Latest news with #EastgateShoppingCentre
STV News
19-05-2025
- Health
- STV News
'Do not eat': Nuts pulled from shelves over fears of E. coli contamination
Nuts have been pulled from the shelves of some stores after E. coli was found in a batch. Grape Tree is recalling its Raw Unsalted Macadamia Nuts because Shiga toxin-producing E. coli has been found in a batch of the product. Symptoms caused by E. coli organisms include severe diarrhoea (including bloody diarrhoea), abdominal pain, and sometimes haemolytic uremic syndrome, (HUS). HUS is a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure and can be fatal. Grape Tree has three stores in Scotland – at Loch Lomond Shores in Alexandria, Eastgate Shopping Centre in Inverness and The Avenue Centre in Newton Mearns. The recall notice, issued via the Food Standards Agency (FSA), affects 250g pack sizes with batch code G41 5 101 250610 and a best before date of July 11, 2026. Point of sale notices will be displayed in stores where the product is sold. Grape Tree is urging customers to check if they purchased the affected batch and not to eat the product. Instead, customers should return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund. The FSA notice affects England, Scotland and Wales specifically. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Major high street retailer to shut two stores this week as shoppers pick up bargains in huge 70% off closing down sale
SHOPPERS are rushing to bag bargains as a major high street chain prepares to shut two of its stores for good this week. Smiggle, the bright and bubbly stationery brand loved by school kids, is waving goodbye to its Inverness and Shrewsbury branches . 2 2 The Eastgate Shopping Centre store in Inverness will shut its doors on Wednesday, May 21, while the Darwin Centre branch in Shrewsbury will close just days later on Sunday, May 25. Both sites have launched massive closing down sales, with up to 70% off everything in store — and shoppers are snapping up discounted lunchboxes, backpacks, water bottles and more while they still can. A staff member at the Inverness shop told The Sun the closure comes as Smiggle chose not to renew its lease – and warned the shop could shut early if everything sells out. Smiggle – which first launched in Australia in 2003 and arrived in the UK in 2014 – quickly won over families with its bold colours, quirky accessories and fun school gear. At its peak, the chain had over 130 branches across the UK, though rising rents and changing shopping habits have hit many high street retailers hard in recent years. The Shrewsbury store's closing sale has slashed prices by up to 70%, and a spokesperson for the Darwin Centre confirmed the brand has served notice and will cease trading this week. With time running out, shoppers are being urged to head in fast — before both stores disappear from the high street for good. The news comes just weeks after a beloved toy and bike store announced its closure after 160 years in business. The 84-year-old owner revealed that the cost of living crisis has led to a reduction in sales and to the costs of running the business skyrocketing. Both independent and industry giants have been struggling with rising costs and reduced footfall over the past few years. Why are shops closing stores? Dozens of shops are set to close across the country before the end of the month in the latest blow to UK high streets. Just a few months into 2025 and it's already proving to be another tough year for many major brands. Rising living costs - which mean shoppers have less cash to burn - and an increase in online shopping has battered retail in recent years. In some cases, landlords are either unwilling or unable to invest in keeping shops open, further speeding up the closures. Smiggle isn't the only stationary shop shutting its doors, more WHSmiths stores are set to close in the next few months. The huge sports retailer, Sports Direct is axed its Newmarket Road store in Cambridge on April 18. Whilst, Red Menswear in Chatham in Medway, Kent, shut for the final time on Saturday, March 29, after selling men's clothing since 1999. A couple months ago, Essential Vintage told followers on social that it would be closing down after they had been "priced out" because of bigger players in the market such as Vinted. Jewellery brand Beaverbrooks is also shutting three shops early this month. New Look bosses made the decision to axe nearly 100 branches as they battle challenges linked to Autumn Budget tax changes. Approximately a quarter of the retailer's 364 stores are at risk when their leases expire. This equates to about 91 stores, with a significant impact on New Look's 8,000-strong workforce. It's understood the latest drive to accelerate closures is driven by the upcoming increase in National Insurance contributions for employers. The move, announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in October, is hitting retailers hard - and the British Retail Consortium has predicted these changes will create a £2.3billion bill for the sector. RETAIL PAIN IN 2025 The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion. Research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April. A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024. Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure. The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year. It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year. Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: "The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025." Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector. "By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer's household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020."
Press and Journal
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- Press and Journal
All you need to know as Etape Loch Ness returns this weekend
Cyclists from all walks of life will put their stamina to the test as they take on Etape Loch Ness this weekend. Thousands of participants will descend on the Highlands to beat their personal best and help raise thousands for good causes. Entering its 11th year, the event challenges riders to tackle a 66-mile route along the banks of Loch Ness, before crossing the finish line in Inverness. The Etape Loch Ness course also includes the King of the Mountain, which is located after Fort Augustus at mile 34, and consists of a 4.8-mile climb to the top of the Glencoe summit. With just four days to go until the event gets underway, we have put together a handy guide to help keep you moving. Highland motorists are being advised of potential delays on both Saturday and Sunday as roads are closed to make way for the event. Here's a rundown of the road closures and all the relevant times. Inverness has a range of pay and display car parks in the heart of the town centre. Located 1.3 miles away, Old Town Rose Street Multi-Storey Car Park has ample parking to accommodate a range of needs. Prices start from £2.00, with 24-hour parking also available. Alternative options can be found at both the Falcon Gallery car park and the Eastgate Shopping Centre car park. Pay and display parking can also be located at The Club on Michell's Lane, with 12-hours of parking priced at £4. If you're looking to park closer to the event, parking is available at both the Eden Court Theatre and the Highland Council car park. Participants must register at the event hub at the Eden Court Theatre between 10am and 7pm the day before the event. Riders will set off from Bught Park between 6am and 6.50am, with the first finishers expected back from 8.45am. The main presentation will take place at 10.30am at the events hub.
Zawya
10-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa retail marketing steps into the global spotlight
EBM nominated for four prestigious international awards. Tyla with a Tyga at the SOOK X Tyla Pop-up collab South African retail marketing is being acknowledged on the world stage, with Excellerate Brand Management (EBM) receiving four nominations at the prestigious International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Global Awards. These nominations, three in the Visual Victory category, and one for a coveted Maxi Award, for work done in different parts of South Africa, celebrate EBM's ability to create immersive, high-impact retail experiences that resonate with shoppers and drive consumer engagement. A standout year for EBM EBM's outstanding campaigns have not only captured local audiences but have now gained international recognition. The agency's nominations include three in the Visual Victory category for its standout projects at Eastgate Shopping Centre, Mall of Africa and Sandton City. Additionally, its expertise has been acknowledged with a nomination for a Maxi Award, an accolade reserved for marketing excellence in the retail sector for a project done at Gateway Theatre of Shopping. Chief marketing officer Michael Wilson expressed pride in the team's achievements: 'These nominations are a testament to the incredible creativity and strategic thinking of our team, and confirm our core purpose. We take a unique approach to every centre we market with every campaign driven by their unique positioning and strategy. South African retail marketing is proving it can compete on a global level, delivering world-class experiences that enhance the shopping journey.' Gateway's change in action Gateway Theatre of Shopping's Change in Action NPO Fair has been nominated for the highly sought-after Maxi Award. This initiative provided over 20 non-profit organisations (NPOs) with tailor-made training over four months, developing their skills in income-generating strategies, financial literacy, budget management, volunteer coordination, leadership, marketing, and governance. Through various brand partnerships, this campaign helped uplift NPOs from poverty-stricken regions, ensuring they can continue providing life-changing services. In a province with over 3,500 NPOs, many of which are struggling for visibility and resources, this project created a vital support network. Chosen from hundreds of applicants, the selected organisations received branding kits, exposure, and training to enhance their ability to serve vulnerable communities. By offering knowledge and resources, Change in Action empowered these organisations to build sustainable futures and make a lasting impact on Durban's communities. Eastgate Shopping Centre – the Ackermans Character Shop Gateway, together with campaign partners, We are Durban & Hollywood Foundation, uplifted 20 incredible NPOs through our Change in Action campaign Bringing retail to life The three Visual Victory nominations showcase EBM's expertise in visual merchandising specifically created for retail merchandising units, kiosks and temporary in-line retailers as well as media campaigns, sponsorships, and promotional pop-ups. At Eastgate Shopping Centre, EBM partnered with Ackermans to bring the Character Shop Activation to life, transforming the mall's largest promotional court into a colourful, character-themed wonderland. Featuring dedicated experience pods for favourites like Spiderman, Barbie, Batman, and Hello Kitty, the activation invited families to explore interactive zones, including a Spider-Man climbing wall and a Batman virtual reality experience. Live character appearances and a spinning prize wheel further elevated engagement, making this festive-season activation a standout success. At Mall of Africa, the SOOK x Tyla Pop-Up was a game-changer. Hosted in the cutting-edge SOOK retail space, this event drew thousands of fans who queued for hours to experience an exclusive in-person moment with South African music sensation Tyla. With limited-edition merchandise, high-definition digital displays, and a live DJ playing Tyla's biggest hits, the activation showcased EBM's ability to leverage retail spaces to create enthralling pop-culture led experiences. Meanwhile, Sandton City's YAWA Nest Pop-Up brought luxury and culture together in an in-line temporary store designed to resemble a nest, with lush green aesthetics and high-impact product displays. Founded by Grammy Award-winning DJ Black Coffee, DJ Themba, and retail expert Arie Fabian, YAWA introduced a curated selection of luxury streetwear brands, blending global fashion trends with an Afrocentric identity. The high-impact product displays lent the space a gallery-like ambiance, enhancing the luxurious shopping experience. Sandton City – YAWA Nest Setting the benchmark for retail marketing These nominations reinforce EBM's commitment to pushing creative boundaries in retail marketing. With freshness and imaginative engagement at the heart of each activation, the agency continues to shape the future of shopping experiences, merging storytelling, technology, and brand interaction in innovative ways. As the awards approach, all eyes are on EBM as it represents South Africa's retail marketing prowess on the international stage. 'We are incredibly proud to be recognised on such a prestigious global stage for our work. This nomination is a testament to the dedication of our team and our commitment to pushing the boundaries of strategic innovation in retail marketing. As we continue to expand, with our recent move into Morocco and other markets on the horizon, we remain focused on delivering cutting-edge marketing approaches in South Africa and beyond,' shared Darren Katz, chief executive officer at EBM.
