99p Stores - Customer Perception

Customer Perception

Generally, customers speak positively about 99p Stores, with most reviewers only criticising customer and product overcrowding, as well as a lack of cleanliness in many of their stores. Some reviewers note that they have seen several items cheaper from other retailers; however mostly the products on offer at 99p Stores are of good value. Reviews on dooyoo.co.uk (a shopping advice and review site) show an average rating of 4/5. Upon opening one of their stores at Muswell Hill, customers were commenting how they had wanted a shop like 99p Stores for some time, with very strong sales reported for their first day of trading.

However, there is noticeable opposition to the planned opening of stores; such is the case in Stroud, Gloucestershire, where more than 1000 people have joined a Facebook group which opposes the planned 99p Store in the Cotswold market town. Some older shoppers have also expressed concerns over the retail chain's expansion plans, with one citing the need to have "a shop that will give the high street a bit of oomph, not something that lowers the tone". Whilst another agreed with not wanting discount retailers filling up the high street, it was generally accepted that the alternative of having shops lie empty hurts other businesses. Co-founder Hussein Lalani branded the critics as snobs, but that people vote with their feet and during the credit crunch, budget-conscious shoppers want a place where they can get bargains.