Store Wars

Leamington has found itself at the centre of a retail war this year with the opening of the UK’s largest Morrison’s on Old Warwick Road.

The town’s already vast selection of food retailers has evoked concern for some residents about how this competition will affect prices, and whether this will benefit students.

Popular supermarkets in Leamington already include Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Iceland, Asda, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Somerfield, Lidl and Costcutter.

This, with both an Aldi and Co-op also soon to open, means that many retailers will have to innovate to bring in customers.

Morrisons has been widely distributing leaflets displaying several deals and offers, hoping that the promise of cheap food and drink will tempt Leamington’s large student population.

The close proximity of the new supermarket to Leamington Retail Park has lead to fierce competition between the store and Sainsbury’s, prompting increased investment in advertising by the two rival chains.

Ella Goodland, second-year Film student, says that she will ultimately “follow the deals” when choosing where to shop but appreciates the new superstore’s varied selection and cafe.

Morrisons is competing with Sainsbury’s as one of Leamington’s larger supermarkets, but both are having to compete with location when it comes to students.

Ella says she will “shop at Morrisons from now on because it’s closest” but doesn’t think she would make the journey from further away without a car.

Waitrose has revealed to the Leamington Observer that it has “wanted to open a store in Leamington for some time.”

However, Vikki Willcox, second-year History student, says that this addition will not alter her shopping habits. “Adding a Waitrose isn’t really going to affect students unless it lowers its prices.”

With more variety added to Leamington’s retail offerings, and the promise of more still to follow, Vikki thinks that students could really benefit from this competition.

“I’ll definitely be shopping around for the best deals. I think the student essentials might really go down in price.”