They all went to Iceland

By SOPHIE MCCARRICK [email protected]  

Large crowds gathered for the opening of Iceland, in the Guia Retail Park on Wednesday, October 9.

First in line was Mary High, a resident of the Algarve for three years, who told the Algarve Resident: “I have been here waiting in the rain since 10.15am, I am ever so excited about the prices and being able to buy name brands that I am familiar with”.

Upon completion of her trip around the store, Mary left saying: “It was fantastic, and I will be back tomorrow.” Also in line was Kat Mitchener from Lagos, who jumped up and down while saying: “I can’t wait for Chicken Kievs. Look, there is photo of one there, just behind you!”

Those first in line received flowers and were greeted by all 25 members of staff.

Once inside the store, customers repeatedly said “this is fantastic” and “look at this, I can’t believe it, it is like England”.

Store manager Sam Gabriel said: “Managers from Iceland UK holiday in the Algarve and thought there was potential to open a store here and I have to say, after seeing this today, they were right. If things continue this way, I will be very happy.”

Photo: Mark rawcliffe – THE RESIDENT GROUP.

He added: “In store we have a three-week rotation on special offers, so there is always something different being promoted and this will continue, all year round.”

Queues of people continued to build 30 minutes after the opening, while all 400 baskets and 100 shopping trolleys were already being used.

Maggie Burns, a resident of Guia for two years, said: “I think this is really going to be popular with the English people, from what I have seen already. It’s just great, especially the low prices.”

Leaving the store, English expat Constance Harrison said: “I can’t believe it, they have everything, and I really do think other stores will suffer because of this.”

Susan Clewer, who travelled from Lagoa for the opening, said: “It was just fantastic today, and if the prices stay like this, I will be doing my shopping here every week.”

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