Footwear retailer schuh opens new adult and kids non-cash hybrid store in Liverpool. Tony McDonough reports

Footwear retailer schuh has opened a new outlet at Liverpool Shopping Park.

Its new adult and kids hybrid store is now trading from the park which is located off Edge Lane three miles outside Liverpool city centre.

This outlet layout presents collections by brands, with sportswear showcased in a gender neutral format. Payment in this store is via mobile transactions at the point of sale, creating a frictionless customer experience.

Neil Partington, schuh chief retail officer, said: “We go where our customer goes and the retail park ‘day-out’ style of shopping offers a great opportunity for customers to spend longer in our store and establish that much needed connection.

“Our existing strengths such as our welcoming and inclusive in-store environment, stellar customer service and unrivalled product offering will only be amplified in a retail park environment.”

The new store will stock the retailer’s best-selling ladies, mens and kids brands including customer favourites New Balance, Ugg and Dr Martens, alongside schuh’s exclusive own-label range.

In June Liverpool Shopping Park manager Derwent Estates secured planning consent to extend it  by a further 70,000 sq ft, taking total floorspace to 235,000 sq ft. Derwent manages the park on behalf of the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation.

READ MORE: Network Rail to replace 14 Merseyrail escalators

It said 90% of the new space, which has now been approved by Liverpool City Council, has been pre-let. New tenants will include a 20,000 sq ft Tesla showroom, which has signed a 20-year lease.

Two new drive-thrus will be operated by Five Guys and Costa Coffee having both taken 15 year leases. The existing Hollywood Bowl will see its unit reconfigured and refurbished to create a new 35,000 sq ft bowling and leisure facility with a new 20-year lease agreed.

They will join existing brands at the park, which include M&S Food, H&M, Nike, Greggs, Next, Smyths Toys, JD Sports, TK Maxx and most recently, PureGym.