SHETLAND LIVE

After having a look around the new Tesco extension I think the whole thing has been blown out of all proportion as usual, although I saw a large isle full of cards and thought of Jackies, the homewares I thought about Harrys, and the clothes maybe a few of the clothes shops in toon but generally I felt that Da Toon shops offer a completely different selection than Tesco and have better quality and unique items rather than mass produced Supermarket merchandise that is good value,  practicle and fits its purpose such as bairns multipacks of socks   - that im told is the same price as one pair at da street or kitchen basics, and yes many folk are looking for just that but i think there is still plenty of room for customers looking for everything else. I did however see folk almost panic buying - suddenly they needed that clock for their kitchen even though they hadnt even given it a thought.  But if you have ever seen a Shetland wife in Primark - its like Dale Wintons Supermarket Sweep believe me, so maybe the novelty will wear off - like being  shop starved.  As a shop owner myself I am aware Tesco will have range of halloween stock probably cheaper than i can get it for - but it wont be exactly the same products and they certainly wont have the variety and range I stock. Will Tescos staff be able to give you the Halloween experience, 15 ideas of what you can dress up as or advice how to stick your frankenstein bolts on or how to fit your fangs ? probably not. So a certain amount of what you pay for is for the service you receive and the shopping experience you get which i have to say could be improved in certain shops where sometimes being acknowledged is a bonus. With internet shopping booming 24/7 it may be time for the Shetland shops to get with the times and get online and offer a service where you can buy online and collect locally in store - it works for Argos. The internet world is a lot bigger than Tescos, so find the shoppers worldwide not just in Shetland. (see ZE shops for further details on setting up a shop - Shetlands online shopping centre)