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Soult's Retail View

Archived blog posts (2009 to 2018) about shops on the high street and online, by North East-based retail consultant Graham Soult

New Tesco Extra, Sunderland (6 Jul 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 2

Property / Retail Parks / Supermarkets

July 8, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published July 8, 2013 · Last modified November 10, 2016

North East leads the space change as Tesco adds gyms to Extra stores

Tesco Extra branches in Stockton-on-Tees and Sunderland are to see surplus space converted into gyms, as the retail giant looks to ‘repurpose’ excess square footage within...

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The Original Sofa Co. homepage (25 Jun 2013) 0

Brands / Online / Retailer Q&A

June 28, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published June 28, 2013 · Last modified June 12, 2018

Clicks, bricks and stunning images: Retailer Q&A with The Original Sofa Co.

If you read the blog accompanying my 2012 Autumn Fair seminar on creating great web content, you’ll know that one of the things I always...

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Waltons homepage (24 Jun 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 0

Online / Retailer Q&A

June 24, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published June 24, 2013

“We want to be the Amazon of the garden”: Retailer Q&A with Waltons

Waltons, the specialist garden buildings etailer, is a company that my CannySites.com business has worked with for nearly five years now, its ranges of sheds, summerhouses...

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Postcard of Campbell Place, Stoke-upon-Trent, c1953, with Majestic Buildings on the right 8

Property / Retail History / Woolworths

June 23, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published June 23, 2013 · Last modified November 10, 2016

Eighty-five years on: tracking down the ex-Woolworths in Stafford and Stoke

An anniversary is always as good an excuse as any to write a Woolworths-related blog post, and if you were around 85 years ago today...

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Bedtrader homepage (6 Jun 2013) 0

Online / Retailer Q&A / Social Media

June 6, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published June 6, 2013 · Last modified April 20, 2017

“The power of digital is the biggest opportunity”: Retailer Q&A with Hartlepool-based Bedtrader

Though my consumer directory business, CannySites.com, showcases home, garden and holiday retailers from across the UK, I’m always particularly pleased when I get to work with successful...

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Home & Living aisle, Tesco Extra, Gateshead (17 May 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 13

Interiors / Merchandising / Supermarkets

May 20, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published May 20, 2013 · Last modified October 24, 2013

Exclusive pictures: a first look inside the new Tesco Extra at Gateshead’s Trinity Square

It might not open for another three days (at 8am on Thursday 23 May), but last Friday I was delighted to be the first blogger...

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Poundland (former Woolworths), Inverness (4 May 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 0

Retail History / Variety Stores / Woolworths

May 19, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published May 19, 2013 · Last modified November 10, 2016

Ex-Woolies spotting in Inverness, Dingwall and Blairgowrie

If you like looking at shops and high streets, going on holiday to north west Sutherland, in Scotland – as I did earlier this month – isn’t...

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Scheme signage at Trinity Square, Gateshead (17 May 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 1

Property / Regeneration / Shopping Centres

May 19, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published May 19, 2013 · Last modified November 10, 2016

Gateshead’s Tesco-anchored Trinity Square gets ready for its 23 May opening

With just four days to go before the Tesco-anchored retail portion of Trinity Square opens (on Thursday 23 May), Gateshead shoppers are getting their first...

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Havens website (22 Apr 2013) 0

Department Stores / Economy / Independent Stores / Interiors / Online / Retailer Q&A

April 22, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published April 22, 2013

“The high street needs to adapt and evolve”: Retailer Q&A with Havens department store

The traditional, independent department store has been a fixture of the British high street for generations – yet look around, and you could be forgiven for...

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Bewick Way, connecting Trinity Square with Jackson Street in Gateshead (21 Apr 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 11

Property / Regeneration / Shopping Centres

April 22, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published April 22, 2013 · Last modified November 10, 2016

Sports Direct heads tenant list for Gateshead’s Trinity Square

One month ahead of its 23 May opening, the names of several more tenants for Gateshead’s £150m Trinity Square development have emerged. The most recent brochure for...

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Items from Lucza's collection. Photograph courtesy of Lucza 0

Fashion Stores / Online / Retailer Q&A

April 19, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published April 19, 2013 · Last modified August 26, 2017

“Women are looking for stylish, flattering classic styles online”: Retailer Q&A with Lucza

Yesterday’s blog about Jack Wills opening a Newcastle store alongside TK Maxx and Armani Exchange demonstrated that many established fashion names are continuing to find opportunities on...

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Jack Wills, Exeter (9 Sep 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult 1

Fashion Stores / Property / Shopping Centres

April 18, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published April 18, 2013

Jack Wills “agrees terms” on Newcastle Monument Mall store

I understand that self-styled “university outfitter” Jack Wills has agreed terms on the prominent corner unit at Hammerson’s Monument Mall, bringing the brand to Newcastle...

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Rescued HMV store in Newcastle (5 Apr 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 2

Guest Blog / Online / Technology

April 11, 2013

 by Joe Errington · Published April 11, 2013

HMV needs to know its own strength

Following Graham’s recent article about HMV’s buyout by restructuring specialists Hilco, it is worth taking a look at what lies ahead for this British institution....

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Premurosa.com homepage (8 Apr 2013) 0

Online / Retailer Q&A

April 8, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published April 8, 2013 · Last modified May 7, 2018

“Creating new ideas and selling them is what I enjoy”: Retailer Q&A with Premurosa

One of the joys of doing a lot of networking in the North East – both via social media and in person, through networks such as Durham...

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HMV, Solihull (22 Feb 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 2

Overseas / Property / Specialist Retailers

April 5, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published April 5, 2013 · Last modified November 10, 2016

Hilco has rescued HMV, but now the hard work really starts

It’s been nearly three months coming, but now the news that everyone wanted to hear has been confirmed: the iconic entertainment retailer HMV, which collapsed...

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Inside former Woolworths (now Wetherspoon's), Prestwick (21 Nov 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult 3

Property / Regeneration / Woolworths

March 16, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published March 16, 2013 · Last modified February 12, 2017

Pick ‘n’ mixed grill: the ex-Woolworths that are now Wetherspoons

There are 870 Wetherspoon pubs, including a few in former Woolworths premises. Here are the ex-Woolies Wetherspoons I’ve come across on my travels to date.

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Stuart Kew's Forgotten London Woolworths blog (16 Mar 2013) 0

Property / Retail History / Woolworths

March 16, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published March 16, 2013 · Last modified November 10, 2016

Hunting for long-gone Woolies stores in Harrow and Sudbury Hill

It’s been great to see a new Woolworths-related history blog appear this week, courtesy of longstanding former Woolies staff member Stuart Kew. His blog, Forgotten...

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Club Clas promotion on Clas Ohlson's Swedish website (12 Mar 2013) 2

Home and DIY / Loyalty / Mobile Commerce / Online / Overseas

March 12, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published March 12, 2013

Clas Ohlson launches ‘Club Clas’ loyalty scheme in Sweden – with UK expected to follow

Clas Ohlson, the Swedish ‘modern hardware’ retailer, has launched its first loyalty scheme – the ‘Club Clas’ customer club – in its home market, with...

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Former Woolworths and Poundsworth, Girvan (21 Nov 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult 4

Property / Woolworths

March 8, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published March 8, 2013 · Last modified November 10, 2016

I’ve now visited and tracked a quarter of the ex-Woolies estate – but what have they all become?

Headlines: 214 ex-Woolworths stores visited, out of the 807 that closed following its collapse Of those, only 12 currently empty (6%) 7 continually empty (3%)...

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New Maplin, Grainger Street, Newcastle (3 Mar 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 0

Consumer Electronics / Property / Specialist Retailers

March 5, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published March 5, 2013

16 March opening for Newcastle’s “25% bigger” Maplin store

Electronics specialist Maplin has confirmed that its relocated Newcastle branch will open on Saturday 16 March. The retailer is leaving its current site at 43 Pilgrim Street and...

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@soult

Woolworths… from the archives

  • Former Woolworths, Seaham (2 April 2010). Photograph by Graham Soult

    Former Woolworths in Seaham – one store, two stories

    June 2, 2010

CannyInsights.com on Instagram

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cannyinsights

Gateshead Railway Quarter isn't a new thing, but p Gateshead Railway Quarter isn't a new thing, but putting the name up there undoubtedly makes it more real....

https://www.cannyinsights.com/2025/04/29/gateshead-railway-quarter-how-to-improve-your-town-by-starting-with-what-is-already-good/
An initial action shot of me yesterday evening! Th An initial action shot of me yesterday evening! Thank you to Spalding & District Civic Society for the kind invitation to speak, and to the large and engaged audience for a great many pertinent questions during the Q&A afterwards 💬

Their obvious passion for the town demonstrated the power of what can be achieved by harnessing that enthusiasm and working together to make a difference. 

One woman told me afterwards "You expressed everything that I feel about #Spalding", which is always one of the best compliments I can hope for 💪☺️

#highstreet #highstreets #evolvingnotdying #lincolnshire
Specialist Speakers is a speaker bureau for keynot Specialist Speakers is a speaker bureau for keynote and motivational speakers in business, politics, economy and management....

https://www.cannyinsights.com/2025/03/26/graham-soult-now-featured-alongside-famous-names-at-at-specialist-speakers-speaker-bureau/
This page details retail units currently available This page details retail units currently available to let in Durham city centre. As Retail Cupid, we help match empty shops with new tenants....

https://www.cannyinsights.com/2025/03/13/march-2025-retail-cupid-update-current-retail-property-to-let-in-durham-city-centre/
Occupying the building where Wallsend Woolworths t Occupying the building where Wallsend Woolworths traded from 1929 to 1959, Tyneside Community Store offers essential items for those in need....

https://www.cannyinsights.com/2025/03/12/the-building-that-housed-wallsends-original-woolworths-and-that-continues-to-serve-the-community/
Sparked by a meeting I had with Seven Stories' Cre Sparked by a meeting I had with Seven Stories' Creative Lead in Residence Richard O'Neill last year, something magical for Durham has emerged!...

https://www.cannyinsights.com/2025/03/07/new-durham-seven-stories-pop-up-gets-a-helping-hand-from-the-retail-cupid/
If it were not for indoor market halls like the Gr If it were not for indoor market halls like the Grainger Market, where would new businesses take their first steps on to the high street?...

https://www.cannyinsights.com/2025/02/28/indoor-markets-are-not-just-wonderful-heritage-they-are-where-the-retailers-of-the-future-are-born/
As occupancy climbs, North Durham MP Luke Akehurst As occupancy climbs, North Durham MP Luke Akehurst got to see some of Chester-le-Street town centre's best independent businesses....

https://www.cannyinsights.com/2025/02/10/graham-takes-chester-le-street-mp-on-a-town-centre-walkabout/

About this blog

Soult's Retail View is a blog by me, Graham Soult, taking a wide-ranging look at the UK retail industry. I'm a retail consultant based in Gateshead - and the person behind CannyInsights.com and CannySites.com - so my posts often (but not always) have a North East flavour. [read more]

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Archive

Retail property… from the archives

  • HMV, Solihull (22 Feb 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult

    Hilco has rescued HMV, but now the hard work really starts

    April 5, 2013

  • New Next, Newcastle (14 Apr 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult

    Newcastle Next flagship set for 12 May opening

    April 15, 2011

  • Existing Mountain Warehouse store in Scotch Street, Carlisle (13 Feb 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult

    Mountain Warehouse CEO outlines plans for relocated Carlisle store as sales soar across the chain

    February 15, 2013

In the News

In December 2009, global media intelligence company Cision ranked Soult’s Retail View at #2 in its list of the UK’s top ten retail blogs.

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