JD has thrown open the doors to its brand new store at White Rose Shopping Centre in Leeds, just in time for Black Friday sales and Christmas shopping.
The huge 15,537 sq ft store - that’s more than double the size of its previous site - is once again home to some of the world’s biggest labels from the world of sports fashion and footwear.
With this impressive new JD space, shoppers will be able to browse the latest collections from Nike, adidas, New Balance, Asics, Under Armour and The North Face.
JD’s frontage at the Leeds shopping centre has now tripled to 54m, creating 50 new jobs for the local area with some vacancies still up for grabs.
To celebrate the opening of the new store, JD hosted an exclusive launch party featuring Leeds United players and a range of in-store experiences.
Inside the new JD at White Rose in Leeds. Credit: SuppliedInside the new JD at White Rose in Leeds. Credit: Supplied
Guests were welcomed through a football stadium style tunnel and DJ Sharan set the perfect vibes as fans customised t-shirts with a selection of embroideries and grabbed their very own personalised football trading cards.
Guests were given the chance to ask Leeds United footballers Pascal Strujk, Joel Piroe and Largie Ramazani any questions before having their photo taken with them.
To continue the White Rose opening celebrations, there’s a packed weekend of performances and prizes to enjoy.
All weekend, JD will have in-store experiences as well as some activations elsewhere in White Rose.
Leeds United players attended a huge launch event for JD at White Rose. Credit: Supplied
DJs will grace the decks as fans explore the new retail space, while street dancers JD BBoys featuring Curtis Butler, Kelvin Clark and Youness El Mouaffaq will treat consumers to a live performance on Saturday 23 November.
In the shopping centre, JD will host an interactive pop-up throughout the opening weekend offering consumers the chance to win on-the-spot prizes.
Want to look after your shoes? From Friday 6 December to Sunday 8 December, Crep Protect will be in-store with their Cleaning Throne offering sneaker aftercare, whilst shoppers can also enjoy the chance to win a pair of trainers via the brands ‘COP OR FLOP’ game.
JD relaunching in White Rose Shopping Centre in Leeds comes during a busy week for the popular retailer - they have also debuted their 2024 Christmas campaign.
‘Family’ is an energetic celebration of all the different forms of family, and stars five British talents including Central Cee with his friends, Maya Jama with her brothers, Paddy the Baddy with his wife and kids, Trent Alexander-Arnold with his brother and niece, and Beta Squad showing that family can take a lot of different forms.
JD’s ‘Family’ campaign can be seen in the new White Rose store when it opens on Thursday 21 November.
JD opening times at White Rose Shopping Centre, Leeds
Monday to Friday: 9am-9pm
Saturday - 9am-8pm
Sunday - 11am-5pm
Shopping
IKEA to launch its own online marketplace full of second-hand furniture
IKEA will be launching its own online marketplace full of second-hand furniture.
Just like the ever-popular Facebook Marktplace, the IKEA second-hand marketplace is a dedicated space where pre-loved IKEA products can find a new home.
In bid to make affordable second-hand home furnishings easily accessible, the new online platform will enable customers across the UK to connect with one another directly, so they can buy and sell pre-owned IKEA items locally.
Designed specifically for IKEA products, the marketplace will provide everything shoppers need in one place.
The Swedish retailer is already known and loved for its 'functional' and 'affordable' home furnishings, all produced with care for people and the environment, but the launch of the new IKEA second-hand market place will make it just as easy to pass on an old favourite as it is to find a new one.
IKEA is launching its own online marketplace full of second-hand furniture / Credit: Supplied
"At IKEA, we are always looking for new ways to make life at home even better and help our customers discover products they love," a spokesperson for the retailer said.
"With the launch of IKEA second-hand marketplace in the UK, we’re taking a meaningful step toward creating a destination that simplifies access to pre-owned IKEA furniture.
"Our goal is to make passing on beloved IKEA pieces as seamless as possible.
"We’re creating a trusted and vibrant space to make it quick and easy for our IKEA Family members to trade directly with one another. We want the process for buying and selling pre-owned IKEA products to be simple, accessible and rewarding."
Detailed information regarding the official launch and how customers can get involved will be made available in the coming months.
Featured Image - Supplied
Shopping
The Leeds Chilli Shop selling sauces so hot they come with a warning
Clementine Hall
If you think you can handle your spice, then there’s one shop in Leeds that will put that to the test.
Tucked away on Merrion Street, Chilli Shop has been a staple of the Leeds high street for over a decade.
First opening back in 2014, Chilli Shop was founded by Frank Jay and has built a reputation as one of the city’s most wonderfully niche (and hottest) destinations.
It's basically a shrine to all things hot, a proper haven of everything spicy to get your tastebuds tingilng.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We're talking everything from chilli hot sauces and jams to chocolate, cheese, dried chillies and even novelty gifts perfect for the chilli lover in your life.
But what they're most famous for is a shelf fully dedicated to the Youtube hit Hot Ones, a show where celebrities are pushed to the limit and served hot wings coated in a variety of hot sauces from mild to blow-your-head-off hot.
So if you've ever watched that show and wanted to have a go yourself, this shop stocks all the sauces so you can be the star of your own Hot Ones episode.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Best of all, you can try before you buy. Free, heat-rated tasters are available, meaning you can work your way up from “that’s got a bit of a kick” to “I can no longer feel my face”.
We can't promise there's any milk or ice cream on hand though, so get tasting at your own risk.
So whether you’re looking for a new sauce, a spicy gift for your mate or simply want to discover exactly how much pain your tastebuds can withstand, the Chilli Shop is one Leeds independent that deserves a visit.
Daisy Jackson -
22nd November 2024 
