Zara has opened flagship in Liverpool ONE

LIVERPOOL ONE has announced that Inditex owned fashion brand, Zara, has opened its significantly upsized flagship on upper and lower South John Street. The new 42,000 sq ft store is the latest example of brand investment in the destination, following a landmark year of signings that will make 2025 Liverpool ONE's biggest year for openings since it launched in 2008.

Increasing in size by 55% from 27,200 sq ft to 42,000 sq ft, Zara's new Liverpool ONE store offers a larger collection of Zara's menswear, womenswear, and childrenswear across 2 floors. Together with a more spacious interior, the flagship places the customer experience at the forefront, adopting the brand's latest innovative technologies such as:- self service payment facilities.

 
Rob Deacon, Asset Management Director, at Liverpool ONE, said:- "Liverpool ONE is defined by its leading mix of brands and ability to deliver the best of the best, and the opening of Zara's significantly upsized regional flagship is the perfect example of this. Demand for Liverpool 1 is at an all time high, with leading brands recognising its appeal as a destination for flagships and showcase spaces. 2024 was a milestone year for big name signings and 2025 will be our biggest year for openings yet, with UNIQLO, Sephora and TFG London set to make their debuts."

Zara is 1 of 22 brands with a total combined footprint of 135,000 sq ft that have invested in their existing stores at Liverpool 1 since the beginning of 2024. A further 34 brands committed to the destination last year, covering a total of 200,000 sq ft. This includes:- UNIQLO, which is set to make its City debut on Paradise Street in a:- 25,000 sq ft flagship, a 7,5000 sq ft Sephora, and, at 12,000 sq ft, the biggest ever multi brand flagship from fashion retail group, TFG London.

As well as permanent signings, Liverpool 1 welcomed a series of short term lets throughout 2024, including:- AllSaints, Curated Makers, and Noughts and Crosses. The destination has also played host to the physical debuts of clicks to bricks brands such as:- Luxe Collective, Sisters and Seekers, Glamify Fashion, and more recently, Applied Nutrition x Yelir.

New Year, New You: Transform Your 2025, Starting with Your Fridge

THE numbers are startling: according to a 2024 report from The House of Commons Library, UK households binned a whopping £17 billion worth of edible food in 1 single year, which equates to each person throwing away £250 worth of perfectly good food annually; that's £1,000 worth of food for a family of four. As we embrace 2025, experts suggest the solution might be simpler than we think; it all starts with your fridge.

Salah Sun, Head of Product Management at Beko UK, a leading manufacturer of fridge freezers and other home appliances said:- "The way we organise our fridges can make or break our efforts to reduce food waste. Most people don't realise that poor fridge organisation isn't just about aesthetics; it directly impacts food longevity and your household budget."

Creating designated zones in your fridge isn't just about Instagram worthy organisation. Salah Sun explains: "Temperature fluctuates within your fridge, so storing items in the right zones is crucial. The bottom shelf, being the coldest, is perfect for raw meats, while the middle shelves maintain ideal conditions for dairy and prepared foods."

The door, often used for milk, is actually the warmest area due to frequent opening. Salah Sun commented:- "We recommend keeping more stable items like condiments and drinks in the door compartments, moving milk to the middle shelf where temperatures remain more constant."

The art of batch cooking isn't just about convenience; it's a strategic approach to maximising your ingredients' potential. Salah Sun says:- "When you spot vegetables approaching their best before date, transform them into ready to go meals. This approach not only prevents waste but also helps maintain healthy eating habits by having nutritious meals ready when you're tempted by takeaways."

Want to revolutionise your eating habits? Make these your 5 fridge essentials:-

• Greek yoghurt - A versatile protein source that works as breakfast topping or as a cooking ingredient, lasting up to 2 weeks when properly stored.
  

• Prepared vegetable sticks - Having pre-cut carrots, celery, and cucumber ready to grab makes healthy snacking effortless.
  

• Batch cooked grains - Quinoa or brown rice stored in airtight containers can form the base of quick, nutritious meals throughout the week.
  

• Leafy greens - Store them in containers lined with paper towels t absorb excess moisture and extend their life.
  

• Prepped fruit - Keeping washed berries and sliced melon ready to go ensures morning smoothies are quick and convenient.

Salah Sun cautions:- "Over packing your fridge is a common mistake that leads to forgotten food and poor temperature regulation. The key is maintaining good airflow and visibility."

He recommends using clear containers and implementing a:- '1st in, 1st out' system:- "Store newer items at the back and move older ones forward. This simple habit can significantly minimise waste."

Taking 2 minutes each morning to assess your fridge contents might seem excessive, but Salah Sun insists it's transformative:- "A quick morning scan helps you plan meals around items needing to be used first. It's also the perfect time to check if any containers need rearranging for better airflow."

The impact of proper fridge organisation extends beyond reducing waste. Salah Sun notes:- "When you can see and access everything easily, you're more likely to cook at home and make healthier choices... Plus, maintaining optimal storage conditions means your fresh produce lasts longer, reducing both waste and shopping frequency."

As we embrace the new year, reimagining your fridge organisation could be the key to achieving multiple resolutions; from eating healthier and saving money to reducing your environmental impact. With UK households throwing away millions of tonnes of food annually, small changes in how we store and manage our food can lead to significant improvements in both our personal finances and food waste.