Kenji and Rituals to join the line-up at Merry Hill
The Merry Hill shopping destination is to welcome design-led homewares retailer Kenji and wellbeing brand Rituals to its line-up.
Due to open later this year, the 4,833 square foot Kenji store will open adjacent to Schuh on the Lower Mall, close to recently launched stores for Nike Unite and Schuh Kids.
Infusing Asian culture with a British twist, the shop will stock a range of Eastern-inspired products spanning homeware, stationery, gifts, and the brand’s signature character-based plushie collections. Taking inspiration from the upcoming Kenjiland game and app, the store will aim to provide an immersive shopping experience with installations and interactive elements.
Stacey Lynch, head of operations at Kenji, said: “We are so excited to announce that we will be opening at Merry Hill, it’s a sign of Kenji’s continued growth that we’re setting up shop at another top UK retail destination. Bridging the gap between the virtual and real universe is part of our mission, to appeal to modern trends and create an interconnected future. Operating a store at such a prominent and dynamic location is instrumental to accomplishing this, so we are thrilled to be opening at Merry Hill later this year.”
Meanwhile, Rituals has taken a 2,022 square foot space on the Upper Mall that was previously occupied by Phase Eight before its relocation within the centre. The shop will offer a wide product assortment, including the brand’s best-selling The Ritual of Sakura collection, home items, gift sets and bath and body products. There will also be a range of newly launched products from The Ritual of Hammam collection. Like all UK and Ireland stores, the shop will also offer a range of refillable products.
Penny Grivea, managing director for the UK and Ireland at Rituals, said: “We are so excited to be opening this standalone store at Merry Hill. Living during these ever-changing, fast-paced times, we understand more than ever the need for creating moments of joy and feeling balanced during our everyday life. The new Rituals store will help customers to achieve a sense of wellbeing by finding the perfect products that will help them to balance the body, mind, and soul. This opening marks an exciting time for the brand in growing our retail presence across the UK.”
The new signings follow the recent announcement that Phase Eight and sister brand Hobbs will be joining forces in a new 6,000 square space at Merry Hill.
Alistair Winning, asset manager at Sovereign Centros, said: “Having brands like Kenji and Rituals joining the retail line-up here at Merry Hill adds to the ever-increasing range of retailers, products, and experiences. This is a perfect example of the continuous progress we’re making, with leading retailers selecting the destination and upholding our position as one of the top 10 destinations in the UK. We look forward to welcoming them to Merry Hill later this year.”
