intu has signed up SEAT’s first shopping centre retail store, which will combine showrooming and digital technology to drive brand awareness among intu Lakeside’s 26 million customers.
The new concept retail space and on-site customer experience centre will allow Barcelona-based car brand SEAT to reach out to intu Lakeside’s affluent customer base, with a high number of shoppers drawn from the most affluent ABC1 socio-economic group across the south east.
Introduced as part of an ongoing strategy to expand intu Lakeside’s retail and leisure offer, customers will now have the chance to browse the latest SEAT models, book test drives and even get their car serviced as they shop.
Richard Harrison, Director, SEAT UK, said: “Our new SEAT Store is a world first for us, so it’s a real adventure, showcasing our appealing range of cars created in Barcelona in a completely new way. We’ve got a great team on board and a stunning new store and experience centre, so we’re delighted to be taking up residence in intu Lakeside as the centre looks to expand its offer to shoppers.”
Plans to expand intu Lakeside’s offer also include the development of a 225,000 sq ft leisure extension which will host Nickelodeon’s first UK shopping centre attraction.
Rebecca Ryman, regional director of intu, said: “We’re welcoming in an increasing number of exciting new retail and leisure partners to intu Lakeside, many of which are new to the UK shopping centre sector like SEAT.
“Alongside intu Lakeside’s planned leisure extension, this new concept retail store and experience centre will provide our shoppers with a completely different offer as part of their day out experience with us, providing more great reasons to visit the centre from further and for longer.”
Lunson Mitchenall acted for intu, Colliers CRE acted for SEAT.
intu revealed plans for an indoor Nickelodeon activity park at intu Lakeside in May as the result of a partnership with Spanish leisure park operator Parques Reunidos. It is due to open in 2018. Go here for more information on intu Lakeside.
