Luxury luggage brand Tumi is the latest iconic retailer to target London’s Knightsbridge for a new store.
It is leasing 55 Brompton Road within The Knightsbridge Estate in a luxe neighbourhood which has already attracted the likes of Apple, Burberry, and Bimba y Lola, as well as UGG, who are also set to open their new flagship store later this year.
Earlier this year, Tumi announced a collaboration with Formula One team McLaren. The ‘Papaya’ luggage collection is being promoted in a campaign featuring the British F1 driver Lando Norris.
The Knightsbridge Estate’s development of a 3.5-acre site between Harrods and the area’s other landmark department store, Harvey Nichols, has created a new focal point of luxury retailing. Long-term owner The Olayan Group has made a series of improvements to the estate’s retail experience, including opening a new tube entrance and step-free access to Knightsbridge Underground station, widening the pavement on Brompton Road, and creating a landscaped pocket garden on Hooper’s Court. The improvements are paying off: according to Springboard statistics, footfall on the area’s main shopping street, Brompton Road, is up 45% on 2022 with around 17.5 million visitors so far this year.
The location’s line-up of high-quality restaurants and bars has also been further strengthened by the opening of all-day dining operator L’eto at 44 Hans Crescent on The Knightsbridge Estate.
Property consultants Colliers and Cushman & Wakefield are advising on retail leasing across The Knightsbridge Estate.
Erin McDonald, director, Central London Retail at Colliers, commented: “Knightsbridge is emblematic of London’s retail resurgence. Its unique character and attractions are bringing in millions of visitors from across the capital and internationally. To build on this momentum, we believe it is essential to reinstate tax-free shopping for visitors from overseas.”
“Last month, more than 320 leading businesses petitioned the Chancellor of the Exchequer to take this step as it would benefit all London businesses which serve the influx of tourists each year.”
Duncan Gilliard, co-head Central London Retail at Cushman & Wakefield, said: “Knightsbridge is one of the world’s great retail destinations and this is illustrated by the global brands which are seeking representation in this unique area. This groundbreaking development at the eastern edge of the estate, with the recent openings of the Apple and Burberry flagship stores and the new tube entrance, has brought a new dimension to the scale and quality of stores in the location, and we are looking forward to attracting further exciting brands to Knightsbridge.”
Jonathan Shelton, managing firector and head of real estate for Europe at The Olayan Group, said: “Since we took ownership of The Knightsbridge Estate in 2010, we have taken care to deliver the highest standard of space for all our tenants across retail, workspace, F&B and residential. Strengthening the Knightsbridge community, as well as improving the visitor experience, is an integral part of our long-term investment in The Knightsbridge Estate and these latest additions to our tenant portfolio help achieve this.”
