Topic ID 1285
M&S this morning announced it has bot 28 Iceland stores from Iceland (for 38m pounds), all are to be converted into Simply Food outlets. Hertford is one of them. Yum...
Reply ID 15319
Great news, but will miss getting a basketful for a tenner !!!
Reply ID 15320
Useful link: [url="http://www.londonstockexchange.com/LSECWS/IFSPages/MarketNewsPopup.aspx?id=1143323&source=RNS"]MARKS & SPENCER ACQUIRES 28 SIMPLY FOOD STORES[/url]
Reply ID 15321
How many people will do there weekly shop at M&S? I dont think Tesco will have to worry about competition but Waitrose will. I love M&S food but certainly could not afford a shopping trolley full 1 or 2 times a week, people will shop there for quality foods, 1 basket food etc. Will miss Iceland though. This may affect a shop that has opened in the town recently I do hope not.
Reply ID 15322
http://www2.marksandspencer.com/thecompany/mediacentre/pressreleases/2006/com2006-01-17-00.shtml
Reply ID 15323
Different mkts - M&S will offer very limited fresh produce/toiliteries/deli/fresh baked produce etc that the big gys offer.. I think its in addition to your regular shop, on the way home from the office etc
Reply ID 15324
M&S don't do fresh deli so "a shop that has recently opened" would have nothing to worry about. I'd be concerned for Waitrose though.
Reply ID 15327
I can't wait! Iceland was a waste of prime retail space in my eyes. Hopefully M&S will open on a Sunday too
Reply ID 15369
quote:exactly, Iceland - what apile of pish.
Originally posted by thefair1973
I can't wait! Iceland was a waste of prime retail space in my eyes. Hopefully M&S will open on a Sunday too
Reply ID 15374
As soon as I read about the M&S purchase I figured that they would want the Hertford site. Empty by Icelands standards, the right type of town by M&S standards. However, they are a niche market (in retail grocery terms), so it will be interesting to see whether the store can pull in the punters with brookfield so close, and the clothes to complement it.
Reply ID 15385
it saves having to navigate the naff traffic system to get to Brookfields though
Reply ID 15387
Week day M&S ready meals purchased on the way home from work. Decent Sandwiches and pasta pots. A retail no brainer in my view. Shame I work in Hoddesdon!
Reply ID 15398
Yeah, I'd say (one of) their main customer set(s) will be A414 commuters homeward bound.
Reply ID 17815
I went past today and already a lot of the M&S signage is going up - me thinks it might be opening earlier than the stated July/August - anyone heard anything?
Reply ID 17816
It's says June in the window
Reply ID 17818
They managed to turn around the one on Kings Cross Platform 8 in around a month, although that is a lot smaller than the one in Hertford. I really hope they stick it up Tesco's. The range of stuff they stock now is naff.
Reply ID 17820
quote:Given that Tesco rent M&S a massive store over at Brookfield Farm, I don't suppose they consider M&S to be like for like competitors. I would have thought that Waitrose would be more worried.
Originally posted by thefair1973
They managed to turn around the one on Kings Cross Platform 8 in around a month, although that is a lot smaller than the one in Hertford. I really hope they stick it up Tesco's. The range of stuff they stock now is naff.
Reply ID 19789
M&S is open! Free glass of champagne or oj on arrival and loads of biccies given out in store!!
Reply ID 19790
Ooooh will have to have a browse in there tomorrow - hope the freebies are still being handed out then!
Reply ID 19793
quote:I think it's only today
Originally posted by Willow
Ooooh will have to have a browse in there tomorrow - hope the freebies are still being handed out then!
Reply ID 19794
:o(
Reply ID 19858
do they have a clothes section
Reply ID 19859
No, it's just food I'm afraid. Although I think I did see they sell tights!!
Reply ID 19862
Excellent - just what Hertford needed - I don't think it will affect the local specialist shops at all. Odd Waitrose are suddenly having a small re-design of their store - maybe it could be for the best all round.
Reply ID 19897
quote:The shop is called Simply Food. There is a clue there!
Originally posted by jayzee
do they have a clothes section
Reply ID 19900
So is the one in Harlow but they sell clothes!!!
Reply ID 19902
quote:Not according to their website http://www2.marksandspencer.com/thecompany/our_stores/index.shtml
Originally posted by Wrapper
So is the one in Harlow
Reply ID 19907
thanks wrapper harlow does a small selection of clothes thats why i asked
Reply ID 19911
quote:The Harlow store is not a "Simply Food" store, it is an M&S store with a full range of goods including an extensive range of clothes. As Steve said - view the link and do a store search.
Originally posted by jayzee
thanks wrapper harlow does a small selection of clothes thats why i asked
Reply ID 19913
I don't think it will badly affect Waitrose, because they do sell slightly different things, also the car park at M&S is a nightmare, so in the main I would think people would only pop in for the odd quality item. We have really good food outlets now, if you consider M&S, Waitrose, Farrow and Farrow and all of the good good stalls in the weekend, and Tescos. I think it will encourage more people to do all of their shopping in Hertford and not to go to Hatfield or WGC, which has to be good for Hertford.
Reply ID 19914
Where is Farrow & Farrow if you don't mind me asking?
Reply ID 19916
quote:[:0] In Railway Street a couple of shops east of Cafe Nero
Originally posted by Willow
Where is Farrow & Farrow if you don't mind me asking?
Reply ID 19921
Gotcha
Reply ID 20036
quote:Well now, that'll teach me to be out on site all day every day instead of "working" in the office while lurking on here! We're opposite Thomas Cook; pop in for a nose & a nibble, quiz the boys and pick up a loyalty card... Back to topic - wizkid is spot on: the more trade we can get into Hertford the better. The additional food stalls on the market (and the farmer's market) are increasing the profile of Hertford as a place to get good food - hopefully this reputation will grow. Annual Food Fair, anyone?
Originally posted by Stevequote:[:0] In Railway Street a couple of shops east of Cafe Nero
Originally posted by Willow
Where is Farrow & Farrow if you don't mind me asking?
Reply ID 20051
Perhaps something along the lines of http://www.tasteoflondon.co.uk but obviously far smaller for Hertford – the big ‘gourmet’ stores like Waitrose and M&S could surely afford be the main sponsors. The smaller local food and drink related stalls / shops / restaurants / traders / etc. could take part too.
Reply ID 20055
quote:And then back off topic again [:D] Please post as a separate thread (really, it's worthy of discussion)
Originally posted by farrowandfarrow
Back to topic... Annual Food Fair, anyone?