An already crowded activewear market is about to be disrupted further with high-street big-hitter Primark making further inroads into sector in a seriously big way.
Primark
The retailer is expanding on its existing position in activewear and its new collection launched this week is vast (240-piece). The range is cheap, highlighting affordability alongside accessibility, but it comes with “premium performance fabrics”. As an added layer, it also includes a dedicated beauty range.
The launch is being supported by a global campaign built around the tagline ‘Every Move Counts’, “celebrating the joy of everyday movement” and is being fronted by its long-standing collaborator, musician Rita Ora, and fellow musician Krept, “showcasing both high-performance training pieces and relaxed, lifestyle looks.
Having just launched in stores and via Click & Collect this week and with its its own dedicated areas in 72 stores UK-wide, the range features accessories starting at £2.50 and £4.50 for activewear “designed for real people with real budgets who want to look and feel great for less”.
It features women’s, men’s and kidswear, and becomes Primark’s biggest and most advanced activewear offer to date, “combining fresh styles with innovative new fabrics” across leggings, tops, hoodies, running layers and more.
It’s joined by Performance Beauty, a new range of skincare, SPF and recovery products “designed to support movement before, during and after workouts”.
The launch makes sense as activewear is already Primark’s “fastest-growing category, with sales nearly doubling over the past year”, it said.
“This launch signals a step up in investment from Primark into this category and shows how innovation at scale can make premium activewear fabrics accessible to millions… in a range [that] will be available all year round”.
The collection introduces four new technical fabrications, each designed to support different types of movement: ‘Seamfree’ for a smooth, second-skin feel; ‘Buttery Soft’, allowing for freedom of movement; ‘Smooth Support’ designed for training; and ‘Body(sculpt)’, providing support through the toughest of workouts.
Leggings sit at the heart of the collection. After all, the retailer says it’s the number one high-street retailer for leggings by volume in the UK, selling more than 70 pairs every minute. So the new range builds on this with multiple fits and fabric options “designed for everything from high-intensity training to everyday wear”, with prices starting from £4.50.
Primark Chief product officer Steve Lawton said: “Our biggest and innovative activewear launch to date, this is truly what Primark does best. Just like we’ve done for decades with fashion, we’re democratising activewear by bringing the very best innovation and fabrication but pricing no-one out. Primark is built on the belief that you shouldn’t have to spend more to look and feel good – and activewear, which millions of our customers wear every day, is the perfect example.
He added: “With this collection, we’ve combined great style with the latest innovative fabric technology and made it possible at Primark prices. From the fit and feel to the colours and performance, these pieces stand up against options costing many times more. Whether you’re heading to the gym, the high street or just moving through everyday life, this range is for everyone, and every budget, however they choose to move.”
UK property giant British Land is looking for a new CEO. Simon Carter’s five-year tenure at the top oversaw the firm’s successful pivot to a retail park focus. He’s departing after an 18-year total association to head European logistics properties firm P3 Logistics Parks.
British Land’s Nugent Shopping Park, south London
His departure comes with a 12-month notice period so there’ll be no immediate hurry to sign a replacement.
Carter first joined British Land in 2004, working in several roles across Strategy, Corporate Finance and Treasury before leaving in 2015 to become CFO at Quintain Estates & Development and then Logicor. He returned to British Land as CFO in 2018 and was appointed CEO in 2020.
William Rucker, chairman, said: “I want to thank Simon for his significant contribution to British Land. During his 18 years here across two stints he has achieved a huge amount, and as CEO has positioned the business for future success with a very strong management team and an exceptional London office campus and retail park platform.”
Carter added: “British Land has been a huge part of my professional life, and it has been a privilege to work for such a fantastic business.
“The contrarian calls we made post-pandemic have positioned British Land for long-term success. There is never a perfect time to move on, but I will be leaving the business with market-leading positions in London campuses and retail parks – both of which are benefitting from strong rental growth in supply-constrained markets.”
Sephora is continuing its major retail venue rollout, opening at Hammerson-owned Cabot Circus in Bristol this spring as the global beauty brand now targets South-West England to fill in its UK expansion gaps.
Hammerson
Paul O’Brien, director of Leasing & Commercialisation at Hammerson, said: “Securing this beauty powerhouse underpins Cabot Circus’ leading position in the South-West and underscores the demand for our prime city location. It builds on a series of carefully curated new arrivals across retail, food, drink and leisure.
These brands are choosing to grow with us in the heart of Bristol, drawn to our location and catchment across the city and beyond, enabling the best and latest experiences for our customers.”
Sephora becomes the latest major brand secured at the venue, following the launch of a flagship 80,000 sq ft M&S store last year with Sephora arriving shortly after a new Odeon cinema, which is due to open next month.
The LVMH-owned brand’s continuing UK growth plan comes after last year’s second Manchester opening, plus Yorkshire’s Meadowhall and Liverpool One. These add to Bluewater in Kent, Newcastle’s Eldon Square, Gateshead’s Metrocentre and Birmingham last year and Westfield London in late 2023.
The owner of Mammut Sports Group AG is exploring a sale of the Swiss outdoor gear maker, people familiar with the matter said. Jacobs Capital is seeking more than €500 million ($584 million) from a potential sale of the company, according to the people. Jacobs and Mammut are working with Houlihan Lokey Inc., they said.
Technical clothing by Mammut – Mammut
Deliberations are preliminary and might not result in a transaction, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. Spokespeople for Jacobs Capital, Mammut and Houlihan Lokey declined to comment.
Mammut, founded in 1862, makes premium gear for mountain sports. It was bought in 2021 by Telemos Capital, which last year combined with the family office that managed the wealth behind Swiss chocolate dynasty Barry Callebaut AG. In addition to Mammut and Barry Callebaut, the combined entity- Jacobs Capital- owns assets including Cognita Schools and health-care companies.
Sports gear has gained popularity among strategic and financial buyers on strong consumer interest in fitness and equipment. Anta Sports Products Ltd., which bought Jack Wolfskin in a $290 million deal last year, is also weighing a bid for Puma SE, people familiar with the matter have said.
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