Urban Outfitters expands into Metrocentre amidst record fashion sales

US fashion and lifestyle brand Urban Outfitters has marked a significant expansion in the North East of England with the timely opening of its new store at Metrocentre. This strategic move coincides with an announcement from the prominent Gateshead mall regarding record-breaking fashion sales for the current year, setting an optimistic backdrop for the brand's arrival.

The new Urban Outfitters establishment commands an expansive 8,000 square foot site within Metrocentre's Red Mall, positioning it alongside other high-profile fashion retailers such as Zara, Mango, and Stradivarius. Shoppers visiting the new store will discover a diverse and eclectic product offering, encompassing Urban Outfitters' signature proprietary brands, a thoughtfully curated selection of vintage apparel, and an array of homeware and lifestyle products, catering to a broad spectrum of consumer preferences.

Emma Wisden, Director at Urban Outfitters Europe, expressed enthusiasm for the brand's continued growth, stating, “We’ve seen incredible growth across the UK and Europe in recent years, and we’re thrilled to be expanding further into Gateshead with our new Metrocentre store — our second in the North East.” Wisden highlighted the strategic importance of this expansion, noting that the new store will enable the brand to deliver an "even more diverse and inspiring product mix to a wider audience," thereby capitalising on the strong momentum it has built across the European market.

This particular opening represents Urban Outfitters’ fourth new store launch as part of its 2025 expansion initiatives. Ben Cox, Director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, Asset Managers of Metrocentre, underscored the importance of this addition, describing it as a "significant addition to Metrocentre’s well-established womenswear line-up." He further elaborated that Urban Outfitters’ presence enhances the centre's reputation as a premier destination for quality fashion retail in the region.

Cox also provided insight into Metrocentre's outstanding retail performance, particularly highlighting its "outperformance across retail sales this year." This success has been predominantly driven by a robust performance in the womenswear sector, which recorded a remarkable 13.1% uplift in sales in July compared to the same period in 2024. He optimistically predicted that this growth trajectory is poised to accelerate with the influx of recent high-profile fashion arrivals, which serve to both enhance and diversify the centre’s already strong womenswear offering.

Concluding his remarks, Cox emphasised that Urban Outfitters’ arrival serves as a clear testament to Metrocentre’s enduring success in attracting and retaining best-in-class retail brands. He noted that following the highly successful opening of Stradivarius, Urban Outfitters further solidifies Metrocentre's already established fashion lineup. Its presence alongside like-minded brands in Red Mall, which have performed exceptionally well throughout the summer, firmly cements Metrocentre’s status as the quintessential "go-to destination in the Northeast" that continues to draw global brands.