Chinese-origin fashion businesses are making an increasing impact in Europe (as the expected forthcoming Shein London IPO shows). And now another fast-expanding Chinese brand has some London-linked news with Urban Revivo having signed for its first UK flagship store at 8-12 Neal Street in Covent Garden.

Working with international real estate advisor Savills, it has signed a five-year lease with landlord HIH Invest Neal Street Limited (advised by Cushman & Wakefield) to move into a former Mango store.

British online pureplay fashion retailers have already been battered by the onslaught of Chinese fast fashion and it looks like the same could happen physically as Urban Revivo aims to open multiple UK locations.

For its first store, the space is arranged over basement, ground, and first floors, and covers 5,300 sq ft. 

Urban Revivo — which targets a similar customer to brands such as Zara, Mango and H&M — has stores in its domestic market as well as in Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.

With its UK debut, it will be joining a collection of new retailers on Neal Street such as Alo Yoga, Onitsuka Tiger, Brandy Melville, Barbour, Space NK and Nobody’s Child. Former tenant Mango has relocated close by.

Covent Garden is seeing a surge in occupier demand, “following renewed focus of the dominant retail and leisure landlord Shaftesbury Capital to bring Seven Dials and the Covent Garden Piazza under a single stewardship”. This has resulted in 25 new retail openings in 2024 and less than 1% availability.

The 18-year-old Urban Revivo brand is targeting international growth and “plans to open flagship stores that not only showcase its fashion collections but also provide a distinctive and engaging in-store experience”.

It also recently signed for its first US store. Advised by Savills and RIPCO Real Estate, the 30,000 sq ft store is in New York City at 515 Broadway in SoHo.

Sam Foyle, co-head of global retail at Savills said the brand is “pioneering in its fit-out designs and concepts, which is evident in its store portfolio across the APAC region”, so its Covent Garden arrival will be undeniably interesting.

And Callum White, associate in central London retail at Savills, added: “Neal Street is a well-sought after location and presents an exciting opportunity for Urban Revivo’s first of many stores in the country. This vibrant area is known for its bustling atmosphere and prime retail spaces, making it the perfect spot for the brand to introduce its designs and concepts to the UK market.”