Presto UK Supermarket's Rise and Fall

Presto UK Supermarkets was a discount supermarket chain in the UK that expanded rapidly in the late 1990s.

The company's aggressive expansion led to the opening of over 200 stores across the UK.

Presto's business model was based on low prices and a no-frills shopping experience, which appealed to budget-conscious consumers.

However, Presto's growth was unsustainable, and the company eventually faced financial difficulties.

Presto UK Supermarkets went into administration in 2005, leading to the closure of many stores and the loss of thousands of jobs.

The company's demise was a result of its inability to compete with larger retailers and its own financial mismanagement.

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Presto's history dates back to the early 1960s as a division of Allied Suppliers Ltd.

The company was looking for a name for a new discount shopping store in the north east and removed the 'n' from Preston in North Tyneside to create the name Presto.

Presto supermarkets were often located in shopping centres and were known for their discount prices and popular treats like Cadbury's Brazil Nut bars and Sunshine table jellies.

The brand's memorable TV advert catchphrase was "you'll be impressed at Presto", which was used to promote the supermarket's low prices and quality products.

By the late 1980s, many Presto supermarkets had become Safeway stores, marking the beginning of the end for the Presto brand.

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In the 1970s, Presto's supermarket chain offered remarkably cheap prices, with the average UK weekly wage for a man being £36 and £20 for a woman.

A full-page advert from the Evening Chronicle in July 1972 showcased the brand's prices, with items like Cadbury's Smash at 13p and Vesta Curries at 18½p.

Some products are still supermarket staples today, including Heinz Tomato Ketchup for 12p and Bird's Eye Fish Fingers for 19½p.

You could buy a 1lb of bananas for 7p and two large grapefruit for 14p, making for a relatively affordable and healthy snack.

Drinking alcohol at home wasn't yet the norm, but you could get a can of Tennents' Lager for 11½p.

Smoking was more prevalent back then, with a pack of 200 Embassy Cigarettes costing £2.46.

In Presto's supermarkets, kids loved the biscuits and sweets section, where you could find packets of McVities' Digestive Biscuits or McVities' Ginger Nuts for 5p each.

A pack of four Mars Bars cost 14p, and a ½lb block of Cadbury's Brazil Nut was 22p.

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Presto was a supermarket chain that was lost to the 90s. It was a beloved brand in Greater Manchester and beyond.

The company was a division of Allied Suppliers Ltd and was created by removing the 'n' from Preston in North Tyneside.

Presto supermarkets were often located in shopping centres, and many people remember shopping there.

You'll remember Presto for its "freshly baked bread" and discount prices.

Presto sold all the essentials like fruit, vegetables, meat, and bakery items.

The popular treats of the time, such as Cadbury's Brazil Nut bars and Sunshine table jellies, were also sold at Presto.

One of Presto's famous TV advert catchphrases was "you'll be impressed at Presto."

By the late 1980s, many Presto supermarkets had become Safeway stores.

The name Presto was briefly revived before disappearing for good in the late 1990s.

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In 1982, Presto was sold to Argyll Foods for £101 million, along with 136 stores and the rest of Allied Suppliers.

Argyll operated the Lo-cost supermarkets and Cordon Bleu Freezer Centres that were acquired.

The acquisition marked a significant change for Presto, but Argyll continued to operate the brand under its own management.

A major re-organisation of Argyll's food store division began in 1985, which included rebranding some stores as Presto and closing others.

The rebranding effort was extensive, with stores in Scotland and Northern England being converted or closed.

A new logo was introduced in 1985, featuring yellow, blue, and red colors, which was used on converted stores.

The old logo remained on the exterior signage of original Presto stores throughout their life.

Here's a brief timeline of the key events:

In 1982, Presto and its 136 stores were sold to Argyll Foods for £101 million. This significant acquisition marked a major shift in the company's ownership and operations.

Argyll Foods went on to operate the Lo-cost supermarkets and Cordon Bleu Freezer Centres.

In 1985, Argyll launched a major rebranding effort for its food store division, which included rebranding or closing several store chains.

The rebranding effort saw Hintons, Lipton, Galbraith, and Templeton stores in Scotland and Northern England rebranded as Presto stores or closed.

A new slogan was introduced in 1985, replacing the old one with "You'll be impressed in Presto".

The new slogan was accompanied by a new logo featuring yellow, blue, and red colors, as well as a shopping basket for a short time.

The new logo was used on all converted stores, while original Presto stores retained the old logo on their exterior signage.

A number of new Presto Superstores were opened featuring the new logo.

By 1986, the conversion program was complete, and Argyll was set for expansion with new regional distribution centers planned in various locations.

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Presto's business model is built around offering a wide range of products at affordable prices.

The supermarket operates on a no-frills concept, aiming to keep costs low and pass the savings on to customers.

Presto's business model is designed to be efficient, with a focus on streamlining operations and reducing waste.

By cutting out unnecessary costs, Presto is able to offer competitive prices on a vast array of products.

The supermarket's business model has enabled it to expand rapidly and establish a strong presence in the UK market.

Presto's focus on efficiency and cost-cutting has also allowed it to maintain a high level of profitability.

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