The retail upsizing trend continues apace in 2025 with three major retailers opening improved stores at the Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield.

JD Sports, Superdrug and Ann Summers are growing by a combined 42,278 sq ft cementing the centre’s position as “a top-four super regional UK mall”.
 
Headlining the uplift by nearly trebling its presence on the mall’s Lower Level High Street, JD is taking no less that five adjacent units to create a 29,225 sq ft superstore, its biggest in the region and second-largest nationally.

This substantial investment follows the brand’s success at the destination, with the new 63m frontage “allowing JD to better showcase a wealth of global brands, including Nike, adidas and The North Face, within the centre”. 

Opening in 2026, the bigger space will feature dedicated brand and product areas, alongside regular in-store activations, “providing an enhanced shopper experience for Meadowhall’s visitors”.

James Air, director of Group Acquisitions at JD, said: “We will be delivering one of our largest stores in Europe at Meadowhall… I am confident this will be one of our very best stores.”

Beauty retail giant Superdrug is also relocating to the Lower Level High Street in late May, becoming one of its largest stores in the country. 

The 10,199 sq ft format will feature its extensive array of trending beauty products, and include beauty treatments such as ear piercing, manicures, and eye-brow threading at expert Beauty Studios, Superdrug’s recommitment to Meadowhall is part of the brand’s successful sustainable store scheme, which ensures sites are as sustainable and energy efficient as possible.

Over at Ann Summers, its upsize to 2,854 sq ft takes over another prominent space on Lower Level High Street with the enhanced store set to showcase an elevated design.

Richard Crowther, Retail Leasing Director for mall owner/operator British Land, said: “Meadowhall continues to attract strategic investment from leading national and international brands. [This trio] are the latest tenants to recommit to the destination, following 26 retailers that invested over £30 million in their stores in the last 12 months. These substantial lease agreements will only elevate Meadowhall’s Lower High Street, as part of a centre that really dominates its region.”
 
The upsizes follow news that Sephora UK has selected Meadowhall to launch its first store in Yorkshire this summer.