Bluewater has announced that three retailers will be opening their first Kent-based stores in the run up to the festive season. Luxury cosmetics brand, Aesop, will be opening on 16th November, and Swedish fashion brand, Lindex, will open on 28th November, meanwhile the UK’s only Miffy store is now open. What’s more, outerwear brand Belstaff is also set to open at the centre on 24th October.

Australian luxury skincare brand, Aesop, will open its first signature store in Kent in a 968 sq ft space situated next to L’Occitane. The store will showcase a selection of fragrance, skin, hair and body care formulations, with efficacy and sensory pleasure in mind. The range paired with the brand consultant’s expert advice and product knowledge, aims to create a calming yet welcoming experience for guests in store.

Founded 70 years ago as a lingerie brand in Sweden, Lindex has transformed into an international fashion company with several different concepts. The 5,597 sq ft store will be the brand’s third UK store and the first in Kent. Located next to Superdry on the Upper Thames Walk, the new store is set to stock the brand’s array of womenswear and childrenswear.

The one-of-a-kind pop-up Miffy store is now open on the Upper Rose Gallery, near Starbuck and stocks the UK’s most extensive range of Miffy soft toys with over 60 colours, sizes, and fabrics to choose from. It also stocks the Heunec range of original Bruna Red and Blue Miffy toys, as well as homeware, apparel, jewellery, and gifts.

British modern heritage brand, Belstaff, will open its new store later this month in time for the festive shopping season. With over 100 years’ experience creating high quality performance outerwear, Belstaff’s offering today includes menswear, womenswear and accessories as well as the brand’s signature waxed cotton jackets. The Bluewater branch store design takes inspiration from the brand’s motoring history and recreates the ‘future garage’ concept seen in its Regent Street flagship.

James Waugh, Centre Director at Bluewater, commented: “We are delighted to be announcing the addition of these new stores to our line-up as we head towards the festive season. Aesop and Lindex choosing Bluewater as home for their first Kent stores further cements our position as a leading retail destination for the Southeast. We are about to embark on one of the busiest and most exciting times in Bluewater’s 25-year history and these openings will be followed by some other fantastic brands very soon.”

Ryad Djellas, Europe General Manager at Aesop, added: “Delivering exceptional service to our customers has been at the heart of Aesop since our beginnings in 1987. Our priority is to serve the needs of our customers by choosing sites that are convenient to them. Within this imperative, we consider not only well-trodden paths but also locations that carry the promise of fresh discovery or revival. Aesop Bluewater marks our first signature store in Kent, and an exciting opportunity connect with a network of customers across the southeast.

“With all Aesop spaces, we aim to add something of quality and value to the locale, and to deliver exceptional service through our consultants’ gracious hospitality and extensive product knowledge. Our in-house architects have created a totally unique design which offers a moment of respite within the already impressive Bluewater. We are looking forward to customers experiencing Aesop at Bluewater, next month.”

What’s more, Bluewater has announced that several pop-up stores have opened in the run up to festive season. The emporium for all things festive, Christmas Supermarket, has opened on the Upper Rose Gallery next to FatFace, meanwhile Calendar Club have also returned with a kiosk for guests to pick up 2025 calendars, diaries and planners, as well as stationery and books. They will also have a Fan Club which will stock official football merchandise from top Premier League and Scottish Premiership clubs.

For more information, please visit https://bluewater.co.uk/