Do They Have Any Bargains Instore For You? (instore (Poundstretcher))

Member Name: cazkins

Product:	instore (Poundstretcher)
Date:	10/09/09 (60 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some good offers, good range of different products, some very nice homewares

Disadvantages: Not always the best prices, stores can be a tad disorganised

I'm one for bargains and tend to hunt around for the best prices and deals. As far as discount stores go, Instore isn't in my top 3, but it's still one of those places I like a have a look around.

Instore is a chain store, and now has over 340 stores across the UK since it started out in 2003. Instore Plc trades under other names, such as 'Instore' and 'Poundstretcher', with the slogal "Shop smart, live well".

The general feel I get of Instore's reputation isn't too positive, neither it is that bad. It's a bit of an inbetweener; regarded as a cheap discount store, it doesn't have a particularly fresh or quality feel to it, it's still popular. I know some people who don't like to say they shop here, but I think that's a bit snobby as I personally couldn't care less what bag people see me carrying around!

The range of products in quite varied and briefly includes:

Clothing (usually only a small amount)
Seasonal (items for the summer such as picnic accessories, halloween goodies, christmas themed products etc)
Kitchen (utensils, cookware, cutlery and some electrical appliances)
Office (batteries, blank cds, filing products, stationary, computer accessories, dvds)
Homewares (decoration, cleaning products, cusions, furnishings, larger items like tables & chairs)
Gifts (cards, wrapping paper)
Beauty & toiletries (sprays, soaps, shower gels)
Toys (kids toys, outdoor toys, teddys)
Food (some kitchen cupboard products, individual confectionary bars/bags of crisps/drinks and multi packs)

The prices are a bit hit and miss, in the sense that you can find the same (or very similar) products elsewhere for less. The offers they have can sometimes, however, be good bargains, but they can be a grab-it-now occasion, because you may go in and see the good offer but return a few days later to find it gone.

They sell a mixture of branded items and cheaper ones, but it's not a store I would go to with a specific shopping list because with my luck they never have the things/brands I go in for.

The range of products depends on the size of the store, but generally speaking you should find at least a small selection from each of the categories I mentioned earlier.

That said, you may have some trouble locating where these are. The store usually groups together the different sections, but most of the times I've been to an instore the layout has been quite messy, with unfilled shelves and a somewhat disorganised appearance.

I do like their homewares section, and often find lots of nice decorative items, storage units, useful kitchen utensils, quilt covers etc.

The staff obviously vary from place to place, and although I've never had any problems because everyone's always been friendly enough, they're not always the most helpful or knowledgeable of the products or where to find them.

I believe I read a while ago that Instore annonced millions of pounds worth of loss due to the 'credit crunch', but whilst they're not the most profitable store at the moment, they still seem to attract many customers.

Overall, Instore is somewhere I enjoy to browse around and find the prices to be reasonable, with some good buys, but I wouldn't go out of my way to shop there.

Summary: Not the best but always worth a look to see if they have any bargains 'instore' for you!