White Rose Leeds reports sales up 9.1% and footfall up 5.2% in Golden Quarter, far outpacing national retail benchmarks

White Rose Leeds has posted a strong Golden Quarter, with total sales up 9.1% and footfall up 5.2% year-on-year in the final three months of 2025, significantly outperforming the British Retail Consortium’s national benchmarks, which recorded marginal declines of -0.2% in sales and -0.3% in footfall over the same period. The results follow a record-breaking 2024 in which the 850,000 sq ft centre attracted 12 million visitors.

Why Retailers Are Investing

The numbers reflect a broader trend of major retailers expanding their presence at well-performing out-of-town destinations rather than retreating from physical space. During 2025, White Rose attracted new brands including Vanilla, Waterstones, and Chopstix, while existing occupiers Sports Direct, Office, Greggs, and Ernest Jones all invested in store upsizes or refurbishments. Leisure operator King Pins opened its fifth UK site at the centre, adding bowling and entertainment to the mix alongside Cineworld’s 11-screen cinema and The Escapologist escape rooms.

The most significant commitment came from Primark, which signed a deal to double its footprint to 55,700 sq ft with completion expected in 2027, and JD Sports had previously tripled its space to 15,537 sq ft. Landsec’s retail portfolio occupancy now exceeds pre-pandemic levels at 96%.

“It’s our ambition to create an enjoyable and accessible destination for all the family here at White Rose, and our Golden Quarter results confirm we’re on the right track. We have plans to further enhance our proposition throughout 2026, with upcoming additions to our retail mix offering even more shopping, dining, and entertainment choice for our guests.”

— Steven Foster, Centre Director, White Rose Shopping Centre

What’s Coming in 2026

Volcano Falls Adventure Golf is confirmed for a spring opening, with further brand announcements expected over the coming weeks. The shift at White Rose Leeds towards leisure and experience-led retail mirrors a wider industry out-of-town destination pattern. The proximity to the planned White Rose railway station, which will cut the journey to Leeds city centre to five minutes, underpin its accessibility proposition.

Why this matters for Leeds

White Rose’s performance matters beyond retail. When Primark doubles its floorspace, JD triples its store, and King Pins and Waterstones open new outlets, those are commercial property commitments that signal confidence in the south Leeds economy. For Leeds more broadly, a centre attracting 12 million visitors a year and pulling in national brands is a significant employment and consumer spending hub south of the river.