A penguin mascot, live drummers, and £25 goody bags—Braehead is about to get a lot more fun as MINISO officially sets up shop in the West of Scotland.
It’s official. The beloved lifestyle retailer MINISO is opening its very first store in the west at Braehead Shopping Centre on Friday, June 6th. The grand opening kicks off at noon, and it’s not just about shelves and shopping bags—this one comes with drums, balloons, and the kind of buzz usually reserved for concert tours.
A Global Brand with a Playful Twist Lands in Braehead
Braehead isn’t just getting another store. It’s getting a slice of a retail phenomenon that’s made waves from Tokyo to Toronto.
Known for its quirky homewares, plush toys, and pop culture collabs (think Sanrio and Marvel), MINISO has grown into a fan favourite for good reason. Now, it’s bringing that same playful energy to the lower level of Braehead, right next to MAC. And Centre Director Ashley Bisland couldn’t be happier.
“It’s a brand that resonates with everyone—from families to Gen Z TikTokers,” she said. “We’re confident it’s going to be a vibrant addition to Braehead.”
For those unfamiliar, MINISO blends affordability with aesthetics in a way that has customers piling their baskets sky-high. It’s the kind of store where you pop in for lip balm and leave with a Pikachu pillow, three pens you definitely don’t need, and a donut-shaped phone charger.
Opening Day: Expect Noise, Balloons, and a Giant Penguin
Friday’s launch isn’t just a ribbon-cutting ceremony. It’s a mini-festival.
There’ll be live drummers setting the tempo and balloon giveaways floating around the centre. But the real star? Penpen, MINISO’s beloved penguin mascot, waddling around for selfies and hugs.
To sweeten the deal, the first 200 customers who spend at least £5 will receive goody bags stuffed with £25 worth of merch—basically a jackpot for fans of cute, collectible chaos.
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Live Drumming Act at 12 PM
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First 200 Shoppers Spending £5+ Receive a Free Goody Bag
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Free Balloons & Penpen the Mascot Appearance
And yes, you’ll want to get there early. Queues are expected. After all, £5 to get £25 worth of plushies and trinkets? That’s a no-brainer.
Glasgow Region Becomes Strategic Hub for MINISO
This new store is MINISO’s second in Scotland, but the first to hit the West—and it’s no accident they chose Braehead.
“This is a fantastic city with a brilliant shopping scene,” said Saad Usman, COO of MINISO UK. “We’re looking forward to meeting local shoppers and showing them what MINISO is all about.”
It’s not just about footfall—though Braehead certainly gets plenty. The mall pulls shoppers from Glasgow and beyond, offering a blend of big-name retailers, family-friendly activities, and now, the MINISO experience.
The brand’s first Scottish outpost opened last year in Edinburgh’s St James Quarter, and sales have been strong. This expansion marks a clear signal: MINISO sees major potential in Scottish shoppers.
A Quick Look at MINISO’s UK Footprint
Here’s how MINISO is planting flags across the UK.
| Location | City | Year Opened | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| St James Quarter | Edinburgh | 2024 | First Scottish store |
| Braehead Centre | Glasgow Region | 2025 | First West Scotland location |
| Westfield | London | 2023 | High footfall |
| Trafford Centre | Manchester | 2022 | Top-performing location |
| Bullring | Birmingham | 2022 | Core midlands audience |
The company has a goal to reach 50 UK stores within the next three years, according to internal briefings shared with industry insiders.
The Experience Economy Still Reigns Supreme
What MINISO’s doing isn’t just retail—it’s entertainment. And that, experts say, is exactly what works in 2025.
Across the industry, physical stores aren’t fading away as predicted back in the pandemic years. They’re evolving. More experiences, more engagement, less transactional boredom.
Retail insiders point to events like the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards to show where the winds are blowing. Checkout-free technology and immersive store layouts are stealing the spotlight. But just as importantly, old-school community engagement—like what MINISO’s doing at Braehead—still hits home.
Scott Thompson, Founder of RTIH, summed it up best at last year’s ceremony in London: “There’s a lot of cool stuff out there, but what really matters is when tech meets people’s everyday reality.”
What Makes This Store Feel Different?
If you’ve never stepped into a MINISO before, don’t expect aisles of boring essentials. This store’s a mood.
From neatly colour-coordinated shelves to Kawaii characters staring back at you from every corner, it’s a place built for browsing, not blitz shopping. The lighting’s soft. The playlists lean pop. And somehow, everything smells vaguely like strawberries and paper.
Here’s what shoppers typically love:
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Ultra-affordable pricing (think £1.99 keychains, £3.99 face masks)
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Collabs with mega-brands like Coca-Cola, Hello Kitty, We Bare Bears
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Constantly rotating seasonal items so the store always feels fresh
And let’s be honest, half the fun is just looking around. It’s like a dopamine hit in shop form.
