Downturn boosts cost-cutting store outlets

NO surer sign of the economic downturn is the ongoing expansion of some of the country’s most cost-conscious stores, not just the Lidls and Aldis, but our own cost-conscious traders like Heatons.

They opened two brand new Munster stores in the run-up to Christmas, adding to the approximately 80 homeware stores nationwide, with an emphasis on county town locations. Their new Ballincollig and Blackpool outlets opened to queues at the doors, as did new value-driven TK Maxx openings earlier in 2008.

Savvy shoppers already knew the value to be had in bargain-shopping. But, the national media only belatedly embraced the notion as the recession began to bite, with summer 2008 features extolling the virtues of sensible, non-rip off pricing and how it was okay to have your 08 jeep seen in their car parks.