UNIQLO's new Trafford Centre store opens to the public on Thursday, October 15 at 10am. The lifestyle store, covering 1,440 sq ft of retail space on Peel Avenue, is the shopping mall's biggest new store of the year. It becomes UNIQLO's second store in Greater Manchester, following the city-centre original, and makes Manchester the first city region outside London to host two UNIQLO stores.
The Manchester Evening News was invited for a sneak preview on Wednesday, with the hoardings now removed from the giant retail space. Shoppers in the mall have already been trying to get in, with the store looking ready to open.
What shoppers can expect
The new store is spread across one level and offers the full range of its "LifeWear" for women, men, kids and babies. Customers will be able to shop seasonal favourites including soft Soufflé Yarn knitwear, PUFFERTECH high-performance insulated outerwear, Seamless Down jackets and premium Cashmere pieces, as well as its range of thermals.
TV screens are dotted throughout the store showing off popular items, and there is a unisex changing room with space for 32 shoppers. Following other big new retail openings at the Trafford Centre like Zara and Bershka, the new UNIQLO has a payment zone with 14 self-serve kiosks and four manned checkouts. A wall of portraits shows the brand's famous ambassadors, including British tennis ace Emma Raducanu.
Reaction from bosses
Alessandro Dudech, Chief Operating Officer of UNIQLO UK, said: "We are delighted to be opening our second Manchester store at Trafford Centre, further strengthening our presence in one of the UK's most vibrant retail and cultural destinations."
Simon Layton, Centre Director at Trafford Centre, said: "We're delighted to welcome globally recognised brand UNIQLO to Trafford Centre. The new store brings the brand's much-loved LifeWear range to our customers, offering high-quality, practical clothing for everyday life."
Expansion and opening offers
The new UNIQLO becomes the 26th store to open across the UK. Looking ahead to 2027, UNIQLO will also open new stores in Bath, Brighton, Canary Wharf and Leeds. The opening comes amid a burgeoning period at the Trafford Centre, which last week revealed it has hit 100 per cent occupancy. Dave's Hot Chicken will also open its doors in the run up to Christmas.
To celebrate the grand opening, the first 300 customers to make a purchase of £69.90 or more on opening day will receive a goody bag. There will also be drummers performing for the opening day. UNIQLO app customers will have a chance of winning a trip to Tokyo by scanning the app with any purchase during opening weekend. Limited price promotions exclusive to the Trafford Centre store offer from £5 to £20 off items such as HEATTECH, Soufflé and Seamless Down Parka products for both men and women until October 25.
