Savills is currently tracking a pipeline of more than 15 Spanish retail brands actively exploring moving beyond their domestic market, with activity heavily concentrated across Europe. At least seven markets have been identified, with London emerging as a key gateway city cited by multiple brands.

What stands out is not simply the volume of interest, but the breadth of ambition. International growth is being approached as a coordinated cross-border strategy rather than a series of isolated market entries.

A wider European shift — but Spain has its own edge

That direction of travel is part of a broader European pattern. Over half (56%) of new sites opened by international entrants across Europe’s key cities in 2025 came from European brands, particularly within fashion, while Spain’s share of new international brand entrants rose from 7% in 2024 to 8% in 2025. Cross-border expansion is clearly happening across the continent. What makes Spain especially interesting, however, is that this outward push is coming from a domestic market where prime space remains both highly sought-after and in short supply.

Additionally, prime high street occupancy averaged 94.8% last year, and while 125 new stores opened across the main commercial streets of Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, Sevilla and Valencia, total openings were still down 7% year-on-year because of limited availability on the best pitches. At the same time, global appetite for Spain remains strong: international brands accounted for 40% of all openings in 2025, and 85% of identified upcoming openings are expected to come from overseas operators. For Spanish companies, that creates a powerful dynamic: competition at home is intense, and Europe offers room to scale.

Strong foundations for international growth

There is also a structural reason why Spanish brands are well placed to travel. Fashion is Spain’s most internationalised sector, with 71 retail networks operating across 127 countries and nearly 9,000 stores. The franchise system is also highly competitive, with 311 Spanish franchise brands active in 140 countries. Those numbers point to a market with deep operational experience, established international know-how and brands that are already used to adapting across borders.

From pipeline to presence

That intent is already translating into physical space. Mango opened more than 20 UK stores in 2024 and a further 20 in 2025, including a new London flagship on Oxford Street, reinforcing the UK’s role in its growth strategy. Inditex continues to scale Lefties internationally, while brands such as Meller have established a presence across multiple European cities.

A newer wave of digitally native and design-led brands, including Nude Project, EME Studios and Twojeys, is also beginning to translate online traction into physical space. Alongside this, a broader mix of active sub-sectors is emerging, from streetwear and contemporary labels such as Gimaguas and Cold Culture to footwear and accessories players like Hoff, Meller and Flabelus, adding a further layer to Spain’s international offer and widening the profile of brands entering new markets.

Spain is not the only market contributing to Europe’s cross-border retail momentum, but it is becoming one of the most interesting. Tight prime supply at home, combined with growing confidence overseas, is pushing Spanish brands into a new phase of expansion. For landlords, they are quickly becoming one of the most compelling occupier groups in the market.

Further information

Contact Cristina Muñoz Sagastibelza or Laura Clowes

Learn more about Savills Prime Global Retail