There’s another newcomer to the high street in Manchester, and this one’s got some seriously cute items at low prices.
Miniso has taken over a 2,903 sq ft unit in the Manchester Arndale, joining the hugely popular Flying Tiger as new shops spring up across the shopping centre.
The Chinese brand specialises in family lifestyle and design-led products, selling everything from handbags to homeware to cuddly toys.
Its range also includes toys and gadgets, stationery, homeware, fitness and beauty, with a philosophy of ‘simplicity, nature and good quality’.
Miniso is another place shoppers can stock up on all your Christmas stocking fillers without having to cripple yourself financially, with adorable gifts priced from £1.
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For just a quid, you can get superhero phone cases, greetings cards, and colouring sets – and even the most expensive products in store won’t cost you much more than £30.
Miniso sells gadgets like Bluetooth headphones, wireless speakers and electronic cleansing face brushes for way less than most other places.
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There is an ENTIRE WALL of plushies – soft pale piglets, squishy Minions, cute plush penguins and even cuddly fried chicken.
You can also grab a ‘mystery box’ between £2.50 and £4.
In the accessories section, there are handbags scattered with pink love hearts, purses with whiskers and noses, as well as more simple backpacks and totes.
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Water bottles, travel coffee mugs, makeup brushes and tools, yoga mats, gaming gadgets like keyboards and headphones (with cat ears on, naturally) – Miniso’s got it all.
Popular Japaneses snacks like Hello Panda (a biscuit with different flavoured fillings) and Yan Yan (biscuit sticks with different flavour dips) are all sold here too.
Miniso in Manchester Arndale. Credit: The Manc GroupMiniso in Manchester Arndale. Credit: The Manc GroupMiniso in Manchester Arndale. Credit: The Manc Group
Saad Usman, COO at MINISO UK, said: “We’re delighted to announce the launch of our store at Manchester Arndale. We believe that the opening of this store, our first in the North West, is the perfect place for us to continue our expansion in the UK.
“At MINISO UK, we’re committed to getting the retail industry back on its feet, demonstrated not only by the investment into our fantastic new store, but also the creation of 10-15 new jobs in the local market.
“With innovative and exciting products that are high-quality and great value, we look forward to welcoming customers of all ages through our doors on opening day and beyond.”
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Bubble CiTea is also opening in the Arndale, selling traditional Taiwanese bubble tea with flavours including Mango Fruit Tea with Rainbow Bubbles and Taro Milk Tea with Crystal Bubbles.
Colin Flinn, spokesperson for Manchester Arndale, said: “We are delighted that Bubble CiTea and MINISO have selected Manchester Arndale as their first locations in the city, and we’re looking forward to welcoming them alongside other recent arrivals such as Gilly Hicks, Clarks, and Jamaica Blue.
“It’s great to see the centre continually attracting both fantastic home-grown brands like Bubble CiTea and big-name international retailers such as MINISO.
“With such exciting leasing activity taking place it is clear retailers have confidence in the long-term future of the centre and its position as a leading retail destination.
“With Manchester Arndale now almost fully let, it will continue to attract millions of visitors from across the North West and beyond, with its dynamic and constantly improving line up of exciting retail, F&B and leisure offers.”
Parents praise Aldi for new ‘inclusive’ dolls with birth marks, vitiligo, hearing aids, and more
Emily Sergeant
Parents are praising Aldi for a new range of inclusive children’s dolls that have visible birth marks, hearing aids, and more.
The budget supermarket retailer is known and loved for its range of limited-edition ‘Specialbuys’ on offer each week down its legendary middle aisle, with many flying off the shelves and selling out just as quickly as they arrive, and fans flocking to their nearest store to get their hands on a bargain.
But this week, one of Aldi‘s most recent ‘Specialbuys’ range has seen it receive plenty of praise from proud parents.
Shoppers have taken to social media to share their reactions to the retailer’s new range of Little Town Plush Dolls, which all represent those with a range of different health conditions.
With 12 unique dolls to choose in the inclusive range, some of the conditions represented include those with birth marks, vitiligo, hearing aids and cochlear implants, glasses, and many more – each setting you back just £6.99.
Complete with a magnetic dummy, these plush dolls are designed to encourage care and nurturing for little ones, Aldi says.
Having taken social media by storm since appearing in stores nationwide, one TikToker shared an adorable video of their little girl playing with one of the new dolls, and wrote in the caption: “Thank you for helping my daughter, amongst many others, feel seen. The birthmark/visible differences community is so proud, and so grateful. I hope you know how much of a positive impact you have made for so many children.”
Aldi has been praised for its new ‘inclusive’ dolls with birth marks, hearing aids, and more / Credit: Simon Hadley (via Aldi UK)
Another Instagram user also said: “A shout out to Aldi who are selling dolls for children who don’t usually get a chance to have a doll that looks like them.”
“Seeing yourself represented in a children‘s toy for the first time, and immediately buying it for your future children,” a third satisfied shopper also said on Instagram this week.
As with all Aldi ‘Specialbuys’, once the dolls are disappear from shelves, they’re gone forever, so if you’re keen to get your hands on one, you’ll need to head to your nearest Aldi as soon as possible.
Featured Image – Aldi
Shopping
A fifth of Brits have apparently already started doing their Christmas shopping
Emily Sergeant
A new survey has revealed that a fifth of Brits have apparently already started doing their Christmas shopping this year.
As much as many of us find ourselves running around the shops like headless chickens on Christmas Eve in a bid to buy all those last-minute gifts we forgot, on the flip side of that, we all know a few organised people who like to get their presents bought and wrapped well in advance so they can enjoy a relatively stress-free festive season.
But is October just a bit too early to start? Apparently not for 21% of Brits
According to a new survey by American Express, a surprising number adults who celebrate or shop for Christmas in the UK have already started buying things for the festive period.
A fifth of Brits have apparently already started doing their Christmas shopping / Credit: Heidi Fin (via Unsplash)
The survey found that, when it comes to present inspiration, nearly half (47%) of Christmas shoppers will be getting gifting ideas from their loved ones themselves, while more than half (56%) of the Gen Z age group surveyed claiming they’ll be looking to social media ads, and influencers and content creators, for suggestions.
There’s also varying responses when it comes to the type of presents people are planning to hand out this Christmas – with 87% of respondents saying will buy physical gifts, but 37% choosing to purchase experiences instead.
And it’s not just presents for others on the agenda either, as the research showed that almost a quarter (23%) are planning to get gifts for themselves too.
It’s all according to an interesting new consumer survey / Credit: Lore Schodts (via Unsplash)
Of course though, while many people have already got a head-start on Christmas shopping this year, it seems there’s a good chunk who’ll still be leaving it late.
Four in 10 survey respondents admitted they will probably only finish their festive gift shopping with just one week to go before the big day, while one in 10 (10%) did reveal they will likely risk leaving it until the day before they give them out.
“As we approach the festive period, it’s no surprise to see Brits getting prepared,” explained Dave Edwards, who is the Vice President of Demand Generation at American Express, “with more than 20% of respondents having already started their festive shopping.”