It's less than a quid at the 99p Store (The 99p Store)

Member Name: brittle1906

Product:	The 99p Store
Date:	04/04/09 (359 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots of choice, all at one price

Disadvantages: May not appeal to everyone

Review of 99p Stores

The concept of 'cheap' stores is not a new one, Poundland, Poundsavers, Poundstretchers have all paved the way towards cheaper than High St shops and become familiar in our towns.
99p Stores were new to me however. I first visited a branch last year in the Weston Favell shopping centre near Northampton and have become a devotee. The shop was a delight! Row upon row of stock all at the magical figure of 99p. Now I may be a cheapskate, but I'm not stupid and I am well aware that the 99p pricing is a psychological weapon, it's under a pound so we think we've got a bargain and on the whole, this is true!

So what do they sell?
Anything and everything would appear to be the stock system for this chain. Toiletries, medicines, toys, pet requisites, DIY, food, DVDs, household items...you name it, they seem to stock it. Well known brand names jostle for space with lesser known products. The stock is ever changing and very varied. Stores are an Aladdin's cave of goods, the stack 'em high, sell 'em low principle of marketing seems to be 99p Stores method.
The DIY section is a dream, Weston Favell branch are selling 1 litre cans of Dulux Wood and Metal gloss paint currently. The equivalent can of paint is approx £9 in Homebase! OK, the colour range is limited,but providing the colour suits your needs, why pay more? My partner and I bought some self adhesive vinyl floor tiles for our boat from the DIY section, 6 in a pack for 99p, you really can't go wrong.
The household area has some very chunky, heavy quality wooden chopping boards and matching accessories, ideal for anyone revamping their kitchen or setting up a flat.
Food stuffs tend to be tinned or packeted, nothing dairy or fresh is stocked. Some of the brands are a little obscure but regular well known items such as Typhoo tea, Nescafe coffee and Batchelors products are also stocked. Very often on the food shelves the goods are priced at two or three items for 99p and occasionally items are discounted to 69p.

99p Stores do carry a splendid range of named products, however not everything is a bargain and you need to keep your wits about you, some things are cheaper elsewhere and as always it pays to shop around. It is worth looking in the store and keeping an open mind, big name supermarkets often have a buy one get one free offer which is better value than the 99p store.
Queues at the checkout can be long however staff seem knowledgeable, polite and friendly. I have only ever once had to return an item, a plug adaptor which didn't work, it was replaced without quibble. A notice on each till station states that if you are not given a till receipt, the manager will give you £5! Yet to be receipt-less myself so cannot comment!
99pStores also have a mobile phone recycling operation where they pay you to recycle your old phone, again, this is not something I have used personally so cannot pass judgment on the service.

About 99p stores
99P Stores Ltd was founded by Entrepreneur Nadir Lalani in January 2001. The first shop was in Holloway in London, and he continued to open 3 more stores that year. In 2002 Nadir decided to expand the business throughout the UK. According to their website, he has rapidly developed 99P stores making a total of 66 stores to date, serving 600,000 customers per week.
99P Stores Ltd aims to have 120 stores by 2010, aiming for a turnover of £250million and 2500 employees. The main warehouse is located in Daventry and the site boasts that it measures 150,000sq foot, holds 24,000 pallets and is open 24 hours, 6 days a week.

Contact details for 99pStores Ltd
Website
www.99pstoresltd.com
Telephone: - 01327 315900
Fax: - 01327 315909
Email addresses
Customer Services: - help@99pstoresltd.com
Enquiries: - info@99pstoresltd.com
Jobs: - jobs@99pstoresltd.com

Conclusion
99p Stores offer a veritable Aladdin's Cave of goods for bargain hunters with well known brands at one sensible price and a wide range of products on offer. A store that is definitely worth a look and in these days of financial doom and gloom one that is sure of a place on our High Streets.
Thank you for reading.

©brittle1906 April 2009
also on Ciao.co.uk under the same name.

Summary: Bargain hunter's paradise!