Everything to do with Shops

[SteveH]

A supermarket has leapt to the top of the rankings just a year after it was named the most expensive for the same essential items across six stores. By comparing the same basket of items, the chain emerged as cheaper than its rivals.

For more than three years, we have been comparing the prices of eight staple items across the main supermarkets. With inflation rising again, shoppers are continuing to search for best value amidst the cost of living crisis.

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/supermarket-crowned-cheapest-essentials-beating-31063966?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

A POPULAR kitchen supply shop in Llandudno town centre will close this weekend, as residents lament the loss of the long-standing store.

The Kitchen Range, at Mostyn Street, will shut after owner Robin Whitehead made the decision to retire after running the business for 42 years.

Offering a huge variety of kitchen supplies, the business will close on Saturday, March 8.

Mr Whitehead opened the store in 1983, and at one point ran several businesses in the area.

But having had a health scare around a year ago, Mr Whitehead has decided to “finish now and enjoy” retirement, the store’s manager Janet Gordon said.........

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24984257.llandudno-kitchen-supplies-shop-close-owner-retires/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

The US owner of the Boots pharmacy chain is being taken over by a private equity firm in a $10bn (£7.8bn) deal.

The price being paid for Walgreens Boots Alliance is a fraction of what the company was worth a decade ago, reflecting its struggles with growing debt and shoppers going online for cheaper products.

There have been reports that the Boots chain could be sold off seperately by its new owner, US private equity firm Sycamore Partners.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdxq0p27z69o

[SteveH]

Giant trolley scales are being trialled at a Tesco store in Gateshead sparking a mixed reaction from shoppers.

Trolleys are weighed before checkout to identify any items customers who have used Scan as you Shop might have missed or scanned twice.

But some shoppers are unsure whether the new technology will take off with some likening it to airport security. "Am I at border control or Tesco?" one Reddit user posted, while another joked "No clubcard? Deported!"

Others questioned whether the scales were aimed at cracking down on self-scan shoplifters or cutting back on checkout staff. Tesco declined to comment............... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0rzvrjkklko

[SteveH]

The boss of Asda has warned there is no "quick fix" to boost the supermarket’s flagging sales as it tries to win back customers from rivals.

Allan Leighton, Asda’s executive chairman, said profits would be lower this year due to investment plans aimed at lowering prices for customers and improving the availability of products.

Britain's third largest supermarket has been struggling to keep up with its competitors, losing market share to bigger rivals such as Tesco and discounters Aldi and Lidl last year.

After releasing its latest financial figures on Friday, Mr Leighton said the grocer was aiming for its prices to be five to 10% cheaper than its rivals going forward.

Asda revealed on Friday that sales, excluding fuel, fell almost 1% to £21.7bn last year............   

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20ljpj87pdo

[SteveH]

The name WH Smith, a staple of UK town centres since the Victorian era, is set to disappear from the High Street after the firm agreed to sell its shops to Hobbycraft-owner Modella Capital.

The new owner has said it will keep the Post Office outlets that operate in many branches, but will rebrand the High Street chain as TGJones.

The WH Smith name is not being sold and will still be used at the airport, railway station and hospital outlets that are also not for sale.

Modella Capital will take over 480 stores in retail parks, shopping centres and on High Streets including 5,000 staff.

Modella said it would be "business as usual" while it worked on changes to the store chain including adding new ranges.

The new owner said the Toys "R" Us concessions and the 195 Post Office counters currently in WH Smith stores, would remain.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj3n3en7gppo

[SteveH]

The plans to regenerate the former M&S store on Llandudno high street has secured Welsh Government funding. The flagship store was once a crucial attractor to Mostyn Street but the famous brand relocated to Parc Llandudno in 2022.

M&S has thrived on the retail park but has left a large gap in the town centre. Llandudno landowner Mostyn Estates bought the site and has secured permission for a family entertainment hub with a food and drinks offer.

As part of a project to develop the unit, Conwy County Borough Council submitted a bid to the Transforming Towns Programme. Welsh Government has now awarded £700,000 against a total project cost of over £5m.

Mostyn Estates will be partnering with an experienced leisure operator who will manage the building to offer guests a fully themed café bar, six bowling lanes, intelligent darts, shuffleboard, pool tables, an indoor 11-hole crazy golf, along with a family entertainment centre to add an indoor recreation facility to the heart of Llandudno.......

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/llandudno-ms-regeneration-secures-welsh-31378927?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Tesco has said it expects to make lower profits this year as it faces a potential price war with the UK's other major supermarkets.

The British retail giant said profits could be up to £400m lower if it is forced to reduce the cost of groceries after rival Asda recently announced big price cuts to try to restore its fortunes.

Tesco's chief executive Ken Murphy said that there had been an "intensification" of competition across the industry.

A price war could benefit many households struggling with the cost of living, especially after a number of bills increased in April.

Tesco said operating profits would likely be between £2.7bn and £3bn, below what it made for the last financial year and lower than the £3.2bn forecast by analysts............  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyqqpe7211o

[SteveH]

Update on above.....

Sainsbury's has forecast that shop profits will flatline or fall in the coming year as the supermarket sector prepares for a possible price war.

The retailer said it expects income to dip to £1bn as it continues to invest in lowering grocery prices.

Last week, Tesco admitted that it could take a significant hit if it is forced to cut prices after Asda - now under the leadership of industry veteran Allan Leighton - announced it would reduce grocery costs to boost the struggling store.

A race to lower prices could help households who are still struggling with the cost of living at a time when bills, such as energy and water, are increasing............https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c78j4g2ve2vo

[Hugo]

Asda bosses reveal fire-ravaged North Wales store re-opening date
Local councillor calls the re-opening 'long-awaited' following last year's blaze
An Asda spokesman said: "Asda is delighted to announce that its Llandudno Junction store will re-open on Friday May 2nd, following a fantastic effort from all involved to get the store back up and running. The store, which was forced to close temporarily due to a fire in December last year, has opened its doors once again ensuring that the local community can benefit from having Asda’s unbeatable value on its doorstep.


https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/asda-bosses-reveal-fire-ravaged-31466732

[Hugo]

M&S issue new update to tell shoppers what to expect at stores and online in next few days
The statement follows a cyber attack on the retailing giant




https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/ms-issue-new-update-tell-31499053

[Hugo]

Lidl targets six North Wales towns for new stores in £500m expansion
There are also five communities where they want to relocate the existing supermarket





https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/lidl-targets-six-north-wales-31578211