News

Retail Trends for 2022

Trends come and go and here at Middleton Shopping Centre we always want to ensure that our visitor’s needs are met and our retailers are experts at keeping up to date with current trends, appealing to the latest tastes, interests and needs of their customers.

Centre Manager, Marie Gribben, talks about some key trends for 2022 that we’re watching out for…

Customer experience

The past two years have been difficult for the high street. However, it is beginning to pick up again, making the customer experience more important than ever before. Excellent customer service and that ability for customers to see it, feel it, try it on and take it home is just one of the things that differentiate us.

At Middleton, we aim to create unique and memorable experiences in-store; focusing on customer interests, really meeting their needs and wants, and hosting events to showcase products all help.

We all love something new and at Middleton we have been delighted to introduce an interactive games area and a free library ‘Midful Nest’ with other engaging activity coming soon. Successful customer experience also means keeping our visitors up to date with new offers, menus, events and competitions. We regularly update our news section and social media to ensure you are all aware of what’s happening in the Centre.

Fashion, home and food trends

Trends for this year include…

• Nostalgia in womenswear and this season we are going back to the 90s. Low rise jeans and graphic tees are all predicted to make a strong comeback
• Menswear will be preppy with a smart casual, golf and tennis-inspired look – think polos, sweaters and varsity jackets
• Kids fashion will be big on streetwear with matching sets, bucket hats and fluro hues
• Beauty will be all about colour pops and expressing yourself.  Experimenting with new looks and products and sharing across social media will be bigger than ever this Spring / Summer season
• Homeware will be focused on minimal and sustainable. People want to buy items that are built to last and reduce clutter which is why quality and minimal is another trend we will see continue for another year.  Back to basic, simple designs incorporating more natural materials will be favoured and so will colourful design – if you’re having less and they last longer you’ll want them to look the part too
• In food, Japanese flavours, spicy food and nostalgic desserts are all tipped to be huge.
• Being together – never a trend, more a way of life, but now more than ever as we want to get back to the simple things we always loved.  Sharing time and space with others, perhaps over a lovely meal you’ve not had to cook or clear up from, or just sitting back and enjoying coffee and cake, this year is all about being together again with our friends and famil

Being part of a community

Through our social  media channels, we talk to our visitors and share all the latest news, offers and competitions to our fabulous Middleton community.

Last year, we worked with Alkrington Primary School, North Manchester Hospital, Cold Hands, Warm Heart, The Lighthouse Project and The Rotary Club as well as many other charities to support them with their events. This remains a key objective for us again this year.

We will continue to play our part to showcase the whole of Middleton as the fantastic destination it is.  Working together and supporting each other for the greater good will be another big trend for 2022 and it’s a continuation of many years of collaboration. This spirit of collaboration across retailers, restaurants, other commercial organisations, leisure operators, and the cultural and public sectors, is fantastic and we hope it continues throughout this year and beyond.

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