Birmingham Retail

[ReissOmari]

Quick shot of Hollister

image hosted on flickr

[ReissOmari]

Originally Posted by sefton66

ahh yeah forgot about the one in Wolverhampton, and as I said at the moment its only speculation and a rumour, guess we will have to wait and see, I can see both arguments for it though, ASDA would probably prefer to have a store nearby as part of retail park site, as more people would be encouraged to go for the weekly food shop there, i would have thought they would like to keep hold of the people just getting a drink, small food etc. so would think they might even try a small scale store like a tesco express/metro version of ASDA. House of Fraser I would think would want a store by one of the entrances and obviously part of the main shopping centre but at the same time i would think they would want a brand new store built to purpose and linked in with the shopping centre rather than be constricted to what is currently there and rennovate it. Obviously it makes sense for them to open up in Merry Hill as they wouldnt have too much competition, in town its got selfridges aswell as stand alone stores; like tommy hilfiger, diesel, ben sherman, G-star etc. and its located what some consider far from the retail core in the bullring as at merry hill it would be at the centre itself and have much much less competition, so in theory would perform very well. As i said its only a rumour but i hope we see a John Lewis at New St and a House of Fraser at Merry Hill

It makes sense to be honest to open it where ASDA is, but it would be a loss to ASDA in the main shopping centre, but then again if they had the're own stand alone store, it would be more convenient for people doing a big shop and being able to get straight to the car rather than walk through the shopping centre. Before there were rumours John Lewis we're going to open a store on The Embankment (i think its the space next to where Odeon is now) and that would be linked via the entrance next to Primark and BHS, i suppose if ASDA was to stay in the same spot John Lewis and House of Fraser could use the same new build on The Embankment, that's what Selfridge's and M&S done in Manchester's Arndale, linked it with a bridge and that works out pretty well, what do you think?

[sefton66]

well if they was to both put in plans to have two late department stores it would cut the costs if they used the same contractors, or equally if Westfield the owners of merry hill supplied them both with the buildings on a lease contract they would probably have to ask for a lower rent than if just one was built as they effectively are doubling the available retail space making it less valuable and means stiffer competition so it would work out cheaper in terms of building for the two of them to exsist side by side, obviously it would be great on a retail perspective too, but I can't see them both wanting the other next door, I could only see it happening if John Lewis and house of Fraser had an agreement that say one concentrates on homeward and electronics and the other on clothing, it's the only way I could see them side by side at merry hill, guess we will have to wait and see what happens! John Lewis needs to hurry up and clear things up over new st!

[Key_In_Dudley]

I wonder how much of a loss it would actually be to Asda. They still have the original Brierley Hill store open which is barely half a mile away, that could easily be redeveloped.

The Asda in Merry Hill actually started life as Carrefour (showing my age) when the original phase one opened. Asda brought Carrefours small UK network a few years later (which I think also included the store at Minworth)

[loudrocksurfer]

Apple Store at Merry Hill would be great

Has Suits You now closed at the Fort Shopping Park? hope H&M open there

[morestoreysplease]

Merry Hill should be marketed as Brum's out of town mall to attract some of the names you find at other similar malls like Trafford and Bluewater.

[Erebus555]

I don't think that's necessary, it seems to be holding its own without any connection to Brum. People round here (Bristol) seem to know about the centre. But it may help the centre a bit.

I'd much rather see the big names go to Dudley town centre, however...

[Soul_13]

Originally Posted by morestoreysplease

Merry Hill should be marketed as Brum's out of town mall to attract some of the names you find at other similar malls like Trafford and Bluewater.

Different market altogether, Trafford centre get its customers from affluent South Manchester and Cheshire. The equivalent in West Midlands would be somewhere around Solihull close to M42

[hoody]

Originally Posted by Key_In_Dudley

Asda brought Carrefours small UK network a few years later (which I think also included the store at Minworth)

ASDA Minworth was a Carrefour, then became a Gateway which were taken over by Associated Diaries (ASDA).

Originally Posted by loudrocksurfer

Has Suits You now closed at the Fort Shopping Park? hope H&M open there

Yes, the store isnow vacant. No idea what is planned in its place. The Fort has recenlt had a flurry of new stores in the past 2 years. I wouldve thought that Topshop/Man could do with a bigger store there.

[sefton66]

I think all the Suits You have closed now

[morestoreysplease]

Originally Posted by Soul_13

Different market altogether, Trafford centre get its customers from affluent South Manchester and Cheshire. The equivalent in West Midlands would be somewhere around Solihull close to M42

I beg to differ. Have you seen the properties in places like Stourbridge, Hagley, Clent, Belbroughton, and all the other places in North Worcestershire not to mention out towards Bewdley and Shropshire? I'm not into this mindset of thinking that this city region can only sustain one shopping centre of top notch stores with places like Touchwood (which has a lot of affluent shoppers) and Merry Hill making do with lesser prestigious names. We create just as much wealth around here in our own metropolis as our northern cousins do in their more fragmented townships. IMO!

[woodhousen]

yes, having gone to college in stourbridge King Edwards in my youth, i can vouch that the level of affluence in the area is much high than most apprciate, especially in the areas MSP states above....

[Soul_13]

Originally Posted by morestoreysplease

I beg to differ. Have you seen the properties in places like Stourbridge, Hagley, Clent, Belbroughton, and all the other places in North Worcestershire not to mention out towards Bewdley and Shropshire? I'm not into this mindset of thinking that this city region can only sustain one shopping centre of top notch stores with places like Touchwood (which has a lot of affluent shoppers) and Merry Hill making do with lesser prestigious names. We create just as much wealth around here in our own metropolis as our northern cousins do in their more fragmented townships. IMO!

Well Worcestershire has some affluent villages but pretty much the rest of the catchment area is working class (dudley, west bromwich, wednesbury), the equivalent area in Gr Manchester would be somewhere at north west (wigan, bolton etc). Touchwood has a really good mix of upmarket shops exactly because's the main shopping area for the affluent south west-midlands and north warwickshire.

[sefton66]

Article on the new Black store concept by currys/pcworld, seems to be doing better than they expected:

By Ben Sillitoe

The new Black concept store opened by Dixons Retail this month has traded well over the Christmas period, but there are more things to learn before the format can be developed further.

Spokesperson for the retailer Mark Webb told Retail Gazette that the post-Christmas and sales period, when trading levels return to normal, will give the company a better idea of whether the new style store can establish a permanent place in the market.

Black opened in Birmingham on December 10th and is viewed as one piece of the wider transformation process the company is currently undertaking, which involves the emergence of 2-in-1 Currys/PC World shops and other megastores.

Early signs for Black are good though, with portable “good looking” technology items such as the iPad and other tablets, the iPod and cameras apparently “flying off the shelves”.

Webb stated: “We’ve been delighted with how the store has performed since opening, and it has quickly become a must-visit destination for its target audience, even before any kind of strong promotional activity.

“We’re particularly pleased with customer reaction to the store and its team. Whilst we are clear that this store is currently in the early phase of its trial, we have been delighted with customer reaction.

“Dixons is not only trialling Black as a concept store, but we are also trialling systems and ideas that we know we will be able to transfer into our mainstream portfolio.”

He added that Dixons Retail wants to ensure that the concept is “spot-on” before entertaining the idea of rolling out similar stores across the UK.

http://www.retailgazette.co.uk/artic...ew-black-store

Also a reminder that Burnt Tree Island Tesco will be closing the coming weekend to be demolished to make way for a new store, double the size, anyone got renders of how it will look?

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2...e-for-rebuild/

[ReissOmari]

1000th POST!!!

..Anyway, lol

Thoughts cards in Bullring had this post in the window, looks like it won't be closing down after all

image hosted on flickr


Also got this random photo in Bullring of Hugo Boss

image hosted on flickr

[sefton66]

only how many to catch up with erebus haha

hmm wonder if they'll all stay open as it says its been aqquired, could do with checking the Merry Hill one to see

[sefton66]

Confirmation of relocation of New Look to old Woolworths unit in the Kingfisher, Redditch. Also a new store "Family Bargains" will be opening, it is owned by the 99p store group but stocks garden furniture and other crap, its kind of like a knock down version of woolworths to be honest minus the expensive games stuff like a wilkonsons

Kingfisher Centre looking forward to a successful 2011
2:50pm Saturday 1st January 2011

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MANAGEMENT at the Kingfisher Shopping Centre say they are looking forward to a great 2011 after a hugely successful 2010.

Over the last 12 months, the centre has seen an influx of new stores both fashion, non-fashion, permanent and temporary, taking up shop, which has meant the centre’s occupancy levels reaching an all time high.

This growth is set to continue in 2011, with New Look relocating to the old Woolworths unit and a new store, Family Bargains, set to open in spring 2011.

Beth Gray, marketing manager, said: “The introduction of these new retailers and the relocation of some existing stores is really positive. “JD Sports, Lush and Barclays Bank are recent additions to the Centre as well and certainly will help in increasing the Centers profile in 2011 and most of all offer shoppers more choice.”

http://www.redditchadvertiser.co.uk/...ccessful_2011/

[sefton66]

Also Sugacane are due to open this month in Merry Hill and the Bullring according to its website in the stores coming soon section near the bottom:
http://www.sugacane.co.uk/contact.asp

[woodhousen]

HMV to quit 60 UK stores
Samantha McClary 05/01/2011 08:38

HMV has revealed plans to exit 60 stores over the coming year.

The announcement comes has the high street music retailer posted a 13.3% drop in like-for-like sales in the 10 weeks to 1 January.

The group said that challenging entertainment markets, combined with the severe weather over its peak trading period had had a negative impact on its trading year to date.

As a result, HMV said it was taking “aggressive action” as it continues to tightly manage its cost base.

HMV said it expected to quit around 60 stores across our UK businesses over the next 12 months as it re-shapes its store portfolio.

The group has also identified a further £10m of savings across the company.

Given the difficult trading conditions over Christmas and the likely outturn for the year, HMV’s board said that it now expects that compliance with the April covenant test under its bank facility to be tight. It said it was taking further mitigating actions during the next four months to address this.

Chief executive Simon Fox said: "While HMV has had a challenging year to date, it remains a profitable and cash-generative business and a powerful entertainment brand. The pace of change in the markets in which we operate underlines the urgency with which we must continue to transform this business.”

[loudrocksurfer]

Originally Posted by woodhousen

HMV to quit 60 UK stores
Samantha McClary 05/01/2011 08:38

HMV has revealed plans to exit 60 stores over the coming year.”

I guess Pallasades, High Street, Walsall and Wolverhampton will probably close