Cult beauty favourite Morphe has suddenly shuttered the doors to all of its stores across the UK, including here in Manchester.
The brand has had a large presence in the Manchester Arndale shopping centre since late 2019, opening to huge crowds at the time.
But this week, the doors to its make-up store in the city centre (as well as its six other locations across the UK) have closed.
The viral brand will continue to trade online and as a concession in other stores.
Many have taken to social media to criticise the way the physical store closures have been handled, with dozens of staff members saying that they were made immediately redundant with ‘no notice’.
Some stores have also already been cleared of stock, with reports that some of the viral Morphe products are already being sold off at beauty outlets.
The LA-born brand was created in 2008 ‘among the artists and influencers’ and was originally famed for its brushes before branching out into other make-up products, like its cult favourite colourful eyeshadow palettes.
At the height of its popularity, Morphe was behind sell-out collections with the likes of Jeffree Star, James Charles and Jaclyn Hill.
Morphe in Manchester Arndale has closed, along with its six other beauty stores in the UK. Credit: The Manc GroupMorphe opened in Manchester Arndale in 2019. Credit: Publicity picture
In a statement, the company said: “Forma Brands has made significant progress over the last year positioning our business for growth by focusing on our flagship Morphe brand largely through our wholesale and e-commerce operations.
“During that time, our owned Morphe stores in Europe, which have consistently provided an extraordinary experience for our customers, faced disproportionately high store rent obligations.
“We have therefore made the difficult decision to close our seven UK and one Amsterdam retail locations. This move aligns with our strategy to prioritize and expand our successful wholesale and e-commerce operations, similar to our model in the U.S. We also facilitated an ownership transition of our UK wholesale and e-commerce businesses, which will operate as FORMA BRANDS UK LTD., effective immediately.
“We are immensely grateful to our incredible store teams for their dedication and passion over the years and are working to support them through this transition.
“Due to store closures, impacted store team members were made redundant immediately. In recognition of their dedication, the parent company Forma Brands LLC has provided goodwill payments to all affected employees, equivalent to an enhanced redundancy package.”
Inside the new supersized Zara store that’s just opened in the Trafford Centre
Clementine Hall
The new Zara has finally opened inside the Trafford Centre, and it’s even bigger and better than we could’ve imagined.
Back in April, the shopping centre signed a deal with Inditex for the new supersized Zara store that would occupy its own flagship space on Peel Avenue.
The Spanish fast fashion brand is famed for its affordable trend-led fashions which you’ll find in abundance at the new space which covers over 3,000 square meters across one single level.
It’s the very first concept store of its kind in the UK, featuring technology like you’ve never seen before.
Images: Supplied
Customers can interact with the brand in-store or via zara.com and the Zara app, enabling real-time inventory browsing, quick product location, and online order pickup.
Created by Zara’s Architecture Studio, the space has been redesigned to offer an elevated experience and is absolutely stunning.
Designed to be your personal stylist, the store features a series of interconnected rooms where each showcases its own curated identity – so you don’t have to go far to find the perfect fit.
Images: Supplied
To celebrate the opening, collections have even been advanced to the Trafford Centre before hitting the rails at any other Zara across the country.
From a dedicated shoe room and an adorable baby closet to an exclusive activewear department and fragrance room, there’s literally everything you could ever want to get you kitted out from head to toe.
Say goodbye to queueing with heaps of hangers, because the changing rooms will practically deliver the clothes for you whilst you can fly through the payment process with the 37 assisted-checkouts.
Images: Supplied
Every inch of the customer experience has been made as streamlined as possible, meaning you could be in and out in a matter of minutes without even having to speak to a member of staff.
But of course, there’ll be members of staff on hand wherever you may need from helping you find the perfect size in the changing rooms to assisting you with your returns.
It’s the best Zara we’ve ever stepped foot in, it’s like shopping in a space ship in the best way possible.
Viral store POP MART announces opening date of highly-anticipated Trafford Centre store
Emily Sergeant
Viral retailer POP MART has confirmed the news that fans have been waiting with bated breath for.
You may remember that a couple of months back, it was announced that POP MART – the Chinese collectables retailer home to the phenomenon that is the Labubu – would be opening in Greater Manchester‘s biggest shopping complex, the Trafford Centre, later in the year, and now the opening date has been confirmed.
Once POP MART opens its doors, shoppers can expect to find exclusive gifts, hot products, and plenty of surprises in store… oh, and big queues too, presumably.
The new 1,400 sq ft store will feature a full range of POP MART collectables – including the most iconic IPs and blind boxes, and fans and collectors will be able to shop from limited-edition ranges and get their hands on seasonal exclusives only available at Trafford Centre.
The new store opening at Trafford Centre takes the brand’s UK presence to double figures, and forms the brand’s goal to make its popular characters ‘accessible’ to more people across the country than ever before.
“POP MART aims to celebrate entertainment and pop culture to a growing community of designer toy collectors,” commented Peter Shipman, who is the Managing Director and Head of Europe for POP MART.
“The opening of our Trafford Centre store expands our UK presence and helps to bring playful and engaging experiences to customers.
POP MART has announced the opening date of its highly-anticipated Trafford Centre store / Credit: The Manc Group
“Trafford Centre’s vibrant retail environment, strong footfall, and strategic location strengthens our opportunity to access both loyal fans and new audiences, and we look forward to seeing visitors embrace the fun collectable toys and retail experience.”
Simon Layton, who is the Centre Director at Trafford Centre, says POP MART is a ‘brilliant addition’ to the shopping centre.
Daisy Jackson -
2nd August 2024 
