New entrants are driving demand for retail and leisure space in London, according to the latest data from Colliers.
The company’s research shows enquiries from new entrants across retail, F&B and leisure (including gyms, health and wellbeing operators) sectors rose 108% year-on-year in January 2026. In January last year, there were 12 new enquiries compared with 25 last month.
Colliers’ latest Central London Demand Tracker recorded 136 total requirements in January 2026, an increase on the 127 recorded in the same month last year. Demand is being driven by F&B operators (57 requirements) and leisure operators (27 requirements) with 13 requirements from fashion and accessories brands.
The most active countries by number of requirements are the USA (six), the UAE (five) and South Korea (four).
Full-year figures show there was a 37.9% rise in requirements in 2025 compared with 2024. The uplift was driven by leisure operators and fashion and accessories brands, with requirements up 60.1% and 53.6% respectively.
Sara Simpson, co-head of London retail in Colliers’ One London, said: “January was the first month we have seen South Korea enter our top origin list. This reflects the recent surge in K-beauty brands taking space in London, with PURESEOUL and Moida continuing their expansions and Skin Cupid opening its new flagship in Soho.
“At the end of last year the number of enquiries and requirements we were receiving was noticeably higher than previous years. There is a real appetite for space in London with low supply in prime locations and plenty of competitive tension for the best space.”
