has launched two new crisp flavours to its permanent lineup for the first time in decades.
We all know the legendary crisp manufacturers have been no strangers to bringing out weird and wonderful concoctions and collaborations over the years – with Marmite, spicy tomato ketchup, fish and chips, steak and ale pie, and even Christmas pudding being just some of the foods turned into crisp form by the company over the years.
These limited-edition Walkers flavours usually have shoppers flocking to their nearest supermarket to stock up before they sell out.
But this time, there’s no need to dash, as these two new flavours are staying for good.
Walkers has launched two new permanent crisp flavours for the first time in decades / Credit: The Manc Group | Mustafa Bashari (via Unsplash)
It’s been a long time – decades, in fact – since Walkers announced permanent crisp flavours that would be stocked on UK shop shelves for years to come, but all that’s set to change, and we have a feeling they’re going to be pretty well-received.
Inspired by the authentic flavours of Japan and India, the two new Walkers crisp flavours are Sticky Teryaki and Chicken Masala.
These new additions come following a year of ‘rigorous’ testing of 63 different potentials, and Walkers said its research and development team finally landed on two flavours that are ‘so delicious’, they simply ‘had to be added’ to the permanent lineup.
The new Sticky Teriyaki flavour provides a balance between sweet and tangy, and it’s sure to hit your senses with an array of flavours from Japan.
The new Masala Chicken, on the other hand, packs a punch of flavour and provides the rich and spicy taste that makes Tikka Masala a firm favourite dish in the UK.
“Our development team has been on a mission for the past year to find two new flavours that meet the highest standards,” commented Wayne Newton, who is the Senior Marketing Director at Walkers, ahead of the crisps being launched.
“After thousands of crisps crunched, flavours tested, and bags rustled, we’re pleased to bring something entirely new to the table”.
Walkers’ new Sticky Teriyaki and Masala Chicken crisps are available to buy now in stores across the UK, so keep your eyes peeled.
Featured Image – Esperanza Doronila (via Unsplash)
Shopping
Inside the UK’s largest Bershka store that has just opened inside the Trafford Centre
Clementine Hall
Bershka has opened its first-ever Manchester store this week, and it’s a fashion lover’s paradise.
Spanning an absolutely massive 1200 square meters, the Spanish fast fashion clothing retailer has touched down in the Trafford Centre with a bang.
Known for its on trend and affordable pieces, Bershka caters to a younger audience who are looking to dress to impress.
From camouflage mini skirts to buckled biker boots, if you’ve seen a fashion trend online and you’re wanting to try it out for yourself – Bershka is the place to spend your money.
Images: Supplied
The new flagship store located on Peel Avenue next to John Lewis is organised into three independent sections: BERSHKA, BSK, and MAN collections.
The store concept aims to integrate the building’s interior with a groundbreaking store prototype already used in other locations across the world.
Featuring a sequence of product display modules designed to showcase the different collections while changing materials depending on the section.
Images: Supplied
Each section is designed to be your own personal shopper, so you really don’t have to go far to find your perfect fit.
Spending money has never been so easy, with the brand new streamlined checkout sections that include plenty of both traditional and self-checkout counters meaning you’ll never find yourself queueing.
Another standout feature is the store’s lighting, specifically designed for this supersized flagship store. Small rectangular LED spotlights with warm and comfortable lighting have been used to enhance the customer’s shopping experience, so you can say goodbye to harsh changing room lighting.
Images: Supplied
Custom sound panels have been designed and installed in central areas of each section, as well as AR mirrors that us AR technology allowing you to try on products through different filters created exclusively by the brand. How cool is that?
So grab your wallets and get yourself to the Trafford Centre to browse Bershka to your heart’s content.
Daisy Jackson -
14th April 2022 
