Tag: shopping

Scotland loves a bargain!

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 most popular ‘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.

Fort Kinnaird confirms festive opening hours

Picture – Chris Watt Photography 07887554193 info@chriswatt.com www.chriswatt.com

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.” 

For more information and to plan a festive day out at Fort Kinnaird, please visit https://www.fortkinnaird.com/christmas  

Christmas Shopping at Fresh Start!

Next week we have the Christmas pop up shop running at the Fresh Start Pantry

Monday 9am-12.30pm

Tuesday 9am-12.30pm

Wednesday 2.30-5.00pm

Friday 9am-12.30pm

*Thursday – Community Wealth Builders Group from North Edinburgh Arts will be in the Pantry 12 – 4pm selling beautiful handmade gifts.

Please come along and shop!

Coca-Cola truck spreads Christmas cheer at Fort Kinnaird

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. 

Picture – Chris Watt Photography 07887554193 info@chriswatt.com www.chriswatt.com

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: 

www.fortkinnaird.com/christmas.  

Major Black Friday deals at Fort Kinnaird

Picture – Chris Watt Photography 07887554193 info@chriswatt.com www.chriswatt.com

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.  

RoSPA’s warning to public against bad bargains this Black Friday

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:

  1. 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.

  1. 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.’

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.”

Lush Snow Fairy has landed at Fort Kinnaird this weekend

Fort Kinnaird has announced that the Lush Snow Fairy Tour will be visiting the centre this weekend.   

The 2023 Lush festive collection is designed around ‘Out of this world Gifting’. Shoppers at Fort Kinnaird will be able to visit the themed pop-up to browse products from both the Lush Snow Fairy and Intergalactic ranges, including body sprays, bath bombs, and the biggest ever Snow Fairy gift set. The space will also have a photo opportunity and ‘kindness wall’.    

Lush sells one Snow Fairy product every 5 seconds on average during the festive period (October – December), so visitors need to be quick to get their hands on this year’s must-have festive gifts.  

16NOV23 Lush Snow Fairy Tour at Fort Kinnaird.

The pop-up will be located next to the play park and near Caffè Nero and a full breakdown of its opening times can be found below.    

For more information about Christmas at Fort Kinnaird and to plan your festive day out, please visit https://www.fortkinnaird.com/christmas   

Lush Snow Fairy pop-up opening times:  

Friday 17th November: 09:00 – 19:30 

Saturday 18th November: 09:00 – 18:00 

Sunday 19th November: 09:00 – 18:00 

Monday 20th November: 09:00 – 19:30 

16NOV23 Adan Bpwland. . Lush Snow Fairy Tour at Fort Kinnaird.

Louis Vuitton expands its Multrees Walk store in Edinburgh

Multrees Walk, Edinburgh’s most stylish destination, announces the expansion of the designer retailer Louis Vuitton, in Edinburgh. Louis Vuitton – the world’s leading high-quality products group – has been extended from 3,072 square feet to over 6,500 square feet, doubling in size.

Opening in Edinburgh over 20 years ago, Louis Vuitton was the second store to open in Multrees Walk. Over the last 2 decades, the retailer has established a loyal clientele throughout both Edinburgh and Scotland. Coupled with the added benefit from the recovery in international travel and tourism and a demand from international students, the Edinburgh store has gone from strength to strength. 

The solid growth for the brand and outstanding performance and demand for the fashion and leather goods, has granted the retailer the opportunity to double in size.

Commenting on the expansion, Adam Stone, Head of Retail Asset Management UK at Nuveen said: “Multrees Walk has become home to many leading and exclusive fashion brands, and we are proud to announce the next chapter for Louis Vuitton. 

“As one of our first retailers to open, to see Louis Vuitton trade so successfully to the point where they decided to upsize their store and expand their product offering in Edinburgh is fantastic and testament to the strong trading environment offered by Multrees Walk.

“We look forward to continuing to evolve the retail offering by welcoming further High-End Luxury retailers in the near future.”

Offering a prime location, Multrees Walk provides a luxury shopping experience in the heart of Edinburgh and houses many exclusive fashion brands including Louis Vuitton.

Louis Vuitton, Edinburgh is the only store in Scotland and has cemented its reputation as the destination for designer leather goods.

River Island unveils new Fort Kinnaird concept store

River Island has opened a new concept store at Fort Kinnaird, Edinburgh yesterday. The new space is twice the size of the previous store, occupying 10,500 square feet of trading space and promises a fully integrated shopping experience; combining physical and digital with interactive fitting rooms.

River Island’s design-led womenswear clothing and accessories will be offered alongside the brand’s expansive and versatile denim range. Menswear will carry leisurewear, denim in various fits and washes and a sophisticated range of suits and smart wear. Kidswear will offer RI baby, mini and older kids’ ranges with highlights including cute co-ords, special pieces perfect for occasions as well as everyday essentials.

As part of the launch celebrations, from 11th – 13th August, the new River Island store will host a programme of in-store events and activities for shoppers including a ‘Spin the Wheel’ experiential activation, pop-up flower shop by MUD Urban Flowers and in store competitions. The first 100 customers who spend over £55 will also receive a limited-edition tote bag filled with River Island goodies.

Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “We’re very excited to be the first destination in Scotland to open one of River Island’s new concept stores.

“I’m sure our visitors from across the city will be just as intrigued and impressed, particularly with the innovative fitting rooms which will bring a whole new experience to shopping.”

Easter opening times at Fort Kinnaird

Fort Kinnaird has confirmed its opening times for the Easter weekend (Friday 7th – Monday 10th April) for those looking to enjoy a day out with family and friends or pick up some last-minute Easter gifts, decorations for the celebrations.  

From Friday 7th – Monday 10th April the centre’s shopping hours will be:

  • Good Friday – 7th April: 10am – 9pm
  • Easter Saturday – 8th April: 9am – 7pm
  • Easter Sunday – 9th April: 10am ­– 6pm
  • Easter Monday – 10th April: 10am – 9pm

Fort Kinnaird always recommends checking with individual retailers for their specific opening times before setting off to avoid disappointment. For the most up to date Easter opening hours, check here: https://www.fortkinnaird.com/opening-times

Along with its wide variety of shops and restaurants, the centre has also compiled a range of options for family fun for the Easter school holidays, including the chance to meet and learn about small animals at Pets at Home, and crafting workshops at Hobbycraft where kids of all ages can enjoy clay-making and painting.

Fort Kinnaird is home to over 70 shops and restaurants including M&S, H&M, Primark, Bread Meats Bread and newly opened Chaiiwala, as well as a seven-screen Odeon cinema. There are also more than 2,600 free parking spaces.

For more information to help plan your Easter trip to Fort Kinnaird, including what’s on during the Easter holidays head here.