FINAL efforts are being made in South Shields to complete the work for a new food store due to open on Thursday, February 15.

Lidl, a major German retailer, will open this new outlet to provide the local community with a new shopping experience. Shoppers may find a different concept to the one they are used to. The lack of frills such as greeters, loyalty schemes and large numbers of staff on the shop-floor might put some of the shoppers off. The firm prefers to concentrate on lower prices.

The company specialises in a limited range of more than 800 own-brand products that are traded under exclusive branding arrangements with its suppliers.

The product range includes fruit and vegetables delivered fresh every day, frozen and chilled products, core food and domestic products, canned, packet and baked goods as well as wines, beers and spirits from around the world.

In addition to food products, a new selection of competitively priced non-food items go on sale every Thursday.

Products are displayed in cartons on a mixture of shelves and pallets, operational and administration costs are kept to a minimum, carrier bags are purchased and shoppers need £1 to use a trolley