Fashion giant Esprit is pulling out of Bluewater, leaving it with only one store in the UK.
However, the international store group, listed in Hong Kong, insists plans to open smaller shops in central London are still on track.
The Bluewater exit comes just two years after Esprit's high-profile UK relaunch, following a withdrawal in 1998.
In February, Esprit - which has 3 million sq ft (278,700 sq m) of retail space in 40 countries - said it had abandoned plans to halve its floorspace at Bluewater, where the shop measures 18,300 sq ft (1,700 sq m), after trading improved. However, the store will close next month.
Eric Eastman of Esprit's property agents Michael Peddar & Co confirmed the Bluewater closure, but said the retailer was looking for smaller shops of approximately 4,000 sq ft to 5,000 sq ft (370 sq m to 465 sq m). He said the Regent Street store would also remain as a flagship for the brand.
'Esprit is determined to make the UK work and will not withdraw,' he said.
Esprit will be replaced at Bluewater by fast-fashion giant Zara, which will give Spanish retailer a store more than twice the size of its existing shop.
Zara UK managing director Mike Shearwood said: 'We are delighted to have found a larger retail space in Bluewater.'
Zara parent Inditex is understood to be poised to introduce its Massimo Dutti fascia to Bluewater, although Shearwood would not confirm that.
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