Everything to do with Shops

[SteveH]

Update on Rumour Tescos Express is opening in the old Mostyn st. Poundland store..


A SUPERMARKET chain is hoping to bring a Tesco Express to Llandudno.

Tesco Stores Limited are working on plans for a new Tesco Express store set to be located in the unit previously occupied by Poundland on 87-89 Mostyn Street.

The company has made an application to the Licensing Authority at Conwy County Borough Council. This is for a grant of a premises licence.

The application proposes the provision of late night refreshments indoors Monday to Sunday 11pm until 12pm; Supply of alcohol off the premises Monday to Sunday 6am until midnight and hours open to the public Monday to Sunday, 6am until midnight.

Tesco Stores Limited said they are excited to be working on plans for a new Tesco Express store in Llandudno and that the opening of the store will be subject to the usual planning and licensing consents.

Poundland moved last year from its previous location on Mostyn Street to the former Marks and Spencer satellite store. It opened on December 10 2022.

[SteveH]

Sainsbury's and Tesco loyalty card prices not as good as they seem, says Which?

Supermarkets' loyalty schemes are not the bargains they appear to be, according to a leading consumer rights group.

Which? says Sainsbury's and Tesco are inflating the regular price advertised for a product so that the promotional prices offered to loyalty scheme members look like a better deal than they really are.

The supermarkets reject those claims.

Sainsbury's and Tesco said all prices have been going up due to inflation.

Which? said it had tracked pricing history in stores for six months to see whether the regular price advertised was really the standard price the items were sold at over a reasonable period.

It found that around a third (29%) of the member-only promotions were at their so-called regular price for less than half of the six-month period.

Both Sainsbury's and Tesco said Which? had failed to take inflation into account when analysing prices, and stressed that they adhered to Trading Standards rules on promotions.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66813908

[SteveH]

Supermarket giant Tesco says it is "excited" to be working on plans to bring the brand to Llandudno. North Wales Live reported on Thursday that a licensing application had gone in at the former Poundland store on Mostyn Street.

Tesco has confirmed the new store would be one of its Express shops. They haven't given job numbers but these usually create around 20 roles.

A spokesman said they were now working through securing planning and licensing consents. They said they could not give an estimated opening date at this stage but that they would keep the community informed as things progress.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/tesco-excited-plans-open-first-27721698?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Shopping habits have changed for good, says Aldi

The cost-of-living crisis has changed shopping habits for good, according to the boss of Aldi in the UK and Ireland.
Giles Hurley says shoppers are buying more own label products than ever before and he expects this to stick.

Cheaper supermarket own label ranges are enjoying a boom as shoppers try to save money.

Aldi overtook Morrisons last year to become the UK's fourth-biggest supermarket. Alongside rival Lidl it has been the fastest growing this year.

Products that are sold under a supermarket's own name now make up more than half of everything shoppers buy, by value.

"If you look in volume terms that figure is much bigger and at the moment own label products are growing at twice the rate of branded goods," says Mr Hurley. "Why would [shoppers] go back?"

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66905403

[SteveH]

New 'Not for EU' labels hit supermarket shelves - here's what you need to know
The new labels are a result of the 'Windsor Framework'

From October 1 this year, many of our favourite food products will have new labels on them. You might have already seen them in some supermarkets, and soon they will be everywhere.

But what are these labels, and why are they connected to the European Union? After Britain left the EU in 2020, trading between Northern Ireland (NI) and the UK became more difficult and expensive, thanks to the economic border between them, reported NottinghamshireLive.

Differing food regulations and laws between UK and EU meant that products moving between them needed additional border checks and paperwork, which proved costly for exporters and importers. Rebecca Kaya, who works as a Product Information Senior Advisor at Ashbury, explains why the new labels are being introduced.

Why do we need ?Not for EU? labels?
The 'Not for EU' labels are a consequence of the 'Windsor Framework,' an accord between the UK government and the EU. This framework, formed to navigate the intricacies of post-Brexit trade, has a pivotal role in the emergence of these new labels.

What does the Windsor Framework mean?....................

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/new-not-for-eu-labels-to-hit-supermarket-shelves-heres-what-you-need-to-know/

[SteveH]

The retail closures and administrations that have hit North Wales this year
The region has been impacted by UK brands either entering administration or closing sites

It has been another turbulent year on the high street as the sector continues to recover from the pandemic. Shoppers have still not returned in the numbers that came prior to March 2020 - and even before the pandemic more and more people were moving to online retail.

The fallout has been some brands trimming back their retail footprint with struggling high streets the worst affected. It has also meant a couple of high profile administrations.

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/retail-closures-administrations-hit-north-27849616?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Asda Caf? is bringing back a popular ?1 meal deal this winter. Anyone over the age of 60 can tuck into the "winter warmer" deal for just ?1 from November 1.

As the cost of living crisis continues, Asda is offering those eligible the chance to enjoy soup, a roll and unlimited tea and coffees for just a quid. The deal, which runs until the end of February, is available in any of Asda?s 205 caf?s

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/asda-caf-1-winter-warmer-28016694

[SteveH]

Shops cant save UK high streets but a dose of local character could help them thrive again

Cratering consumer confidence and the collapse of major UK retailers like Wilko are causing concern about the future of the UK high street.

Both of the major UK political parties proposed solutions to this challenge at their recent annual conferences. The Conservatives announced a ?1.1 billion package to help revitalise high streets and towns that have been ?overlooked?, while the Labour conference included a panel discussion on the future of high streets.

This focus should not come as a surprise. High streets have traditionally exemplified the historical, cultural and economic vibrancy of British communities. But today they?re more likely characterised by modest footfall, derelict buildings and boarded-up windows.

Efforts to help high streets to thrive again should involve making them more individual and uniquely based on local quirks. This quirkiness could be used to attract visitors interested in seeing something new, rather than a repeat of the same shops and businesses on every high street up and down the country.

cont https://theconversation.com/shops-cant-save-uk-high-streets-but-a-dose-of-local-character-could-help-them-thrive-again-215621

[SteveH]

A SEASONAL pop up shop has opened in the Victoria Centre in Llandudno.

The Calendar Club will be open throughout the Christmas period. Hours range from Monday to Saturday, 9am until 5.30pm, and Sunday 10.30am until 4.30pm.

Last year the store took up part of the old Marks and Spencer unit on 61 Mostyn Street.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23909191.pop-store-opens-doors-festive-season-llandudno/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

THE OLD M&S site in Llandudno could be converted into a three-floor retail, food and leisure hub, after a planning application was submitted.

The 61 Mostyn Street site was vacated by M&S last year, after the high street retailer relocated its main store to Parc Llandudno.

Under new plans submitted by site owners Mostyn Estates, the building would become a three-storey area for retail, food and beverage, and indoor leisure areas.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23912379.old-m-s-building-llandudno-converted-retail-hub/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Lloyds Pharmacy has sold all its branches in North Wales
The chain had four in the region that have been taken over by another pharmacy

Lloyds pharmacy has closed or sold all its branches in Wales. At the start of this year, the company had 77 branches. Five were closed and the ownership of the remaining 72 changed hands.

It was announced in June that all UK branches located inside Sainsbury's stores would close within days and the four in stores in Wales all closed. The chain had branches in Rhyl, Llandudno, Abergele, and Prestatyn - all of which have since been taken over Allied Pharmacies. Figures obtained by WalesOnline show as of October 5, the other 72 had changed hands.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/lloyds-pharmacy-closed-branches-wales-28097599?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

MERRY MOSTYN STREET
Newly formed community group, Friends of Mostyn Street, have been working with businesses throughout Llandudno and Craig y Don to organise a new Christmas shopping event.

Merry Mostyn Street will see participating businesses stay open until 8pm and take part in a Christmas Window Trail and competition between 13 - 16 December.  The event is being supported by Mostyn Estates, who will be keeping their car park at the Victoria Centre open later than usual during the event.

Keep your eyes open for Christmas Decorations in shop windows over the next couple of weeks.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23966387.dozens-businesses-sign-merry-mostyn-street-event/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Not so good for Mosytyn st. but looks good for Llandudno and employment...............

M&S update on what Llandudno relocation has done for its sales
The retailer made the move from its main site on Mostyn Street in March 2020

M&S said the Llandudno store has provided a significant investment in the local economy including last year bringing on 50 new permanent jobs. They said it is part of the retailer?s plan to invest around ?480 million in its store rotation programme, creating over 3,400 new jobs UK-wide.

George Lees, store manager at M&S Llandudno, said: ?Looking at these new trading figures, it?s heartening to see over the last year that we?ve kept attracting new customers to shop with us, as well many of our regulars shopping with us even more than before.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/ms-update-what-llandudno-relocation-28296155?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Boots stores that are set to close in 2024 - full list
Earlier this year the retailer announced plans to reduce how many stores it has across the UK

cont https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/boots-stores-set-close-2024-28314085?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

Local stores closing
Rhos on Sea - March 2024
Colwyn Bay - April 2024

[SteveH]

Merry Mostyn Street in Llandudno delights businesses and residents!

LLANDUDNO?S late night Christmas shopping event saw more than 70 businesses take part in festive fun last week.

Held from December 13-16, the event organised by local action group the Friends of Mostyn Street, saw stores, cafes and bars in the town centre open until 8pm.

Craig-y-Don also joined in the fun with a special event called the Little Christmas Cracker, which complemented the main event in Llandudno?s shopping area and showed the cross-town support for the initiative.

The aim of Merry Mostyn Street was to create a warm, welcoming Christmas atmosphere for shoppers, increase footfall for town centre businesses and encourage festive Christmas window displays to attract shoppers.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23999320.merry-mostyn-street-llandudno-delights-businesses-residents/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

photo 
Staff from Dudley and George's General Store with their trophy for their Christmas display. Inset: Llandudno Mayor Greg Robbins and Miss Alice and staff from the White Tower Greek Restaurant celebrate their runner up prize with Francis Davies. (Image: Friends of Mostyn Street)