Everything to do with Shops

[SteveH]

 Wine has always been a sacred drink for many, some going as far as to have a cellar dedicated to the elegant drink.

Whether you are a fan of a fresh Chardonnay, a sweet Pinto Grigio or prefer a deep Merlot or bold Malbec, wine has a very passionate following that often believes that you shouldn?t touch a ?perfect? thing.

For some, that includes the bottles.

Working with Frugalpac, made from 94% recycled paperboard, the bottles are unlike others, lined with a food-grade pouch to contain the wine, think wine box but as a bottle.

cont.... https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24189921.goodbye-glass-wine-bottles-tried-aldis-paper-wine-bottle/

[SteveH]

Boots announces string of 'imminent' store closures - full list
The new losses are part of a huge program of rationalisation which is seeing 300 of the high street pharmacists shut

Boots has confirmed a number of new store closures in what is another blow to the high street. The new shutdowns are part of a huge programme of rationalisation that the chain has announced which will see the number of outlets reduced from 2,200 to 1,900.

Boots said it would be only closing sites that had another situated less than three miles away and that the move would help ?consolidate the business?. In March 2024 a total of three stores will close, adding to dozens which have already gone.

Rhos-on-Sea, Wales, shutting for good a few days after on March 23.

cont https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/boots-announces-string-imminent-store-28847016?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

ERYRI is getting its very own version of one of the world?s most popular family board games.

Monopoly: Eryri Edition board will hit the shops, just in time for Easter. Amongst the bespoke tokens are a sleeping dragon, a Carneddau Pony, a campervan, hiking boots, a castle tower, and a train car.

Landmarks featured in the game include Yr Wyddfa, Ty Hyll (The Ugly House), and the Smallest House in Conwy.

A 'big reveal' of the board game will take place today (Thursday, March 21) at Portmeirion Village.

Winning Moves UK, an official Monopoly maker, has produced the brand-new Monopoly: Eryri Edition board game, under license from toy and game company Hasbro.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24196988.eryri-monopoly-board-unveiled-portmeirion-today/

[SteveH]

A national view, rather than local, but.......................

Crushing blow for high streets as study names the cities with the most empty shops
Find out which city centres are thriving and which have the highest number of vacant premises

This week, Argos, WHSmith, Boots and Marks & Spencer announced the closure of more stores in a crushing blow to high street shoppers and employees alike. Empty shops affect towns and cities across the country, and can remain vacant for months, if not years.

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/crushing-blow-for-high-streets-as-study-names-the-cities-with-the-most-empty-shops/

[SteveH]

THE Co-op Group saw profits fall over the past year as it grappled with food inflation, rainy weather dampening convenience shopping, and the highest ever levels of shoplifting, the retailer said.

The retail-to-funerals business, who has stores right across North Wales - in Deganwy, Rhos-on-Sea, Rhyl, Denbigh, just to name a few - said it had invested millions of pounds in lowering prices as competition heated up between supermarkets.

It revealed its pre-tax profit fell by ?240 million to ?28 million in 2023, compared with 2022.

Co-op said that 2022?s profit figure was skewed by a boost from the sale of its petrol forecourts business to Asda.

The two supermarket giants had reached a ?600 million deal to hand over its 132 petrol stations during the second half of the year.

Nevertheless, group net debt was trimmed to ?82 million, from ?322 million in 2022.

It also revealed that revenues dipped to ?11.3 billion in 2023, from ?11.5 billion the previous year.

cont https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/24230191.co-op-reports-tumbling-profits-amid-turbulent-conditions/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

SUPERMARKET company Lidl has revealed plans to open hundreds of new stores across the UK, including in Colwyn Bay and Llandudno.

Now in its 30th year, Lidl has today (April 30) published its plans to expand in Wales, including a list of towns it is targeting for new supermarkets.

Representing North Wales on this list are:    https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24288982.lidl-wants-open-new-stores-rhyl-abergele/

[SteveH]

Popular Llandudno dry cleaners to close after 50 years amid soaring energy bills
'Working six days a week for very little return indicates that it?s time to move on'

Mark Harris, 62, who runs the business, said the main reasons were soaring bills, long weeks with very little return and pressures to keep a small business running. Fellow workers Tracey Barker and Mimi Sarjantson - who has worked there since it opened - will also be saying farewell.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/popular-llandudno-dry-cleaners-close-29172787

[SteveH]

Tesco to open new Llandudno store this week
It will be the first store the supermarket giant has opened in the region for a number of years

Tesco is set to open a new store in North Wales this week. The supermarket giant is opening up on Mostyn Street in Llandudno.

Poundland vacated the unit back in December 2022. They moved to the former M&S satellite store on the same street - giving the brand a bigger presence in the town.

Last year Tesco put in an applications to change the signage and secure licensing consents to open from 6am until midnight and sell alcohol.

They've now confirmed the new store will open at 8am on Thursday. It will be a boost to the high street - helping bring in additional footfall, with the town centre impacted by the loss of Marks and Spencer to the nearby retail park.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/tesco-open-new-llandudno-store-29292063?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Shopping at Aldi now costs £37 less than priciest rival as it's named UK's cheapest supermarket
A shopping list of 69 items at the most expensive shop cost £158.13 on average, writes Neil Shaw

The full list of average prices is as follows:

Aldi - £121.56
Lidl - £124.88
Asda - £137.91
Tesco - £138.84
Sainsbury's - £142.33
Morrisons - £144.36
Ocado - £147.64
Waitrose - £158.13

read more  https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/shopping-at-aldi-now-costs-37-less-than-priciest-rival-as-its-named-uks-cheapest-supermarket/

[SteveH]

Retailer wants go-ahead to move to Llandudno retail park or says could leave town
Shoe Zone wants a bigger unit in the seaside town

But the brand says this store isn't large enough for their big format concept which they want to rollout around the UK. They want to move to Parc Llandudno - taking on the empty unit left by TUI when they moved in with Next.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/retailer-wants-go-ahead-move-29356066

[Ian]

Has anyone else noticed that Tesco in the Junction will not allow any home delivery bookings after July 1st during the day? If you have a moment, try booking a delivery slot as far ahead as possible for any slot before 7.00 pm. 

[Ian]

Had a long chat with CS at Tesco this morning ,and they're in the dark, although they can confirm that indeed Tesco in the Junction seems not to be accepting delivery requests between 0800 and 1900 after 1st July. They've derided to ring me back as soon as they can find out what's happening. Tesco, of course, is  well known for poor programming of its delivery website.

[SteveH]

We managed to book 3rd. July flexi saver between 2pm and 6pm. plenty of slots available, must be your flash computer not working as well as our wind up model...............

[SteveH]

Hotel Chocolat wants to open store at Llandudno retail park
The upmarket chocolatier hopes to take on the former Laura Ashley unit on Parc Llandudno

Hotel Chocolat  https://www.hotelchocolat.com/uk     wants to its first site in North Wales. The upmarket chocolatier hopes to take on an empty unit at Parc Llandudno.

It was occupied by home and fashion brand Laura Ashley but has been empty since the pandemic. Now the UK chocolate firm could take it on.

They would have a gift store on site as well as a 'Velvetiser' cafe. The British company says the move would create 20 jobs in the town. This plan follows news Shoe Zone wants to take on the former TUI site on the same retail park.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/hotel-chocolat-wants-open-store-29422020?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

READ MORE: https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/hotel-chocolat-wants-open-store-29422020?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

The Welsh Government is calling for feedback on plans to restrict certain types of junk food in Wales. A series of measures are in the pipeline to reduce the county’s obesity epidemic and Cardiff now wants views on how these could be enforced.

Under draft regulations, proposals have been put forward to curb the ability of retailers to provide buy-one-get-one-free and multibuy offers. Cafes and restaurants will also be stopped from giving free refills of sugary drinks, while shops will have to end the practice of promoting sugary treats at store entrances, aisle ends and checkouts

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/18-everyday-food-drink-items-29515549?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589