Tag: shopping

M&S Edinburgh colleague celebrates 50 golden Christmases

Susan Jack, a shining star at Marks & Spencer’s Princes Street store in Edinburgh is celebrating a half-century of holiday magic this year.

Sales Advisor for Jaeger and Womenswear at Marks & Spencer Princes Street, Susan is celebrating her 50th Christmas working for the high-street retailer and is particularly excited about this year’s range of sparkling dresses and skirts, perfect for any festive occasion.

Susan’s M&S career began just before Christmas in 1974 at the Princes Street store, just in time for the holiday rush in the ‘Ladies Fashions’ department.

With 50 years retail experience now under her belt, Susan has witnessed incredible innovations, from the evolution of tights to the affordability of cashmere and to the sparkle of the modern-day beauty counter, particularly at Christmas. She has always been fascinated by the changing trends in customer shopping habits.

From 1994 to 1999, Susan left the Princes Street store to join the opening team at the Gyle Shopping Centre. Remarked as one of Susan’s proudest moments, she thrived in training the new store team before returning to Princes Street as a Section Manager for Womenswear.

For Susan, the Christmas season is a magical time, she reflected: “Christmas is always special, particularly watching customers come in for their Christmas food shop. It brings so much joy to the store.” 

She fondly looks back on the annual ‘turkey trot’, a term the team has coined for when Edinburgh shoppers collected their turkey and cranberry sauce! 

The Turkey ordering service was soon introduced in 1982 to enhance convenience for customers. 

As for Susan’s favourite turkey, she reveals: “The British Oakham Turkey Breast Joint is my favourite, we get it every year as it carves like a dream!”.

Susan has cherished celebrating Christmas with her colleagues over the years. From being amongst the first to sample the Christmas range as soon as it’s released, to attending January Christmas parties (a retail tradition), she has seen it all.

Reflecting on her five decades working for the retailer, Susan Jack, says: “More than anything over the years, M&S has given me confidence; I was very shy when I started, but my time at M&S has taught me how to be outgoing, reassuring me in my skills.

“I’d like to thank all my colleagues for creating such an enjoyable working environment and M&S for all the opportunities I’ve had over the last 50 years. The friendships I have made over the past five decades are truly irreplaceable and will last a lifetime.

“Watching their children grow up and become parents themselves is something I am forever grateful for.”

Store Manager Jon Cameron added; “I am immensely proud of the incredible dedication and achievements Susan has made over the past 50 years. Her unwavering commitment, exceptional service, and the positive impact she has on both our team and customers are truly inspiring.

“We are honoured to celebrate this remarkable milestone and look forward to many more years working alongside Susan.”

First Look: Gucci’s first standalone boutique in Edinburgh unveiled

MULTREES WALK WELCOMES GUCCI TO EDINBURGH

Gucci is expanding its presence in the UK with the opening of its first standalone boutique outside of London, in Edinburgh.

Situated in the Scottish capital’s luxury shopping destination Multrees Walk, the space spans over 367 square meters and carries a wide selection of product comprising of both men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, handbags, accessories, shoes and jewellery.

The store’s interior design places Gucci’s collections at the forefront, featuring an optical marble flooring inspired by designs in historic buildings, complemented by Gucci Rosso Ancora red, acid green and yellow carpeting, which define various areas within the store.

Clean lines and understated tones are complemented by an intuitive appreciation for Made in Italy values – quality, authenticity, and a distinct sense of style – which resonate with the meticulous choices of materials and furnishings, in harmony with Sabato De Sarno’s contemporary aesthetic.

With a wide assortment of leather accessories available, the space showcases a curated selection of signature handbag lines, including the Jackie 1961, the Horsebit 1955 and the Bamboo 1947 offered in various precious leather variations. 

As part of Gucci’s commitment to implement and enhance eco-friendly initiatives and energy-efficient technologies in the House’s stores worldwide, the new boutique is designed using LEED guidelines and principles; monitor and promote energy efficiency.

Multrees Walk has also welcomed a number of global brands this year including TAG Heuer, Michael Kors and Mappin & Webb, with Omega due to open later this year elevating the luxury retail offering in the capital.

The Centre Livingston set to host an Autumn/Winter style event with a £300 giveaway

The Centre, Livingston will be hosting an Autumn/Winter style event on Saturday, 14th September, 12 – 4pm with local stylist and colour expert, Leigh Maybury, where shoppers can get top tips on key trends this season and be in with a chance of winning a £50 Gift Card to treat themselves.

The free event follows on from the success of Leigh’s first Spring/Summer event in May this year where visitors travelled from around the country for style tips and a colour analysis to find out which shades compliment them the most, and ones to avoid, when it comes to shopping for clothes, accessories and make up.

Leigh, a former Director at the jewellery company, Sella & Dot, qualified at the London College of Style and trained in the art of colour, before launching her own company, Life with Style in 2016. Her aim is to give people the confidence to get out of their comfort zone and try something new, not just on special occasions, but every day.

The event, which will be located near M&S, will give visitors to the shopping mall the chance to get an insight into style trends including animal prints and how to incorporate the season’s key colours, like red and chocolate brown with good neutrals to help build an easy to wear Autumn/Winter capsule wardrobe.

There will also be mini colour analysis sessions on a first come, first service basis, with limited spaces available, and a live ‘Style Talk’ at 1pm and 3pm on dopamine dressing and how to wear bright colours that give you a natural boost and make you feel happy.

Six lucky shoppers will also be in with a chance of winning a £50 Gift Card each to spend on a new outfit on the day.

Leigh said: “I’m delighted to be back at The Centre, Livingston on the 14th September to share my top Autumn/Winter style tips and trends with shoppers.

“Whether it’s an event you are going to or looking for advice on everyday wear, I’ll be able to help you to find exactly what you are looking for in the wide mix of fantastic shops which will make you look and feel great throughout the season.”

Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “We are really looking forward to having the expert stylist Leigh Maybury back into the shopping centre this month.

“Our last style event was such a big hit with shoppers who travelled far and wide to get advice on new trends and colours which is why we wanted to host another one which focused on Autumn/Winter key trends, and this time give shoppers the chance to win a Gift Card too.”

Edinburgh shopper scoops over £800 for local foodbank in ALDI Supermarket Sweep

Aldi Scotland’s much-loved Supermarket Sweep challenge has been all over Scotland this year, and after being chosen to take part in the gameshow inspired activity, a lucky local winner has raised £809.18 for a foodbank of their choosing, while picking up £404.59 in Aldi favourites for herself.

The lucky sweeper, Laura Robertson, was selected from thousands of applicants as part of a competition at this year’s Royal Highland Show. She selected Aldi’s Chesser store to take part in the five-minute trolley dash on Tuesday 13 August.

As well as taking home a trolley full of goodies, Laurasuccessfully found the hidden inflatable in store, meaning Aldi Scotland doubled the total value of her haul and donated the lump sum to her nominated charity, The Salvation Army.

Aldi Supermarket Sweep winner, Laura Robertson said: “The Supermarket Sweep was a brilliant experience. I had so much fun running around the store with my husband and Aldi staff cheering me on.

“It’s a lot harder than I thought it would be, and the time goes by so quickly, but it’s an experience I’ll remember forever. I’m so glad I was able to raise so much money for my local foodbank, as it will help so many people in need.”

Elizabeth Young, Community Programme Coordinator, The Salvation Army, said: “I would like to say a massive thank you to Aldi for the substantial donation to our foodbank.

“Life is very tough for lots of the people visiting our foodbank, and this donation will go a long way to help us provide food parcels and spread a little love and kindness through this generosity.”

Graham Nicolson, Regional Managing Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “We know that the Aldi Supermarket Sweep is a firm favourite with shoppers across the country, so we were delighted to bring it back for another year.

“Congratulations to Laura who managed to raise an incredible £809.18 for The Salvation Army and snap up a whole load of Aldi treats for herself.”

More traffic problems expected on Telford Road from Monday

Scottish Power / Excalon move back to Craigleith on Monday (19 August) with Groathill Avenue closed between Telford Road and Sainsbury’s garage for around 5 weeks.

Groathill Road South will also be closed at Telford Road with local access retained via South Groathill Avenue.

New research reveals over half of Scottish shoppers prefer environmentally friendly products

Two thirds (66%) of Scottish shoppers prefer to buy products that have a more positive environmental impact, but are unsure how to identify them

  • According to an Amazon-commissioned survey, Scottish shoppers find building flat-pack furniture (53%), completing a giant crossword puzzle (34%), and learning to use a new software package for their computer (32%), easier than figuring out which everyday products have a lower environmental impact when shopping online.
  • More than half (62%) of Scottish shoppers want retailers to help them easily identify products which have a more positive environmental and social impact. This ranges from everyday items like socks and sugar, to personal care products like soap and sunscreen.
  • Amazon makes it easier for UK customers to discover and shop for products with sustainability features through Climate Pledge Friendly badging, which lists products’ sustainability impact areas such as recycled materials, energy efficiency, organic content and packaging efficiency.
  • Climate Pledge Friendly partners with vetted and reputable third-party certifications to recognise products with improvements in at least one aspect of sustainability, enabling shoppers to discover more than 1.4 million badged products globally. More than 60 million Amazon customers globally have switched to a Climate Pledge Friendly product from their usual brand purchases.

According to a recent Amazon-commissioned study of 2,000 British shoppers, two in three (66%) Scottish shoppers prefer to buy products that have a more positive environmental and social impact, but are confused by sustainability statements on product labels.

In fact, Scottish shoppers surveyed find building flat-pack furniture (53%), completing a giant crossword puzzle (34%), and learning to use a new software package for their computer (32%), easier than figuring out which everyday products have a lower environmental impact when shopping online.

As a result, only 6% of Scottish shoppers say they always understand a product’s environmental impact when they shop. More than half (62%) want retailers to help them easily identify products which have a more positive environmental and social impact. This ranges from everyday items like socks and sugar, to personal care products like soap and sunscreen.

Amazon makes it easier for customers to discover and shop for products with improvements in at least one aspect of sustainability.

Its Climate Pledge Friendly badge helps shoppers to discover and filter products based on clear sustainability features – from products containing recycled materials and designed with less packaging, to items made from organic content and safer chemicals. These features are based on vetted and reputable third-party certifications, such as Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade International and Forest Stewardship Council.

Certifications matter to Scottish shoppers, with 80% of respondents saying they are more likely to trust a product’s sustainability claims if it is supported by an official certification from a reputable organisation. 38% also claim to have abandoned a purchase when they did not trust or understand its sustainability claims.

One in three (33%) claim they are more likely to try a new brand or product if their social, ethical and environmental credentials are clear on the product itself, or at the point of sale online, giving them reassurance these brands align with their principles.

“Products with certified sustainability features are a top choice for UK shoppers, and it’s important that customers can easily understand exactly what those features are. At Amazon, we’re taking the guesswork out of the shopping experience, helping customers to shop for items that match their values,” said John Boumphrey, Amazon UK Country Manager.

Among the most sought-after sustainability features that Scottish shoppers look for are recyclable packaging (43%), kindness to animals (38%), reduced packaging (37%), made with responsible farming and forestry methods (33%) and made with consideration to protecting the rights/health of workers (32%), while 28% seek items made with recycled materials.

The top five product categories that respondents expect to find more sustainable options for include food and beverage items (50%), cleaning products (49%), apparel (37%), cosmetics and beauty (36%), and electronics/appliances (24%).

Nearly 37.6 million Amazon customers have switched to Climate Pledge Friendly badged products in 2023, leading to over 1.16 billion items sold, a 42% increase from 2022 – sending a strong signal to Amazon’s selling partners that customers want to shop for products with sustainability features.

As of today, Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly product selection has grown to more than 1.4 million items globally – a 157% increase from 2022.

“Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly certifications help us to communicate our brand commitment to more-sustainable processes and products,” said Tom Lloyd, Co-Founder and Commercial Director at Bloomsbury Mill, an award-winning children’s and baby brand in the UK, with several popular Climate Pledge Friendly products on the Amazon UK store.

“The qualification process is reassuringly thorough which means when customers see the Climate Pledge Friendly badge, they can be confident they are purchasing a product that goes some way to help preserve the natural world we live in,”

Amazon’s UK Climate Pledge Friendly programme features more than 50 independent sustainability certifications.

Products which have one or more of these certifications can be found by clicking on Climate Pledge Friendly on Amazon.co.uk.

Each Climate Pledge Friendly-badged product comes with clear and detailed descriptions of their sustainability features and underlying certifications, helping consumers make more informed choices when shopping online.

Lidl: What’s In The Box?! 

LIDL LAUNCHES 1,000 ‘MYSTERY BOXES’ EACH WORTH OVER £100

  • The supermarket is launching its first ever series of ‘Mystery Boxes’, packed full of characteristically random Middle of Lidl items for just £20
  • Fans will be able to get their hands on a wide selection of cult items, collectively worth over £100, from ukuleles to sandwich toasters and swimming goggles
  • Of the 1,000 limited edition boxes up for grabs, 50 lucky shoppers will also receive a high-value bonus item worth up to £199; anything from a swimming pool, to a dehumidifier, lawnmower or even a paddle board!
  • The Lidl Mystery Box will be available to purchase for £20 from 10am Thursday 15th August via www.lidlmysterybox.co.uk – but be quick!

The secret is out – Lidl is launching its first ever series of ‘Mystery Boxes’, each stuffed full of weird and wonderful ‘Middle of Lidl’ items, from coffee machines, ukuleles, goggles, crochet kits, massage guns and more! 

Worth over £100 each, the launch will see just 1,000 limited edition boxes up for grabs, priced at just £20 each. The question is, what will be inside the box? 

For 50 lucky dippers, a shiny Bonus Item Coupon will be hidden inside, unlocking a bigger bonus item worth up to a whopping £199. Coupon holders could receive anything from a Grillmeister 2-Burner Gas Barbeque to a Tower Air Fryer 5 in 1 Smokeless Grill, a Livarno Garden Furniture Set or even an Inflatable All-Round Stand-Up Paddle Board – so run don’t walk!

With Mystery Boxes bursting on to the scene with brands such as Candy Kittens* and Nike** jumping on the trend, the launch of the Lidl Mystery Box is a celebration of the beloved cult classic ‘Middle of Lidl’ which regularly grips the nation’s attention with its unpredictable product offering. 

They have recently gained significant traction online, with #MysteryBoxes trending on social media with a whopping 175.9M posts***. Shoppers are clearly looking to add some additional Middle Aisle pizzazz to their shopping sprees, and Lidl’s latest drop provides just that. 

In true ‘Middle of Lidl’ fashion, each box presents different surprises; fans could receive a Silvercrest Slushie Maker in one, whilst in another, shoppers could channel their inner Arnold Schwarzenegger and get DIY savvy with Parkside Spanners, or even learn a few chords with a Clifton Ukulele. Each box is a mystery just waiting to be solved…

Hopeful mystery-solvers can head to www.lidlmysterybox.co.uk to purchase one of the 1,000 Lidl Mystery Boxes from 10am Thursday 15th August for just £20 – available while stocks last. 

All proceeds of the Mystery Boxes will be donated to the NSPCC. 

Michael Kors debuts new store concept in Edinburgh

Michael Kors is pleased to announce a new, expanded Michael Kors Lifestyle store location on the renowned Multrees Walk in Edinburgh, this July. The store’s transformation reflects the brand’s new store design concept, with a focus on pared-down luxury and sophisticated glamour.

The 3,380 -square-foot store will carry a luxe selection of MICHAEL Michael Kors fashion and accessories, including handbags, ready-to-wear, small leather goods and footwear, as well as watches, jewellery and eyewear.

The store will also carry a broad assortment of leather goods, ready-to-wear, footwear and small leather goods from the Michael Kors Mens label, available on Multrees Walk for the first time.

The new Michael Kors store concept reflects the brand’s commitment to laid-back luxury, with an emphasis on ease and sophistication. Customers are welcomed into an atmosphere warmed by soft neutral tones, residential décor cues and an open, airy ambience enhanced by floating shelves and vivid light.

The setting invites customers to browse, shop and enjoy the brand’s exceptional personal styling and service.

Interior design elements include hand-troweled plaster finishes and a refined spectrum of material choices including warm oak wood flooring, glossed black and white marble, and brushed nickel fixtures. A palette of warm whites and soft beiges is paired with textural accents and tactile fabrics that complement Michael Kors’ luxurious take on glamour.

Commenting on the newly expanded store, Adam Stone, Head of Retail Asset Management UK at Nuveen said: “Multrees Walk has been home to Michael Kors since 2012, and we are delighted to see them thrive and flourish so successfully to the point where a larger store was required.

“The expansion will also see new lines and product offerings in Edinburgh which is fantastic news for our shoppers to Multrees Walk. 2024 is a very exciting year for Multrees Walk as we grow and evolve the retail offering by welcoming a number of high-end luxury brands.”

Clarks freezes prices on much-loved school shoes

The trusted shoe brand also reduces prices of a third on  its Back-to-School collection

As the cost of living continues to bite this summer, Clarks today  announces that it’s keeping its market-leading school shoes at 2023 prices.

The  brand is also reducing the price of 33% of its Back-to-School collection, so parents  can rest assured that they will pay less, or the same, as last year – win win! 

CLARKS HAVE IT COVERED  

From a reassuring 3-month fit guarantee to money-saving bundles, Clarks have also  got plenty of offers to make life a little easier for parents this back-to-school season. 

MORE THAN A FIT. IT’S A GUARANTEE. 

If kids’ shoes don’t fit three months from their in-store fitting, parents can exchange  them for a new pair. It’s as simple as that.

BUY TOGETHER AND SAVE 

Parents can buy those back to school essentials together this season and get some  great savings. Like £10 off a pair of kids trainers when you buy a full price pair of  school shoes. Less time shopping, more money in the pocket. 

WHY BUY CLARKS SCHOOL SHOES? 

QUALITY THAT LASTS… 

Clarks promise unbeatable quality. Clarks School Shoes are made with premium  materials and are packed with kid friendly features and benefits for long-lasting  comfort. Prices start from £38. 

LIGHT 

All our school shoes are specifically designed to be lightweight, helping  children’s feet and ankles move the way they’re meant to. 

BREATHABLE 

Kids’ feet sweat twice as much as adults’ feet. So, all our kids’ school shoes  use leather uppers and mesh linings with an antimicrobial treatment – keeping  them breathable all day long. 

FLEXIBLE 

Clarks school shoes support kids’ natural gait cycle, helping children walk  freely and confiently. 

TOUGH 

As well as charging around the playground, more than half of kids walk or  cycle to school. With robust materials and durable constructions, Clarks shoes  withstand this wear. 

CUSHIONED 

Kids take 10-16,000 steps a day on average – so shoes need to be  comfortable. Crafted with cushioned footbeds, our shoes reduce impact and  add softness to each stride. 

WE’VE DONE OUR HOMEWORK 

With almost 200 years of children’s foot health expertise, parents trust Clarks to  deliver perfectly fitting, science-backed pairs of shoes that empower kids to be their  very best selves – all day, all term, all year.

WE KNOWS THE SCIENCE OF KIDS FEET 

Clarks partner with podiatry experts at the University of Salford and have recently  carried out one of the largest studies in children’s biomechanics. With over 1200 3D  scans across 300 children. So customers can rest assured that Clarks school shoes  help kids move comfortably and freely. 

IN-STORE FITTINGS AND QUIET TIME 

If shoe shopping is overwhelming for little ones, customers can visit Clarks stores at  a time when there are fewer crowds, less noise and gentler lights. Pre-book an  appointment or just walk-in, the option is yours… 

MEASURED AT HOME 

With a Clarks foot gauge, which can easily be ordered from www.clarks.com, it’s  simple to get their shoe size spot on from the comfort of home.

Save the Date: Amazon Prime Day returns for 10th year on 16 & 17th July

The two-day event includes great savings from popular brands such as Elemis, ghd, Ninja, and Samsung, and Amazon’s lowest prices of the year so far on select products from Barbie, L’Oréal, Shark, and more

Prime members can enjoy fast, free delivery and access to exclusive deals across all categories, with new deals dropping throughout the event 

Visit www.amazon.co.uk/primeday to shop early deals and make the most of Prime Day savings now 

Amazon has announced that customers can expect big savings this summer, as the countdown to the 10th Prime Day begins. From 00:00 on 16th July until 23:59 on 17th July, Prime members will get exclusive access to hundreds of thousands of deals on a wide selection of popular brands across all categories including electronics, homeware, fashion and beauty. 

The shopping event will offer Prime members deals from top brands like Bose, Fitbit, Oral-B and Sony, as well as great savings from small businesses across the UK. New deals will drop throughout the event, with fast, free delivery available to all Prime members.

“The countdown to the 10th Prime Day in the UK starts now, and we have a huge selection of deals to come,” said John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager of Amazon. 

“We work really hard to deliver great products at the best prices for customers during Prime Day and throughout the year, from the biggest brands to the 100,000 small British businesses that sell on Amazon. With even faster deliveries and so many shopping, saving and entertainment benefits available, there has never been a better time to be a Prime member. Roll on Prime Day!”

Early Deals, Shop Now

Prime members don’t have to wait until Prime Day to save as early access to deals and exclusive savings starts now. Last year Prime members worldwide saved over $2.5 billion during Prime Day, and this year customers can browse personalised recommendations including “Deals you might like”, “Deals for you”, and “Deals related to items you saved,” and discover even more selection with curated collections such as Everyday Essentials, Top Brands, and Trending Deals.

Early discounts include:

  • Amazon Devices: Upgrade your home security systems with up to 50% off select Ring cameras and doorbells, including Indoor Camera (2nd Gen), Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) and Stick Up Cam starting on July 10th. Plus save 55% on the popular Ring Intercom and up to 65% off Blink cameras including Blink Outdoor 3-Cam and Blink Mini 2-Cameras. Get more deals on 12 July and save up to 45% on Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED series smart TV’s.
  • Amazon Music: Prime members who haven’t tried Amazon Music Unlimited can get five months free—the best deal ever from Amazon Music for Prime Day—in celebration of Amazon Music’s 10-year anniversary. Amazon Music Unlimited includes access to more than 100 million songs and top podcasts ad-free, on-demand, and in high-quality streaming audio.
  • Audible – New Audible customers can get 3 months membership free and enjoy unlimited listening to thousands of select Audible Originals, podcasts, and audiobooks. Offer available from 24 June to 31July 23:59. Terms Apply.
  • Gaming: To celebrate the lead-up to Prime Day from 24 June until 16 July, Prime members can claim an assortment of 15 popular and classic PC games at no additional cost, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, STAR WARS™ Knights of the Old Republic™ II: The Sith Lords, Hitman Absolution and more. 

Get Ready for Prime Day

Customers can join Prime or start a free trial at amazon.co.uk/primeday to take part in Prime Day, and enjoy member benefits throughout the year. Some of the ways that members can prepare and make the most out of Prime Day include:

  • Get deal notifications from Alexa: Prime members never have to worry about missing a deal thanks to Alexa. Prime members can ask Alexa for deal notifications on products added to their Wish List, Cart, or Save for Later. To get started, just ask, “Alexa, add [product name] to my cart,” and then ask Alexa to notify you about the deal when it’s live.
  • Set up deal notifications that are tailored to you: Keep your eyes on hot trending items with deal notifications. Prime members can set up personalized deal notifications to be alerted when their recent searches and product views have deals. To start receiving these alerts in time for Prime Day, visit the Prime Day event page on the Amazon Shopping app to create the deal alerts. 
  • Enjoy convenient delivery options: Make life easier with fast delivery on millions of items included with a Prime membership and choose the delivery option that best suits your need during Prime Day. Prime members in the UK receive unlimited fast, free One-Day Delivery on millions of items across all categories, with Same-Day Delivery available on over a million items in Greater London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, and more (minimum order values apply). You can also select free delivery to Amazon Lockers or Counters, or choose a delivery day preference with Amazon Day.

Discover Prime Day Deals Worldwide

Prime Day will kick off on 16th July in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the U.S., and the UK. Prime members in India can shop on Prime Day later this summer.