Retail

Derby a Quality Opportunity for Retail

Derby's recent growth means that there is now significant opportunity to increase the quality retail and leisure offer across the city centre. The realisation of the £2 billion Masterplan, has led to a mix of both new and refurbished retail, food and drink spaces entering the market.

Derby's potential market size has increased by a massive 65% over the last two years. Increased marketing activity is already attracting a new profile of shopper from the city's hinterland; there is a clear opportunity for quality brands to take advantage of this market.

The Invest in Derby team are on hand to ensure that your retail enterprise can benefit from this opportunity. We can provide a bespoke package of support which may include identifying staff, sites and premises. We may also provide information relating to workforce skills, demographic profiles, cost of labour and many more areas of information to support your feasibility studies.

A brochure offering more information on Derby's offer to the Retail Sector named QUALITY CITY QUALITY OPORTUNITY is available.

You'll be joining good company with major brands that include Bang and Olufsen, Cruise, Lakeland, Marks and Spencer, Laura Ashley, Aston Martin and Debenhams having a retail presence in Derby.

An enviable Demographic Catchment

"In Derby, wages are above the national average. So are grades in local schools for subjects such as maths and science."
- The Economist

Derby's catchment profile boasts above the UK average of Wealthy Executives, Affluent Greys and Flourishing Families. This is also true for the number of Secure Families and Settled Suburbia. With some of the most innovative university and college systems in the country Derby is also home to 35,000 students. More information is available on our Demographics page and Key Facts section.

The city's strong economic growth, especially in high technology, has led to Derby now leading the UK city tables for employment creation. A consequence of this has been that salaries paid in Derby are significantly higher than anywhere else in the Midlands.

Market Size

"There is an unmissable opportunity to optimise Derby's retail mix."
- CACI retail Circuit Strategy 2008-2012.

Derby's market potential has grown significantly as a result of Westfield's £340 million investment which created an additional one million square feet of retail space. In its first full year Westfield Derby attracted over 25 million people. Derby's major catchment, including many affluent towns and villages that surround the city, is contained within a 45 minute drive time where 90% of spend originates.

Derby's market potential has increased to £676 million per year from within this catchment. This is generated from a population of 1,597,000 with an annual comparison goods expenditure of £3.5 billion.

Derby city centre's prime retail and leisure areas are identified by four main quarters each offering different and unique opportunities:

Westfield Derby

21st Century Shopping Mall
1 million sq. ft. retail & leisure space with 190 stores
800 seats in 'Eat Central' food hall
12 screen Showcase Cinema de Lux.

The city's retail offer has been transformed following the arrival of Westfield which repositioned Derby as a major retail destination in the Midlands, and attracted more than 25 million people in its first year.

Westfield Derby is also a key leisure destination with around 50 food and drink outlets from juice and coffee bars to stylish dining. This state-of-the-art shopping centre offers a wide range of retail opportunities for quality outlets with a range of footplates.

St Peters

A traditional High Street Mix
Small and medium floor area stores
High footfall
Predominantly retail fashion stores
Pedestrianised area with improved Public Realm.

St Peter's has long been considered the main 'High Street' area of the city with small to medium footprint stores including Evans, Wallis, The Body Shop and Waterstones, and there has been an increase in footfall since the arrival of Tesco Express and Primark.

The area also includes the main East Street axis running to the new city bus station as well as specialist shopping streets such as Green Lane, Babington Lane and St Peter's Churchyard.

Riverside

A prime riverside location
Opportunities within the Riverlights development
High footfall.

Derby has a beautiful river running through the heart of the city centre, which is home to a number of tourist attractions including a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Silk Mill, a newly landscaped Cathedral Green and a number of retail and leisure development opportunities in the pipeline.

New developments are now taking shape, which is being boosted by Riverlights including two hotels, (Hampton by Hilton and Holiday Inn) a state-of-the-art bus station, and a number of retail and leisure opportunities.

Developments in the pipeline with retail and leisure opportunities include;

Number One Cathedral Green. Mixed use with 95,000 sq. ft. office space
Riverlights phase two. Mixed use with 184,000 sq. ft. office space.

More information is available on our Key Developments page.

The Cathedral Quarter

Historic Retail and Tourist Destination
Home to Theatres and Galleries
Predominantly high-end retailers and quality restaurants
High profile distinct area with a Business Improvement District status (BID)
The Shopper Hopper free bus service runs between Westfield Derby and the Cathedral Quarter.

The historic Cathedral Quarter is described as 'a real gem attracting the more discerning shopper'. This area compliments the modern shopping on offer including a number of independent, high-end retailers specialising in quality brands such as Apple, Boss, DKNY and Moda in Pelle.

The retail offer is complimented with a number of quality cafés and restaurants offering menus from around the world, plus bars and traditional English pubs. Friar Gate and Iron Gate are home to a cluster of quality independent and recognised restaurants including Zizzi, Pizza Express, Le Bistro Pierre and Pitcher and Piano.