Here in Jersey, the store opened to great fanfare in April 1968 and remained a mainstay of the Jersey shopping experience during the boom years of finance and tourism.
In today’s front-page report, Gerald Voisin, who runs one of the oldest shops in Jersey, warns that prices might go up as a result of Brexit and the waste charge, which he says are both going to push up inflation. He also warns that tighter immigration restrictions through a reduction in the number of work licences is likely to have a detrimental impact on local shops.
And behind all that, there is the ever-present competition from online retailers.
It is perhaps time to reflect on the state of the high street in Jersey.
So far, just 52 of the 164 BHS stores which closed 12 months ago have found new occupants. Jersey’s is one of those that have.
Nearly a decade after the credit crunch, high streets in towns across Britain still bear the scars. Empty shops stand as evidence that times remain tough and, in many places, established brands have been replaced by a mismatch of pound stores and other bargain basement shops in which prices are kept low by offering a no-frills experience.
While there is a demand for these stores in Jersey as elsewhere, they are not the sorts of business that suggest a strong economy.
As a businessman and major employer, Mr Voisin might have grounds for concern, but it is worth remembering that in stark contrast to the UK experience, King Street, Queen Street and in the rest of St Helier, the retail landscape remains vibrant. The streets are busy and people still have money to spend.
St Helier also retains two excellent markets and quite a number of independent retailers which add colour and choice among the national chain stores.
The challenges to which Mr Voisin refers are not insubstantial and government must be aware of the effects of extra costs both on business and consumers. But retailers and others must also remember that they can maintain their revenues and profitability by giving shoppers excellent customer service, a positive and personal retail experience and, of course, competitive prices.
Customer service in Jersey is, on the whole, not bad, but first-class customer service comes as a pleasant surprise. And that suggests that more can be done to convince the buying public that they would rather spend locally.
More price rises on the way – warns major retailer: Click here.
