Space NK to open new flagship at Manchester’s Trafford Centre as it continues to invest in UK stores

Space NK is opening a new flagship store at The Trafford Centre in Manchester this summer, strengthening the beauty retailer's presence in the city and across the UK.

Located on Lower Peel Avenue, the new store will offer a range of best-selling products across skincare, haircare, makeup, bodycare and fragrance, from brands including Drunk Elephant, NARS, Rare Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury and Diptyque.

As well as an extensive assortment of beauty brands, each product category will be "easy and immersive to shop", in keeping with the retailer's most recent store designs.

It will also feature a range of other "innovative features" seen across Space NK's existing major UK stores, as well as 18 makeup gondalas, more than 300 shelves, and dedicated areas for customers to try products guided by a team of experts.

Andy Lightfoot, CEO at Space NK, said: "We are delighted to announce a second store location in Manchester.

"With our customer at the heart of everything we do, it was important for us to have a strong presence in the city, making us accessible to all. The Trafford Centre is a world renowned shopping destination, so is the perfect location to bring everything that Space NK has to offer to visitors."

It will join a number of existing beauty brands and retailers at The Trafford Centre, including Boots, Superdrug, Lush, Molton Brown and The Perfume Shop, amongst others.

Sephora will also be joining the line-up from 16 May 2024, with the opening of its first store in the North of England.

Russell Loveland, Managing Director of UK Asset Management at Pradera Lateral, asset manager of The Trafford Centre, said: "Space NK adds to our exceptional retail offering and further solidifies our position as a premier shopping destination in the UK.

"With its unparalleled assortment of beauty brands and commitment to customer satisfaction, Space NK's presence will undoubtedly enhance the shopping experience for our visitors. We look forward to the opening of its new store in summer 2024 and are confident that it will be a significant addition to our vibrant retail landscape."

The news comes as Space NK also opens a new flagship store at Manchester Arndale Shopping Centre, with both locations set to significantly strengthen the retailer's presence in the city.

Elsewhere in the UK, the business is opening a second store in Dundrum, Dublin, and a new location in Southhampton.

Established in 1991, Space NK - which is named after founder Nicky Kinnaird's initials - first opened its doors in Covent Garden in 1993.

Last week, Space NK owner Manzanita Capital appointed bankers to handle a sale of the beauty retailer, which is expected to fetch more than £300 million. The London-based private hired Raymond James to oversee an auction later this year.

Read TheIndustry.beauty's In History: Space NK, a timeline of a beauty retail trailblazer.