Iceland supermarket is set to make retail history by opening its first store in the Falkland Islands this December, partnering with local retailer Kelper Stores in Stanley – becoming the first UK high street brand to open in the British Overseas Territory.
Supermarket giant Iceland has announced it will launch a store in the Falkland Islands, claiming to be the first UK high street brand to establish a presence in the territory.
The new standalone Iceland outlet is scheduled to open in early December on Ross Road East in the capital Stanley, working alongside local retailer Kelper Stores, which forms part of the Fortuna group.
Iceland chief Lord Richard Walker pledged last week that he would launch a supermarket in the British territory, posting on LinkedIn: “We’ve been supporting the Great British high street for 50 years. As we continue our international expansion programme, we are committed to opening a shop on the Falkland Islands – taking our iconic British frozen quality and value to the Falklanders. Watch this space.”
On Thursday, the retailer revealed it had sealed a deal to fulfil the promise.
The Stanley outlet will feature Iceland’s own-brand frozen goods alongside brands including Cathedral City, MyProtein and TGI Fridays.
Iceland explained that Fortuna was a family-owned enterprise with deep roots in the Falkland Islands, while Kelper Stores had established itself as a “trusted retailer for local shoppers and, through its partnership with Iceland Foods, is making a wider selection of affordable frozen food and everyday essentials more accessible to residents”.
Lord Walker commented: “Iceland Foods has a proud history of firsts and we are proud to be backing Britain by becoming the first UK high street retailer to open in the Falkland Islands.
“The Falklands are a special part of the British family and it’s always been an ambition of mine to support it, so being able to bring Iceland to Stanley is a huge moment for us. We’ve built our business around giving customers great quality and value, and we’re proud to bring the power of frozen to the Islands.
“This is an important moment for the business and our international aspirations. I will personally be visiting the Falklands to officially open the store and I looking forward to welcoming our new customers through the door.”
James Wallace, managing director of Fortuna, said: “Fortuna as a local, family-owned business is committed to investing in the community.
“We are delighted to be working with Iceland in delivering a partnership that will directly benefit the people of the Falkland Islands.”
Sarah Clarke, the general manager of Kelper Stores, said: “This is a major milestone for the Falklands, and we’re excited to be working with Iceland to bring the first ever franchise store to Stanley. Our customers will enjoy a wide product range and better value for money as a result.”
The Argentinian President Javier Milei reignited the dispute over the ownership of the territory last week, when he declared “we need to recover” the islands.
In a televised address, Milei stated: “The Falklands are Argentinian. Historically and legally. There can be no argument. They are part of the Argentine territory. The islanders on their usurped territory do not have a legitimate right to self-determination and any argument on any such self-determination is invalid.”
In retaliation, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband penned: “The Islands are British and will remain so because that is the overwhelming position of the islanders.”
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting declared the UK’s commitment to the territory was “absolute and unshakeable”.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.