St. Davids Shopping Centre

Vacant Units

St David’s 1

- Former Blue Inc (29/30/31)
- Former Body Shop (4)
- Former Bagel Bar (13)
- Former Soho (2)
- Former Thomas Cook (3)
- Former Swarovski (20)
- Former Phones 4 U (19)
- Former Help For Heroes (15)
- Former CCFC (11)

St David’s 2

- Former Armani Exchange (UG13/14)
- Former Gilly Hicks (MSU05)
- Former Guess (UG37)
- Former DV8 (UG46/47)
- Former La Senza (UG49)
- Former Fenchurch (LG35)
- Former Jane Norman (LG32)
- Former Rugby World Cup (LG31)
- Former Inspired Cookware (LG28/29)
- Former Leia (LG85)
- Former Alba Rose Diamonds (KLG06)
- Former H&M (MSU08)
- Former Hush Puppies (UG29)
- Former Clas Ohlson (MSU02)

St David’s 2 (Never Occupied)

- Upper Eastside (KUG11)
- Upper Grand Arcade (MSU06B)

Clas Ohlson is a big unit. What might fill it?

Wasn't there a rumour about Hamleys closing down before? Was that just a rumour?

It's a massive unit, I think they might struggle unless they've got someone lined up or they split it. Even then it's still 2 big units. If Hamley's goes that another big unit to fill and there have been 3 big empty MSUs upstairs for a long time.

I wonder if they're holding out for new big retailers or are looking at other options. Looking at the Cabot Circus website the only large store we don't have is Harvey Nichols and I doubt they're looking at Cardiff. Forever 21 have been closing stores including Manchester and Glasgow and Uniqlo have just issued a profits warning. Maybe we just have too much retail space now.

Clas Ohlson is the largest unit on the Lower Ground Floor and I can't imagine it getting re-let any time soon. Although it's in a desirable location regarding footfall, it's completely masked by the escalator and has a relatively low ceiling. I'm struggling to think of a retailer who would take on this 18,000 Sq Ft unit. Forever 21 came to mind straight away (the size of the Clas Ohlson unit is very similar to the size & layout of their Lakeside & Bluewater stores) but of course they are scaling back on their UK stores so this is extremely unlikely.

Zara occupy a lot of single level UK shopping centre stores (Trafford, West Quay, Bluewater) and I could certainly imagine Zara maximising MSU02. Their Queen Street store is awfully run down and surely they would refurb it if they were remaining in that unit for the long term. I think Zara will remain on Queen Street till the end of their lease and then look for property in St. David's. I think the Clas Ohlson unit ticks all the boxes!

Another thought... Can Cardiff support 2 Next city centre stores? Just a thought!

On that list the former H&M is let to Michael Kors and Victoria's Secret and Clas Ohlson is still trading for now. Still a fair few though.

I've commented on Zara's terrible state in the past. It's a huge worldwide retailer so no idea why it's being starved of investment, a move in the future is no excuse for having dozens of light bulbs out and peeling paint on the signage!

I can't imagine another Next, the Queen St store is huge and there's a big one in Capital Retail Park as well. They've just sub let some space to Starbucks as well.

Can't think of any other potential moves into SD or any other potential 2nd stores either.

Although Victoria Secret have been confirmed, their location remains unknown. I think the old H&M unit is the strongest possibility, (especially as workmen are currently stripping back the unit) so hopefully that wont be vacant for much longer but there are also rumours within the centre that VS could be opening in MSU06B & UG29 by John Lewis.

I think Zara are the best bet for MSU02 right now! The remaining units upstairs don't have enough square footage to accommodate a full line Zara store, but 18,000 Sq Ft should do the trick!!

UPDATE: Just spoke to Mark Lemon the centre retail liaison manager and he confirmed Victoria Secret are opening in the H&M unit (MSU08)

It's quiet in work today and I have a lot of time on my hands, so I thought I'd jot down some thoughts concerning St. David's!

I've been working at a store in the centre for two months now and I've learnt that Land Securities pretty much run the operations here entirely and Intu are more like a sleeping partner. I've been quite impressed by the involvement Land Securities have with the individual retailers however I feel like they need to dedicate more time to attracting tenants to the John Lewis end of the Upper Grand Arcade. With two significantly large units laying empty, there's little to attract shoppers to this area and it could come to the point where current retailers in the vicinity close down due to the lack of footfall.

> I could imagine Pull & Bear in the recently vacated La Senza unit (UG49). Pull & Bear are treading carefully concerning their UK expansion, however I think they would be a good fit in Cardiff. Cardiff love the likes of H&M, River Island and Primark and I think Pull & Bear would be a welcome addition to this mix. Similar price brackets and clothing designs. Also, with the inclusion of the mezzanine level, this unit is very similar to the Pull & Bear store in Liverpool One.

> I think Foyles would be a welcome addition to the tenant mixture at St. David's. It would be nice to have a book store amongst the mass of fashion stores and restaurants. Ideally, I think Foyles would be best suited on the lower level of the Grand Arcade to benefit from the high footfall, however there are no reasonably sized units available. Nevertheless I think the old Guess unit (UG37) would be a good unit for this retailer (similar in size to their new Bristol store).

> If Intu pull their finger out and play a more significant role in the letting's I could imagine them attracting Inditex brand Stradivarius. They recently signed Stradivarius in the Trafford Centre and Inditex are looking to expand this brand even further in the UK. If St. David's offer a lucrative deal, I could imagine them opening a healthy sized store in the old Armani Exchange unit (this seems to be the size unit they are currently looking for judging by their recent openings).

I know this unit (UG13/14) is earmarked for a restaurant, but St. David's recently tried to encourage Hugo Boss to relocate to this unit permanently, which indicates they'd rather keep it as an A1 unit in an ideal world. However, if this is to be converted into an A3 unit I could imagine Giraffe opening here.

> This is probably my most optimistic idea, but earlier this year I read an article which suggested American Eagle are planning an aggressive UK expansion within the next 12 months and are currently looking for property in key locations and cities. I think American Eagle would be a perfect fit in St. Davids. American Eagle has the A&F affect now, and I know many people who buy in bulk during visits to the US. With this in mind, I certainly think an American Eagle in Cardiff would take off nicely. I think the old DV8 unit (UG46/47) would be the perfect unit for this tenant.

> In regards to the rest of the centre, I would love to see Sunglass Hut occupy the old Alba Rose unit (KLG06), Whistles occupy the old Kamigita unit (LG28/29), Ted Baker occupy the old Fenchurch unit (LG35), Levi's occupy the old Jane Norman unit (LG32), Timberland occupy the old Rugby World Cup unit (LG31) and Oliver Bonas occupy the old Leia unit on the Hayes (LG85).

These are only my (rather optimistic) brainstormed ideas that I mull over in my head during my daily commute, but certainly not unrealistic possibilities. Anyone else have any inside scoops or ideas concerning new retailers or store configurations?

Apologies for spamming these retail feeds of recent but I have some more good news concerning St. David's.

American Eagle Outfitters are opening their first store outside of London in St.David's. I had an email today from their Linkedin account regarding management recruitment. They are expected to open in June along with Victoria Secret.

No confirmation on which unit they're occupying but I think they'll either acquire the old DV8 unit (12,253 sq ft) or the old La Senza unit (3,547 sq ft). Significant differences in potential unit sizes but so far American Eagle have opened 3 UK stores which all vary in size. Their Bluewater store measures as 4,818 sq ft whilst their Westfield Stratford & Westfield White City stores both occupy 10,000 sq ft of space. I guess it all depends which store format they've selected for Cardiff. I must admit, I am impressed by the design of their Westfield stores.

Interesting update Jonny, thanks!

I quite like the American Eagle store in Westfield Stratford, which is rather sizeable. Did notice that the pricing is not as keen as in the US - although thats much like Hollister and Abercrombie, I guess.

Sunglass Hut used to be in the Capitol - are they not there anymore?
Whistles have never really considered Cardiff for a standalone, and not sure they would given the demographic and the lack of success of LK Bennett.
Ted Baker have given the city a wide berth for many years - I heard they did try open somewhere in the 90s?
Levi's have their store in McArthur Glen and concessions and probably think thats enough.
Timberland were mentioned as a possible returning brand, although thats none quiet.

And Oliver Bonas - do they even operate stores outside London? Its actually one of those stores that I don't really understand. It sells a bit of a mish-mash of everything. A few clothes, a few accessories, a few books, a few nick nacks and homewares. A kind of Middle Class yummy mummy "Woolies". Its a bit like "Joy" and "White Company" (which at least has a white/neutrals theme to draw it together). I get the feeling Cardiffian women wouldn't fall for this in the same way the yummy mummies of Wandsworth's Nappy Valley do. But maybe I'm wrong and there is a market for a somewhat aimless store selling overpriced tat?

No problem! I'm really pleased with the announcement of American Eagle! I think it's a step in the right direction and certainly a coup for Cardiff...

Sunglass Hut left the Capitol when MAC relocated and have not opened elsewhere in the city. Sunglass Hut is a staple for most cities. They probably did bad business in the Capitol and have been deterred from opening elsewhere in the city, although I think the old Alba Rose unit would be a perfect fit for them in regards to size and footfall.

My Whistles/Ted Baker/Timberland/Levis suggestions are probably my most unrealistic suggestions. I think they would have opened here by now if they had any plans to, but I just thought they'd suit those particular units. Whistles are expanding across the UK quite aggressively now but like you said, LK Bennett wasn't a resounding success and they are very similar in terms of target market and clothing.

I spoke with the new centre liaison manager today and she said that Luke are relocating to old La Senza unit to create additional space for Victoria Secret / VS Pink! I previously questioned the configuration of the store because Pink traditionally works alongside VS rather than above! It now looks like Victoria Secret will be a one level store taking up both H&M and Luke. This will be the best frontage for the brand however not the best use of square footage... Nice to see Luke are relocating rather than exiting St. David's.

I'm still unsure of the whereabouts of American Eagle, the liaison manager wouldn't divulge! She was quite taken aback that I even knew! Haha

It's hardly spamming jonny - it's informative and that's the purpose of this forum. Keep us updated