The Metrocentre Partnership has announced that East-Asian inspired lifestyle brand KENJI will make its regional debut at Metrocentre in March 2026, bringing its playful fusion of culture, design and lifestyle to Lower Green Mall.
The 3,589sq ft store will be adjacent to Søstrene Grene, set to open in November. The new store will introduce visitors to KENJI’s character-led universe, offering a curated range of plushies and toys, stationery, fashion, homeware and East-Asian inspired snacks.
Lower Green Mall continues to attract leading retailers as it moves to full occupancy, with a recent flurry of investment from both existing and new tenants. Alongside KENJI, Swatch is relocating from a kiosk to an 846sq ft unit, while Accessorize has committed to refurbishing its 2,781sq ft store. The recently announced signing of Danish brand Søstrene Grene has also hit a milestone moment at the destination, as fit-out begins on its new 5,000sq ft space, set to open in November.
Ben Cox, director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, asset managers of Metrocentre: “KENJI will be a fantastic addition to Green Mall, part of a quality cluster of gifting brands. In recent years, we’ve seen the growing importance of creating meaningful retail experiences, which is something KENJI has embraced through innovative use of technology and engaging product ranges. This signing reflects KENJI’s confidence in Metrocentre as the leading destination in the North East for the best of retail.”
Eddie Shepherd, managing director of Kenji, added: “We are celebrating our tenth anniversary, and the new store in Metrocentre will be our first in the North East. We see expanding our retail portfolio nationwide as the most significant growth opportunity for our brand, and as part of that,having stores in the UK’s best shopping centres is vital. Metrocentre has consistently demonstrated its commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience, which perfectly complements our aspirations and the immersive nature of our stores.”
The signing of KENJI follows the recent openings of Urban Outfitters and Stradivarius.
