London Designer Outlet (LDO) has announced the opening of Abaci, the Turkish womenswear retailer, marking the brand’s first physical UK store. The new shop, located in a 1,418 sq ft unit, comes after Abaci agreed to a two-year lease at the popular outlet shopping destination in Wembley Park.
Founded in 1981 in Turkey, Abaci is known for specialising in modest fashion, catering to a growing market with a range of high-quality hijabs, abayas, tunics, coats, and evening dresses. Since 2017, Abaci has operated in the UK as an online retailer, occasionally running pop-ups at John Lewis in White City. Its first permanent store at LDO signifies an important milestone for the brand as it expands into physical retail.
Located near its UK headquarters in Finchley, the store benefits from LDO’s diverse customer base, attracting shoppers from across London and beyond. With an annual footfall of 5.5 million visitors, the outlet is ideally positioned to support Abaci’s growth ambitions in the UK market.
This move continues a strong year of leasing activity at LDO, which has seen 11 new lettings and relocations, including both Abaci and Miniso opening their first UK outlet stores. Additionally, 18 brands have renewed their leases in 2024, reinforcing the outlet’s status as a destination of choice for international retailers.
Matt Slade, Retail Director at Quintain, commented:
“It is great to see Abaci select LDO for its first UK store as they are such a recognised name in the modest fashion market – a sector which is growing from strength to strength in the UK. Abaci’s move to LDO also follows the trend of more traditionally online brands beginning to take their first steps into the physical retail environment as they look to further showcase their offering. By selecting LDO for its first permanent location, Abaci will be a perfect fit for our diverse catchment of shoppers who are looking for high-quality products at outlet prices.
“Abaci’s arrival continues our ongoing strategy of creating a diverse shopping experience to ensure we remain London’s preferred outlet destination, allowing us to draw in shoppers from a huge catchment area.”
Situated in the heart of Wembley Park, LDO is one of the capital’s most accessible outlet centres. Just 12 minutes from central London, it benefits from excellent transport links, including three tube lines, two train lines, eight bus routes, and ample car parking. With a footfall of 16.4 million annually, Wembley Park serves residents, office workers, day visitors, and event-goers, offering a mix of retail, food and beverage, leisure, and events in a convenient urban location.
Managed by Multi-Realm, LDO provides 265,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space, hosting 70 outlet stores alongside restaurants and coffee shops. Its unique blend of amenities ensures it remains one of Europe’s premier outlet destinations.
