Shopping

Aldi is donating thousands of Christmas dinners to community groups in ‘low-income areas’

The supermarket said it wanted to do something "extra special" to support those who need it most this festive season.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 15th November 2023

Aldi is donating thousands of Christmas dinners to community groups in some of the UK’s most low-income areas.

Christmas is always known to be one of the busiest periods of the year for the retail industry, but Aldi has decided it won’t let the hustle and bustle stop it from “spreading the festive cheer” and “bringing together local communities” this year.

That’s because the supermarket has announced it will be donating thousands of Christmas dinners to those who need it most over the festive season.

Working in partnership with Company Shop Group – which is the UK’s leading redistributor of surplus food and household products – the budget retailer will be providing three-course festive feasts to local community groups in some of the UK’s low-income areas, and all for completely free of charge.

Aldi is donating thousands of Christmas dinners to community groups in ‘low-income areas’ / Credit: Aldi

It’s hoped the initiative will support those struggling to cope with the expenses that come along with Christmas, as the rising cost of living crisis unfortunately continues to make its impact felt nationwide.

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Community Shop members will be given the opportunity to sign up for the three-course Christmas meal for free.

Around 2,000 free Christmas dinners will available, Aldi has confirmed.

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The budget supermarket has released one of its most expansive festive food and drink ranges ever this year / Credit: Aldi

Aldi’s National Sustainability Director, Liz Fox, explained that the company wanted to do “something extra special” to show support this Christmas, adding that it hopes providing Christmas lunch donations will “spread some festive joy among those who need it most”.

The initiative comes after Aldi has been working with Company Shop Group since the start of this year to manage surplus stock from all of its Regional Distribution Centres.

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Gary Stott, who is the Executive Chairman at Community Shop, added: “We’re incredibly grateful for Aldi’s generosity, as many of our members will feel the impact of the cost of living crisis even more this Christmas, and moments like this will help to spread some Christmas cheer and bring our communities together.”

Featured Image – Aldi

Shopping

River Island reopens Manchester Arndale store – and it’s unrecognisable

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson River Island has reopened in the Manchester Arndale after a refurbishment. Credit: The Manc Group

River Island in the Manchester Arndale shopping centre is ready to reopen after a major makeover, and it’s bigger than ever.

The stunning space now spans 13,947 square feet and comes with interactive fitting rooms where you can order extra sizes on an iPad, self-checkouts, and a limited-edition collection exclusive to the Arndale.

The huge shop’s refurb follows a similar move at their Trafford Centre store, where River Island moved into the former Topshop unit.

Now, the three-storey store in the heart of the Arndale has been given a lick of duck-egg blue, and transformed into a beachy paradise.

Officially throwing its doors open this morning, Thursday 25 April, with Lucy Mecklenburgh cutting the ribbon, the huge shop is already welcoming hordes of shoppers.

Over the weekend, you’ll spot plenty of activations to celebrate River Island’s relaunch.

There are people carrying gigantic shopping bags handing out scratch cards with different discounts on, a Spin the Wheel with prizes, free coffees, a pop-up flower cart and loads more.

And the first people to spend more than £55 on each day between 25 and 28 April will receive a limited-edition tote bag.

High-tech changing rooms at the new River Island in the Manchester Arndale
High-tech changing rooms at the new River Island in the Manchester Arndale
Accessories in River Island's new Manchester Arndale store
Accessories in River Island’s new Manchester Arndale store
The kids' clothing collection in River Island
The kids’ clothing collection in River Island
Accessories in River Island's new Manchester Arndale store
Accessories in River Island’s new Manchester Arndale store

This new River Island store has a limited-edition collection of one-off, premium pieces featuring exclusive fabrics and luxury detailing.

The 19-piece, bohemian-inspired collection starts at £45 and will only be available in the Arndale store.

Inside you’ll find all the usual River Island goodies, including a huge amount of holiday shop items, plus denim, occasion-wear, shoes, handbags, and kids’ clothing.

The new River Island store will open on 25 April in The Arndale shopping centre in Manchester.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Shopping

Sephora confirms opening date for new megastore at Manchester’s Trafford Centre

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Sephora confirms opening date for new megastore at Trafford Centre

Beauty fans rejoice – Sephora has finally announced plans to open a store in Manchester, and soon.

The world-famous retailer, which stops luxury skincare and makeup brands as well as cult items, has secured a spot in the Trafford Centre.

This will be the third UK store for Sephora, which currently has two shops down in London, and its first trip up north.

And after a fair bit of teasing and plenty of rumours, they’ve confirmed that their next megastore will be right here in Greater Manchester.

Hoardings have appeared inside the Trafford Centre, plastered in Sephora’s black and white branding, around a unit next to AllSaints.

The signs read: “Manchester, you called it. Our first Northern store in 2024.”

Sephora says it will ‘redefine the beauty landscape in the North with an extraordinary product range that caters to the diverse needs of beauty enthusiasts’.

Cult brands stocked at Sephora include Huda Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury, The Ordinary, Glossier and Makeup by Mario.

Sephora wrote on Instagram: “You heard correctly — Sephora is coming to the TRAFFORD CENTRE, MANCHESTER.

“Get your shopping baskets ready as we’re on our way up north! More to be revealed soon, see you in 2024…”

The Trafford Centre shared: “You asked, we listened! The wait is over….your @sephorauk opens late Spring 2024.”

Sarah Boyd, managing director of Sephora UK, said: “We are extremely excited to bring Sephora to Manchester, one of the most vibrant cities for beauty in the UK.

“Expanding our presence beyond London is something that consumers have been screaming out for, and we are listening hard to them when deciding where to go next.

“The Trafford Centre, known for its iconic atmosphere and diverse retail offering, is the perfect location for our third store.”

Russell Loveland, managing director at Pradera Lateral – Trafford Centre’s Asset Managers, said: “This iconic beauty giant already has a cult following, and our own social media has been blowing up with enquiries from excited customers eager for Sephora to open.

“We are very proud Sephora chose the Trafford Centre for its next location, which will be its first store in the North of England, and know it will be a fantastic success and a great addition to our strong international brand lineup.”

One person commented on Sephora’s Instagram post: “This is the best news I’ve heard all year!”

Another said: “OMG ITS HAPPENING, STAY CALM”

And someone wrote on Trafford Centre’s post: “Omg omg can’t wait.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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