Primark has put pop-up Hello Kitty cafes inside two of its biggest Greater Manchester stores to celebrate 50 years of the iconic character.
Can you believe Hello Kitty is turning 50 this year? Time really does fly.
To properly mark the five-decade anniversary, Primark has teamed up with Japanese entertainment company – and Hello Kitty creators – Sanrio to unveil a brand-new collection inspired by the pop culture icon that features more than 100 exciting items across the womenswear, kidswear, and homeware sections.
The fashion retailer says the new range “embodies the timeless charm” of Hello Kitty that all generations know and love.
From cosy loungewear, and playful accessories, to graphic tees, collectable bags, adorable nightwear, and so much more, each piece of the extensive range is said to be “infused” with the signature kawaii style of the beloved character, according to Primark.
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Primark has teamed up with Sanrio to launch a new collection celebrating 50 years of Hello Kitty / Credit: Primark
As part of Primark’s commitment to “providing affordable choices for everyone”, prices for the new collection start at just £1 for accessories, and go up to £25 as the maximum.
In a bid to celebrate the collection and launch it into stores, Primark has also announced the opening of the ‘Hello Kitty Café’ in select locations across the UK – with Primark’s stores in Manchester on Market Street, and at Trafford Palazzo, being two of the locations chosen.
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Customers at the pop-up cafes will, apparently, have the opportunity to be “immersed into the vibrant world of Hello Kitty”.
Open now right through until June, the cafes feature Instagram-worthy décor and serve up an array of limited-edition treats inspired by Hello Kitty, such as sweet waffles and savoury ‘bow’ buns, alongside themed beverages like bubble teas and shakes.
And, if you’re lucky, you might even get to meet Hello Kitty herself when she makes a surprise appearance at the stores over the next few weeks, so keep your eyes peeled.
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“Hello Kitty has been a cultural phenomenon since her debut in 1974, captivating hearts around the globe with her cute aesthetic,” commented Sarah Jackson, who is the Director of Licensing at Primark, as the new collection was unveiled this week.
“At Primark, we pride ourselves on our extensive license offering, and we’re thrilled to reveal our new collection and mark another exciting chapter in Hello Kitty’s enduring legacy.
“We want to offer our customers an unforgettable in-store experience and we’re delighted to once again transform our Primarket cafés into a Hello Kitty haven in five locations across the UK.”
Featured Image – Primark
Shopping
A major free styling event is coming to Cheshire Oaks, with big discounts, colour analysis, and styling masterclasses
Daisy Jackson
Cheshire Oaks will be hosting a major fashion event over the bank holiday weekend, helping us all to get inspired and fall in love with our spring wardrobes.
The Spring Womenswear Fashion Event will feature everything from styling masterclasses to huge in-store discounts, along with a range of freebies and giveaways.
Some of the top womenswear brands at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet will be getting involved, along with fashion experts – and it’s all totally free to attend.
There’ll be live events like colour analysis to help you find your colour profile, plus workshops on styling outfits multiple ways, building capsule wardrobes, and shopping sustainably.
Whether you’re looking for insider advice or just a bit of inspiration for your shopping trip, you’ll find it here.
Personal stylists Laura Davies, Rachael Hughes, and Olivia Roseanna will be on hand to lead workshops and fashion showcases across the three-day weekend.
The Cheshire Oaks Spring Womenswear Fashion Event. Credit: The Manc Group
That will include a summer runway experience with JOSEPH, a capsule wardrobe masterclass, and a showcase to help you understand the transformative power of accessories.
Kate Harrison will also be at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet that day, with colour analysis sessions and a workshop on how the colour we wear can change our moods.
Then brands including Jigsaw and Whistles will show off the spring summer trends and give tips on how to style them.
And once you’re suitably inspired, you can hit the shops to pick up some new pieces, with plenty of stores offering major additional discounts.
Credit: Supplied
That includes an extra 20% off at Whistles, Mint Velvet Hobbs, Phase Eight, Jigsaw, Joseph, Calvin Klein, and Monsoon, plus other deals at Abercrombie & Fitch, Paul Smith, and Tommy Hilfiger.
Dune will be handing out fizz in store, plus giveaways when you spend £100 or more in store, and you can enter a raffle to win a Radley hamper of products when you spend £80.
The Spring Womenswear Fashion Event will take place at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet between 2 and 4 May – find out more HERE.
Aldi is looking for curious kids to become its first-ever ‘toy tester’
Emily Sergeant
Curious kids, this one’s for you… Aldi is currently looking for little ones to become its first-ever wooden toy tester.
With the sun showing its face more regularly now, and the temperatures heating up by the day, summer is very much on its way, and it won’t be long before the mini Mancs are getting to spend more time playing outdoors than in – which is why Aldi is now on the lookout for one lucky child to become its official Wooden Toy Tester.
The supermarket retailer is calling on children across the country – including here in Greater Manchester – to apply by explaining why they should be chosen and what make-believe dish they would cook up in their very own toy kitchen.
The successful winner will receive a selection of Aldi’s latest wooden toys for free to make sure they have everything they need to feel like they’re the head chef of their own garden.
Aldi is looking for curious kids to become its first-ever ‘toy tester’ / Credit: Aldi
All Aldi is asking in return is a short review of each of the toys, rating them on performance and fun factor to help guide the supermarket’s Buying Team on future product development.
In previous years, Aldi’s wooden toy launches have been so popular that the retailer has had to put a ‘two per shopper’ limit on purchases, so as you can imagine, this makes this adorable new job role even more in-demand.
“The nation’s love for our wooden toy range is undeniable, and our littlest shoppers are our most important critics,” commented Julie Ashfield, who is the Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK.
“We’re excited to appoint our first ever Wooden Toy Tester, to capture their experience and find out what makes the perfect playtime set-up, guaranteeing lots of giggles and fun.”
Fancy it then? For a chance to win the role of a lifetime, little hopefuls simply need to send a one-minute-long video to [email protected] with their name, age, location, what makes them the perfect fit for the role, and what dish they wood make in their wooden kitchen.
Applications close on 5 May, and Aldi’s Summer Wooden Toy range will be available in stores from 17 May.
Emily Sergeant -
14th March 2024 
