New kid on the block

What is it about the Nordic retail offer that has style written all over it? I'm just back from my first visit to the recently opened clas ohlson store in Manchester's Arndale Centre. Only its second UK store, the other being in Croydon, the company has been in existence for 90 years. According to its smart A5 catalogue the company claims to offer competitive prices, a broad product range and convenient location.

Sited next to Argos I was half-expecting to be confronted by an Argos-like experience given the piles of catalogues at the entrance to the store. Instead I was met by clearly merchandised product over three floors, although I have to admit I was a bit confused by its somewhat eclectic product mix: garden shredders, tents, pens and paper, light bulbs, tools, door handles, watches, kitchen gadgets and so on. The five categories go under the sections of hardware, electrical, multimedia, home and leisure - a mix of Woolworths, IKEA, Wilkinsons, B&Q, Currys, Argos, H Samuel.

Plenty of staff around, all smartly turned out but can't quite get a feel for what the compelling reason to shop there is. Is variety enough? Certainly just about all the products are portable but are these two factors enough? I mean a plastic box is a plastic box isn't it?

And when I tried, their web site wasn't working.

I'll watch with interest as another Nordic entrant to the UK scene, ILVA, did not last long.