Taiko Drummers marked the opening of the global apparel retailer’s store on Princes Street yesterday.
UNIQLO boasts a spacious retail space spanning approximately 1,430 sq meters across two floors featuring the full collection of LifeWear for men, women, kids and babies.
Alessandro Dudech, Chief Operating Officer at UNIQLO U.K, Erhan Demir, UNIQLO Edinburgh General Manager, cut the ribbon to UNIQLO’s first Scottish store with special guests from the Japanese Consulate, Mr Tadashi Fujiwara and Ms Minori Ishii, and UNIQLO People Campaign cast member, Aisha Fatunmbi Randall, who has been at the forefront of the restoration of Leith Theatre in her role as Marketing and Digital Coordinator.
To mark the grand opening, UNIQLO Edinburgh is hosting special promotions and events, offering customers the chance to discover the latest styles and enjoy exclusive offers.
UNIQLO app customers will be in with the chance of winning a trip to Tokyo, by scanning the app with any purchase during opening weekend to be entered into the draw.
There will be limited price promotions exclusive to the Princes Street store on items such as Ultra Light Down, Extra Fine Merino sweaters, pleated wide pants and selected innerwear for both men and women.
UNIQLO currently has 19 stores in the U.K. The new Edinburgh Princes Street store opens hot on the heels of One Oxford Street in London on 18th April 2024.
The UNIQLO Edinburgh store operates during regular business hours, providing shoppers with ample opportunities to experience the brand’s renowned offerings. Whether seeking timeless classics or contemporary trends, UNIQLO invites the Edinburgh community to visit its newest location.
For more information about the new store, please visit:
UNIQLO is preparing to open the doors to its first and highly anticipated Scottish store in Edinburgh today.
Welcoming the city’s shoppers to the Princes Street store, the opening is set to regenerate the capital’s shopping scene. Boasting a spacious retail space spanning approximately 1,400 sq meters across two floors, the first Scottish store showcases the full collection of LifeWear for men, women, kids and babies.
Alessandro Dudech, Chief Operating Officer at UNIQLO U.K said: “We are delighted to bring UNIQLO to the thriving city of Edinburgh.
“Our brand is dedicated to providing innovative and high-quality clothing that caters to the needs and preferences of diverse lifestyles. With our presence in Edinburgh, we aim to become an integral part of the local community, offering a unique shopping experience that blends style, comfort and affordability.”
Housed in the iconic, modernist purpose-built retail store, designed by Johnson-Marshall and Partners in 1965, the UNIQLO Princes Street store features a wide range of popular collections.
Customers will be able to explore linen, BLOCKTECH, the brand’s smart range of water resistant and windproof items, as well as the high-performing AIRism collection, renowned for its lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics that adapt seamlessly to diverse climates.
UNIQLO SS24 collection available in Princes Street store from 25th April.
Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, said: “It’s fantastic news that UNIQLO, a global brand and one of Japan’s foremost casual wear retailers, has chosen Princes Street here in the Capital as the location for their flagship Scottish store.
“This is testament to the pull of our city to major international companies and I’m really looking forward to seeing the store open its doors. I’m encouraged to hear that UNIQLO will be partnering with local charity, Social Bite, working towards ending homelessness.
“Edinburgh is a city that is truly open for business and I’m excited to see what the future holds for Princes Street and beyond. I’m sure UNIQLO will make their mark here and I wish them every success.”
In-store Experience
The Japanese retailer’s first Scottish store focuses on experience-led features for customers including; RE.UNIQLO Studio and an in-store Japanese tearoom.
Following the success of UNIQLO UK’s first in-store café, which opened last year in the Covent Garden store, the Princes Street store will proudly unveil the brand’s second UK in-store café. Developed in partnership with Japanese tearoom, Katsute100, the space will offer customers Japanese inspired refreshments on the first floor, overlooking a picturesque view of Princes Street Gardens and the spectacular Edinburgh Castle.
Located next to the cafe is the RE.UNIQLO Studio where customers can recycle, repair or remake their favourite UNIQLO items so they can keep wearing and loving them for longer. In partnership with Scotland’s other national drink, IRN-BRU, customers can add BRU-themed embroidery pieces to their UNIQLO items for a limited time only. This is an exclusive to the Edinburgh RE.UNIQLO counter until the end of May 2024.
Limited edition designs in partnership with IRN-BRU, available for embroidery in the RE.UNIQLO Studio until the end of May.
Local partners
UNIQLO will champion local craftsmanship in the Princes Street store, featuring exclusive collaborations with Tom Fraser, Principal of the Chippendale School of Furniture and local artist Arran Rahimian, Tom’s hand-crafted benches will sit across the store’s interior, while Arran’s bespoke artworks will be found in the fitting rooms and adorned upon exclusive goody bags that will be distributed during the launch day festivities.
Other local partnerships that will be featured within the new UNIQLO store include an instore library with a curated collection of books provided by Golden Hare Books, giving customers an opportunity to read while in-store. Botanical studio, PYRUS has also lent its expertise, dressing the store with beautiful floral arrangements inspired by Edinburgh’s natural landscape, adding a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere upon entry to the store.
Curated collection of books provided by Golden Hare Books
Additionally, UNIQLO will partner with local charity Social Bite to support its mission to end homelessness. As part of this partnership UNIQLO is working with Social Bite to develop recruitment pathways by creating in-store job opportunities for the people the charity supports. Edinburgh staff will be volunteering with Social Bite and have provided clothing donations.
Opening Day Offers and Events
To commemorate the grand opening, UNIQLO Edinburgh is hosting special promotions and events, offering customers the chance to discover the latest styles and enjoy exclusive offers.
The first 100 customers through the door will receive a goody bag while UNIQLO app customers will be in with the chance of winning a trip to Tokyo, by scanning the app with any purchase during opening weekend to be entered into the draw. There will be limited price promotions exclusive to the Princes Street store on items such as Ultra Light Down, Extra Fine Merino sweaters, pleated wide pants and selected innerwear for both men and women.
Fans are invited to share their excitement across social channels using #UniqloEdinburgh, when they spot the activity including the UNIQLO branded Edinburgh Trams in the wake of the opening.
UNIQLO currently has 19 stores in the U.K. The new Edinburgh Princes Street store opens hot on the heels of One Oxford Street in London on 18th April 2024.
The UNIQLO Edinburgh store operates during regular business hours, providing shoppers with ample opportunities to experience the brand’s renowned offerings. Whether seeking timeless classics or contemporary trends, UNIQLO invites the Edinburgh community to visit its newest location.
For more information about the new store, please visit:
Fort Kinnaird has announced that a brand new Home Bargains store is set to join the centre later this year.
The variety store chain will bring its wide selection of discounted items and brands to the centre, including household goods, food, clothing and toys.
The popular chain will be opening its new 18,500 sq ft space next to Superdrug.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “We’re really pleased that Home Bargains has chosen Fort Kinnaird as the location of its next store opening.
“We know the retailer is a firm family favourite with so many staples at an affordable price and I’m sure it’ll prove popular with our shoppers.”
Home Bargains will join a range of other retailers at Fort Kinnaird, including M&S, NEXT and JD Sports.
Unavoidable hidden fees cost consumers £2.2 billion every year
Fake reviews, shop labelling and hidden fees that make shopping more difficult and expensive for consumers will all be targeted head on to clamp down on unfair trading practices.
Following a consultation into consumer transparency and as part of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill (DMCC), the Department for Business and Trade will officially add fake reviews to a list of banned business practices, outlaw dripped fees that are unavoidable for consumers and ensure that businesses provide clearer labelling for prices on supermarket shelves.
These measures will be legislated for as part of the DMCC Bill as it progresses through Parliament.
Sneaky hidden fees, or dripped prices that are unavoidable will be banned. Drip pricing occurs when consumers are shown an initial price for a good or service while additional fees are revealed (or “dripped”) later in the checkout process.
Research suggests it is widespread and occurs in more than half of providers in the entertainment (54 percent) and hospitality (56 percent) industry, and almost three quarters across transport and communication (72 percent) sectors.
Every year, unavoidable fees cost consumers £2.2 billion, which is why these laws are being designed to ensure online shoppers have a clear idea of what they are spending upfront, to inform them as much as possible and as soon as possible before making purchases.
To make it easier for consumers to compare products and services, fees that are mandatory must be included in the headline price or at the start of the shopping process – these include booking fees for cinemas and train tickets.
Optional fees such as airline seat and luggage upgrades for flights will not be included in these measures.
Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business Kevin Hollinrake said:“From supermarket shelves to digital baskets – modern day shopping provides customers with more choice than ever before. But with that, comes the increased risk of confusion, scams and traps that can easily cost the public more than they had planned.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates the clear steps we’re taking as a government to ensure customers can compare purchases with ease, aren’t duped by fake reviews, and have the sting of hidden fees taken away.”
Reviews were found to be used by 90% of consumers and contributed to the £224 billion spent in online retail markets in 2022, which is why this government is committed to ensuring that the information available online is accurate and fair.
Working with the Competition and Market’s Authority, new guidance will be created in the coming months to tackle fake reviews which will be added to the list of banned practices, with website hosts held accountable for reviews on their pages.
The Price Marking Order (PMO), a piece of Retained EU Law, will also be reformed now ]we have taken back control of our laws’.
The PMO requires traders to display the final selling price and, where appropriate the final unit price (e.g., price per litre/kilogram) of products in a clear way. The EU’s PMO laws were last updated 20 years ago and no longer reflect modern shopping habits.
We will be working with stakeholders and businesses to create new, simpler and clearer guidance for pricing labels that works best for British businesses and improves the shopping experiences for UK customers. This is expected to be issued in the spring.
Our proposed changes will ensure unit pricing is consistently applied, including to promotions and special offers, helping consumers compare products easily and identify what items represent the best value to them.
Small shops that are currently exempt from the PMO will continue to be exempt from those specific measures.
Graham Wynn, Assistant Director, British Retail Consortium said: “The BRC looks forward to continuing to work with officials as practical detailed implementation plans are developed. We are committed to ensuring information given to consumers is clear and they are not misled in any way.“
The UK Government will also be making provision for the PMO in relation to the Deposit Return Scheme so the cost of the deposit is displayed separately on price labels.
In addition to fake reviews and hidden fees, the DMCC Bill will also look at other consumer issues including subscription traps, and will provide the CMA with stronger tools to investigate competition problems and take faster, more effective action, including where companies collude to bump-up prices at the expense of UK consumers.
Scottish shoppers love hunting for second-hand deals – but when it comes to repairs, only one in five would mend a broken appliance
Half (49%) of consumers in Scotland say they enjoy looking for deals on second-hand and refurbished goods
More than one in three (39%) Scots would give a quality used or refurbished item to a loved one this Christmas as Amazon reveals the mostpopular ‘Second Chance’ shopping bargains
According to new research released today by Amazon, Scotland is a region of second-hand bargain hunters. Half (49%) say they enjoy hunting for deals on second-hand items, with almost a third (30%) saying they always seek second-hand or refurbished offers first.
The study also found 91% of people surveyed in Scotland check ‘used’ prices against new when shopping online, with 36% refusing to pay full price for anything, be it clothing, tech or homeware.
This openness to embracing quality used and refurbished products is likely to be reflected in Scotland’s Christmas stockings this festive season, with more than one in three people (39%) saying they would gift a quality second-hand item to a loved one.
Despite enthusiasm for buying second-hand and refurbished items, only one in four (23%) surveyed in Scotland would mend an appliance if it breaks. Instead of fixing it, 23% of adults surveyed in Scotland say they throw away items such as toasters and kettles when they break, while 36% say they recycle them.
The most common reasons for giving up on a repair were not knowing where to start and worrying that attempts to repair something would in fact make it worse. Amazon sold 4 million returned and refurbished products in the UK last year online through Amazon Second Chance (amazon.co.uk/amazonsecondchance), saving British customers more than £100 million.
In the first nine months of 2023, Amazon’s sales of second-hand goods in the UK increased by more than 15% compared to the same period last year.
Shoppers can bag bargains with up to 50% savings compared to recommended retail prices online and, for a limited time only, in person too at the new Second Chance Store in Central London.
The store also offers customers the chance to bring in broken home tech and laptops to its Repairs Zone for free advice and workshops on fixing them. In its opening week, home and kitchen items including upright hoovers and food blenders, game consoles and controllers, laptops, smartphones and toys were the most popular categories bought in the Second Chance Store.
“Some of the most popular products that people search for on Amazon are also available as quality second-hand items. When you buy second hand, you’re not just saving money, you are also giving a product a second chance. The beauty of second-hand shopping is that it’s like a treasure hunt. You never know what unique and valuable items you’ll discover while giving a second chance to pre-loved goods.” said Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline.
Generational attitudes to pre-loved shopping
Nationally, Gen Z – those born after 1996 – are the ones most likely to buy pre-loved items, with 31% of the clothes they wear and 33% of the tech they own being second hand, on average, according to the survey. More than four in 10 (44%) surveyed typically shop pre-loved first, but fewer than one in three (30%) would repair a broken appliance.
Millennial shoppers – age 27 to 42 – are the most open to learning how to repair a broken tech item, with almost half (45%) surveyed saying they have visited a “repairs café” in the past 12 months. Nearly three quarters (72%) say they have successfully followed a DIY repairs video on YouTube.
The research also reveals that three in 10 Generation X shoppers – aged between 41 and 56 – look for second-hand deals first, but 27% admitted they wouldn’t trust themselves to do a ‘DIY repair’ at home, according to the research.
Baby Boomers surveyed are among the least likely to try to repair and prolong the life of their belongings, with just 28% looking for pre-loved items before new. Cutting costs is the biggest reason all age groups ‘bargain hunt’, with 87% believing it’s good to save money when shopping, even if they can afford to pay full price. 59% also feel it’s important to buy pre-loved, or to extend a product’s life, for the planet.
Customers can visit the Second Chance Store, stocked with quality returns from Amazon up until 12 December, with all sales proceeds going to Barnardo’s. Amazon also offers quality returned products year-round online at Amazon Second Chance (amazon.co.uk/amazonsecondchance), which also provides customers with information about product repair, recycling and trade-in for electronics. Purchases are backed by Amazon’s 30-day return policy and award-winning customer service.
Picture – Chris Watt Photography
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For those looking to get a last-minute gift, or head to the sales after Christmas, Fort Kinnaird has confirmed its opening times over the festive period.
The centre will be open from 9am – 9pm in the week leading up to Christmas (Monday 18th – Friday 22nd December), 9am – 6pm on Saturday 23rd December and from 9am until 5pm on Christmas Eve (Sunday 24th December).
Opening days and times will vary by store, especially on Bank Holidays, so it’s always recommended that visitors check with individual retailers before setting off to avoid disappointment.
Fort Kinnaird’s full opening times throughout the Christmas week are:
· Sunday 24th December (Christmas Eve): 9am – 5pm
· Monday 25th December (Christmas Day): Closed
· Tuesday 26th December (Boxing Day): 9am – 6pm
· Wednesday 27th December: 9am – 9pm
· Thursday 28th December: 9am – 9pm
· Friday 29th December: 9am – 9pm
· Saturday 30th December: 9am – 6pm
· Sunday 31st December (New Years Eve): 9am – 5pm
· Monday 1st January (New Years Day): Selected stores open from 9am – 6pm
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “We know that Christmas can be a really busy time of year for everyone, so we want to give our visitors plenty of time to get everything they need whilst getting into the festive spirit.
“We’re open right up until Christmas Eve, and we’re open again from Boxing Day for people looking for a reason to head out in the days leading up to New Year’s Eve.”
Shoppers at Fort Kinnaird were treated to a very special visit from the Coca-Cola Christmas truck on Saturday as part of its tour of the UK.
The festive experience offered a whole host of fun for all the family, including ‘elfie selfie’ photo opportunities and food huts serving delicious seasonal treats, as well as free personalised cans of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar given out to mark the occasion.
Visitors were also able to snap their all-important photo in front of the famous truck with the iconic image of Father Christmas on the side.
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info@chriswatt.com
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Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said:“Christmas is a really special time for us, and we were thrilled to be chosen as one of the locations on the tour, bringing the famous truck to Edinburgh.
“It was great to see so many visitors from across the region join us on Saturday for some festive fun as the countdown to Christmas officially begins.”
Find out more about Christmas at Fort Kinnaird here:
Picture – Chris Watt Photography
07887554193
info@chriswatt.com
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Christmas has come early at Fort Kinnaird as retailers reveal a range of exclusive, money-saving Black Friday deals for shoppers in Edinburgh – with many discounts already available in stores now.
Savvy shoppers can discover offers including up to 50% off in store at Mamas & Papas, up to 60% off at Mountain Warehouse, up to £250 of saving per booking with TUI, up to 50% at H.Samuel and a range of tech deals at Currys, with more still set to be revealed.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said:“Black Friday can be a great opportunity to tick off some of your Christmas list, or maybe even treat yourself ahead of the festive season, and lots of our retailers will be offering a wide range of exclusive deals.
“A number of retailers are launching bigger deals than ever before, and with many offers also running until the end of the month there are plenty of opportunities for shoppers to take advantage of savings.”
A full list of the Black Friday offers currently available at Fort Kinnaird can be found here, with more still to be added.
*Please see individual retailer websites for terms and conditions.
Fort Kinnaird is open from 9am – 9pm on weekdays, and 9am – 6pm on weekends.
With Black Friday sales in full swing, leading accident prevention charity The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is urging shoppers to know what to look for to ensure they’re buying safe products:
Only purchase from reputable traders
If a trader does not have a high street presence in the UK, check online reviews before buying. Online sellers should have a UK address listed on their website.
Look for the appropriate toy safety marks
In England, Scotland and Wales only buy costumes or toys which carry UKCA or CE marks. In the case of Northern Ireland look for the UKNI symbol along with the UKCA or CE mark.
Shoppers can also look for the Lion Mark, which members of the British Toy and Hobby Association can use to mark a safe product.
All fancy-dress costumes, including wigs and face masks, should be flame-retardant in accordance with EN71 part 2 – the safety standard for flammability of toys.
Additionally, items sold in the UK by a member of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) are likely to have been made to a higher standard of fire safety and labelled with the words ‘This garment has undergone additional safety testing for flammability.’
Make sure toys are age appropriate
Age recommendations on toys are based on research from manufacturers and considers safety, which is why we recommend using age-appropriate toys, and being mindful of younger siblings accessing them.
Beware of button batteries
Many toys and gadgets run on lithium-ion button batteries, which can cause catastrophic injuries if ingested. While The Toy Safety Regulations state that toys with button batteries in should have lockable battery compartments, they might still become unsecure or damaged.
Be extra vigilant with all bargains bought this Black Friday, particularly with electronic devices, flameless candles and musical greetings cards.
Be mindful of magnets
From decorations and toys to fake piercings and more, magnets are often found in products. Much like button batteries, if they are ingested, they have the potential to cause significant injuries.
Inspect your electricals
The Black Friday sales can be the time that people wait to make their electrical purchases, but products without the appropriate safety marks can cause fires and devastation. In England, Scotland and Wales only buy electricals which carry UKCA or CE marks. In the case of Northern Ireland look for the UKNI symbol along with the UKCA or CE mark.
The above advice also applies to e-scooters and e-bikes, and they should always be charged in a place outside the home if possible.
Philip LeShirley, Product Safety Advisor at RoSPA, said:“Black Friday and Cyber Monday provide great opportunities for consumers to save money, especially when buying Christmas presents for loved ones.
“RoPSA encourages all consumers to do some checks on sellers and products before they purchase items, as some “bargains” can in fact be unsafe products, or not suitable for the age of the recipient.”
