Garmin opens up first ever UK store
Garmin has opened its first UK stored in Southampton, located in the Westquay shopping centre. It opened to the public on November 6th and looks to continue Garmins commitment to its active lifestyle customers with its dedicated Garmin store.
The shopping centre attracts 17 million visitors per year and now brings Garmin closer to its consumers. The store is located on the upper shopping level and measures 1,500 square feet and is the only retail store in the UK to showcase Garmins broad range of customer electronics and smartwatches, along with cycling computers and gold devices. Customers can discuss needs and get hands on experience with devices.
Jon Oliver, managing director Garmin UK & Ireland, said: “We are thrilled to bring Garmin’s extensive product range to one location on the high street in the UK for the first time. We’re passionate about our products and excited for more customers to experience them first-hand, whether that’s through speaking to our expert staff or attending the events we will hold for the local community. It feels fitting that the next step in our growth in the UK is the opening of this store in Southampton’s Westquay, down the road from our European headquarters.”
The shop is decorated with imagery, colours and textures inspired by the outdoors to represent the natural habitat for Garmin products. The brand will look to engage with the local community through a range of activations throughout the year with the aid of its partners and loyal customers.
Garmins UK headquarters has been based out of Romsey for more than 30 years, the store now adds to the companies investment into the Southampton area. The company’s annual cycling event, the Garmin Ride Out with Action Medical Research, is one of the more popular in the area, potentially helping the 7% uptake in cycling recently. Non-league football club Totton FC are sponsored by the organisation showing further commitment to the local community.
Toby Tait, director of asset management at Hammerson, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Garmin on its maiden UK store, providing a space for it to bring its full collection of devices into one compelling brand experience for customers. We were quick to understand Garmin’s critical requirement for the right space in the right location to showcase the brand. Garmin boosts an already thriving Southampton destination, with Westquay now fully established as a destination for brands, events and experiences to serve the city and wider region.”
