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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

Poster showing Victoria's Secret at Monument Mall, Newcastle (3 Mar 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 5

Property / Shopping Centres

March 5, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published March 5, 2013 · Last modified March 23, 2017

Victoria’s Secret heading to Newcastle’s Monument Mall – if Hammerson’s posters are to be believed

Newcastle is set to host one of the UK’s first branches of Victoria’s Secret – if posters around Hammerson’s Monument Mall development are to be believed.

Read more....
Fitting out Ponden Home, Gateshead (10 Feb 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 4

Home and DIY / Property / Regeneration / Shopping Centres

February 17, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published February 17, 2013 · Last modified November 10, 2016

Ponden Home opens in Gateshead’s ex-Bonmarche store as Trinity Square takes shape nearby

Ponden Home, the soft furnishings and accessories retailer, has opened a new shop in Gateshead town centre, taking the unit in Jackson Street that had been empty...

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New TK Maxx, Northumberland Street, Newcastle (10 Feb 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 4

Fashion Stores / Property / Shopping Centres

February 17, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published February 17, 2013 · Last modified January 16, 2017

Newcastle’s new TK Maxx gets ready for 28 February opening

Getting on for a year since the redevelopment of Monument Mall began, the first reconfigured store within the Hammerson-owned scheme is finally preparing to open...

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Clas Ohlson website (15 Feb 2013) 1

Brands / Campaigns / Economy / Home and DIY / Marketing / Online / Outdoor Leisure / Property / Social Media

February 15, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published February 15, 2013

Clas Ohlson bucks the trend as winter ranges drive UK sales up 7% during January

On the same day as the ONS has revealed an unexpected fall in UK retail sales during a snowy January, one retailer – the Swedish hardware...

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Existing Mountain Warehouse store in Scotch Street, Carlisle (13 Feb 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 0

Outdoor Leisure / Property / Specialist Retailers

February 15, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published February 15, 2013

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

The boss of Mountain Warehouse has told Soult’s Retail View that the chain plans to open a new, bigger store in Carlisle – despite its current store in Scotch...

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Sage Business Experts website (11 Dec 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult 0

Marketing / Merchandising / Online / Social Media

February 12, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published February 12, 2013 · Last modified July 25, 2017

A challenge from Sage: my tips on starting a business in retail… in 500 words

As you may have seen already, I was recently recruited as a Business Expert by the well-known Newcastle-based business software and services provider Sage. Set...

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HMV, South Shields (18 Jun 2010). Photograph by Graham Soult 1

Economy / Online / Specialist Retailers

February 12, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published February 12, 2013 · Last modified May 7, 2018

Four North East stores to go in first wave of HMV closures

As you may well have seen last week, four North East locations are among the 66 loss-making HMV stores that will close within the next couple...

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Woolaballoo.com site on an iPad (1 Feb 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 0

Marketing / Online / Social Media

February 4, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published February 4, 2013 · Last modified February 12, 2013

Notes from my Spring Fair seminar: 14 tips for creating great retail web content #SF

After sharing my practical tips on creating a great retail website at last year’s Autumn Fair, it was a pleasure to be invited back to the E-commerce...

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Spring Fair's Ecommerce and Social Media Theatre logo 0

Home and DIY / Marketing / Online / Social Media

February 1, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published February 1, 2013 · Last modified November 10, 2016

Catch my free seminar on creating great web content – this Monday (4 February) at Spring Fair #SF

After helping retailers “get content with their web content” at last year’s Autumn Fair International, I’m delighted to have been invited back to give the...

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Shower Enclosures UK website (30 Jan 2013) 0

Home and DIY / Marketing / Online / Retailer Q&A / Social Media

January 31, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published January 31, 2013 · Last modified November 10, 2016

“What began as a marketing exercise is now all consuming”: Retailer Q&A with Shower Enclosures UK

If one theme has emerged clearly from my Retailer Q&A series to date, it’s that modern retail businesses can’t really afford to ignore the Internet: whether...

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Lincolnshire Co-op website (30 Jan 2013). Photograph by Graham Soult 0

Co-operatives / Department Stores / Home and DIY / Property / Retail History

January 30, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published January 30, 2013 · Last modified November 10, 2016

Now Lincolnshire Co-op is to exit non-food – but a “bright future” under new ownership is promised

Just one week after Midlands Co-op announced the closure of its department stores, Lincolnshire Co-op has revealed that it too is to exit non-food.

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Co-op department store, Derby (10 Nov 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult 7

Co-operatives / Department Stores / Merchandising / Property / Retail History

January 21, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published January 21, 2013 · Last modified January 16, 2017

As eight Midlands Co-op department stores face closure, what might the future hold?

Midlands Co-op has become the latest co-operative society to exit non-food, with its announcement today that eight Fashion & Home department stores are to close within...

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Nipper logo at HMV in Coventry (7 Feb 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult 7

Economy / Online / Specialist Retailers / Supermarkets / Woolworths

January 14, 2013

 by Graham Soult · Published January 14, 2013 · Last modified July 30, 2014

Nipper on the brink: is there a future for HMV, and do we care?

If reports tonight are to be believed, it looks like the 92-year-old entertainment retailer HMV could collapse into administration tomorrow (Tuesday 15 January), putting around 235 stores and...

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Wood's Gifts at Tamworth Co-op (21 Dec 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult 8

Co-operatives / Department Stores / Retail History

December 24, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published December 24, 2012 · Last modified May 7, 2018

New Jacques Vert concession launched as Tamworth Co-op’s department store looks to the future

Tamworth shoppers now have access to a raft of Jacques Vert Group womenswear brands, following the opening of a new upmarket outlet concession in the...

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HMV Newcastle (11 Jun 2010). Photograph by Graham Soult 3

Economy

December 13, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published December 13, 2012 · Last modified May 7, 2018

As HMV struggles, just how important is the pre-Christmas trading period for retailers?

Eighteen months on from securing a £220m refinancing ‘lifeline’, HMV’s warning today that it is likely to breach its banking covenants in January and April has...

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Nabru homepage (13 Dec 2012) 0

Advertising / Home and DIY / Mobile Commerce / Online / Retailer Q&A

December 13, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published December 13, 2012 · Last modified January 30, 2013

“The biggest opportunities lie in mobile commerce”: Retailer Q&A with Nabru

With Walmsley’s currently teetering on the high street, and chains like Habitat, Land of Leather and MFI having collapsed in the last few years, the...

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QS Supplies website (13 Aug 2012) 1

Home and DIY / Online / Retailer Q&A / Specialist Retailers

December 5, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published December 5, 2012

Bringing a “fashion skill set” to bathrooms: Retailer Q&A with QS Supplies

Back in July, I discussed the fragmented and increasingly competitive bathrooms market, raising the question of “what independent bathroom retailers – whether offline, online, or...

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Walmsley's, Newcastle (3 Dec 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult 3

Brands / Online / Property

December 5, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published December 5, 2012 · Last modified April 3, 2017

North East stores at risk as high street furnisher Walmsley’s collapses again

Stores in Newcastle, Sunderland, Blyth and Stockton are among 24 shops that are at risk following the collapse of Walmsley’s, the high street furniture specialist,...

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New Tiger store, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow (22 Nov 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult 2

Overseas / Property / Variety Stores / Woolworths

November 23, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published November 23, 2012 · Last modified May 7, 2018

Celtic Tiger: the Danish variety retailer prepares for Glasgow store opening

If you follow my tweets you’ll know that I’ve spent the middle part of this week in Glasgow, taking time to explore the Ayrshire coast...

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Spice chest at Achica (20 Aug 2012) 22

Customer Service / Home and DIY / Online

November 8, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published November 8, 2012 · Last modified November 14, 2012

Critiquing the Achica experience as I try out the “members-only luxury lifestyle store”

Since its launch less than three years ago, the private sales etailer Achica – badged as the “members-only luxury lifestyle store” – has been something of a quiet...

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@soult

Woolworths… from the archives

  • c1920s postcard of unidentified Woolworths

    Can you identify this mysterious Woolworths from a century ago? [updated]

    November 20, 2011

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As a presumably well-intentioned but unhelpful new As a presumably well-intentioned but unhelpful new report on "Ghost Towns" is published today, it's time to stop feeding this narrative....

https://www.cannyinsights.com/2025/05/23/you-want-healthier-high-streets-then-maybe-think-twice-before-publishing-a-report-about-ghost-towns/
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/

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

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

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

    May 19, 2013

  • Walmsley's, Newcastle (3 Dec 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult

    North East stores at risk as high street furnisher Walmsley’s collapses again

    December 5, 2012

  • Northumberland Street, Newcastle (14 Mar 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult

    Recording Northumberland Street’s retail (r)evolution

    March 14, 2011

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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