Supermarket competition for Jewish custom in Manchester has intensified with the opening of Sainsbury's largest north-west outlet - a 100,000 square foot megastore in Heaton Park.
The store is less than two miles from the main Prestwich and Salford Jewish neighbourhoods. As part of its corporate responsibility scheme, bosses have pledged to renovate the toilets of the strictly Orthodox Bnos Yisroel Girls' School in Salford.There are also discussions over donating items with damaged packaging to a local Chabad-run food charity for the needy.
A large kosher section is offering special offers, with more to come, said manager John Down.
"We've met with Manchester Beth Din this week to discuss their MK kosher lines. The customer feedback we have had already has been fantastic." A recruitment drive within the Jewish community had netted 10 staff. Others could be taken on as the store seeks to fill 40 vacancies.
Among shoppers this week was visiting east Londoner Sylvia Clarke, who said the kosher range was better than in her home Sainsbury's.
Salford mother-of-three Carolyn Calmonson was considering switching from Tesco. "I'll see what special offers come, but who really looks at all their receipts and compares prices? I usually buy my kosher products in local delis because the range [in supermarkets] doesn't compare."