Everything to do with Shops

[SteveH]

Man uncovers Kwik Save receipt from 1995 and the prices are making people nostalgic
"Gosh wish these prices were still around," one person said

His mother had been in the shop in Stanley Road, Birkenhead, at just before 2pm and the receipt featured 38 items, with his mum paying ?24.79 in cash for them. Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Chris said he was shocked at the amount of items his mum was able to buy with a relatively small amount of money compared to these days.

Items on the receipt included Heinz Baked Beans for 23p, Mellow Birds coffee for ?1.45, semi-skimmed milk for 26p, 1kg of sugar for 59p and toothpaste for 78p. The priciest item Chris's mum bought on that shopping trip was Ovaltine for ?2.25.

Flora set her back 48p, a Pot Noodle 67p and Penguin biscuits were 66p. Oxo cubes also cost her 64p, and a 750ml bottle of bleach was 57p.

cont https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/man-uncovers-kwik-save-receipt-26272518?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[Helig]

On the subject of Baked Beans I would like to know why a 200g tin of Heinz Baked Beans is now costing ?1 whereas a 200g tin of M and S Baked Beans costs 35p? There is little, or no, difference between them. How do the shops get away with the enormous hikes in prices? I went to get my usual type of cheese yesterday and found the price had increased by 60p. I don't believe these increases are just down to inflation, I think they are using this as an opportunity to rip us off.

[SteveH]

Triplets put smiles on customers' faces at Asda Llandudno!         

The girls often arrive at store dressed in their Asda aprons and with their own toy Asda trolleys.

The store's community champion Rachel Carey loves seeing the triplets. After hearing how much they love the supermarket, she gave the girls their own lanyards and name badges and arranged for the girls to have a go on the checkouts.

https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23342103.triplets-put-smiles-customers-faces-asda-llandudno/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

This is a must read, from a local Llandudno greengrocer.................

Major Welsh greengrocer says its had 'best week ever' and blasts supermarket 'greed' for their veg shortages
He says it is 'fantastic to tell the truth' to his customers

A leading Welsh greengrocer has said he has had the "best" February week ever as supermarket shoppers deal with shortages of fresh fruit and vegetables. Geraint Owen, who runs independent grocers Tatws Trading, https://www.tatwstrading.co.uk/ has accused the big supermarkets of being "greedy" and not wanting to pay the market value for produce.

Supermarkets such as Lidl, Tesco Morrisons, Aldi and Asda say they have been forced to impose limits on the numbers of peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes shoppers can buy, and have blamed bad weather for the issue.

But Mr Owen says there can be some issues at this time of year because it is between the end of the Spanish and Morocco tomato growing season and the start of the traditional British growing season, which can mean that some of the produce is more expensive.

The wholesale price has reportedly nearly doubled in price, averaging at ?15 before and now as much as ?30.

The grocer, who is based in Llandudno, has accused supermarkets of not being willing to increase how much they pay for the produce.

Writing on Twitter he said: "As an independent greengrocer we?ve had our best week ever in February. it?s fantastic to explain truthfully what?s going on to customers old and new."

He accused the supermarkets of "greed" and said that when people shop local they are told the truth.

"Someone came in the other day and asked if had peppers and asked how many they could buy. I told them they could have as many as they wanted.," he said. "We have got plenty of produce because we are willing to spend. Putting limits on is ridiculous, these supermarkets are running the country and telling us what we can and can't eat.

cont https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/major-welsh-greengrocer-says-best-26349325?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

A top Welsh food distribution company is reporting record sales of ?600,000 and crowds of over 2,500 at its biggest ever food expo event.

Harlech Foodservice?s annual two-day trade expo smashed last year?s figures ? the first since 2019 because of the pandemic ? with the 120 exhibitor stands at the high profile event at Llandudno?s Venue Cymru another record.

They came to see ? and taste ? over 1,000 products being showcased by Harlech which celebrated its 50thanniversary last year and to enjoy cookery demonstrations including by Wales?s own BBQ expert, Caernarfon?s S4C star, Flamebaster Chris Roberts.

Exhibitors included internationally known names like Kellogg?s, Young?s Seafood, Doritos, Hellman?s and McCains as well as top North Wales?s producers such as Jones Village Bakery, Edwards the Welsh Butcher, Llaeth y Llan Village Dairy and South Caernarfon Creameries.

cont https://www.wales247.co.uk/record-sales-and-crowds-for-food-giants-annual-showcase-event?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

THE OWNERS of a high street shop in Llandudno have changed the fortunes of their business thanks to an innovative new shelf leasing scheme.

Husband and wife Jake and Amy Bailey, who own Happily Ever After on Mostyn Street, were struggling to stay afloat as recently as January, telling the Pioneer they were ?fighting to stay open?.

Having already sold their house to keep the business open, the toy shop went days at a time without making any money.

Now, thanks to an ingenious idea, the business had an ?amazing? February, with plans for more growth.

The couple are leasing shelf space in the shop to 15 independent traders from the area, who pay a monthly commission-free fee.

?We came up with the idea of renting shelves out to local crafters - it?s currently 15, we are hopefully going to get a new unit which will take another eight,? Amy told the Pioneer.

?They stay as long as they want, they rent and renew a shelf on a monthly basis, they pay a shelf price, they don?t pay any commission.?

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23385855.llandudno-shops-shelf-lease-idea-brings-complete-change-fortunes/

[SteveH]

Asda's takeover of Co-op forecourt stores in North Wales hit by price concerns at 13 locations
CMA investigation finds Asda?s purchase of 132 petrol stations and attached grocery stores could mean higher prices or less choice

The North Wales sites affected were at Coedpoeth near Wrexham, Old Colwyn, and at Rhuddlan. Asda said at the time that they will continue to run as Co-op sites for around a year.

The Competition and Markets Authority launched a first phase investigation into the takeover. This week it said the deal raises concerns in 13 locations across the UK. They say in each of these areas the merging businesses currently compete for customers and would not face sufficient competition after the merger.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/asdas-takeover-co-op-forecourt-26492894

[SteveH]

Three farm shops  in Wales have been named as regional finalists at the Farm Shop and Deli Retailer Awards. Celebrating specialist shops and retailers across the UK and in 2023, the awards' focus is on those shops and delis whose values include and embody "supporting and developing their team."

The three Welsh venues shortlisted for the awards this year are Bodnant Welsh Food in Colwyn Bay, Forage Farm Shop in the Vale of Glamorgan and Nolton Cross Farm Shop in Pembrokeshire - independent stores that pride themselves on selling and championing local produce and artisan food.

cont https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/three-farm-shops-named-best-26582849?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

A security guard at ASDA has waded in on a row around the use of "face scanning" cameras on supermarket check-outs. It comes after a shopper posted a video on Facebook expressing concern that the devices were being used to harvest personal data on shoppers.

The cameras have been implemented at self-service tills in ASDA supermarkets across the UK and are recognisable by their ability to show people a real-time image of themselves as they scan their products through the checkout. In the viral Facebook video, the unnamed ASDA shopper says: "What they?re (sic) basically happening, and this is my viewpoint, you?ve got a picture of your face, your debit card information and everything you?ve bought.

"Now, this is for as far as I?m concerned, targeted advertising?But I?ve never given anybody permission to take my data in that way." ASDA has firmly denied claims that it uses facial recognition technology at its self-checkouts to gather data for targeted advertising.

Now a store security guard has stepped into the debate to dismiss the claims. Posting on Bristol Live's Facebook, he said: "I personally work as a security guard in an Asda store and I can confirm that our cameras don't have the capability to store images the cameras are purely there for us to spot theft/fraud and if anyone had put money in the till and either the till had not recognised the money so then we can either confirm or deny if that money had gone in the till.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/asda-security-guard-explains-real-26602207?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Developer has snapped up North Wales shopping centre that's hit tough times
Rob Lloyd, CEO of Bearmont Capital, has bought the Menai centre in Bangor

"Footfall dropped significantly which has had a major impact on the centre and the high street in general also there has been the rise of online shopping and the pandemic hasn?t helped, which have impacted on high street shopping across the UK."

However Mr Lloyd - who recently brought Poundland into a long time empty ex-M&S unit in Llandudno - sees the future of shopping centres, and sees a need to reduce the number of shops in the main high street.    Interesting comment

He said Bangor has the longest High Street in Wales and long term this needs reducing.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/developer-snapped-up-north-wales-26618299?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

ALDI in Old Colwyn will close for two weeks to undergo a refurbishment.

The store on Abergele Road will shut at 6pm on Thursday, May 4. It will re-open to customers on Thursday, May 18.

A spokesperson for the Aldi said: "In order to provide an improved shopping experience for Old Colwyn customers, the Aldi store on Abergele Road will close at 6pm on May 4 to undergo refurbishment works.

"The store will reopen to customers at 8am on May 18 with a refreshed layout, which includes more space for our fresh, chilled and food-to-go ranges.?    ref pioneer

 

[SteveH]

Leading food and drink trade event attracts Welsh producers

Some of Wales? finest food and drink companies are preparing to attend Food & Drink Expo at Birmingham?s NEC this week.

Food & Drink Expo helps companies find a route to the UK food and drink market, with hundreds of companies showcasing their exceptional products. Over 25,000 visitors and 1,500 exhibitors will attend the three-day event which takes place from 24-26 April 2023.


Supported by the Welsh Government, nine companies will be part of the Cymru/Wales Pavilion, all looking to showcase their mouth-watering products and embed Wales? place firmly on the food map.

All Welsh food and drink companies exhibiting under the Cymru/Wales brand receive support from the Welsh Government.

Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd, Lesley Griffiths said:

?The Welsh Government?s support allows producers to attend events such as Food & Drink Expo and provides them with an excellent opportunity to interact directly with buyers and distributors, showcasingthe very best of Wales.

?Through long term vision and effort over the last decade we have achieved significant growth, a rising industry profile, and a strong team spirit based on partnership. This has  given us a firm foundation to build for the future.?

Welsh producers exhibiting will include Cradoc?s Savoury Biscuit?s Ltd, Anglesey Sea Salt/Halen M?n, Snowdonia Cheese, Shepherd?s Biscuits Ltd, Mario?s Ice Cream, Prince?s Gate, Mydflower Ltd, Edwards and Coco Pzazz.

cont https://www.wales247.co.uk/leading-food-and-drink-trade-event-attracts-welsh-producers?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Llandudno ?mini-Harrods? forced to close as vandals smash shop
Knightsbridge House Boutique was opened by Rob and Maria Lloyd three years ago

A Llandudno boutique will have to close for around three weeks after vandals smashed a window. Developer Rob Lloyd took on the David Roberts Shoes of Distinction site in 2020 and created a two floor department store.

Rob?s wife Maria took on the running of the site - setting up Knightsbridge House Boutique - saying she wanted to create a ?mini-Harrods? feel at the store. They say the business has traded well since opening.

But this week the site was hit by vandals. On Tuesday morning - at around 7.30am - one of the main windows was smashed. They have CCTV footage and are working with the police.

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/llandudno-boutique-forced-close-three-26953181?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[Ian]

Vandals - at 0730? Seems a bit unlikely.

[SteveH]

Supermarkets have not been using high rates of inflation as a cover for making higher profits, the boss of Sainsbury's has told the BBC.

When asked if the UK's second largest supermarket had been profiteering, Simon Roberts said: "Absolutely not."

Critics have accused food retailers of "greedflation" - putting prices up to bolster profits.

The competition watchdog has said it will look at how the grocery market is operating.

As well as the new focus on high food prices from the Competition and Markets Authority, some politicians have called for action on food prices.

But Mr Roberts told the BBC that Sainsbury's and other grocery chains had spent money to "battle inflation" and avoid passing all of the rising costs onto consumers.

"We made less profit year-on-year and that's because we made really conscious decisions to keep our prices as low as we could," Mr Roberts said.

Sainsbury's made ?690m in pre-tax profit in the year to March, a fall from ?730m the previous year.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65707214