logo
Our Place founder warns supermarket dupes will 'cause businesses to fail'

Our Place founder warns supermarket dupes will 'cause businesses to fail'

Ms Shahid launched the Los Angeles-based business with her husband in 2019, with Will Smith's Dreamers VC, Jay-Z's Marcy Venture Partners, and Gwyneth Paltrow among its early investors.
Shiza Shahid said the brand was growing rapidly in the UK despite dupes appearing on the market (Our Place/PA)
It specialises in kitchenware including pans designed to be non-toxic and non-stick, and collections created in complementary colours and aesthetics.
Widely-shared posts on social media, especially Instagram, have helped drive popularity of the brand in recent years – including a collaboration with actress and singer Selena Gomez.
Similar versions of bestselling products – namely the 'Always Pan' which currently sells for £125 – have recently launched in supermarkets including Aldi and Marks & Spencer with a lower price tag.
Ms Shahid told the PA news agency: 'Unfortunately I think it is incredibly harmful.
'When we started Our Place, my partner and I bootstrapped our savings and worked on the design for two years before we ever sold a single unit.
'And when multi-million dollar corporations come and they knock it off, with no regard for innovation, IP, small business, they are causing tremendous harm and it will cause a lot of businesses to fail, and it will destroy innovation.'
She said such companies are 'very skilled in the art of duplicity' which makes it difficult and costly for smaller brands to legally challenge.
But the businesswoman told PA that they were 'not able to guarantee that same level of detail and quality' with replica products.
'So we trust that, while not every consumer will see the difference, many will and many do,' she said, adding that shoppers often want to 'support brands that they believe in'.
A spokesman for Aldi said: 'For over 35 years we have championed customers by offering high quality exclusive products at the lowest possible prices.
'We go to great lengths to ensure that all our exclusive brand products are compliant with strict copyright laws and regulations.'
M&S has been contacted for comment.
Ms Shahid, who also co-founded the Malala Fund with Nobel Prize winner and campaigner Malala Yousafzai, said Our Place products are typically viewed as an 'accessible luxury'.
'Despite some of the cost-of-living challenges, people are investing in the home and kitchen,' she told PA.
'The first thing you do is maybe you go out a little bit less, but then you still want the joy and the nourishment and the connection, and home cooking is a really great way to do that.
'It feels like an everyday luxury… people are choosing products that will last, that will bring joy, and that will actually help them save money over time.'
Widely-shared posts on social media, especially Instagram, have helped drive popularity of the brand in recent years (Our Place/PA)
Sales across the brand spiked by 92% over the first quarter of 2025 compared with the same period last year, and it has built more than a million active customers.
It is also set to launch a shop-in-shop space within London department store Selfridges amid efforts to expand into retailers and take on established competitors such as Le Creuset.
Ms Shahid said Our Place has 'a lot of younger consumers but we also have a lot of men and women in their 60s', while many of its products – including the countertop 'wonder oven' – appeal to single-person households and small families.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

2 BCP businesses named among the UK's best places to work
2 BCP businesses named among the UK's best places to work

The Herald Scotland

timean hour ago

  • The Herald Scotland

2 BCP businesses named among the UK's best places to work

Great Place to Work has revealed its 2025 list of the UK's Best Workplaces for Wellbeing. The list champions 350 companies that are "leading the way in creating positive, supportive work environments for their employees". It is broken down into four categories based on the company's size: small, medium, large, and super large. Explaining the methodology, Great Place to Work says: "To determine our UK's Best Workplaces for Wellbeing list, our culture experts analysed thousands of employee surveys. "They assessed their holistic experiences of wellbeing at work through fundamental facets of employee wellbeing, including work-life balance, sense of fulfilment, job satisfaction, and financial security. "Evaluations also included an assessment of how well the organisation was able to deliver consistency of their employee experience across all departments and seniority levels." In the small category, Bournemouth's Just Shutters and Poole's Vizst Technology were recognised. Two BCP businesses named among UK's best places to work Just Shutters was founded in Bournemouth by Chris Rocker back in 2006, and is a leading provider of plantation shutters. Discussing the business on its website, Rocker says: "We live and work in Bournemouth and luckily we are only about half a mile from the sea. I spent most of my school years here but moved away to join the Royal Air Force." He continued: "In 2006 after having fallen in love with Plantation Shutters, a dream of starting a specialist company to meet the growing demand in the field was realised, Just Shutters was born. "We have grown steadily and strongly over the past decade and now there is a Just Shutters franchisee covering over 150 towns and cities in the UK." According to Great Place to Work, there are 14 employees at the Bournemouth site, and 100% say it is a great place to work. This is in comparison to 54% of employees who would agree with that sentiment at a typical UK-based company. Alongside that, Vizst Technology had 98% of its 46 employees say it was a great place to work. Recommended reading: Based in Poole, it is a privately owned, UK-based technology partner which works with a number of enterprises and public sector organisations. They offer services such as networking and cybersecurity that encompass innovative IT strategies. Overall, in the small businesses category, Just Shutters ranked in 6th place out of 100, and Vizst Technology was in 34th place.

BMW Drops Killer 5-Series Lease Deal for July
BMW Drops Killer 5-Series Lease Deal for July

Auto Blog

time2 hours ago

  • Auto Blog

BMW Drops Killer 5-Series Lease Deal for July

By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. BMW 5-Series Lease Deal, July The BMW 5-Series has been the German automaker's executive sedan offering since 1972. While the model has evolved significantly over the past 50+ years, it still continues to offer the same luxury and practicality that it was originally built upon. If this Bavarian sedan has been standing out to you for a while, BMW's July lease offer might make your decision even easier. 0:09 / 0:09 2026 Audi A6 Avant debuts to fight BMW 5 Series Touring Watch More Interested buyers can get behind the wheel of BMW's suave sedan in its base 530i trim for $659 per month for 39 months with $6,309 due at signing, excluding tax, title, license, registration & dealer fees. Alternatively, the 530i xDrive, that's BMW speak for all-wheel drive, can be had for $689 per month for 39 months with $6,339 due at signing. The total mileage limit for the duration of the lease is 32,500 miles. We believe this 5-Series lease offer is nationwide, but we used a Los Angeles zip code for reference. Always check the BMW website with your own zip code to make sure. 2025 BMW 5 Series — Source: BMW Would you rather have $0 down? Potential lessees who want to save money on the upfront costs can pay $0 at signing, with some adjustments to the monthly payment. We have estimated the monthly payments by spreading the amount at signing over the lease's term. The base 530i's lease would increase by around $161 per month for a total of ~$820 per month, while the 530i xDrive would see an estimated $162 increase per month for a total monthly payment of around $851. What do you get in a 2025 BMW 5-Series? The G60 generation of the 5-Series was the first to feature the then-newest iDrive 8.5 infotainment system, which was showcased through its 14.9-inch infotainment screen and 12.3-inch digital cluster. It was also the first model in the 5-Series lineup to be completely leather-free, offering the same luxurious atmosphere the model is known for while being friendly to animals at the same time. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. 2025 BMW 5 Series — Source: BMW The 530i and 530i xDrive both feature a mild hybrid powertrain made up of a turbocharged 2.0 L I4 engine that makes 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, as well as an 18 hp electric motor. The RWD 530i boasts a 5.9-second 0-60 mph time while the AWD 530i xDrive knocks that down slightly to 5.8 seconds. Both models are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and feature an 18 cu. ft. trunk. The regular 530i starts at $59,900 while the 530i xDrive brings that MSRP to $62,200. Final thoughts Lease offers can vary based on location and specific vehicle configuration (trim level, options, etc.) and are subject to credit approval. Advertised payments typically exclude taxes, title, registration, and other potential fees. To take advantage of this offer or to get a precise quote based on your needs (including an official $0 down option), visit the official BMW website here. 2025 BMW 5 Series — Source: BMW *Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle. About the Author Gabriel Ionica View Profile

Eagle-eyed Aldi shoppers notice popular item mysteriously missing from shelves: 'Bitterly disappointed'
Eagle-eyed Aldi shoppers notice popular item mysteriously missing from shelves: 'Bitterly disappointed'

Daily Mail​

time3 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Eagle-eyed Aldi shoppers notice popular item mysteriously missing from shelves: 'Bitterly disappointed'

Eagle-eyed shoppers have noticed that a popular treat has recently disappeared from Aldi Australia stores. Fans of Choceur Chocolate Milk Mini Bars recently shared their dismay about no longer being able to locate the popular item on shelves. Sold in packs of 11 'mini' chocolate bars, one customer described the milk chocolate that features a luscious milk crème filling as as a 'Kinder replica'. Taking to a Reddit thread dedicated to Aldi Australia, a woman wrote a concerned post under the heading: 'Please don't tell me they got rid of these?' Sharing a product image of the Choceur Chocolate Milk Mini Bars packet, she wrote: 'I feel like they suddenly disappeared from all stores – I've been buying them for years.' 'They're my number one guilty pleasure,' she added, alongside two 'sobbing' emojis. Commenters quickly chimed in, adding that they too had also recently noticed the product's absence. 'Noooo! I was wondering why I couldn't find these anymore,' replied one commenter. 'They're discontinued. For now, they could come back,' read part of another reply. 'My mum will be bitterly disappointed. Think I shouldn't tell her so she has hope they come back,' added another. But in positive news for chocolate-lovers, it seems chocolate's in-store disappearance is only 'temporary'. An Aldi Australia spokesperson told FEMAIL that Choceur Chocolate Milk Mini Bars have indeed been removed from shelves - but only for the time being. 'There has been a temporary disruption to the supply of the customer favourite Choceur Chocolate Milk Mini Bars,' the Aldi spokesperson explained. 'However shoppers can anticipate its return to shelves around the end of September.' Savvy Aldi shoppers rightly predicted that the chocolate treat's discontinuation was unlikely to be a permanent move. 'Whilst they might not be in store now, doesn't mean they are gone forever. All comes down to the manufacture,' explained one reply. Another responder, who appeared to have inside knowledge of the workings of Aldi stores, also shared a hot tip on where to find any remaining packs of the popular chocolate. They wrote: 'When ambient items are discontinued and we need the space they take on the shelves for a new product, we put them elsewhere, usually the specials tables in the middle aisles food section or anywhere else in the store food Special Buys are placed. You might find some there.' The upset comes after Aldi shoppers were left reeling after discovering another product from the Choceur range has been quietly discontinued. One Aussie customer noticed the beloved Choceur White Chocolate Coconut Blocks were nowhere to be found. The creamy, coconut-flavoured white chocolate has been a crowd pleaser for years, with cornflakes as one of its key ingredients for an extra crunch. 'Has this been discontinued? It's no longer on the website, and I haven't seen it in store. I've been wanting to try it for ages and now this happens,' a shopper wrote in a Reddit thread. Many were distraught over the news, with one saying: 'This is a huge loss. My favourite chocolate.' 'My family were regular buyers of it. Easily the best Choceur by a margin. Unfortunately, we haven't seen it around for the past four to five months,' another shared. 'Screaming, crying, throwing up. Regretting not buying it when I had the chance to,' one added. It's since been confirmed that the chocolate was discontinued in November 2024 - as the supermarket giant continues to diversify its product range to provide customers with variety. Content creator Annie Knight previously shared her rave reviews when she taste tested the white chocolate coconut block. 'Are you joking? I think this is the best chocolate I've ever had,' she declared. 'This is a 10. I've been waiting to give out a 10 and I'm giving it to Aldi chocolate. Can you believe it? I don't think you can get any better than that. 'It's the best thing I've ever had in my life. This wins. This slaps.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store