M&G Real Estate and intu, the joint owners of Manchester Arndale, have announced that American beauty brand Morphe has signed up to open its first Manchester store, further strengthening the beauty and cosmetics offering at the centre.
Morphe, which will lease around 4,500 sq ft on New Cannon Street, started life in Los Angeles just eleven years ago and its Manchester Arndale store is due to open in late Autumn, 2019.
Set up by brother and sister duo Linda and Chris Tawil, Morphe was one of the first start-up beauty companies to harness the power of social media and influencers to grow the brand. Morphe is now an Instagram sensation with close to 10 million followers and a huge celebrity following.
Morphe, which sells a huge collection of makeup, brushes, tools and accessories, currently has stores in London, Birmingham and Liverpool and another due to open in Nottingham and Newcastle later this year.
Mark Spillman, general manager (EMEA) at Morphe, said: “Manchester Arndale’s prominent city centre location and considerable annual footfall of more than 40 million makes it the perfect spot for Morphe. We’re very excited to introduce our increasingly popular range of make up and make up application products to shoppers in the city as we continue to grow here in the UK.”
Colin Flinn, regional managing director at intu comments on behalf of the joint owners: “We’re really excited that Morphe has chosen Manchester Arndale as the destination for its first store in the city, bringing a new and innovative beauty experience to Manchester and further strengthening the centre’s fashion and beauty credentials.”
“Leading internationally known brands choosing the centre as a key location for their expansion in Northern England, is further testament to Manchester Arndale’s prominent position as one of the UK’s leading retail hubs and the ideal location from which to grow the brand’s regional fanbase.”
Manchester Arndale is one of the UK’s largest city centre shopping malls, and welcomed 41 million visitors last year. It already boasts an impressive line-up of more than 200 shops and restaurants, including national, international and local brands.
The centre continues to perform well with a series of lettings and lease extensions this year that further establishes the centre as one of the North’s leading fashion hubs.
Manchester Arndale is owned jointly by M&G Real Estate and intu. The retained agents are Time Retail Partners and Metis Real Estate Advisors.
