Miniso, the global lifestyle brand known for collectables, blind boxes, plush toys and licensed merchandise, is set to expand its site within St David's in Cardiff. The new store will more than double its existing footprint, creating a larger destination for fans and collectors.
UK's first Miniso Friends flagship
The new Miniso Friends store will be a first for Wales and the UK, expanding from 2,637 sq ft to more than 6,600 sq ft. The shop will have a frontage of more than 35 metres, equivalent to the length of three double-decker buses.
Opening in the second half of 2027, Miniso Friends will occupy a prominent new location within St David's, close to M&S, Primark and Boots. The store first opened at St David's in 2020, marking the brand's second UK location and first outside London.
Focus on IP and fan experiences
Miniso Friends is the brand's larger-format concept store, with a stronger focus on IP, collectables and fan experiences. It is designed to give fans a place to discover, collect and share their love of recognisable characters, combining retail, experience and social interaction.
The store will feature dedicated IP toy zones showcasing collaborations with globally recognised characters and brands, which have been central to the brand's growth. Fans will be able to explore collectables including blind boxes, plush toys and licensed merchandise, alongside lifestyle, home, stationery, gifting and accessories collections.
Expansion alongside Uniqlo
Saad Usman, Miniso UK boss, said of the new concept store making its UK debut in Cardiff: “Cardiff has been part of our UK story from the very start, and our fans here have shown us just how much they love to discover, collect and share. Bringing the UK’s first Miniso Friends store to St David’s is a huge moment for us.
“This is a store built around fandom – a true destination where people come for the characters they love, stay to explore, and leave with something they didn’t know they needed. Wales has backed us from day one, and we can’t wait to open the doors and give fans across the UK a brand-new reason to make the trip.”
The announcement follows news that fashion retailer Uniqlo will also open in 2027 within St David's, spanning approximately 940 sq metres of sales floor across two floors near John Lewis' arcade entrance.
