Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Nuray Bulbul

Which shops are coming back? Paperchase in Tesco and HMV reopens in Oxford Street

A few high-street retailers have failed to keep a presence on the high street in recent months but it's all about to change for some of the most loved names.

Sephora recently re-entered the UK market, following a 17-year hiatus during which supporters waited in seven-hour lines to see the new Westfield London store.

The beauty retailer has already announced the opening of a second store in Westfield Stratford City.

Which other retailers are going to take the same steps as Sephora in upcoming months? Here's a full list.

HMV

(Dominic Lipinski/ PA)

After a four-year hiatus, HMV will reopen its former flagship location on Oxford Street in London. It is anticipated to reopen in time for Christmas at the end of this year.

After the music and entertainment company left the location in 2019, the store sat vacant for a while. More recently, one of the many American confectionery stores that opened on Oxford Street during the epidemic moved in.

When Canadian music entrepreneur Doug Putman saved the music and entertainment shop from bankruptcy in February 2019, this store was one of 27 HMV locations that had to close. There are currently 120 locations for the group in the UK, including Fopp, its subsidiary.

According to Putman, the Oxford Street reopening will serve as "the launchpad for an exciting new era for HMV", which will also see the inauguration of other locations throughout Europe.

Paperchase

(David Davies / PA)

It was a stationery lover's paradise, complete with pop-up cards and pink feathery pens.

Unfortunately, the retail behemoth's devoted customer base was unable to keep it solvent, and in February it entered administration after failing to find a buyer.

However, consumers will be happy to hear that it is being brought back in time for the holidays.

The brand's rights were purchased by supermarket behemoth Tesco, and it will soon be relaunched in-store and online in time for Christmas.

Precise times and locations are still pending confirmation.

Argos

(John Stillwell / PA)

Argos has stated that it will no longer be a stand-alone store, but it will continue to operate inside supermarkets.

By spring of next year, there should be about 430–460 Argos counters within Sainsbury's stores.

Toys "R" Us

Toys "R" Us returned in June as part of WH Smith stores, after collapsing in 2018.

Toys from brands including Barbie, Bluey, Hot Wheels, Lego, Paw Patrol, and Star Wars are available at the Toys "R" Us outlets.

We believe it hasn't returned to London just yet, here cities that now have a Toys "R" Us include Canterbury, Chelmsford, Cheltenham, Cwmbran, Oxford, Poole, Reading, Solihull, and York.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.