Grab Your Bargains at Home and Bargain (Home and Bargains)

Member Name: kitschkitty

Product:	Home and Bargains
Date:	04/10/08 (532 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Wide range of items at low prices.

Disadvantages: Can get busy with fellow bargain hunters.

Home and Bargains is owned by TJ Morris Ltd and is a rapidly growing chain of discount stores. You can check the website at www.homebargains.co.uk to see where your nearest store is and if you're live 'up North' you're sure to find a store near to you. I've frequented Home and Bargains in various towns but my local store is the Burnley branch which I usually venture into on a weekly basis.

In my experience, the layout and stock of Home and Bargains stores seems to be very similar. As you enter, there is a section with a variety of products which would appear to be the 'top offers' available in the store. Sometimes, this can be a treasure trove of bargains and at other times it can be quite unappealing. Don't let this disappoint you though as there's sure to be a bargain to suit your needs and desires somewhere in the shop!

The first aisle in the Burnley store is dedicated to toiletries including shampoos and conditioners, hair dyes, shower gels, deodorants, dental care and lots more. Most of the items are well known brand names at prices far below the RRP. The selection is quite extensive and they occasionally have 'designer' type hair products, especially on the haircare shelves. You'll also tend to find some unknown brands which tend to be the cheapest on offer, costing a few mere pennies.

The next aisle carries on the beauty theme with skincare and cleansers as well as a few shelves of baby items. Again, there's a healthy mix of well known brand names as well as some cheap brands. I recently picked up some face packs for 10p each, perfect for a pampering treat or to stock up for stocking fillers. They also have some pore cleansing strips which are just as good as the Biore version but a fraction of the price (about 89p if I recall correctly). You can also pick up cotton buds for a few pence as well as boxes of Ibruprofen and Paracetamol for 29p each, a handbag essential for me!

If you're looking for toys, there are plenty to be found. Since I don't have kids myself, I've never really checked this area of the store out but I do remember having seen Pixel Chicks, Beanie Babies and Bratz toys to keep your little horrors amused. They also seem to have a good selection of board games for some good old-fashioned fun.

For obsessive and not so obsessive cleaners, there's a whole aisle dedicated to laundry products, washing up liquids, bleaches and the range of air fresheners is quite awe inspiring. As with everything else in store, you can expect some big savings on the usual retail prices. The next aisle sells a range of household items and also tends to stock seasonal goods. Not one I venture down often, I spotted the Christmas wrapping paper and cards had made it's way out onto the shop floor today.

Finally, I've saved the best for last, is the food section! Pet food appears to have found it's way here which means I don't forget to pick up some treats for Squeaky before I hit the checkout. Whilst you'd struggle to do a weekly food shop, Home and Bargains do stock a wide variety of food. The confectionary department is abundantly stocked with all manner of chocolate, crisps and sweets. Again, you'll find brand names including Cadbury's, Lindt, Walkers and Pringles, all at fantastic prices. In my local store, there's even an alcohol section which has been known to stock some rather expensive and quaffable wines at just a few pounds a bottle.

I really can't find fault with the fantastic range and prices at Home and Bargains. The queues are often quite long and the store gets busy but you can't complain that other people want to grab a bargain too! Unfortunately, since a lot of their stock is end of line or liquidated stock, you're never guaranteed to find the same items week after week so if you fall in love with a particular product, make sure you stock up whilst you can!

Summary: My weekly bargain fix.