The day of the discounter

Discount food stores opened within days of each other in Welshpool and Porthcawl earlier this year. How have established retailers been affected in these two very difficult towns with their traditions of small independents (Welshpool) and larger supermarkets (Portcawl)? What has been the impact on shoppers from the surrounding countryside? Are the new stores nine‐day‐wonders or have they already attracted loyal customers? These are some of the questions investigated by the authors who are currently continuing their study of the effects of the discount stores on existing retail outlets in Welshpool and Porthcawl.