We rounded up some of the biggest things coming to Liverpool city centre’s retail and leisure locations this year
Liverpool shoppers will notice a raft of changes to the city centre in 2025, with a number of major brands opening new stores. Among the most anticipated arrivals this year will be the opening of Liverpool’s own Sephora store, following on from a recent store opening at the Trafford Centre in Manchester in 2024.
The beauty brand is hugely popular with make-up and skincare lovers, and Liverpool’s spring launch will no doubt be met with long queues of excited shoppers hoping to grab a goodie bag of free products to take home with them. And Sephora is just one of a list of new brands coming to Liverpool ONE this year, with the complex preparing for its biggest year for store openings since it first launched in 2008.
Speaking ahead of a bumper year, Rob Deacon, Grosvenor’s asset management director at Liverpool ONE, previously said: “You’ll be seeing a lot more vinyl going up over the next few months as the scheme’s tenant mix continues to evolve and elevate. 2025 will be the biggest year for openings since the scheme opened in 2008, with the strongest line up of new brands anywhere in the UK.”
But Liverpool ONE isn’t the only area of the city centre that’s set to see exciting changes. We rounded up some of the biggest things coming to Liverpool city centre’s retail and leisure locations this year.
Sephora
Beauty and makeup retailer Sephora is set to open in Liverpool ONE in spring 2025. The new store will move into a 6,727 sq ft space formerly occupied by shoe and sportswear brand Footlocker on South John Street.
Customers will have access to an exclusive range of beauty brands including Makeup by Mario, GXVE by Gwen Stefani, Haus Labs by Lady Gaga and viral brands Topicals, Glossier, Rare Beauty, Tatcha, Kayali and Glow Recipe. The extensive and high-quality own-brand Sephora Collection will also be available.
There is also the option to enjoy in-store beauty services including on-the-go treatments and an hour-long complete ‘Glam Look’. Sephora’s team of beauty advisors will be on hand to offer an array of bookable services across makeup, skincare, hair and brows.
UNIQLO
The Japanese fashion brand will open in the Paradise Street unit formerly occupied by Tessuti. UNIQLO will open in spring 2025 with a sales space of approximately 1,430 sq meters spread out across two floors.
UNIQLO is known for its stylish, comfortable and high-quality items. The brand offers a unique range of clothing for all ages, genders and sizes. The brand is also known for its fashion collaborations across film, television and pop culture.
Sports Direct
Sports Direct will open a flagship store in the former Marks & Spencer building on Church Street this year. M&S left Compton House in August 2023 to move into Liverpool ONE’s former Debenhams store. The high street chain had been based at the Grade-II listed building on Church Street for more than 90 years.
Frasers Group, which owns House of Fraser, Jack Wills and many other retail brands, has now purchased the building and intends to open a huge Sports Direct store within it. It also hopes to open a new gym in the site, though that is subject to approval.
Sports Direct currently has a store in Liverpool ONE. It is not yet clear what will happen to that L1 store once the sportswear brand opens on Church Street.
A new Hilton hotel
Anyone visiting Liverpool to make the most of the new retail and leisure spaces opening this year will have the option to stay at a new Hilton brand hotel, which is set to open above the Cavern Club.
As part of an agreement with Greenwood Developments and JSM, Hilton will debut its new brand Motto by Hilton, in Liverpool’s cavern quarter. The Motto hotel will open directly above the legendary Cavern Club.
Subject to final approvals from Liverpool City Council, the hotel, which is due to open in 2025, will feature 283 guest rooms, including connecting rooms with layout options to create a multi-use space for larger groups. It will also boasts communal spaces, inspired by the vibrant and lively Mathew Street below.
Bath & Body Works
Bath & Body Works provides a range of body lotions, candles, home fragrances, soaps and personal care products. The American chain will move into the 3,000 sq ft unit previously occupied by Victoria’s Secret on South John Street.
Bath & Body Works opened its seventh UK store in London’s Westfield Stratford City earlier this month. An opening date for the Liverpool ONE store has been confirmed for spring 2025.
Boux Avenue
Longstanding Liverpool ONE brand, Boux Avenue, is returning to South John Street from its temporary home on Peter’s Lane, having relocated to accommodate Zara’s upsize. The 3,000 sq ft space will showcase the brand’s full range of lingerie, nightwear, loungewear, sportswear, dresses, and swimwear.
Breitling
Luxury watch company Breitling will open its first Merseryside store in Liverpool ONE in early 2025. The Swiss brand opened in 1884 and has since launched 27 boutiques around the UK, with more than 250 stores worldwide.
Breitling is known for its industrial aesthetic and takes inspiration from motorbikes, pool tables and other typically masculine elements. The brand offers unisex watches, novelties, limited edition pieces and collector’s items. Breitling will move into Liverpool ONE’s Paradise Street, located between the BOSS fashion house and the former makeup unit Morphe.
TFG London
TFG London is set to open its largest store at Liverpool ONE in spring 2025, bringing with it four new brands. The fashion retail group owns Hobbs, Whistles, and Phase Eight which are all planned to be stocked inside this new, 12,000 sq ft flagship store on South John Street.
Hobbs is known for its classic fashion stylings, Phase Eight for its occasion wear, and Whistles for contemporary womenswear. The flagship store will also include the homeware brand Inside Story, providing soft furnishings and décor, along with specialist collections such as bridal and petite ranges and a luxury styling suite for event shoppers.
MINISO
Lifestyle brand MINISO has selected a 3,000 sq ft site to make its Liverpool debut. The store will stock the brand’s wide selection of popular collectables, plushies, beauty products, and snacks in 2025.
MINISO opened its first store in China in 2013, and has gone on to establish a massive store network worldwide. Saad Usman, chief operating officer at MINISO, said: “We are thrilled to be opening our city debut at Liverpool ONE, introducing our affordable and trendy collections from beloved brands such as Hello Kitty and Friends, Disney, and our new Harry Potter collection. With its vibrant atmosphere, Liverpool ONE is the perfect place for our new MINISO store.”