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
Manchester United reportedly set to release first-ever fourth kit for 2026/27 season
Danny Jones
In what will be a club-first, it’s being claimed that Manchester United will be releasing a fourth kit for the 2026/27 campaign.
And no, we don’t mean a special one-off pre-match jersey or training shirt; this will be an additional alternative Man United strip to be worn in games next season.
With the current term set to conclude in just a couple of games’ time, and the Red Devils having now secured a return to the Champions League, they’re marking their comeback with their inaugural fourth kit – one for each of the competitions they will be playing in this year.
Football clubs often rotate between two or even three kits, but it’s not all that often that you see a side springing for another one.
💣💣💣 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: Adidas to Release First-Ever Manchester United 4th Kit in 26-27: https://t.co/xDJa8inmPG
As broken by reliable football fashion source, Footy Headlines, while there isn’t much information around what the kit will look like, or even what the colour will be just yet, it is believed it will be a variation on the classic trio of red, white and black used for home shirts, shorts and socks.
Historically, most teams that have opted to take on an extra kit usually do so when competing in more tournaments than most terms – such as Manchester City in the most recent Club World Cup – for special anniversary matches, milestone derbies, cup-ties or some kind of limited-edition collaboration.
However, according to the online outlet, this fourth kit will be match-worn at some point in 2026/27, though we are yet to get a clear timeline.
Meanwhile, posters for the new MUFC home shirt are currently going up outside Old Trafford.
Footy Headlines state that the launch is expected in early next year, rather than for the start of 26/27, and many supporters are already speculating that it will be worn primarily for European/cup fixtures.
Shirts like these are always likely to become collectors’ items, and it goes without saying that, besides being a helpful rotation when it comes to potential kit clashes, this will no doubt serve as yet another money spinner for both them and Adidas.
United’s current deal with the German kit manufacturers runs until 2035, and if this proves to be a popular addition to their sportswear lineup and the ever-growing ‘casual culture’ among fans, we wouldn’t be surprised if you see even more fourth shirts coming out of Manchester in the future.
Speaking of footy kits, for those who haven’t seen it already, he’s a close-up look at the aforementioned Manchester United home strip for next season.
Featured Images — Matt Bloomfield (via Flickr)/The Manc Group
Shopping
You can watch The Devil Wears Prada 2 for ‘FREE’ across Greater Manchester
Thomas Melia
Did you know you can watch The Devil Wears Prada 2 for free across Greater Manchester just by taking a quick trip to the shops?
If you’re eager to watch Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) and the Runway Magazine crew on the big screen once again, you can do so for ‘FREE’ – well, basically…
After making its cinema premiere earlier this month, 20 years since the first film, The Devil Wears Prada 2 continues the story with more iconic quotes and a whole host of celebrity cameos.
One of these is pop phenomenon Lady Gaga, who also appears on the soundtrack for this stylish sequel alongside artists like Miley Cyrus, Doechii, and Brit acts Raye and Olivia Dean.
Just like real life, the story follows the real-life fashion news outlet and media brand, Runway Mag, undergoing some major changes.
For instance, they’re wrestling with scrapping print editions of their beloved publication and swapping this for online short-form content.
The sequel to this fashion-focused film also sees role reprisals from Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt, with new additions from Lucy Liu, Kenneth Branagh and Justin Theroux.
Now, enough of us talking at “a glacial pace”, let’s get all of you fashion fans those free cinema tickets before they go out of style.
An all-new promotion courtesy of not one, but three notable names: The Devil Wears Prada 2, Diet Coke and Sainsbury’s.
The UK Supermarket chain is currently running a promotion during the film’s big-screen run, where if you purchase a 30-pack of Diet Coke, you can get free tickets to The Devil Wears Prada 2.
Simply purchase one of the big crates of Diet Coke between Wednesday, 29 April and Tuesday, 19 May, before snapping a picture of your receipt and uploading it online.
So it really is that simple, all you have to do is buy a 30 pack of Diet Coke and get a free cinema ticket for doing so – did somebody say girl maths?
For more info and to upload your receipt, visit the promotional website HERE.
There’s even an exclusive The Devil Wears Prada 2 X Diet Coke pop-up in Manchester city centre TODAY (Friday, 8 May) at Exchange Square from 12-8pm.
And they’re not just handing out a few Cokes; there’s even limited edition merchandise and more to get your hands on.
Daisy Jackson -
6th May 2023 
