EE has unveiled its latest Experience store in the Metrocentre, Gateshead, one of Europe’s largest indoor mall-style shopping centres. The new store is the fourth of EE’s Experience stores and the first of more than ten brand-new EE Experience and Experience Local stores set to open in the UK over the next year.
The announcement comes as EE commits to investing £6 million in the British high street in the next 12 months, a sign of EE’s belief in, and ongoing commitment to, brick-and-mortar retail. The new retail strategy was announced in June 2023 with the launch of the EE Studio store in Westfield London, White City. Featuring an immersive Digital Spa to support customers’ wellbeing and a Gaming Zone, the innovative new store has seen an increase in footfall by 250% compared to the previous EE store in Westfield London, White City.
The EE Experience store occupies a new, bigger site and has been designed with dedicated experience zones and a connected home zone with living room set to give shoppers in the greater Newcastle area a more immersive space to get hands on with the latest connected technology.
The Gateshead EE Experience store opened in the Metrocentre at 12pm on Friday 9th February, with an exclusive appearance from former Newcastle United legend, Shay Given.
Asif Aziz OBE, Retail Director, EE
We are excited to launch our latest Experience store in the brilliant tech hub of Newcastle, giving our customers and the local community a chance to experience the newest innovations across smart home and gaming. We are committed to elevating the retail experience for shoppers across the UK through a multi-million-pound investment that will transform our stores over the next year. Our ambition is to be the most personal, customer-focused brand in the UK, and our new Gateshead Experience store plays a key part in bringing this to life.
Ben Cox, Senior Asset Manager, Sovereign Centros
EE’s new Experience store is a fantastic addition to the Metrocentre’s Platinum Mall, embedding itself next to key retailers within the scheme. It emphasises the importance of physical and experiential retail in elevating the shopping experience for visitors and following EE’s previous success at Metrocentre in Red Mall, we’re pleased to see further commitment by the brand in a new and enhanced space as the centre continues to evolve, following a strong 2023.
