Immersive experiences key as Footasylum opens refurbished Manchester Arndale store

Footasylum has opened an upsized store in the Manchester Arndale shopping centre. The refurbished 18,000 sq ft space, located on the ground floor of Exchange Court, will create 14 new jobs and aims to deliver an immersive retail experience.

As part of the move, Footasylum has signed a new 20‑year lease. To mark the opening, there will be a series of community led activations featuring local DJs, alongside partnerships with Slim Chickens, Crep Protect, adidas and Footasylum influencers.

In-store, customers will find a curated mix of new and exclusive products from third‑party brands such as Nike, ASICS, Hoka, Saucony & Berghaus alongside Footasylum’s own labels including Monterrain, Forena and Epic Kid.

Alongside its UK store roll-out, Footasylum reports progress with its international expansion plans. In late 2025, the company signed a distribution agreement with MAD Agency across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, followed by a partnership with Apparel Group to establish Footasylum stores across the Gulf Cooperation Council region, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman.

Howard Tattersall, Chief Marketing Officer at Footasylum, says: “Manchester is at the very heart of Footasylum’s DNA, and our new flagship in the Arndale is a celebration of that heritage. This isn't just about more floor space, it’s about creating an immersive streetwear destination that bridges the gap between our digital community and a physical experience. By doubling our footprint, we’re able to bring the full energy of brands like Monterrain, Forena and Nike to life in a way that resonates with the city's unique creative spirit.”

Nick Scott, Chief Financial Officer at Footasylum, says: “As we embark on this historic store opening in the journey of Footasylum, I would like to extend our thanks to Steve Tregenza and the team at Metis Real Estate. Their support and collaboration over the last two years were instrumental in securing this flagship space within Manchester Arndale.”

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Physical stores will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.