Foreign Invasion a Tonic for Scottish High Streets

United KingdomScotland

An invasion of foreign retailers is helping keep an aura of excitement on Scotland’s high streets and shopping centres at a time when they face major challenges from online shopping, according to one real estate specialist.

While the appearance of global brand names from North America, Europe and Australia is nothing new, the volume of the current influx is notable and being welcomed by the commercial property industry, says Roland Smyth of law firm CMS.

New entrants include US restaurant chain Taco Bell, expected to open its first premises on the site of the former Bradford’s Bakery tearoom in Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street, and Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons which debuted in Glasgow and is heading to Ayr.

American chain Five Guys has widened its Scottish footprint, launching two further hamburger restaurants in Edinburgh, where German based Vapiano will soon roll out its Italian restaurant concept in St Andrew Square.

Joining from Australia are Smiggle, a children’s stationery provider with seven stores already and fashion accessories retailer Lovisa, which chose Buchanan Galleries.

Smyth says Scottish consumers increasingly want new and more special experiences and, while many of these global brands are aimed at the mass market, they are new here so still pass the zeitgeist test.

Great customer experience is what they aim to provide, so watch out for plenty of buzz around store openings, just as Tim Hortons drew a crowd with staff dressed as Canadian Mounties and Krispy Kreme’s Hermiston Gait launch caused tailbacks on the M8.

This article originally appeared in The Herald newspaper.