Back in the day, vending machines used to be for one thing – snacks.
But nowadays – especially in countries like Japan – you can buy just about anything from one of the huge gadgets.
Hot meals, groceries, cocktails, milk, gifts, toiletries, you name it, you can buy it without setting foot in a shop or speaking to a single human.
It was only a matter of time until Manchester got in on the vending machine action, and there are some very high-tech options springing up around the Arndale.
The first that caught our eye in this huge shopping centre is a robot machine selling candy floss creations.
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At the touch of a few buttons and depositing £5.20 of your hard-earned cash, a robotic arm will spin sugar into flowers, love hearts, and stars, in an array of pretty pastel colours, before politely handing it back to you through a cat flap.
Located right in the corner of the Manchester Arndale’s food court (bewilderingly close to the toilets), this flashing neon attraction is definitely about as cute as vending machines come.
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But it’s not alone.
Down in the main shopping area, just outside Next, stands another pink machine, this time filled with beauty products.
There are false eyelashes disguised as cheese and onion crisps, lipglosses dangling on a keychain, eyebrow gels, lip oils, and false lashes in just about every shape, size, colour and volume you could think of.
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They’re cheaper than a lot of lashes too, with pairs starting at £3.
Right next to this is another machine where you can rent a power bank for charging your phone.
Not too long ago there was a cupcake vending machine right outside Wilko (RIP), but in all the months it was there I never once saw it operating.
It’s now been replaced by a Marvel arcade machine.
A toy vending machineAnd a false nails vending machine next to it
But just around the corner opposite one of Manchester’s many Subways is another row of pastel-hued flashing vending machines.
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One sells items for as much as £23. And what do you get for that? A toy.
This one is the ECTOYS Robo Shop, where you can buy collectable characters like Hello Kitty, Shinwoo and Farmer Bob, plus adorable pandas undertaking different activities.
And just next to that is another beauty-focused vending machine, this one specalising in press-on nails.
Prices for the false talons range from £4.99 to £8.99.
Everything inside the Sephora VIP goodie bags worth more than £1,000
Daisy Jackson
Sephora opening in Manchester has been causing a bit of a stir, with more than 2,000 people queueing up this week to try and nab a free goodie bag.
And while the presents being handed out to the public are pretty impressive, it’s nothing compared to the VIP goodie bags given out at the store’s official launch on Wednesday.
A number of celebrities, influencers, press and other special guests were invited to have a sneak peek of the huge new shop at the Trafford Centre before its official opening to the public.
At the glittering celebration, VIPs were given a glimpse at the huge range of products on offer inside Sephora’s first UK store outside of London.
Those in attendance included actor and TV presenter actor Katie Mcglynn, TV personality Caroline Thomas, actress Alex Fletcher and radio one presenter Natalie O’Leary, Real Housewives of Cheshire, Love Island personalities, and professional footballer Courtney Duffus.
Special guests of Sephora were then sent home with the goodie bag to end all goodie bags, stuffed full of full-sized cult products.
And having totted up the value of everything inside, we can confirm that each goodie bag is worth more than a grand (£1092.93, to be exact). Wowsers.
Olaplex No.3Viral hair product minisBrazilian Bum Bum CreamJust a few of the cult items inside the Sephora VIP goodie bags. Credit: The Manc Group
Viral products inside include Makeup By Mario lipstick, Olaplex, Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, Glossier You perfume, and MorrocanOil hair treatments.
There are also TikTok sensations like the Dr Jart Tiger Grass treatment, which comes out of its tub green but magically turns beige on the skin, cancelling out redness.
And Tarte’s take on the revolutionary tubing mascara, which comes off your lashes with only water and a wipe, was also chucked in.
The most high-value items in the Sephora goodie bags were an Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream worth £64, Caudalie’s brightening serum at £52, and a Neom candle for £38.
Bargain shop B&M is finally heading to Manchester city centre
Daisy Jackson
Great news coming in for bargain-hunters this morning – B&M is finally opening in Manchester city centre for the first time.
The British retailer is famed for its affordable prices on everything from food to cleaning products to furniture, and has a few locations dotted around Greater Manchester.
B&M has now announced plans to swoop into the unit in Manchester Arndale that was previously home to Wilko.
And not unlike Wilkos, B&M is loved by shoppers for its wild range of items – where else can you buy wallpaper, stationery, KitKats, pick-and-mix, a fluffy rug and a nice new kettle all under one roof?
Think the middle aisle of Lidl, but super-sized.
After Wilko collapsed into administration last summer, B&M announced plans to buy up 51 of its stores in reportedly a £13m deal.
Hoardings are up for a new B&M store in the Manchester Arndale
The discount retailer is due to open later this year on the upper concourse of Manchester Arndale, with its familiar blue and orange B&M branding now plastered outside the space.
When it officially opens, there’ll be a comprehensive product range including home goods, groceries, electronics, alongside an array of seasonal items.
Steve Gray, Head of European Retail Asset Management at Global Mutual, said: “We’re delighted to welcome such a strong household name like B&M to Manchester Arndale.
“We place great importance in having a truly mixed offer and its fantastic to be able to bring in a retailer that offers a wide array of products at accessible prices.
“From high-end fashion brands to discount retailers, its clear operators across the board have long-term confidence in the centre as Manchester Arndale continues to cement its reputation as the North West’s leading retail destination with a varied line up of exciting retail, F&B and leisure.”