The Trafford Centre has today welcomed a brand new River Island store – and it’s absolutely massive.
With high-tech changing rooms, an in-store coffee tuk tuk, and a huge selection of the high street brand’s clothing, the old Topshop unit has been completely transformed.
River Island’s brand new concept store spans 21,000 sq ft and has opened its doors for a weekend-long fashion event over this weekend.
One of its major selling points is the high-tech, interactive changing rooms, which detect which items you’ve carried into the space with you.
Then, if something’s not quite the right size or fit, you can use the touch pad in your changing room to request a new size, without having to traipse back across the huge site.
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The changing rooms look beautiful too, decorated with pink floral wallpaper on walls and ceiling, plus huge black-lit mirrors to see your new outfit from all angles.
The changing rooms in River Island. Credit: The Manc GroupOutside River Island in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupAccessories display. Credit: The Manc Group
Back in the main store and everything’s split neatly into three departments – women’s, men’s, and kid’s.
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The largest space has been stripped back to brick, with natural drapes, plants, and soft lighting suspended from the industrial ceiling.
There are boho rugs chucked about and marble tables displaying River Island’s huge range of accessories.
And on the men’s side of things, the seating has been taken from a car, and coffee tables are made from engines.
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The new Trafford Centre shop was launched today with the help of Louise Roe, a fashion journalist and broadcaster, who hosted a styling workshop.
Menswear at River Island. Credit: The Manc GroupComplimentary floral bouquets from The Bud & Pot. Credit: The Manc GroupMenswear at River Island. Credit: The Manc Group
Gemma Scarfe, digital and marketing director, said: “We are extremely excited to announce that River Island is opening a brand new store in the Trafford Centre.
“Manchester has been on our radar for some time; it has continued to receive huge investment over the last few years and has cemented its position as a world-class city.
“We’re delighted to have identified a new, larger retail space that will deliver a fun and refreshing shopping experience to our loyal customers as well as complement the thriving city.”
Bruce Gardner, brand experience director at Trafford Centre, said: “River Island is a high street giant and hugely popular brand with our visitors, so we’re really excited to see their stunning, vibrant new store open in a new location here at The Trafford Centre.”
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As part of River Island’s launch weekend, shoppers who spend more than £75 will be able to take home a complimentary flower bouquet from The Bud & Pot.
River Island’s new store is open now at the Trafford Centre.
Featured image: The Manc Group
Shopping
Inside Anthropologie as beautiful new store opens in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Anthropologie has finally arrived in Manchester, opening a beautiful new store in the Royal Exchange.
The beloved lifestyle brand is famed for its curated range of clothing, shoes, accessories, activewear, beauty, wellness, furniture, home décor, bridal, and loads more.
Anthropologie has taken over a two-storey unit overlooking St Ann’s Square, which opens today right in time for the Black Friday sales.
Inside, shoppers will find everything from denim to dinnerware, plus delights like martini-shaped handbags, apres ski-inspired glassware, and cosy knitwear.
Brands inside include Damson Madder, Tala, Maeve, Vagabond, and Never Fully Dressed.
There’ll be live music by local artist Maya Blandy, and seasonal drinks from 3pm, for a festive shopping experience.
Inside Anthropologie ManchesterMartini-shaped bags in AnthropologieHomewaresShoes in AnthropologieInside Anthropologie ManchesterTala is in storeThe denim shopBrands include Maeve by Anthropologie
And later down the line, Anthropologie Manchester is hosting a Winter Warmer Day on 9 December, with festive hot drinks and a gift personalisation station – plus a festive goodie bag for the first 100 customers to spend £100 between 9 and 11 December.
Anthropologie was founded in 1992 and has since expanded to have more than 200 stores globally, launching three new UK sites this year (Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow).
Matt Hilgeman, Managing Director of Anthropologie International, said: “We’re excited to open our third and final store for 2025 in the heart of Manchester city.
“As part of our Northern expansion, the new store will showcase a curated assortment of our most-loved brands, exclusive partywear, and our signature ‘Only at Anthropologie’ gifting.
“We can’t wait to open our doors and meet the community.”
Anthropologie Manchester is now from Wednesday 26 November at the Royal Exchange on St Ann’s Square.
Aldi announces ‘special’ 62-hour closure of all its 1,000+ stores across UK – this is why
Emily Sergeant
Aldi has announced that it’ll be closing the doors of all of its stores across the UK for 62 hours next month for a ‘special’ reason.
Christmas is always known to be one of the busiest periods of the year for the retail industry, and Boxing Day has a reputation for being the ultimate day for shopping deals and discounts in the UK – but this year, just like it has done on several years in the past, Aldi has made the decision to close all of its stores nationwide on this bank holiday.
The supermarket retailer says it wants to thank its colleagues ‘for all their hard work’ throughout the year by giving them some extra time to spend with their families.
This means that all Aldi stores will be closed on both 25 and 26 December.
That’s not all though, as stores will also be closed on New Year’s Day, and will reopen once again on Friday 2 January 2026.
Aldi has announced a ‘special’ 62-hour closure of all its UK stores / Credit: Aldi UK
Opening hours at different Aldi stores across the UK will vary in the lead-up to Christmas, so it’s important to check the times for your local store, but the retailer has confirmed that most branches will be operating extended hours to ‘ensure customers can stock up ahead of the big day’
In the interim period between Christmas and New Year, stores will reopen as usual on Saturday 27 through to Tuesday 30 December, with reduced hours also likely on New Year’s Eve.
Speaking on the decision to shut up shop for a full 62-hour period this festive season, Rebecca Heley, who is the Communications Director at Aldi UK, said: “Christmas is a special time, and we want to ensure all of our colleagues have the opportunity to relax and enjoy it with their loved ones.
“That’s why all Aldi stores will be closed on Boxing Day this year.
Daisy Jackson -
6th May 2023 
