With upgrades and expansion key retail themes across shopping centres up and down the UK, JD is the latest to add its name to the ever-growing list. The sports fashion and footwear retail giant has just reopened a “new and improved” Bluewater flagship store at the huge Kent mall.

The “refreshing expansion” features a store frontage increased by 27 metres “to enhance and improve an already immersive shopping experience”, the retailer said.

The 28 June relaunch on the Lower Rose Gallery “reflects the excitement around the latest seasonal product from the biggest brands” including Under Armour, Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Asics, The North Face and On Running. 

To mark the reopening, JD is also hosting a number of in-store and in-shopping-centre experiences “to engage consumers across the first two opening weekends”.

Within the wider centre, JD and Under Armour are hosting an interactive pop-up, which invites visitors to take part in performance-based games around reaction, power, strength and precision for a chance to win UA prizes. 

And in the store itself, guests will be able be able to take advantage of an exclusive sneaker customisation service from Matt B Customs on their new footwear purchases across the opening weekend.

On 6-7 July, the store will have additional exclusive services, with Juicy Couture offering embroidery personalisation on all brand product purchased, and sneaker care brand Crep Protect will be giving customers a chance to win sneakers via its ‘Cop Or Flop’ game.

JD has also partnered with Ballerz, a newly-opened football experience on the Bluewater roof. Backed by former football stars Rio Ferdinand and Roberto Carlos, it will provide customers the opportunity to win a day at the Ballerz dome, alongside a JD voucher.

James Air, Director and Head of Group Acquisions at JD, said: “[We have] worked closely with our partners at [mall operator] Landsec to deliver a major investment at Bluewater… one of the very best retail destinations in the UK, where JD have been a popular presence for over 25 years.”