A beloved Aberdeen sweet shop has announced it is shutting down after 16 years.
Wowzie, located on St Andrew Street, confirmed that the store will officially closed before the end of March this year. Owners gave the reason behind the closure as the loss of footfall in Aberdeen city centre, which they credited to the loss of John Lewis, the new LEZ and bus gates.
They also pointed to thefts as a reason behind their closure, adding that “the amount of stock that we lose is ridiculous”.
In a statement on social media, Wowzie said: “After almost 16 years of trading from our shop in Aberdeen, the time has come to make significant changes to the way our business operates. Our shop in St Andrew Street will close before the end of March 2025.”
The added: “Retail shopping has changed with most purchases now being made online. Locally in our area, the loss of John Lewis has impacted footfall; in the City Centre, LEZ and Bus Gates cause so much confusion to drivers that a lot of people avoid driving in town. General opinion from our customers who now shop online instead is that it is easier to avoid the city centre than attempt to navigate, and a number of customers do not have a compliant vehicle.
“Tik Tok shops have not helped high street retail either unfortunately. The other reason for closure is the amount of retail theft that occurs. Even with a security system in place the amount of stock that we lose is ridiculous.”
Wowzie will continue to operate online, and say they will “do [their] utmost to continue to offer a huge variety of stock” available to order from their new unit in Aberdeenshire.
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They said: “We are taking our business to a store/packing unit in the Shire and will offer online ordering as we do now. We should be able to offer same day service if orders are placed by a certain time – this will be for both postal and local delivery (local collections will be available once we have finalised pick up points); postage will also be capped at £5 just like it is at present. We are working on a new website for ordering but the current site is still available.”
The team also said they are “in discussing” about selling their products with other local retailers, saying: “Wowzie is a registered trademark so part of our plan is to offer a Wowzie brand range. If you are a local retailer and you are interested in stocking some of our products – please get in touch!”
They added: “We are truly humbled by the outpouring of support we have had for our wee business and we are equally sad that things have to now change so much. However, we don’t want to risk ‘hanging on’ and then find ourselves in a loss situation financially. We are bowing out from the shop side whilst we are in a secure position and it makes absolute good business sense to make the changes.
“If online doesn’t work then it doesn’t work – it won’t be for the sake of trying that’s for sure! We shall miss the chats more than anything else and all the lovely friendships that we have made…. but we do need to change things! Thanks for your support and understanding.”
Customers were to share their disappointment, with one person writing: “Gutted, but I would rather have an online Wowzie than no Wowzie at all.”
Another said: “Such a shame you are closing the store ,but if needs must then so be it. Also such a shame the rates in town are stupid.”
A third added: “So sad you’re closing the store but totally understand why. Will still order online but will definitely miss browsing in the shop.”
Meanwhile, one customer wrote: “Such a shame but I know how hard you have been trying to combat theft and losses. The hassle you sometimes get so I understand fully. The city centre won’t be the same without you.”