Bargain stores reach £5bn

PoundlandBRITISH shoppers spent £5bn at bargain stores such as Poundland, B&M and Home Bargains in the past year, a rise of 17%, according to Nielsen retail performance data.

Over 2.2m households bought from a bargain store for the first time during the last year. According to the research, 52% purchased from Poundland alone.

Fruit and vegetables have seen the biggest rise in popularity, said Nielsen’s UK head of retailer and business insight, Mike Watkins, who added: “People are starting to visit for their regular grocery staples.”