intu Watford reveals latest fashion brand to hit its £180m expansion

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.‘s Hollister brand will open its latest UK store this summer at intu Watford’s new £180m expansion.

The store will showcase the US fashion retailer’s line of California-inspired casualwear alongside items from its lingerie and loungewear brand, Gilly Hicks.

intu Watford’s 400,000 sq ft expansion launched at the end of 2018 and a number of brands have now opened there to capitalise on the shopping destination’s supposed growing appeal.

Rebecca Ryman, regional managing director at intu, said: “Retailers are continuing to take space in thriving shopping and leisure destinations like intu Watford where they know they can flourish.

“We’re investing millions to expand an already very popular shopping centre and this is creating more compelling experiences for our customers and new opportunities for brands like Hollister who are taking space here.”

The rest of intu Watford, home to retailers such as John Lewis, Apple, Mac and climbing operator Rock Up, has also undergone a £13m refurbishment and intu has now begun work on a new catering offer opposite its extension.

Hollister’s sister brand Abercrombie & Fitch launched only its second UK location at intu Trafford Centre in 2018.