Italian sportswear firm poised to be a Quays player
Summary
The owners and operators of Gloucester Quays have revealed that rapid-rising Italian sportswear label Macron is set to join the venue’s retail line up.
Details
Just ahead of the shopping destination’s Summer of Sport promotion, the fashion brand which is Gloucester Rugby ‘s kit partner and supplies shirts to clubs including Crystal Palace, West Brom, Wrexham, Bologna, Bolton Wanderers and Aberdeen, will imminently occupy a 2,200 sq ft unit adjacent to the Jack Wills and All Saints outlets.
The Bologna-based company’s new stake in Gloucester’s retail heartland reflects the firm’s confidence borne out of financials that have established the venture as a major challenger to traditional giants Nike and Adidas, thanks to a focus on a hyper-localised, high-volume growth strategy.
Established back in 1971, Macron’s most recent UK turnover topped £40m, reflecting a massive 10% year-on-year growth, while the global brand’s UK market now commands some 21% of its entire global sales.
Quays’ owner, Peel Retail and Leisure , said the high performance sportswear and active fashion firm’s arrival underlined its close rapport with the city – since the start of the 2025/26 season, Macron has been Gloucester Rugby’s Technical Kit Partner and Retail Partner, while since 2023 Macron has been at Gloucester Business Park where it operates a showroom and retail space as the Macron Sports Hub Gloucester .
The venue added: “Macron joins a strong sports and activewear line-up at Gloucester Quays, including the likes Puma, Asics, and Adidas, which is also selling international football kits to celebrate the 2026 World Cup – sports brands at Gloucester Quays have seen a 3% increase in sales year-on-year, as they continue to thrive at the destination.” These activewear brands will now be supported through a series of “activations and event initiatives” in the coming weeks and months, with the yearly Summer of Sport screening returning this summer.
Further fixtures include FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, Wimbledon, ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, The Masters, the 2026 Commonwealth Games and the 2026-27 UEFA Women’s Champions League – all being shown on a big screen at Pillar and Lucy Square, surrounded by Gloucester Quays’ bars and restaurants. Last year, events there brought in more than 5,000 viewers, driving engaged footfall throughout the summer months.
Paul Carter, Asset Director at Peel Retail & Leisure, said: “The signing of Macron is reflective of Gloucester Quays’ appeal to activewear brands, and its Gloucester Rugby partnership showcases the importance of local sporting heritage to the destination and its operators.
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Report source: Punchline Gloucester