Fast expanding fashion and lifestyle brand Arket opens its fourth UK store at Bluewater this week.

Owned by the H&M Group, the brand has made a name for itself with what it describes as its 'modern day market' approach, which includes a mix of men and women's clothing and items for the home.

A relative newcomer to the market, the Scandinavian brand opened its first UK stores last August, with outlets on Regent Street and Covent Garden in London.

The Bluewater store, which opens on Friday, May 18, will be its first outside of London's city centre.

Occupying an area of approximately 1,000 square metres, the new store will open with clothing for women and children, plus homeware, before a second floor accommodating men's clothes opens later this summer.

Arket says its mission is to "democratise quality through widely accessible, well-made, durable products designed to be used and loved for a long time".

Also at the store will be a vegetarian café based on the currently fashionable 'New Nordic Food Manifesto' and its vision of "quality ingredients and healthy living".

Lars Axelsson, Arket's MD, explained: "We chose London as the city to launch last autumn and have had a great reception in the UK during

our first year. We’re very happy to have the opportunity to grow and meet new customers, and look forward to be part of the exciting diversity of brands at Bluewater."