A new UGO tour: positive signs as I go supermarket spotting in Barnsley and Hull

Graham Soult

Retail consultant, writer, blogger; helping retailers via CannyInsights.com and CannySites.com. Say hello on Twitter at @soult!

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9 Responses

  1. Jim Westwell says:

    UGO in Bury has never really come up to expectations. When first opened many of the products were as Netto but unfortunately the customers did not come through the doors. Whether this was due to a lack of advertising or just confusion over which stores would be Asda, Morrisons or UGO.
    As the weeks and months passed the range has reduced, the prices have risen and even less customers. A concern over identity came when all the Heritage brands and Nisa bags appeared.
    Now in 2012 the situation is even worse… Saturday Jan 21st and whole shelves are filled with single product, very little choice and fresh product levels low or non-existent. Many of the floor displays have been removed and there are few special promotions leaving lots of empty space.
    On a positive note the products from Woodhead bakery are of decent quality and price. This is where the good news ends with little alcohol available and the cigarette gantry nearly empty.
    I had hoped that UGO would have stepped into Netto shoes but unfortunately that has not turned out to be the case. Reading the short history of Haldanes doesn’t fill me with much confidence for the future of the retail group either. I hope things do turn round for them but if things continue as they seem to be …then there will be more added to the unemployment figures quite soon.

  2. darren says:

    you should visit the lundwood branch now they never have enough of the basics such as milk,bread but have lots of booze as im not a alcoholic and dont put wine on my cornflakes its no good to me. when it was netto it was a lot better and i spent a lot of money there. I now go to iceland its cheaper and they deliver it

  3. Graham Soult says:

    I think you’re right, Dan – and the only way to achieve that will be for UGO to continue to reduce reliance on the Nisa-sourced products.

  4. Dan says:

    Sadly, for all the improvements you mention, the store is still far more expensive than Netto. The Nisa range is quite poor quality as well.

    I’m afraid the prices still need a huge amount of work.

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