In pictures: Inside Leeds’ new Netto store
It was several months ago that Sainsbury's decided if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, and launched a tie-up with Danish discounter Netto. Today, the first of 15 new stores opened in Leeds.
Lest we forget, the retailer beat a retreat from the UK market back in 2010, selling its 193 stores to Asda for £778m – although Asda later sold 47 of those stores to keep competition authorities happy.
But even before the store opened its doors, Netto proved it could change: a sign outside proclaimed "we sell household brands, our own range of fresh goods and a few Scandinavian surprises". That's in contrast to the unusual brands Netto shoppers of old were used to.
The other change, of course, is this:
https://twitter.com/_dpaj/status/530249529610997760
Yep, that's a big lego dog, with Per Bank, the chief executive of Netto parent company Dansk Supermarked, in front of it.
The crowds were out in force.
https://twitter.com/Netto_UK/status/530269228713385984
Naturally, there was an Oompah band in place to welcome shoppers.
https://twitter.com/Netto_UK/status/530265756987305984
And the Danish pastries were all laid out.
https://twitter.com/Netto_UK/status/530267162683133953
But they weren't the only Danish products to hand…
https://twitter.com/bbc5live/status/530281858089897984
Still, shoppers were glad to see they could stock up on their basics.
https://twitter.com/katehardcastle/status/530246509879906304
As well as take in pictures of Danish butchers looking stoical…
https://twitter.com/Natalie_Berg/status/530270638888714240
One lady even tried a little sample.
https://twitter.com/BBCEmmaSimpson/status/530290985415483392
Goodbye Netto!
https://twitter.com/ArnieEtc/status/530288432476860416