Home to colourful knick-knacks, kitschy furnishings and statement accessories, Oliver Bonas has been a haven for middle-class shoppers since it opened in 1993.
It’s certainly no place for a minimalist. The British lifestyle brand is known for its eclectic mix of homeware, bedroom decor, quirky gifts, and, frankly, expensive price tags.
But now, customers can look forward to buying its cult products at a healthy discount, as the high street chain is opening its first ever outlet store.
From July 19, Oliver Bonas fans can get hold of the brand’s full range of product categories, including homeware, fashion and jewellery — with most items available at a minimum 30% discount.
The brand new, 2,438 sq ft store will be located on Gunwharf Quays, a waterfront retail park in Portsmouth.
The shopping centre is currently home to over 90 outlet stores, including Polo Ralph Lauren, Boss, Coach, UGG, Nike and The White Company.
Here, visitors can find products from their favourite premium brands for up to 60% off, and there’s also plenty of restaurants, bars and cafes to relax in after a long day of bagging bargains.
Yvonne Clay, centre director at Gunwharf Quays, said she’s ‘delighted’ that Oliver Bonas has chosen the shopping centre for its first ever outlet store.
‘This news not only reinforces Gunwharf Quays’ position as a leading outlet shopping destination but also highlights the continued confidence in bricks-and-mortar retail that we’re seeing,’ she added.
Meanwhile, Sevda Cankorur, head of retail at Oliver Bonas, commented: ‘We’re thrilled to be opening our very first outlet store at Gunwharf Quays.
‘This is an exciting milestone for Oliver Bonas as we expand into the outlet space, making our joyful and design-led products more accessible to even more customers.
‘Gunwharf Quays is a vibrant destination with a strong retail mix, and we’re looking forward to sharing the Oliver Bonas experience at outlet prices.’
Consumers aren’t the only ones looking to cut costs either. UK supermarkets are trialling cheaper, US-style plastic trolleys in select branches, in an effort to gather feedback from customers.
These designs are less attractive to thieves, who typically steal the metal carts in order to sell them on for scrap, potentially saving companies thousands in replacement costs every year.
They’re also said to be lighter and easier to steer, without the clattering noise traditional models can make as they’re wheeled through the aisles.
Not all shoppers are on board, however, and a Reddit post about the new trolleys has sparked disapproving replies. Some branded the move a ‘waste of money’, while one user predicted they trolleys would ‘end up grubby and stinking very quickly’.
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