Iceland is to open a store in the Falkland Islands in December, becoming the first UK high street brand to establish a presence in the remote South Atlantic territory.
The new store will open in Stanley, the Falkland Islands’ capital, in partnership with Kelper Stores, part of the Fortuna Group.
Iceland Foods Group executive chairman Lord Richard Walker announced the move on LinkedIn, describing the Falklands as “a special part of the British family” and saying the expansion was something he had wanted to make happen for some time.
“We’ve built Iceland around quality, value and making good food more accessible, and I’m proud that we’ll now be bringing that to customers in Stanley,” Walker said.
The new outlet will be operated in partnership with Kelper Stores, a family-run local business. Walker said Fortuna had “a deep commitment to the local community” and that he was delighted to be working with the group.
He added that the opening marked an important step in Iceland’s international expansion and confirmed he would travel to the Falklands to officially open the store later this year. The store is scheduled to open in December.
The announcement comes as tensions over the Falkland Islands’ sovereignty have again intensified.
Argentina has stepped up its claims to the British overseas territory in recent days, with president Javier Milei announcing measures targeting companies involved in oil exploration around the islands.
On Tuesday, UK Foreign Office minister Kirsty McNeill told MPs there was “no doubt” about the UK’s position on the Falklands.
“There can be no doubt about our commitment to the Falkland Islanders, their democratic rights and the UK’s sovereignty over the Falkland Islands,” McNeill said.
Argentina has also initiated sanctions proceedings against 60 people and companies over what it regards as illegal oil exploration in the islands. The action has focused particularly on the Sea Lion offshore oil project, operated by Navitas Petroleum and backed by London-listed Rockhopper.