Sostrene Grene, the much-loved affordable homeware brand, has opened a brand-new store in Manchester city centre.
The Danish business has opened inside the Manchester Arndale today, in a whopping 4,952 sq ft store (opposite the Body Shop, if you’re looking for it).
As always, the new retail space showcases Sostrene Grene’s contemporary – yet surprisingly affordable – home decor, furniture, and stylish lifestyle products.
And shopping here is arguably unlike any other experience on the high street, thanks to its unique layout and winding aisles making it feel like you’re discovering something new around every corner.
The new space shows off a brand-new, full Easter range, with items like pretty pastel bud vases, bunny-shaped candles, tulip mugs, and even Easter-patterned gift wrap.
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As with all Sostrene Grene stores, you’ll find a small kitchen section selling cooking and baking essentials for incredible prices, alongside ingredients like cake mixes, jams, and olives.
Then there’s a full tea selection, including a self-serve loose lead tea station.
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The new Sostrene Grene at Manchester Arndale offers a vast range of wrapping paper, gift bags and cards, as well as a full wall of candles in every colour of the rainbow (and priced from 40p).
Head around again and you’ll find yourself in the brand’s crafting section, where you can pick up everything from stickers and stamps to beads and thread, plus loads of painting and art supplies.
On top of that, there’s stationery (and where else are you picking up a notepad for £1.76?), plant pots and garden decor, storage baskets, picture frames, rugs, bathroom bits, more candles, hair accessories,
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You can even shop for the little ones, picking up soft toys, wooden toys, and kids craft supplies.
And before you leave, you’ll pass through loads of nostalgic sweets like liquorice, sticks of rock, and jelly sweets – and even miniature Easter eggs in their own egg carton.
Sostrene Grene is open now inside Manchester Arndale.
JD are giving away 400 free iced drinks at Trafford Centre this weekend
Lydia Mastrolonardo
JD has just launched a brand-new in-store cafe at the Trafford Centre, with a huge iced drink giveaway planned for its opening weekend.
iced. opened earlier this week and we couldn’t be more chuffed they’ve chosen Manchester as their third UK location.
The cafe is set to supply a range of matchas, coffees, teas, shakes and some delicious sweet treats to choose from while you shop – as if we needed any further encouragement to do some retail therapy.
iced.’s menu contains some of our favourites, including banana bread matchas, white mocha clouds, and strawberry cream shakes.
JD are giving away 400 free iced drinks at Trafford Centre this weekend / Credit: The Manc Group
What better way to browse the latest fashion, sports, and lifestyle brands than with an iced matcha in hand?
To celebrate, iced. are offering a free drink to each of the first 200 customers each day this weekend.
Simply head on inside JD Sport in Trafford Centre, to claim a free drink of your choice this Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August, while stocks last.
iced. will be open on Mondays to Fridays from 9am-10pm, Saturdays from 9am-9pm, and Sundays from 11:30am-6pm.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
Shopping
Manchester Storm announce partnership with USAsports including NHL pop-ups and more
Danny Jones
Manchester Storm have announced a landmark new deal with USAsports, a dedicated home for British fans of North American sporting disciplines and global merchandising suppliers, which will see various exciting events this upcoming season.
Confirming the collaboration ahead of the pending 2026/27 campaign, this crossover will involve everything from special pop-up events to player sponsorships and much more.
USAsports specialise in officially licensed NHL, NFL, NBA and MLB clothing, and while you may have seen the odd jersey here and there at various Greater Manchester locations, they are now gearing up to work with Manchester Storm to deliver better exposure.
Whether you’re just a die-hard member of the Storm Shelter or an ex-pat who still follows an NHL franchise overseas, kit collecting and the fascination surrounding limited edition team jumpers is a big part of ice hockey fandom and culture not just here in the UK but around the world.
Sharing their own announcement, they wrote: “Manchester Storm are thrilled to announce a new partnership with USAsports for the 2026/27 Motorpoint Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) season as the club embarks on an exciting new chapter at the AO Arena.
“As part of the partnership, USAsports will sponsor a Manchester Storm player throughout the season and deliver multiple NHL Pop-Up Shop events at Storm home games during the forthcoming campaign.”
On the subject of sponsorship, commercial entities are the only people who will be given the opportunity to back big players this term, as Storm are once again bringing back their ‘own-and-loan’ scheme.
Speaking on working closely with their new partners, the club’s General Manager, Ryan Finnerty, added: “We’re delighted to have USAsports on board for the 2026/27 season.
“Their passion for the fan experience really stood out to us, and their NHL Pop-Up Shops throughout the season will be a fantastic addition to game days at the AO Arena.
“We’re looking forward to working together throughout what promises to be a very exciting season.”
As casual fans here at The Manc, we’ll admit that watching the growing buzz around the resurgent ice hockey team, especially ahead of their Manchester city centre ‘homecoming’, has got us amped to dive deeper into the sport when it gets back underway next month. We’re not the only ones, either…
Daisy Jackson -
26th March 2026 
