Virgin Media O2 has today opened a new store in Liverpool bringing together the best in mobile, broadband and connected technology.

The new store, located on the upper level at Liverpool ONE, demonstrates the operator’s commitment to investing in its stores and UK high streets. Spanning over 1,900sqft, the space has been designed to showcase the very best of Virgin Media O2’s products and services in an engaging, hands-on environment while placing the customer front and centre of the in-store experience.

Providing brilliant customer service sits at the heart of this approach, with dedicated in-store advisors on hand focused solely on supporting new and current customers when they visit. These specialists can support with a wide range of queries, from billing and account support to assisting vulnerable customers or those facing more complex situations.

This forms part of the company’s broader commitment to delivering more personalised, accessible support, ensuring customers can get the help they need quickly, at a time and place that works best for them.

To celebrate the opening, Virgin Media O2 is offering customers an exclusive in-store experience and prize draw. Visitors will have the chance to win one of two signed Liverpool FC shirts by taking part in an interactive quiz focused on Liverpool FC and Priority. The signed shirts will also be on display, giving customers a preview of the prizes up for grabs.

The shop will be divided into discovery zones across an open-plan layout, giving customers the chance to test out Virgin Media O2’s latest products as well as popular gaming and entertainment tech, with expert tech advisers on hand to answer any questions.

The discovery zones for customers to enjoy include:

• Ultimate Gaming Zone: Following the success of Virgin Media Gamepad located in The O2, which is visited by tens of thousands of visitors each year, store guests can try out cutting-edge VR and AR gaming experiences as well as the latest consoles.
• Priority from O2: Discover Virgin Media O2’s customer reward programme, Priority, available to all customers, offering average savings of £500 per year. Members can enjoy a wide range of rewards, including accessing gig tickets exclusively 48 hours before general sale.
• TV and broadband zone: Visitors can witness Virgin Media O2’s ultrafast broadband and TV services in action, with the zone showcasing seamless streaming, on-demand entertainment and the power of gigabit connectivity in the home.
• Meta zone: Experience the latest from Meta, including immersive virtual reality and smart technology, all powered by Virgin Media’s ultrafast broadband demonstrating how connectivity enhances next-generation digital experiences.

The store also aims to make it easier for consumers to recycle their old or unwanted devices, helping the company to reach its wider sustainability targets. Electronics, including old mobiles, earphones, wearable tech and cables, can all be dropped off and recycled.

Will Houldsworth, Director of Retail, Virgin Media O2 said: “Opening our new store here in Liverpool is a really exciting moment for us. Liverpool ONE is at the heart of the city’s shopping and social scene, so it’s the perfect place to bring our latest products and services closer to the local community. We’re committed to giving customers a great in-store experience where they can explore, learn and get support face-to-face.

“Over the past year, we’ve invested heavily in upgrading our stores across the UK, and Liverpool is a key part of that journey. As we continue to invest in the future, including launching new tools to support our colleagues, we’re committed to providing brilliant service for our customers across the region.”

As part of Virgin Media O2’s commitment to supporting the local community, the store also joins over 300 others as a National Databank hub, where people experiencing data poverty can get a free O2 SIM with 25GB of monthly data, plus texts and calls for 12 months to stay connected.

Virgin Media O2 adopted a sustainable approach when designing and constructing the store, incorporating recycled and responsibly sourced materials while prioritising energy efficiency through smart LED lighting and low energy screens.

The store is located on the upper floor of Liverpool ONE and will be open from 9:30am -8pm Monday-Friday, 9:30am-7pm Saturday and 11am-5pm Sunday.

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Retail Technology Show (RTS), the sector’s flagship event which connects leading retailers with cutting-edge technology providers, returned to London’s Excel last week, delivering its biggest innovation showcase.

RTS 2026 delivered wall-to-wall tech comprising over 450+ innovators on the expo floor, spotlighting new solutions powering the future of retail.  In what RTS speaker and Dragon’s Den star, Touker Suleyman, described as an “overwhelming” amount of innovation, the show floor was packed with a full spectrum of technologies, spanning AI, ecommerce and supply chain through to logistics, customer engagement and personalisation.

“Every retailer should walk this show, decide what’s right for them and invest,” Suleyman added, while Iain Robertson, Chief Operating & Innovation Officer at Fortnum & Mason said RTS remains an invaluable platform for evaluating “what’s hype and what’s not” when making tech investment decisions.

From standout innovation to unmissable insights on the conference programme, RTS saw 125+ retail leaders, brand powerhouses and industry luminaries take to the stage to discuss the topics redefining the sector.  From the BRC’s Helen Dickinson opening the show on Day 1, to headliners, including M&S Chair Archie Norman, TALA Founder Grace Beverley and Sephora’s Sarah Boyd, the event took a pulse on the trends reshaping retail.

The discussions from the stages spilled over into conversations across the wealth of networking opportunities at RTS 2026.  From its annual industry get-together, Retail’s BIG Party, to satellite events, roundtable lunches and after-hours socialising, RTS provides a “place to have a safe conversation and understand where you should focus your efforts for your business,” said Dan Chasle, Chief Data Officer from New Look.

RTS’ Founder & Event Director, Matt Bradley, commented on the growing role of the event in bringing the retail community together: “Despite the Tube strike, RTS 2026 once again delivered standout brand attendance, with strong levels of senior, c-suite audiences attending the sessions and walking the show floor, underlining the show’s central role in bringing together senior retailers with tech innovators.”

“RTS not only gets bigger and better every year, but it’s become the place where people can connect, converse and collaborate, and make those long-term connections that matter,” said Bradley.  “RTS 2026 has been another barnstormer – full of the energy, insight and innovation that reminds us how vibrant the retail sector remains.”

“The RTS team have been absolutely relentless in their mission to deliver the very best event platform for the retail industry, and we can’t wait to be back – even bigger and even better – next year,” he added.

RTS returns to London’s Excel on 21st and 22nd April 2027 and promises more unmissable insights, future-forward innovation and unrivalled networking opportunities.

For more information or to register your interest for next year’s show, visit: Retail Technology Show.

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The survey of 2,010 UK adults sought to understand how consumers were feeling today and the impact this was having on their shopping behaviours – whether buying everyday products in the supermarket or occasional treats like beauty products.

75 percent are worried about the rising cost of living and nearly half (46 percent) actually dread going shopping because everything is so expensive. Two-thirds (68 percent) agreed they had to be more careful with their spending than 12-months ago.

As budgets tighten, shoppers are increasingly sticking to known products rather than experimenting with new ones. A third (33 percent) admitted they were less willing to try new products than 12 months ago. A trend acutely felt by younger adults – with 51 percent of 18-24 and 46 percent of 25-34 admitting reluctance to experiment and discover new products.

Unsurprisingly, affordability was found to be the biggest barrier to experimentation, with 42 percent of consumers citing cost as the main reason they are holding back from trying new and different products.

“UK consumers – and particularly younger shoppers – are being costed out of trying new things,” says Matt Huntly, CEO of Sampl. “It is clear that people stick to what they know when times are hard. With consumers feeling like they simply can’t afford to get it wrong, the challenge for brands is to ensure that product discovery doesn’t disappear altogether.”

The research also highlighted a clear opportunity for brands and retailers – when risk is reduced consumers are more open to trying something new. In fact, 62 percent of consumers said receiving a free sample would make them more likely to try new products. Tactics such as product sampling and cashback can play a critical role in giving consumers the confidence to step outside of their usual purchasing habits.

Matt continues, “Brands need to do more than simply be seen, they need to actively build a willingness to try. They need to remove the risk, put the product in peoples’ hands and give consumers the confidence to try something new. Using strategies such as sampling or cashback to help convert hesitation into action and remove risk to consumers. Those brands that can find new ways to break through will be the ones that drive growth – even when we are counting our pennies more closely than before.”

Image courtesy of Unsplash. Photo credit: Lucrezia Carnelos. 

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Ben & Jerry’s, a global household name known for over 36 creative and iconic ice cream flavours, brings a prime selection of high-quality ice creams made with natural ingredients to Merry Hill. The new 270 sq ft kiosk is the first of its kind in the UK, with the brand having no prior mid-mall presence. Famed for its sustainability and socially considered ethos, Ben & Jerry’s menu will offer a product range including their euphoric flavours, cookie dough chunks, loaded desserts & legen-dairy shakes.

The arrival of Ben & Jerry’s complements the destination’s existing offer, and dedication to providing its visitors with exciting brand concepts that appeal to various demographics.

Alistair Winning, Leasing Manager at Redical, commented: “The opening of globally recognised brand Ben & Jerry’s elevates the prime F&B line-up at Merry Hill, aligning with the centre’s diverse offer, and showcases our continued leasing strategy to provide guests with a distinctive and entertaining experience. The decision by such a prominent and internationally successful brand to debut its new concept here proves Merry Hill’s desirability, and position as a leading super-regional destination.”

Chris Braeger, Head of Franchising, Ben & Jerry’s UK, added: “The decision to launch our first UK mall kiosk at Merry Hill was an easy one, given the destination’s vast catchment, high footfall and well-rounded, all-day experiential offer. To celebrate the opening, we will offer our Merry Hill fans the opportunity to try some of our euphoric cone-coctions on either a cup or a cone between 1-6pm on Wednesday 6^th May for free* , to welcome the community in true Ben & Jerry’s style, and make this a monumental moment for both Ben & Jerry’s and Merry Hill.”

*limited to one scoop on a cup or cone per person.

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• Søstrene Grene has secured a 4,850 sq ft space at the entrance to Outlet Shopping at The O2. The retailer will extend the destination’s home and gifting offer, delivering its affordable, comprehensive Scandinavian-inspired stock spanning homewares, small furniture, lifestyle products and craft essentials. This store is due to open in May and will be Søstrene Grene’s first location within an outlet destination, demonstrating the continued appeal of the asset class to both consumers and brands.
• Søstrene Grene will be joined by occasion-led menswear retailer, Suit Direct, which has signed for a 1,827 sq ft store. The brand will stock a range of men’s suits and accessories, including third-party brands such as Marc Darcy, Antique Rogue and an exclusive Ted Baker casualwear selection. Suit Direct will also host free one-to-one styling appointments, offering expert advice for customers preparing for key occasions such as weddings, proms, and the races.
• Alongside interest and confidence from new brands in the scheme, New Balance, one of Outlet Shopping at The O2’s longstanding tenants, has recently upsized into a new and improved space at the destination, fitted out with the brand’s updated store concept. The footwear and apparel retailer has increased its store footprint to 3,129 sq ft, a direct response to the strong and sustained consumer demand for athleisure and sportswear.

This flurry of activity coincides with several category uplifts at Outlet Shopping at The O2 over the first quarter of 2026, with accessories up an impressive 45 percent, alongside footwear and homeware up 6 percent and 3 percent respectively vs Q1 2025.

Louisa Dalgleish, Leasing Director at Outlet Shopping at The O2, commented: “Following a record-breaking 2025 and continued category growth so far in 2026, we’re incredibly excited to see this success translating into increased interest from leading brands looking to secure a presence here. Søstrene Grene and Suit Direct bring exciting new dimensions to our already comprehensive offer, demonstrating the ongoing evolution and continued diversification of Outlet Shopping at The O2. As well as welcoming new brands, we’re thrilled to see existing, longstanding tenants reinvesting and reaffirming their confidence in our scheme and its future, with New Balance’s upsized store as the latest example of this.”

Mikkel Grene, Group CEO and Co-owner of Søstrene Grene, also said: “Søstrene Grene’s expansion throughout the UK and London is something we’re very proud of. Outlet Shopping at The O2 delivers the perfect location for our brand, giving a sense of hygge and Scandinavian charm to this London community. We know that the new store will complement the tenant mix and will allow shoppers to feel creative inspiration while escaping the everyday.”

This news follows the arrival of Maki & Ramen for its first London opening, bringing its accessible, high-quality Asian food offer to The O2’s Entertainment District.

KLM and CBRE represent Outlet Shopping at The O2.

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Queensgate Peterborough has announced that Australian-owned coffee and all-day dining brand Jamaica Blue has signed to join the centre’s expanding F&B lineup.

Jamaica Blue, operated by Foodco, will occupy a 1,270 sq ft prominent location in the Upper Mall. The brand will serve speciality coffee drinks, using its signature Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee blend. This will be complemented by a fresh, made-to-order food menu featuring indulgent brunch dishes, gourmet sandwiches, and handcrafted cakes and sweet treats.

Ed Ginn, Director of Investment Management at Invesco Real Estate, said: “F&B leasing momentum has been strong so far in 2026, and Jamaica Blue represents another strategic addition to our lineup. We are always looking for ways to elevate the customer experience, focusing on complementary brands that bring something different to the centre. This signing underscores our commitment to delivering a vibrant and high-quality tenant mix that meets the needs of both Peterborough residents and visitors.”

Michael Arbuckle, Managing Director at Foodco United Kingdom, commented: “Queensgate offers the ideal blend of consistently high footfall and desirable brands, aligning well with our UK growth strategy. Queensgate customers will be able to enjoy our signature all-day food menu, offering the perfect lunch spot in the centre. This signing represents the latest step in expanding Jamaica Blue, enabling us to showcase our speciality coffee to a broader UK audience.”

Sovereign Centros from CBRE acts as the appointed asset manager for owner Invesco Real Estate, while CBRE and Time Retail Partners are the letting agents for Queensgate.

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During the 2026 TCS London Marathon weekend, New Balance, Official Apparel and Footwear Partner, will open London Run House (24th – 26th April 2026), a community-led space celebrating the people who shape the city’s running culture and reflecting the brand’s belief that if you run, you belong. Bringing together athletes, crews, first-time marathoners and spectators alike, the space invites all who run to connect in a distinctly London way.

Located inside the iconic Somerset House on the bank of the River Thames, along the marathon route, London Run House will transform Somerset House’s Embankment Galleries into a state-of-the-art destination celebrating community, craft and performance. Across the weekend, the space brings together athletes, run crews, marathon runners, spectators and London’s wider creative community to experience New Balance through a distinctly London lens.

Reflecting the energy of the capital, London Run House explores how the sport extends beyond clocking miles, through surfaces, typography, fabrication and shared experience. From immersive workshops and panel discussions to installations and screenings.

Alongside London Run House, New Balance will activate marathon cheer zones at Mile 8, Mile 16 and Mile 25 with crew partners including Runner Beans, Deaf Run Club, Run The Boroughs, PASSA and LES Running, offering music, sign-making and community support to lift runners across their 26-mile journey.

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As over 50,000 runners prepare to tackle 26.2 miles this Sunday, Uber Eats and Boots are turning attention to the people doing theother running around: their supporters.

New data from Uber reveals that the ‘race behind the race’ will reach fever pitch this weekend. Last year, there were hundreds of cross-town Uber Boat trips from Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf during the race as spectators scrambled to catch their runners at multiple cheer points. Meanwhile, there were surges of over 60 percent* in last-minute orders from supporters preparing, including cardboard and marker pens for signs, as well as extra-strength blister plasters on the Uber Eats app.

To ensure no supporter is left stranded at Mile 18 without a sign or a snack, Uber Eats has teamed up with the UK’s leading health, wellness and beauty retailer Boots to launch the Supporter Survival Kit. Available exclusively on the app from midday on Friday 24th April, customers in central London can get ready to support with over £100 worth of specially designed cheering and recovery essentials, delivered to the door for just a tenner (plus fees – see here).

The curated kit is designed to help fans out-sprint the runners, featuring a range of Boots products available to shop on the Uber Eats app:

• Supporter day essentials: Soltan SPF 50 suncream for protection on a sunny day, with lip balm and an on-the-go hand gel for travelling around the city

• The re-fuel: A boost for you and your phone with energy tablets and an added portable charger

• On the go recovery: Wellthy by Boots electrolytes for on-the-go hydration. Not forgetting blister plasters for the miles spent standing (or to give to your runner if you’re feeling generous).

• Cheer essentials: extra fluorescent marker pens and heavy-duty cardboard for those all-important motivational signs

• Power to unwind: Finally, a Boots massage gun – because after all, it’s not just the runners who need some rest and recovery post-race day.

These items are also available to buy individually at Boots through the UberEats App. You can shop from over 10,000 products from Boots on-demand, nationwide.

“Being a supporter is an endurance sport in its own right,” says Katie Hunter, General Manager of Grocery & Retail at Uber Eats UK. “Our data shows that Londoners are increasingly turning to us for more than just pre-race carbs on a marathon weekend; they need the pharmacy, retail, and grocery essentials that keep them moving. By partnering with Boots on these exclusive survival kits, we’re taking it one step further to make sure the people on the sidelines have all the gear they need to show up for their loved ones.”

Paula Bobbett, Chief Data and Digital Officer at Boots, said: “A full day spectating requires just as many on-the-go essentials as the runners themselves. With the launch of these Supporter Survival Kits, we can playfully bring a range of products conveniently to spectators, helping them stay fuelled, protected and ready to show their runners some support. From rest and recovery to hydration or suncare, with Uber, Boots can be there for whatever the need, delivered in minutes.”

New insights highlight why this supporter survival kit is a 2026 essential:

• Search volumes for ‘poster board’ on Uber Eats rose 300 pdercent in the days leading up to the 2025 race**.

• Demand for energy bars, gels and tablets spiked over 360 percent* – suggesting supporters and runners alike will be prepping for a long day on their feet.

• Data also shows hundreds of Londoners turned to Uber Boat rides ending near The Mall at embankment during last year’s run, proving the dash to the finish is the most competitive leg of the day.

The limited-edition Supporter Survival Kits will be available in central London for £10 plus fees (see here) in the Uber Eats app starting Friday 24th April, while stocks last.

Products include:

• Boots Deep Tissue Percussive Massage Gun

• Our Pure Planet 5000mAh Power Bank

• Soltan Hydrating Sensitive Protect Facial Suncare with Niacinamide SPF50

• Wellthy Electrolytes

• Blister Plasters

• Colour Marker Pens and Cardboard

• Soltan Hydrating Sensitive Protect Facial Suncare with Niacinamide SPF50

• Grenade Chocolate Chip Salted Caramel Protein Bars

• Lucozade Sport

• Tropical Dextro Energy Tablets

• Uber Eats Water Bottle

• Boots Everyday Aloe Anti-Bacterial Hand Gel

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Specsavers has announced that it is funding a full national roll-out of its successful recycling boxes across all of its UK stores, offering customers the chance to responsibly manage their unwanted glasses, case and contact lens packaging.

The boxes are provided in partnership with MyGroup, a recycling and waste management company that allows hard-to-recycle plastic that would otherwise end up in landfill to be separated, sorted and recycled. It then transforms the recycled materials into useful products, such as joinery boards and furniture.

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McDonald’s UK has today announced the launch of the nation’s largest in-person work experience programme. Offering 2,500 paid placements in the first year in local communities across the country, the programme has been designed to tackle the root causes of rising youth unemployment and support young people who are struggling to get their first step on the career ladder.

With the UK nearing one million young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), McDonald’s believes it has both a responsibility and a unique opportunity as one of the UK’s largest employers of young people, to help address this issue. Utilising McDonald’s scale and presence on high streets and in communities across the UK, the new programme will help thousands each year to overcome initial barriers to employment and set them up for successful careers.

To better understand the key barriers affecting young people today, McDonald’s has undertaken in depth research with young people from across the UK, to inform the release of its inaugural Youth Confidence Index. The findings reveal a generation that believes strongly in its own potential but feels shut out of the job market. While eight in ten (80 percent) young people who are in education, employment or training say they have something positive to offer society, this falls to 57% among those who are NEET.

Crucially, two thirds of young people (67 percent) say they would love to do work experience but there are not enough opportunities to do so. They say the lack of work experience opportunities in their local area (69 percent) and not being able to afford to do unpaid work experience (61 percent) are the major barriers they face.

Facilitated by McDonald’s Franchisees, local business owners who know the communities they serve inside out, the programme will address these issues and the wider societal backdrop head on. It will focus on communities where access to opportunity is lowest, with a target for 25 percent of placements to be offered to young people who are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET.

Commenting on the programme, Lauren Schultz, CEO of McDonald’s UK & Ireland, said: “At McDonald’s, we believe in the potential and ability of young people and want to help them make it. With over 100,000 employees under 25 across the UK, we have the reach to make a real difference and are uniquely positioned to open doors at scale. Everything a young person needs to learn about the world of work, from communication to financial skills, can be mastered at McDonald’s. By helping thousands gain this exposure and build confidence, we are creating a genuine pathway into employment and demonstrating the transformative power the hospitality sector can have on our national workforce.”

Pat McFadden, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: “We’re tackling youth unemployment head on by backing young people with the skills and support they need, while working with employers to open more doors. McDonald’s have a strong track record of supporting and training up young people, and it is fantastic to see them using their position to help even more overcome barriers and set them up for successful careers. This shows what’s possible when Government and business help young people into work.”

Rt Hon. Alan Milburn, Chair of the government’s Young People and Work Review, also added: “The scale of youth unemployment and the NEET crisis facing the UK is a national outrage with long-term consequences. Young people want to work, but too often the system shuts them out. High-quality work experience delivered at scale can be transformative, and McDonald’s commitment shows the kind of leadership employers need to demonstrate if we’re serious about giving every young person a fair start.”

Haroon Chowdry, Chief Executive at the Centre for Young Lives: “Our research is clear: young people want to work. They have hopes and ambition, but what they often lack are opportunity and support. Every young NEET is a person who has been let down by the system, because they did not receive the help they needed – such as key skills, experiences, or support for SEND or mental health – when and where they needed it.

It is possible to turn the tide on the number of young NEETs, but this will require joint ambition and action from the whole of government – not just DWP, but also schools, colleges, local authorities, health, family hubs and youth support. It also relies on employers stepping up – which is why we welcome today’s announcement from McDonald’s that will unlock new opportunities for thousands of young people across the country.”

Lee Elliot Major OBE, Professor of Social Mobility at the University of Exeter: “We don’t have a shortage of talent in this country, we have a shortage of opportunity. By offering paid work experience at scale, McDonald’s is showing how businesses can boost social mobility and productivity, potentially transforming the life chances of thousands of young people.”

Over the five-day work experience placement, participants – who will be over the age of 16 – will gain hands-on experience in key restaurant operations to learn exactly how a business functions. By tackling real-world business and hospitality tasks such as inventory checks, Drive-Thru operations, and customer service they will develop vital transferable skills such as leadership and problem-solving, all of which are valued by employers. All participants will perform their role under the guidance of an experienced member of the restaurant crew.

Participants will also build their knowledge on interview techniques and time management skills to fully prepare them for entering into and succeeding in the world of work.

This announcement continues McDonald’s UK&I’s long-standing commitment to supporting young people, a legacy of job creation and award-winning initiatives spanning over five decades. Since 2006, McDonald’s UK&I Apprenticeship Programme has supported over 22,000 individuals in earning degrees while developing their careers. Further impact has been made via programmes such as Fun Football, which provides free coaching for 5–11-year-olds and Taste for Work, which has equipped over 210,000 young people with essential employability skills.

Alongside today’s announcement, McDonald’s has partnered with two leading think tanks: the Centre for Young Lives and the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). The Centre for Young Lives has published a new report, Turning the Tide on Rising NEETs, setting out evidence based recommendations to reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training and unlock the potential of future generations. The IPPR is also undertaking a significant two‑year research programme, State of a Generation, which will develop a framework for change to help restore opportunity and promise for young people across the UK.

Today’s announcement supports the government’s drive to get young people earning or learning as part of their Youth Guarantee programme.

More information about the McDonald’s Work Experience programme and the Youth Confidence Index can be found at our website:www.mcdonalds.com/gb/en-gb/latest/youth-opportunity

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