Korean supermarket signs Manchester Arndale lease
Oseyo will take 12,600 sq ft at the shopping centre in what has been described as the brand’s “largest and most ambitious project so far” by operations coordinator Isaac Kweon.
Oseyo is a UK-based Asian retailer. Its name translates to “Welcome” in Korean and the supermarket sells sauces, snacks, produce, and an array of houseware, K-Pop, beauty, and stationery products.
Kweon described Oseyo as offering “a truly global and refined shopping experience”.
“With an ever-growing range of exclusive products which we directly produce or import with partner brands in Korea, we aim to provide for our customers a unique experience found nowhere else” he continued.
The retailer already has a shop off Oxford Road in Manchester, as well as a series of stores in London. In regards to its new Manchester Arndale storefront, Oseyo has signed a 15-year lease for the former H&M unit, which is located on the mall’s upper floor between Specsavers and HMV.
The Manchester Arndale is joint asset managed by M&G Real Estate and Global Mutual.
Global Mutal head of European retail asset management Steve Gray welcomed the Oseyo letting.
“We place great importance on creating a mix that caters to the city’s diverse taste and we are certain Oseyo will fit the bill,” Gray said.
“With such exciting leasing activity taking place it’s clear there is continued demand for well-placed retail units, and we are delighted to see confidence in Manchester Arndale’s long-term performance; we hope to share more exciting news soon.”
Metis Real Estate and Time Retail Partners represented the Manchester Arndale on the deal with Oseyo. Oseyo was represented by Whitby Smith.
Oseyo is the latest in a string of lettings at the shopping centre. Sunglass Hut signed a 10-year lease for 932 sq ft last month and Black Sheep Coffee took on a 20-year lease for 4,200 sq ft in May.
That same month, The Works extended its lease for a 3,350 sq ft store by five years. Manchester City also opened a storefront at the mall in May.
Other lettings this year have included a 3,700 sq ft Krispy Kreme and a 50,000 sq ft Sports Direct.
Sadly won’t save the city centre’s dying retail scene, I was in both the Trafford Centre and the city centre on Saturday and there were many times more people at the Trafford Centre.
By Phi
They wouldn’t be opening in the Arndale if they thought it was dying. There are also many apartments being built in the city centre which will add to the customer base.
By Anonymous
Phi, I definitely agree. The retail scene in the city centre is ridiculous. Personally, amongst many others no one genuinely enjoys shopping at the arndale especially. Mainly due to the lack of choice, the depressing environment. And due to the ghetto crowd. Trafford centre is definitely a far more enjoyable experience.
Arndale needs to be saved. Seriously. It’s embarrassing at this point.
By Anonymous
So I am 100% definitely in favour of redeveloping the Arndale Centre. But how the heck does Phi know that there were more people at the Arndale at the Trafford Centre? Was she in both at the same time doing a pedestrian survey? Give me a break.
And to say the Arndale is dead – can you let me know the times so I can shop then instead. Honestly the nonsense comments you read on this website.
By Anonymous
Will cater to all people in our great city, Manchester
By Anonymous
Big fan of Oseyo, and being local, I do most of my food shopping around Market Street. Doubt I’ll be going much though because the Arndale is just a grim experience. Anywhere nearby with street entry would be fantastic
By Anonymous
As a man in his mid 30s there is nowhere good to shop in Manchester, Leeds has good offerings though
By DH
Oh dear, the city centre is not the Arndale. If that’s the limit of where you prefer to shop well that says much about your knowledge of Manchester.
By HiFi
Some people (person) doesn’t understand how retail works, it’s not a charity they have to make money so they clearly they think they can.
By Anonymous
The Arndale is bland at best (the new bit) and terrible for the rest, but it is busy as hell. I think it should be completely rebuilt, but it does work.
What is especially hard for the city centre is its lack of a real department store. Yes, it has a cut-down version of Selfridges, but that doesn’t really have many departments. HoF is closing down and never was great anyway. John Lewis just doesn’t exist, which is one of the best parts of the Trafford Centre.
This is a good addition to the rather bland Arndale. The city centre has enough of a resident population now to keep decent retail sustained, and it’s growing
By Jo
Where is good in Leeds DH? Genuinely interested
By Anonymous
Not sure about the Arndale dying; according to the latest figures the Arndale is still the second busiest shopping centre in the U.K. by footfall with just over 40 million visitors. Only Westfield is busier. By contrast the Trafford Centre is just outside the top 10.
By Manc Man