Liverpool has experienced the sad closure of many stores during lockdown - but plenty have also managed to stay in business while these unprecedented times continue.
Retail stores currently remain closed due to lockdown restrictions introduced in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson this week confirmed non-essential retailers such as clothing and homeware stores, betting shops, electronics stores and more could begin to reopen from April 12.
Get the top stories straight to you inbox by signing up to one of our free newsletters
The ongoing crisis has seen the permanent closure of independent shops, restaurants and more, plus the loss of high-street heavyweights including Topshop and Debenhams.
But there's still plenty to look forward to.
In the last 12 months, Liverpool has welcomed a wide range of exciting new shopping ventures:
Vincentius
Liverpool ONE welcomed the retailer, previously responsible for dressing football star Sir Kenny Dalglish, in December 2020.
The Liverpool ONE store is based on Manesty's Lane.
The Vincentius brand has been well known in the city for a number of years. It started out as a bespoke tailors making suits for some well known figures in the region, including Sir Kenny Dalglish, who booked in to have a suit made for when he met the queen to pick up his knighthood.
The new Liverpool ONE store is still run by brothers Thomas and Robert Hardwick but focuses on its ready-to-wear collections.
MAC
A new MAC store opened in Liverpool last summer.
The store relocated to Liverpool ONE, joining other coveted beauty brands Too Faced and Morphe on Paradise Street.
Inside, customers will find MAC's top selling and latest launches, including brand favourites such as Ruby Woo and Velvet Teddy Lipstick, Studio Fix Foundation, which is available in 67 shades.
Enter your postcode below to find the latest figures where you live
The store boasts new features including the latest ‘virtual try on service’, which allows customers to instantly sample products digitally through pictures or live videos of themselves, before making a purchase.
Once it reopens, there will also be expert advice on hand from fully-trained artists.
It can be found in the former Swarovski store on Paradise Street.
Castore
Liverpool ONE welcomed sports brand Castore to its shopping complex in April 2020.
Castore was founded in 2016 by Liverpool brothers Tom and Phil Beahon.
Like Vincentius, it is also based on Manesty's Lane, close to Flannels and Beauty Bazaar Harvey Nichols.
The brand has developed a loyal following on social media, with its official Instagram page boasting more than 98,000 followers - including Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.
TRIBUS
The official global wristwatch and timing partner of Liverpool FC, Swiss watch brand TRIBUS now has its own Liverpool ONE store.
Following the signing of a long-term deal which allows TRIBUS to produce officially licensed Swiss-made watches for the Reds, the first release was a special Champions model designed to celebrate the club's first league title in 30 years.
Once it reopens, TRIBUS will display a number of desirable models from across its collection.
The watches will be available to see up close, with members of the team on hand to greet and support customers.
Kenji
Liverpool ONE welcomed a new homeware store in the former Vodafone and Hawkin's Bazaar unit last year.
Kenji, a Japanese-inspired retail store, stocks a range of home furnishings, soft toys and stationery.
Its Liverpool ONE store is one of the first of its kind and includes Kenji claw machines, with a mini-arcade feature. The brand is best known for its wide range of cute and affordable plushies, as well as an extensive range of stationery designs.
Kenji already has four stores based across the North West, including a spot at Manchester's Arndale Centre, as well as in Warrington, Preston and Bury.
Sky
Sky opened its first ever retail space in Liverpool's city centre.
The new Sky flagship store, based on South John Street, aims to bring Sky’s leading customer service and innovative pay TV, mobile and broadband products to the UK high street, under one roof, for the first time.
Shoppers can find Sky Q, Sky Broadband and Sky Mobile in one spot, complete with a dedicated customer hub.
Sky's new store, which opened in autumn of 2020, is separated into designated themed spaces, allowing customers to access advisors easily and safely across the shop.
Hamleys
World famous toy retailer Hamleys opened in Liverpool ONE in time for the Christmas shopping season.
Back in 1760, William Hamley dreamt of opening "The Finest Toy Shop in the World" and 260 years later, his dream of bringing smiles and laughter to children continues.
The iconic British toy retailer is one of the oldest and largest in the world, with its store on London’s Regent Street a major attraction to families.
Now, Liverpool boasts its own store.
Once restrictions are lifted, the store will be open from 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 11am to 5pm Sunday.
It is based on Paradise Street between the Vans and Levi’s stores.
New stores due to open in spring 2021
In the Metquarter, a new food hall is also set to open to the public in late spring 2021.
It is to be located on the Victoria Street entrance of the centre adjoining Everyman, providing a huge boost for the local area with the creation of 132 jobs in the city.
It will be the largest food hall in the city centre.
Liverpool city centre is also set to welcome a huge flagship Flannels store, with seven floors and a rooftop restaurant.
Flannels is due to open three new flagship stores in the UK next year, including a 120,000sq ft venue in the heart of Liverpool.
The new store is heading to Parker Street, where the brand will take over the iconic Owen Owen building, which has been home to Sports Direct and Tesco in recent years.
Nearby, St Johns Shopping Centre is welcoming six new stores; Be Regal, Citrus Cosmetics, Shout, VR Liverpool, American Candy and Boom Battle Bar to its well renowned site.
