Shopping

The beautiful new flower shop that’s opened in Manchester just in time for Valentine’s Day

Tucked in at the Royal Exchange.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 10th February 2023

There’s a stunning new flower shop in Manchester city centre, nestled into one of the city’s most beautiful buildings – and the timing of its opening couldn’t be more perfect. 

Royal Exchange Flowers has just opened on Cross Street, tucked in beside other brilliant businesses that occupy the Grade II-listed building, like Sostrene Grene and Pastan. 

The shop may be small, but it’s hard to miss, with colourful plants and flowers spilling out of the door. 

There’s even a bright floral arch wrapped around its doorway and rustic wooden crates piled high with fresh blossoms.

Royal Exchange Flowers
Royal Exchange Flowers
Royal Exchange Flowers
Royal Exchange Flowers. Credit: The Manc Group

Inside the little independent oasis of colour, you’ll find vibrant blooms, hand-tied bouquets, flower gift bags, fresh plants and more.

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Royal Exchange Flowers is the latest venture from award-winning florists Kai Leek and Adi Thomas, the pair behind the floral and events company Verdure Floral Design, which celebrates its 18th birthday later this month. 

Along with their team of experts, the RHS Gold medal-winning florists pride themselves on providing premium quality bouquets at affordable prices.

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Royal Exchange Flowers has opened right in time for Valentine’s Day, and is making bouquets for same-day delivery when ordered before 2pm. 

You can also click and collect bespoke orders in store, or pop in for a browse. 

Royal Exchange Flowers will be open 10am-6.30pm, seven days a week, as well as selected bank holidays.

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Find further details here.

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

Shopping

‘Not just for mums’ – Iceland drops iconic slogan after more than 50 years

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Iceland has dropped its iconic slogan after more than 50 years, and has finally admitted that it’s “not just for mums”.

We all know that “that’s why mums go to Iceland” is one of the most famous slogans in British retail history… but, as of last week, more than 50 years since it was first uttered on TV, Iceland has decided to say farewell to the iconic phrase.

The headline-grabbing move is thought to be the supermarket‘s bid to become more inclusive, as it has cited the decades-old tagline as “outdated”.

Iceland’s first use of ‘mum’ in its’ marketing campaigns was all the way back in 1970 with the phrase “Mums love it”, before it was slightly changed to “Mum’s gone to Iceland” in 1988 ahead of its expansion into Europe in 1991.

Iceland has dropped its iconic slogan after more than 50 years / Credit: Iceland Foods

Then finally, in 2004, the frozen food retailer introduced its now most-iconic strapline, “So that’s why mums go to Iceland”, to coincide with introducing celebrity pop star Kerry Katona as the new face of its TV advertisements.

But now, as part of its latest advertising campaign, the world ‘mum’ has been dropped once and for all in favour of the altered tagline “That’s why we go to Iceland.

Explaining its decision to part way with its use of ‘mums’, Iceland’s Executive Chairman Richard Walker commented: “Iceland’s always been number one with mums, but the reality is, people from all walks of life, and life stage, choose to shop with us. That includes everyone from students and seniors, to single-parent families, mums, dads, and fitness enthusiasts.

“We’re a Great British institution, and open to all.”

Alongside the new slogan, Iceland is continuing its tradition of appointing celebrity mums as the face of the company.

TV presenter Josie Gibson has landed the role of the supermarket’s new ambassador.

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“With her famous warmth and positivity, Josie is the perfect person to encapsulate the friendly welcome all our customers receive at Iceland,” Mr Walker continued, adding that the retailer is “delighted to have her onboard”.

Featured Image – Iceland Foods

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