* You are viewing the archive for July, 2009

More old Woolies sites to be taken over

Graham Soult July 30, 2009 Fashion Stores, Supermarkets, Variety Stores, Woolworths 1 Comment

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Former Woolworths store

Former Woolworths store

Since my previous post three days ago, there have been several more announcements regarding former Woolworths sites that have found new occupants:

TK … Continue Reading

Former Woolworths stores – status update

Graham Soult July 27, 2009 Fashion Stores, Property, Supermarkets, Variety Stores, Woolworths 8 Comments

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Closing down sale at Woolworths

Closing down sale at Woolworths

There have been a few more announcements of new occupants for old Woolworths stores over the last couple of weeks:

Wilkinson’s trial rebranding here to stay?

Graham Soult July 27, 2009 Brands, Home and DIY, Variety Stores 2 Comments

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New (top) and old (bottom) Wilkinson logos

New (top) and old (bottom) Wilkinson logos

Over the last few months, you may have spotted the new Wilkinson logo – above – that has been quietly appearing on the retailer’s bags and own-brand product packaging.

I’m yet to read anything suggesting that the new logo is any more than a trial, linked to the testing of a new store format; certainly, the full rebrand seems to have been rolled out to … Continue Reading

Esslemont & Macintosh – the one that got away

Graham Soult July 26, 2009 Department Stores, Independent Stores, Property, Retail History 1 Comment

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Union Street frontage of former Esslemont & Macintosh store, Aberdeen

Union Street frontage of former Esslemont & Macintosh store, Aberdeen

When I wrote about Vergo Retail’s recent acquisitions a few days ago, it brought to mind the photographs that I took back in February this year of the former Esslemont & Macintosh (E&M) department store in Aberdeen’s Union Street.

When Owen Owen fell … Continue Reading

John Lewis Bristol and the city’s changing retail landscape

Graham Soult July 24, 2009 Department Stores, Property, Retail History, Shopping Centres 3 Comments

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John Lewis Bristol. Photograph by Mattbuck4950

John Lewis Bristol. Photograph by Mattbuck4950

Perhaps it’s a reflection of my status as a retail nerd that one of the first things I usually do on Friday mornings is check out the John Lewis Partnership’s ‘Weekly Figures’.

These weekly stats are strangely compelling in that – probably uniquely for a major UK retailer – John Lewis publishes a store-by-store breakdown for its eponymous department store chain. Hence, … Continue Reading

Vergo Retail – the saviour of unloved Co-op department stores?

Graham Soult July 23, 2009 Brands, Department Stores, Independent Stores, Retail History 8 Comments

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Co-op Department Store, Great Yarmouth, prior to Vergo Retail's takeover. Photograph by Stephen McKay

Co-op Department Store, Great Yarmouth, prior to Vergo Retail's takeover. Photograph by Stephen McKay

In the last couple of weeks, one interesting news story that has been easy to miss is the takeover of the East of England Co-op’s department store business by Vergo Retail.

Vergo Retail, as you may be aware, is the Liverpool-based operation headed … Continue Reading

Does anyone else photograph Tescos?

Graham Soult July 22, 2009 Department Stores, Overseas, Supermarkets 1 Comment

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Until I do write my first proper blog post, let’s at least cheer things up on the home page with some gratuitous Tesco shots. As you might expect, foreign Tescos tend to be much more visually interesting than those in the UK.

Tesco in Eger, Hungary

Tesco in Eger, Hungary

How about starting off with this very large (and seemingly very successful) Tesco on the outskirts of Eger in Hungary? The planners … Continue Reading

Getting the hang of things

Graham Soult July 22, 2009 Personal 2 Comments

Well, installing WordPress was easy enough – thanks Matthew!

I’ve just got to think of some interesting retail-related things to say now. Typically, I had lots of ideas this morning prior to setting up the blog, but now that it’s live my mind has gone blank – perhaps that’s to be expected after being at work all day. Still, I’m sure it won’t be long before I come up with something – even if its only to remark on the John Lewis Partnership weekly update on Friday morning!