Iceland executive chairman Lord Richard Walker has declared his intention to open a supermarket on the Falkland Islands as a diplomatic dispute over the territory reignites.
Walker announced the plan via LinkedIn, framing it as part of the retailer’s broader international ambitions and a show of support for the British territory.
He wrote: “We’ve been supporting the Great British high street for 50 years. As we continue our international expansion programme, we are committed to opening a shop on the Falkland Islands — taking our iconic British frozen quality and value to the Falklanders. Watch this space.”
The announcement comes after Argentinian President Javier Milei reignited the long-running sovereignty dispute, declaring that Argentina must “recover” the islands.
In a televised address, Milei said: “The Falklands are Argentinian. Historically and legally. There can be no argument. They are part of the Argentine territory.”
Milei also dismissed the rights of islanders, stating: “The islanders on their usurped territory do not have a legitimate right to self-determination and any argument on any such self-determination is invalid.”
Senior UK government ministers responded swiftly, with Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband writing: “The Islands are British and will remain so because that is the overwhelming position of the islanders.”
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting added that the UK’s commitment to the territory is “absolute and unshakeable”, reinforcing the government’s firm stance against Milei’s claims.
Iceland would become the first major British grocer to establish a physical presence on the Falkland Islands, which has a population of roughly 3,600 people.
The territory currently has no big-name retailers, though Iceland and Waitrose products are already stocked at the West Store, a supermarket in the capital Stanley.
Iceland’s product range is a somewhat unconventional fit for a territory known for traditional dishes such as grilled sea trout blackened in cajun spices or wrapped in ham.
The supermarket’s fresh fish section lists just one product online — 16 crab-style sticks priced at £1.85 — though it does offer 28 fish fingers for £3.
Walker has established himself as an outspoken business figure well beyond the supermarket aisle in recent months, making several prominent political interventions.
He previously served as a cost-of-living advisor to then-Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, but resigned from the role shortly after Andy Burnham entered Downing Street.
Walker has called on the government to impose a profit cap on energy firms, reduce taxes on business, and scrap the triple lock on the state pension.
Speaking in the House of Lords earlier this week, he urged the Prime Minister to encourage more young people away from benefits and into work, declaring: “Britain cannot redistribute its way to prosperity.”