Activate, which has taken a 15,592 sq ft unit, joins Harlequin’s evolving leisure offering, affirming the centre’s position as both a thriving dual-purpose retail destination and a focal point for leisure and entertainment.

Following Activate’s success within its London sites, and its global success across Canada, the US, and Dubai, SGS identified its popularity, along with the needs and wants of its visitors to open the brand’s third destination outside of the capital. The regional debut cements Harlequin’s reputation as a key regional destination for visitors from across north London, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

As competitive socialising concepts continue to grow in popularity, the branch will feature technology-driven challenges, interactive game rooms, enhanced with lasers, grids, hoops, portals and reaction-based challenges.

The new leisure addition offers a range of physical, mental and team-based challenges tailored for groups of friends, families, birthday parties and corporate teams. Games on offer include player favourites, including Activate’s most popular game, Mega Grid. It will also feature Grid, where the floor transforms into a giant interactive playing surface, challenging teams to jump, sprint and strategise their way to victory.

Mega Laser is another fan favourite that will feature in the scheme, with players navigating a room criss-crossed by laser beams without triggering alarms in an experience reminiscent of Mission: Impossible.

Rich Beese, co-founder of We Do Play, said: “The arrival of Activate at Harlequin is a pivotal time in the brand’s growth, as one of the first branches outside of London. With its impressive footfall from a broad catchment, we are certain that this branch in Watford will be well received as competitive socialising concepts offer something fresh and continue to grow in demand.”

Robert Jewell, Managing Director of Asset Management at Pradera, commented: “As Activate officially joins our evolving portfolio of leisure tenants, it affirms Harlequin’s position as the region’s premier all-day destination for shopping, dining and leisure. The immersive gaming concept joins as we are seeing strong performance of our competitive socialising options, signalling the scheme’s success as an all-day destination.”

Time Retail and LM are Harlequin’s retail leasing agents, and Metis and LM lead the leisure leasing.  Pradera asset manages Lakeside on behalf of SGS UK Retail.  LM acted for Activate.

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Westfield Rise, the in-house media agency of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), has launched the second phase of its integrated “Toy Story 5”-inspired experiential activity at Westfield Stratford City (running until 9th August at Westfield London) during the peak summer holiday period. The immersive experience celebrates the cinema release of Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5” which continues to play in cinemas, having crossed the $1B global box office mark.

The latest phase introduces Bonnie’s Playtime, an immersive family experience running at Westfield Stratford City until 31st August. The activation is supported by a multi-channel media campaign delivered through Westfield Rise, combining experiential, digital out-of-home, social, CRM and destination marketing channels to engage family audiences before, during and after their visit.

Bonnie’s Playtime brings together LEGO®, Mattel, Funko, Simba & The Disney Store in a multi-brand collaboration inspired by the world of “Toy Story 5”. Featuring interactive play zones, hands-on experiences and shareable content moments, the campaign showcases how entertainment and consumer brands can use retail destinations as media platforms, connecting with audiences through multiple touchpoints within a single environment.

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Research of British manufacturers and suppliers shows an overwhelming majority are rethinking packaging to comply with new EU rules.

The EU’s PPWR introduces a new framework for packaging circularity, including requirements for recyclability, recycled content and packaging minimisation. Many of the new measures will be phased in over the coming years and 12th August 2026 marks the general application of the new regulation for any business placing packaging on the EU market.

A survey of 200 British businesses throughout non-food supply chains, by logistics company Advanced Supply Chain, revealed that 93 percent have been affected or expect to be affected by the PPWR. The research found:

• 16 percent have already formatted packaging to comply
• 39 percent are currently making changes to packaging
• 32 percent are reviewing and assessing packaging formats
• 6 percent expect to be affected by the PPWR

Just 7 percent of businesses reported that the PPWR will have no impact on their packaging.

Stuart Greenfield, UK and European Sales Director at Advanced Supply Chain, commented: “We surveyed businesses across sectors including homewares, fashion, consumer electronics, footwear and many more, and the findings show just far-reaching the EU’s new packaging regulation has become.

Although the PPWR is an EU regulation, it’s not unusual to see businesses applying PPWR principles to packaging used outside the EU. British businesses want to continue trading seamlessly with customers across Europe, and many are standardising packaging formats to support compliance, control costs and simplify retail logistics across multiple markets.”

As well as adapting packaging to comply with the PPWR, British businesses have also been contending with the impacts of the packaging Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme (pEPR). The scheme has introduced new fees for packaging waste, shifting the costs of managing packaging waste from local authorities to affected businesses.

Advanced Supply Chain’s research shows the pEPR has increased repackaging requirements for 70 percent of businesses, meaning 47 percent have seen growing levels of packaging waste. 37 percent also reported that the scheme has led to increased packaging errors, further impacting levels of packaging waste.

Packaging manufacturer Duo supplies retailers and brands across the UK and EU. Duo co-owner and commercial director, Anthony Brimelow, said: “We’re seeing a growing number of British businesses prioritise packaging strategies that increase levels of recycled content, rightsize packages and focus on lightweight materials. The PPWR and pEPR are driving this trend, but the challenge is ensuring sustainability gains don’t come at the expense of packaging integrity. We expect this to drive innovation in advanced materials that deliver strength and efficiency.”

Stuart Greenfield concluded: “The pEPR is increasing the pressure on businesses to find the right packaging balance across product protection, customer experience, cost control and sustainability. We see this during the pre-retail stages of supply chains, where packaging plays a crucial role in getting products ready for sale.

As supply chains adapt to the pEPR, we expect packaging waste linked to repackaging to decline. Many businesses are already revisiting their own supplier standards and compliance measures to reduce repackaging requirements, as products move from source of supply through to point of sale.”

Image courtesy of Unsplash. Photo credit: Clair.

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Specsavers has launched a new scheme giving anyone experiencing homelessness access to free eye and ear care at all 1,000 stores across the UK and Ireland.

The Charity VIP scheme means that anyone affected by homelessness can walk into a participating store for a free sight test, glasses, hearing check, hearing aid, wax removal or other hearing protection, funded by Specsavers where NHS provision does not apply.

The launch marks three years since Specsavers first began offering free care to people experiencing homelessness. Since then, the programme has provided free eye and ear care to more than 7,000 people and invested more than £3 million. This has been delivered through pop-up clinics, out-of-hours sessions and domiciliary visits, working with Crisis, Big Issue, Vision Care, Simon Community, Focus Ireland and Every Youth.

New research from Specsavers suggests one in three people experiencing homelessness has a sight issue, and 44 percent have either never had an eye test or have not had one in five years or more.[i] Despite two thirds being eligible for NHS-funded eye care, many still face barriers such as proof of address, limited access to phones or email, and concerns about cost.[ii]

The need for hearing support presents similar challenges. Of those accessing hearing care through the scheme, 89 percent have experienced pain or discomfort in their ears and 86 percent have reported buzzing, a potential sign of hearing loss.[iii] One in ten (10 percent) have needed a referral to a hospital or GP – almost three times the 3.7 percent high street average[iv] – whilst more than half (57 percent) of Big Issue vendors surveyed did not know where to access audiology support.[v]

Alongside the scheme, Specsavers has made homelessness awareness training mandatory across its store network, to help colleagues ensure customers experiencing homelessness feel welcome and supported.

Carina Hummel, Managing Director of Optics at Specsavers, said: “At Specsavers our purpose is to change lives through better sight and hearing by making care accessible and affordable for everyone. We understand that people affected by homelessness are at higher risk of eye and hearing problems yet encounter major barriers when trying to access care. We’re thrilled to be expanding our Charity VIP service across the UK and Ireland, which provides a free, and judgement free service for people to access eye and ear care.”

Nearly 75 percent of people affected by homelessness who access Specsavers’ eye health clinics need glasses, and on average 20 percent have a condition that needs treatment. Dimple Rama, who has experienced homelessness three times, is one of thousands who have been supported through the scheme.

Dimple was told as a teenager that she needed glasses but went without them while navigating periods of homelessness at 17, 21 and 24, focusing instead on finding accommodation and putting food on the table. She has since rebuilt her life, working in real estate for an AI company and fostering rescue dogs in her spare time, and now uses her experience to raise awareness of the barriers many people face when accessing health services.

Dimple said: “I’ve met many people who had glasses for the wrong prescription, or who needed glasses but didn’t have them, and were struggling because of it. It’s important for everyone to be able to access these services in a safe place and to see the world clearly.”

To find out more about the Specsavers Charity VIP scheme, please visit:  https://www.specsavers.co.uk/about/charitable-partnerships/homelessness/charityvip

[i] Vision Care Specsavers research 2023 (internal data, sample size of 45 persons)

[ii] Vision Care Specsavers research 2019 (internal data, sample size of 168 persons)

[iii] 2025 Specsavers internal research (based on sample size of 76 persons)

[iv] Specsavers’ charitable programme page

[v] Specsavers survey of Big Issue vendors (from Specsavers learning module)

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By Jeremy Freedman, Managing Director at Guardpack

As of 31st July 2026, cosmetic brands placing new products on the EU market must comply with updated fragrance allergen labelling requirements. While the legislation improves transparency for consumers with fragrance allergies, it also highlights the importance of treating regulatory compliance as an ongoing process.

The updated rules expand the number of fragrance allergens requiring individual declaration from 24 to more than 80, following a review of emerging scientific evidence that identified additional ingredients capable of causing contact allergies. The changes also broaden the scope beyond traditional fragrance compounds to include certain oxidation products and naturally derived isolates, meaning compliance may extend beyond products that are obviously fragranced. The aim is to give consumers clearer information about the products they use while making it easier for those with fragrance allergies to identify ingredients they need to avoid.

Although the declaration thresholds remain unchanged, many brands will need to review formulations, ingredient listings and packaging to ensure products placed on the EU market comply with the new requirements.

Regulatory changes like this can have implications across product development, design approval, packaging production and supply chain planning. Even relatively minor amendments can require careful cross-coordination, so it’s important to be prepared.

Proactive compliance benefits everyone

The businesses that navigate regulatory change most effectively are often those that build compliance into their everyday processes rather than reacting when deadlines approach. We’ve observed this through our work with cosmetic manufacturers, where early conversations around packaging and compliance often make the implementation process considerably smoother.

Reviewing formulations early, planning packaging updates in advance and maintaining close collaboration between regulatory, manufacturing and packaging teams can help minimise disruption while ensuring products are ready for market.

Although these latest requirements apply to products placed on the EU market, they also reflect a wider industry shift towards greater ingredient transparency. Businesses also need to prepare for the July 2028 transition deadline, when non-compliant products already on the market must be updated or withdrawn.

As cosmetic regulations continue to evolve, taking a proactive approach allows businesses to adapt more efficiently to future changes, regardless of where their products are sold.

Preparing early offers benefits beyond meeting regulatory requirements. It provides time to review packaging, refine internal processes and ensure labelling accurately reflects product formulations before production begins. Rather than viewing regulation as an administrative burden, many businesses are recognising that early planning can improve operational efficiency while reinforcing consumer confidence.

An integral part of developing trusted products

Compliance often requires collaboration across multiple departments, so the earlier the conversations around it begin, the more time brands have to make considered decisions rather than reactive ones.

Looking ahead, cosmetic regulations will continue to evolve as scientific understanding develops and consumer expectations around transparency increase. Businesses that embed regulatory awareness into product development, rather than treating it as a one-off obligation before launch, will be better placed to adapt to future changes with confidence.

Ultimately, compliance supports product integrity, maintains consumer trust and ensures products reach the market with accurate, up-to-date information.

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New data from Debenhams Group – home to Debenhams, Karen Millen, boohoo, boohooMAN and PrettyLittleThing – reveals how the UK’s prolonged warm weather this summer is reshaping shopping habits, with Brits rushing to cool their homes and make the most of outdoor living.

The new data* follows the UK’s fourth heatwave this summer. With extended periods of high temperatures increasingly common, shoppers are looking for immediate ways to stay cool while also investing in products for warmer summers in the years ahead.

At Debenhams, searches for “air con” increased 4,442 percent between June and July compared with the same period last year, and searches for “fan” rose 1,165 percent. Reflecting this demand, more broadly the ‘cooling’ category at Debenhams more than tripled (232 percent) in sales during the period, with portable neck fans and tower fans among the best-selling products in this category.

The warm weather has also fuelled demand for outdoor living products, as consumers equip their homes for outdoor entertaining. Sales of “picnicware” rose 240 percent year-on-year, while “swimming pools” increased 133% and “BBQs and outdoor cooking” products rose 44 percent.

As gardens become the go-to venue for summer get-togethers, searches for “gazebos” have also increased by 264 percent, and searches for “sun loungers” rose by 268 percent.“Garden furniture” sales also climbed 24 percent as consumers continue to make the most of one of the hottest summers on record.

A Debenhams Group spokesperson said: “Weather remains one of the biggest drivers of shopping behaviour, and when temperatures rise, shoppers aren’t just looking for ways to keep cool – they’re also looking to make the most of the sunshine. Alongside fans and air conditioning, this summer we’re seeing exceptional demand for everything from BBQs and garden furniture to picnic essentials and entertaining accessories, as more people embrace outdoor living and host friends and family at home.”

*Data compares activity across Debenhams between 19th June – 20th July 2026 and 19th June – 20th July 2025, unless otherwise stated.

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The Perfume Shop is celebrating the first anniversary of its Boutique concept, marking a year of helping customers discover premium and niche perfume brands in-store and online through immersive retail experiences, expert guidance and carefully curated collections.

Industry trends show consumers are increasingly exploring premium and niche perfumes alongside established designer favourites, with growing interest in new brands, distinctive scent profiles and expert advice that helps them find something that feels more personal.Having opened its first Boutique concept stores at Brent Cross and Lakeside in July 2025, The Perfume Shop has expanded its premium offering to more than 223 perfumes across 22 premium and niche brands.

Designed to elevate the traditional perfume shopping experience, the Boutique concept stores combine carefully curated premium and niche perfume brands with expert perfume consultations, personalised recommendations and an immersive retail environment that encourages customers to discover something new. Over the past year, the offering has continued to evolve, with Tom Ford Private Blend and Told London joining the collection since launch.

Gill Smith, Managing Director at The Perfume Shop, said: “When we launched our Boutique concept we recognised that more customers were looking to discover something different alongside the designer fragrances they already loved. Our ambition was to create destinations where customers could explore premium and niche perfume brands in a more inspiring, personal and immersive way.

One year on, we’re seeing more customers actively taking time to explore niche brands alongside iconic premium names. They are also exploring distinctive scent profiles, using layering as a trend and mixing within brands and across brands to find that individual personalised scent. Boutique has shown that perfume discovery is becoming just as important as perfume purchase. Customers want expert guidance, they want to experience something different and they’re increasingly looking for perfumes that feel unique to them. That’s exactly what our Boutique concept was created to deliver.”

The success of the concept has also been reflected in customer feedback, with the Boutique stores achieving a 100 percent Customer Love score, demonstrating how customers have embraced a more immersive, discovery-led approach to shopping for perfume.

Customer behaviour has also revealed two distinct shopping patterns across the stores. Brent Cross has become a destination for scent discovery, attracting a particularly high proportion of new customers, while Lakeside has developed a strong base of returning and VIP shoppers, demonstrating the Boutique concept’s ability to both recruit and retain customers.

The retailer has also identified several emerging premium brands showing strong momentum over the past 12 months, including Gisada and Contes de Parfum, alongside established Boutique favourites such as Maison Margiela, Tom Ford Private Blend, Atkinsons, MCM and Prada Infusions.

Building on the success of its first year, The Perfume Shop is already preparing for the next phase of Boutique, with new premium perfume brands including Alexander J, Widian and Ajmal set to join the range, alongside additional launches from existing partners, ensuring customers continue to discover some of the world’s most exciting premium and niche perfume brands.

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Running from 27th July to 5th September 2026, Saudi: Sky’s The Limit brings together a selection of 25 Saudi brands across fashion, beauty, jewellery, fragrance, fine food and lifestyle – showcasing the richness and diversity of Saudi Arabia’s contemporary creative landscape alongside exclusive products.

Highlights include LÂM, the acclaimed Paris bakery founded by Saudi entrepreneur Abdullatef Alrashoudi, bringing its signature pastries to London for the first time, Jeed, known for it’s contemporary jewellery collections, and luxury fragrance house Assaf. Customers can shop premium wellness brand Kayanee, streetwear brand 1886, alongside design-led homeware from Artfeena. Visitors can also discover artisanal food brands Jazean and Ganache and fragrance from Batlah, reflecting the breadth of Saudi creativity across multiple disciplines.

The initiative reflects Milaf Global’s mission to create international opportunities for Saudi brands. Bringing together businesses from multiple sectors, it introduces them to new audiences and supports long-term commercial growth. 

Eng. Bandar Alqahtani, Chief Executive Officer of Milaf Global, said: “Saudi: Sky’s The Limit marks an important milestone for Saudi brands as they continue to build their presence internationally. We believe this partnership will create lasting connections, open new opportunities for collaboration and encourage more Saudi brands to reach new audiences around the world.”

Visitors will experience an immersive destination inspired by Saudi culture and contemporary creativity through curated retail experiences, product showcases, storytelling, tastings and cultural moments. The activation highlights how Saudi brands combine heritage with innovation to deliver world-class consumer experiences.

Judd Crane, Selfridges Executive Director – Buying & Brand, said: “We’re excited to welcome Saudi: Sky’s the Limit to The Corner Shop, creating a unique destination that showcases a curated edit of some of the very best in Saudi fashion, beauty, and confectionery. The partnership reflects our commitment to supporting emerging talent and celebrating the diversity of makers and designers beyond the traditional fashion capitals of Paris, Milan, London and New York.”

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By Inge Bujakiewicz-Baars, Head of Sustainability at ReBound Returns

This summer, sustainable fashion shared the spotlight with villa drama thanks to eBay’s partnership with Love Island, which put pre-loved clothing at the heart of one of the UK’s biggest television programmes. The partnership appeared to influence viewers too, with around a third of Love Island fans* saying the show made them more likely to buy pre-loved fashion. It’s not the only example of circular fashion taking centre stage on screen. Prime Video’s RE/style, a six-part design competition hosted by Emma Willis, challenges eight European designers to create runway looks using only second-hand clothing.

Together, these programmes suggest that circular fashion is becoming part of mainstream entertainment rather than a niche sustainability conversation. The question is whether this could be the summer that buying pre-loved becomes a more established consumer habit.

The rise of ‘sustainable girl summer’

Summer clothing is often among the most short-lived purchases in a wardrobe. Holiday outfits, festival looks and occasionwear are frequently bought for a single event before being forgotten, while social media continues to reinforce the idea that every occasion requires something new. By presenting pre-loved fashion as desirable rather than second best, Love Island has helped challenge those habits.

Turning interest into everyday behaviour

Creating interest is only the first step. The bigger challenge for retailers is converting growing consumer appetite for resale into services that are convenient enough for customers to use repeatedly.

A relationship with a customer does not need to end at the point of purchase. Branded resale, trade-in programmes, repair services, take-back schemes and rental all extend the life of products while helping retailers recover more value from existing inventory. They also provide greater visibility into how products perform throughout their lifecycle, offering valuable insight into durability, demand and customer behaviour.

The commercial case for these services is becoming stronger as regulation accelerates the shift towards circular retail. The EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) introduces new expectations around product durability, repairability, resource efficiency and the management of unsold goods. While implementation will develop over time, the direction of travel is clear: retailers will face increasing scrutiny over how products remain in use for longer and how value is recovered beyond the first sale.

Offering circular services, however, is only one part of the challenge. Consumers are unlikely to embrace resale, repair or take-back schemes if they are slower or more complicated than buying new. Retailers therefore need the operational infrastructure to support them, from reliable reverse logistics and consistent product grading to efficient repair networks and straightforward digital journeys that make participating in circular services simple.

Building on the trend

With TV shows increasing interest in pre-loved fashion, we are seeing how circular fashion can capture mainstream attention when it is presented in ways consumers genuinely want to engage with. For retailers, the opportunity now is to turn that cultural momentum into practical systems that make resale, repair and take-back part of everyday shopping. Those that make circular participation as easy as buying new will be better placed to keep products in use for longer while meeting changing consumer expectations and regulatory requirements.

Image courtesy of iStock. Supplied by ReBound Returns. 

*Data based on anecdotal feedback from Love Island superfans across Reddit forums and Facebook groups. One fan highlighted Jasmine’s outfit rewearing, while more than a third said they were more open to buying pre-loved clothing after seeing Islanders’ style.

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centre:mk, one of the UK’s top 10 prime retail destinations, has announced the opening of Lindt, the premium Swiss chocolatier, adding to the centre’s already extensive best-in-class tenant mix and signalling growing investment from new brands.

Lindt has launched in a 1,670 sq ft boutique on Silbury Arcade, and joins premium retail brands, reinforcing centre:mk’s position as a regional destination for leading brands and elevated retail concepts.

Lindt at centre:mk features the brand’s latest design concept, which offers guests an immersive chocolate experience, such as Lindt’s iconic Pick & Mix selection, exclusive gifts, and personalisation. The boutique also includes unique features and trending flavours, from Tokyo Style Chocolate Matcha and Strawberry, and LINDOR Cherry Blossom.

Kevin Duffy, centre:mk’s Centre Director, commented: “Lindt’s opening marks continued investment in centre:mk by leading brands, and is further evidence of our commitment to providing guests with even greater choice and inspiration. Lindt is a great complement to our existing range of premium and aspirational brands, and is yet another signal of our position as the number one destination in the region and a top ten centre in the UK as a whole.”

Faythe King, Retail, D2C and eCommerce Director at Lindt, added: “We are thrilled to be opening our latest Lindt store in centre:mk. Our boutique format has performed strongly to date, and we are confident it will resonate with centre:mk’s extensive catchment.”

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