Apparel brand Champion has opened a new concept store at Manchester Arndale, introducing an updated retail environment designed to reflect its sportstyle heritage while supporting community engagement in the city centre.
The store is located on the first floor of the shopping centre, following the signing of a long-term lease for a 2,045 sq ft unit. The space introduces an evolved retail concept grounded in Champion’s century-long brand legacy.
Champion’s design approach combines references to urban street culture with industrial architectural influences. Materials including natural iron, concrete-effect finishes and wood are used throughout the store, creating a layered retail environment that balances the brand’s athletic roots with a more contemporary interior design language.
Structural elements and material choices are intended to introduce depth and atmosphere while maintaining a strong emphasis on functionality across the retail space.
Beyond retail, the Manchester store has been conceived as a community platform, with plans for a programme of creative workshops, cultural activations and workout sessions linked to the city’s sporting and creative communities. A permanent customisation station forms a central feature of the store, allowing customers to personalise garments using heat patches, transfers and embroidery.
Visitors can shop Champion’s latest collections across both performance apparel and everyday sportstyle, alongside a hyperlocal “City Collection” available exclusively at the Manchester store.
The brand is marking the opening with a launch event on 14 March featuring UFC Heavyweight Champion of the World Tom Aspinall, a Champion athlete. Aspinall will take part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony before hosting an in-store Q&A, meet and greet, and product giveaways.
Later in the day, Manchester music collective Habitat will host an in-store takeover with DJ sets from AK Gramm, Tone Rarri and Maddeh, alongside a live performance from emerging artist Deedot.
Champion has also partnered with Manchester-based artist Hyo-Isak to create two designs for a run of 200 limited-edition T-shirts available exclusively at the Manchester store. The artist will also be painting live during the launch event.
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