Australian developer Westfield is poised to defy critics of its Westfield London shopping centre after securing a raft high-profile national and international retailers.
Confidential documents seen by Retail Week show that Westfield London is more than 90 per cent let with deals either exchanged, in solicitors’ hands or under negotiation.
The scheme is the most eagerly awaited shopping centre openings for more than a decade, and the confidential letting plans show it is set to push the boundaries of the traditional UK shopping centre.
The scheme has bagged a host of international retailers. Among those in negotiations are US fast-fashion retailer Forever 21, Spanish retailers Blanco and Desigual, Inditex’s Pull & Bear, Canadian health and beauty giant Fruits & Passion, Gap Kids, Hollister, Irish retailer A-Wear, the second UK store for H&M sister brand Cos and Spanish toys specialist Imaginarium.
Westfield has also made progress with its luxury and Carnaby Street-inspired areas. While Louis Vuitton is the only luxury retailer to have signed, the document shows a further seven stores next door and opposite Louis Vuitton under negotiation.
The Carnaby Street-inspired retailers set to open include Trespass, Vans, Gola, Bench, Fornarina, Oakley, All Saints, Crocs and G-Star.
On the first floor – above the luxury area – are a series of upmarket brands, such as Frost French, Twenty 8 Twelve, Amanda Wakeley, Myla, Zadig & Voltaire and Joseph.
A Westfield spokesman would not comment on deals still in negotiation, but said the developer was “making excellent progress in all aspects of the scheme, including the luxury area”. Shareholders will be updated on May 7.
Westfield London, which is due to open on October 30, has attracted some criticism over its rents, limited parking and aspirations to pull in luxury retailers.
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