**JD Sports Announces Major Two-Storey Flagship at Cardiff’s St David’s Centre**
JD Sports has revealed plans to open a significant new flagship outlet within Cardiff’s bustling St David’s Shopping Centre, a move set to reshape the high street retail experience in the city centre. Spanning almost 32,000 square feet over two floors, the forthcoming store will occupy a prime position in the Grand Arcade, situated in the space formerly held by SportsDirect – a unit that has remained vacant since February 2024.
This strategic relocation will see JD Sports bid farewell to its Queen Street branch, marking the end of an era on one of Cardiff’s most iconic shopping streets. The new St David’s venture is expected to launch in spring 2026, with anticipation already building among retail watchers and local shoppers alike.
Positioned opposite the streetwear retailer Size? and neighbouring the popular LEGO store, JD Sports’ new location aims to be a flagship destination, offering an expansive range of sportswear, footwear, and athleisure. At nearly 32,000 square feet, it will be the largest JD Sports store in Wales and is set to introduce innovative retail concepts, including self-service checkouts – a trend already adopted by other major brands within St David’s such as Bershka and Zara.
The announcement comes amidst a period of dynamic transformation for St David’s. Recently, the shopping centre shared news of the impending arrival of global beauty giant Sephora, as well as a suite of other high-profile additions that are expected to continue boosting visitor numbers and enhancing the retail environment.
In a statement, a spokesperson for St David’s Shopping Centre highlighted the vibrancy of this renewal: “Sports and fashion retailer JD will open a new 31,936 square foot store at the city shopping destination in spring 2026. Relocating from its current spot on Cardiff’s Queen Street, the new JD store at St David’s is set to be bigger and better at its new prime position on the lower level of the Grand Arcade; close to Size and LEGO.”
Notably, the revitalisation does not end with JD Sports. The renowned Swiss watchmaker Swatch is returning to Cardiff, taking up residence in a new boutique on the lower level of the Grand Arcade, next to Swarovski and opposite Menkind. This will be their only standalone store in Wales, adding another prestigious brand to the centre’s roster.
Several other businesses are also undergoing noteworthy changes. Ethical Boutique, a charitable shop specialising in pre-loved clothing and community initiatives, has recently upsized within the Cathedral Walk area, while independent Welsh streetwear label Clothing Culture is set to expand into a new store within St David’s Way mall. Furthermore, outdoor experts Trespass and lifestyle retailer Damaged Society have both upgraded to larger units, and accessories destination Accessorize has re-opened with a revamped look.
Excitement is steadily building for food-lovers and lifestyle aficionados too, with Southeast Asian restaurant Banana Tree and premium hot chocolate brand Knoops both due to open imminently. Beauty giant Sephora’s anticipated arrival this autumn is expected to draw even further footfall.
Helen Morgan, Centre Director of St David’s Cardiff, commented on the ongoing improvements: “We’re pleased to announce more new names and upsized stores at St David’s. It’s an exciting time for the centre as we continue to attract in-demand brands and enhance guest experience to maintain our position as a top UK retail destination.”
As Cardiff continues to evolve as a major shopping location in the UK, the latest developments at St David’s underline the centre’s ambition to remain at the heart of the city’s retail offering, adapting to new consumer habits and broadening its appeal. The JD Sports arrival, combined with a raft of store enlargements, refurbishments and new food offerings, appears poised to cement the centre’s reputation as a vibrant, forward-thinking retail hub.
Further information about the upcoming changes, store listings, opening hours and St David’s PLUS+ members reward programme is available on the official St David’s Cardiff website. With the start of 2026 now firmly on the horizon, the city’s retail landscape is clearly set for a bold new chapter.