London’s West End retail has made its reputation through big, brash, exciting openings and 29 October epitomised that, with the highly anticipated debut of online athleisure rising star Gymshark on Regent Street. Replacing the unit previously vacated by U.S. fashion brand J. Crew in a two-storey, 18K SF store, the Solihull-based sports retailer made its permanent retail debut having signed a 10-year lease with The Crown Estate. The store is a statement flagship and brand showcase for the gym-based retailer’s national and international ambitions. 
As the retail sector enters the 'golden quarter', the last three months of the year that play an outsized role in retail sales, international brands are still clamouring to be in the West End. But headline openings like Gymshark mask a more troubled picture for the area, with decision not to reintroduce…  Read the full story here. | 
