Perhaps the islands were once backwaters in terms of retail. Now they are preparing for what has been termed 'Store Wars' with a new factor evident - delivery. Increased fuel prices have led many people to see the advantages of the retailer rather than the shopper providing transport. Asda has no shops in the Hebrides, but undertakes deliveries, albeit through third parties, to Barra as well as Lewis and Harris. Three times a week their own vans cover Skye from the Inverness store. Tesco operates home deliveries from Stornoway, but not an online shopping service. The one company with a presence throughout is, of course, the Co-operative. It will be interesting to see how it preserves established territories in fairly remote places. For this detail of retail go to the Stornoway Gazette.
Scottish Islands Explorer - aware of the subscriber / shopper balance
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