MINISO at The Glades Bromley: a pastel perfect launch with plushies, blind boxes, and beauty bargains

The Japanese inspired lifestyle brand brings Kawaii charm and affordable treats to Bromley with one of its best designed stores yet.

First impressions and store design

I (as RTIH’s Secret Shopper) was lucky enough to be invited to an early preview of the new MINISO store at The Glades in Bromley, ahead of its public launch. From the moment I stepped inside, it was clear this wasn’t just another retail unit, it was a candy coloured, pastel drenched, ultra-aesthetic haven of plushies, collectibles, snacks, and beauty products.

The layout was deceptively spacious, much larger than it appears from the outside. MINISO has made clever use of the floorplan to create clear, themed zones: snacks and drinks at the front, a dedicated beauty section, aisles of adorable plush toys, and a large display of pop culture tie-ins including Hello Kitty, Sanrio characters, Disney Princesses, Powerpuff Girls, Care Bears, and even Harry Potter.

Everything was well labelled, neatly merchandised, and visually appealing. It had all the trademark MINISO charm but somehow felt more curated and modern. I’ve recently visited their Oxford Street branch and dare I say it, the Bromley store is better. Fresher design, broader range, and it didn’t feel like a scaled down shopping centre version. This one felt like a flagship.

Product range and price point

There was a real variety of stock on offer, and much of it was clearly targeted at teenagers and young adults, but it’s just as easy for a Millennial (hi) to walk out with a bag full of cute finds. The plushies remain a star attraction and the store had both classic MINISO characters and new releases.

The beauty section was also a standout. MINISO has been expanding in this space and it shows. Lip glosses at £4.99, blushers and highlighters at similarly low prices, it’s budget friendly without feeling budget. Perfect for younger shoppers starting their beauty collection, but the packaging and quality wouldn’t look out of place in pricier high street brands.

They’re also clearly tapping into the blind box phenomenon that’s dominating pop culture. While we’ll be covering POP MART and the wider collectibles trend in a separate article, it’s worth noting that shoppers were making a beeline for the MINISO blind boxes and picking them with serious intent. Even at the preview event, there was buzz around which designs people would get.

Staff, service, and opening buzz

Staff were friendly, helpful, and well briefed on the product range. The only minor issue was at the checkout, where my payment didn’t go through on the first attempt due to a weak Wi-Fi signal, not a MINISO issue, but a known problem for The Glades that affects several retailers.

By the time the store officially opened at 12pm, a queue of more than 200 people had formed. The vibe was upbeat, and there was genuine excitement in the air. MINISO had also put together a high quality free goody bag with small purchases, which was packed with cute and useful products. For a freebie, it felt surprisingly generous.

Secret Shopper verdict

This was one of the best MINISO stores I’ve attended. The aesthetic is sharp, the layout is easy to navigate, and the product mix hits the sweet spot between cute, fun, and functional. For fans of plushies, blind boxes, and affordable beauty, it’s a must-visit.

And if you’re local to Bromley, it’s a great addition to The Glades, far more than just another run of the mill retailer.

Overall score: 5/5

Great products, great prices, great vibes. I’ll be back.

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Physical stores will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which are now closed for entries with our finalists and shortlists being announced last week, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.