Dragon helps breathe fire into cash and carry concept

Store with ‘lowest prices in Europe’ to open in capital

A CASH and carry boasting the “lowest prices in Europe” is set to open its flagship store on the fringes of Edinburgh later this month thanks to a “dragon” and retail guru. Housed in a 60,000 square foot depot at Newbridge, the BigOffers Discount Warehouse is the brainchild of two Capital business brains – BBC online Dragon Shaf Rasul and Duncan Sutherland, former chief executive of Moss Bros – who have vowed to punt everything from designer clothing to home entertainment systems at trade prices.

On promotional fliers the new outlet is said to be offering £150 suits for £8.53, as well as iPod Nanos for just over £20.Co-founder Mr Rasul, who has an estimated wealth of £80 Million, tested the concept of a high-end, Bargain-basement warehouse during a two-month trial run in Edinburgh last year and was impressed by its popularity.The entrepreneur and investor said no other wholesalers in the UK could offer the same cut-price deals as BigOffers.

“There’s no-one else doing anything like this,” said Mr Rasul . “We will be offering the public goods at the same price we would charge the retailer.”Asked if the outlet would offer the best prices in Edinburgh, he replied : “It will offer the best prices in Europe and that’s a guarantee.”

Also spearheading the venture is retail sage Mr Sutherland, 53, one of the Matalan founders who has worked in the industry since he was 22 when he started out with Woolworths in Dundee, before moving to South Africa to pursue a career with Marks & Spencer.

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