Iceland has pledged its commitment to the high street as the retail industry debates its future.
The frozen food retailer opened its 800th store this week on a high street in Beccles, Suffolk, along with stores in Berwick-upon-Tweed and Hartlepool.
Founder Malcolm Walker said the majority of its new store openings will be on the high street.
Former Iceland boss Bill Grimsey yesterday released his review of the high street making recommendations to Government on how to ensure its prosperous future.
Walker said: “At a time when certain individuals are pontificating on the grim future of the high street, perhaps reflecting their own track record of failure in this arena, it is worth pointing out that the majority of our new store openings are in high street locations, and are generating good sales and returns on our investment.
“Beccles is an interesting example of our expansion strategy, taking us into a town where we have not been represented before, on a modern high street immediately next to Laura Ashley, and adjacent to branches of Holland & Barrett, Costa Coffee and Fat Face. It is also close to a large Tesco Extra store.
“This demonstrates our ability to appeal to new customers in areas well beyond Iceland’s traditional heartlands, and to meet the strongest competition head-on.”
He added: “With our expanding presence on the high street complemented by our growing online shopping business in the UK and expansion overseas, the future of Iceland has never looked brighter than it does today.”
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