High street retailer H&M is reopening its Trafford Centre store, and honestly, if you've been before you won't recognise it. From tomorrow morning (April 14), shoppers will be able to indulge themselves in the newly revamped store, which feels brand new.
Inside you'll find no windows, a brand new (and amazing) homeware section, and more self-checkouts than you've probably ever seen before.
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Let's start with the bit that got us most excited - the HOME section. Following demand from Manchester shoppers (we buy the most H&M homeware outside of London), the retail giant has decided to introduce its own home section in its Trafford Centre store.
It means you can browse homeware in person, rather than having to order something on the internet and hope for the best. Inside its homeware section you'll find pretty much everything you need to deck out your home - or to give it a small update on a budget.
The prices are reasonable, too. You can grab a cushion cover for £3.99, or a huge ceramic plant pot for £8.99 - the prices rival Primark, and everything looks beautiful. H&M has even opted to get fresh plants supplied by Manchester florist Frog Mcr to go alongside its plant pot selection (plants cost around £8.99 each, depending on what you buy), so you don't have to use artificial plants or journey all the way to a garden centre to get the finished look.
Shoppers aren't able to buy anything until the store officially opens tomorrow, and I have never been itching to return to the Trafford Centre quicker. That says a lot about the quality and price of H&M's home offering, because, let's be honest, who *really* wants to brave the hectic world of the Trafford Centre during the Easter holidays for a plant pot?
Of course you'll find the usual clothing sections you'd expect to see in a H&M store, but what you may not expect, is the backdrop of no windows. In this post-Covid world, the retailer has decided to ditch windows altogether in the Trafford Centre store in a design that H&M says is the 'first of its kind in the world'.
We spoke to H&M UK & Ireland Expansion Manager Chris Clare about the decision to choose Manchester as the base for this 'first in the world' design. He said: "Manchester customers are very individual and they're fashion conscious. I also think Manchester has a spirit - it's a unique one you won't find anywhere else in the country, and that's why we love it here. It's a truly unique city."
Speaking about the decision to have a store without any windows, Chris said: "The H&M aim is to be a leading destination for style, creativity and culture, so the store design should reflect that. By having no windows we've created a world-leading, modern and welcoming shopping experience like no other."
I wasn't sure when I first heard about the no windows thing. I worried the store would venture into the territory of stores like Hollister, which are a mindfield to navigate around without night vision. But you know what? It looks really good. It feels like you're in a way more upmarket store, and the lighting completely opens up the space. I'm a fan.
As well as windows, H&M has done away with the classic staff-manned till points to make way for self-checkout areas, which should help reduce queues and cut waiting times, according Chris.
He also told us that the decision to use mainly self-checkouts instead of manned tills will help free up staff to offer more customer service - which is important to H&M. He did however, ensure that staff will be on hand at all times to help out on the self-checkouts where needed.
If you don't want to use a checkout at all, you can click and collect using the H&M hub locker service. They're basically like the Amazon lockers you find out and about, but H&M style.
Chris, who is from Bolton himself, also mentioned that the shop will now have a welcome area, which will allow guests to feel properly greeted, and ask staff for help with anything they might be looking for He told us: "We think it's inviting and welcoming", and that's what people in Manchester love to hear.
Over 100 people are employed by H&M in the Trafford Centre, but its dedication to local people and local business doesn't stop there. The Trafford Centre store has pledged to work with local businesses to showcase what Manchester to offer.
As previously mentioned, Frog Mcr is supplying the plants you'll find in-store, but that's not the only local business you'll find inside. This weekend, there will be several local businesses inside showcasing what they have to offer.
These include:
1. Live-style studio: where customers can have their photo taken in front a one-off installation created by Mariel Osborn. Photos will be taken by the emerging Manchester photographer, Jada Giwa.
2. Floral arranging masterclass with Frog Florists
3. Calligraphy workshop with Mellor & Rose
4. 1-2-1 Beauty Masterclasses with Elise Ferguson
Over the coming months more businesses will be popping up in store, so it's well worth keeping an eye on if that's your kind of thing. You'll be able explore the new H&M Trafford Centre store from tomorrow morning.
