Poundworld in trouble....
Discussion
RM said:
DSLiverpool said:
Slightly O/T but I found a fulfilment company today that takes small etailers and can accept an order as late as 8.25pm for next day delivery 6 days a week.
Are they expensive?if i remember rightly, the fly on the wall series they did exposed poundshop or 99p stores margins are razor thin. I think the guy said several bad decisions in one year could be fatal. One or two big knocks and these pound shops will fall over like a jenga tower. IMO their novelty factor has gone now, it's time they went.
Regrading the high street, it would seem mergers and teaming up, e.g. argos/ebay, asda/sainsburys, next/costa etc is a sensible option.
Regrading the high street, it would seem mergers and teaming up, e.g. argos/ebay, asda/sainsburys, next/costa etc is a sensible option.
My son works as a supervisor at Poundworld Plus.
It's a bizarre insight into a weird world. Their staffing levels seem to be linked to last weeks figures. So if the shop had a bad week last week, shifts are short the next.
Another issue is supply. At Poundworld Plus, prices are NOT nailed down to "everything is £1". But when they have stock of, for example, three types of biscuit, they get customers in buying biscuits. The customers evidently then prefer one over the other two. By-and-by, the store are left with only one type of biscuit, and management display one type over three bays to cover shelf edge gaps. Customers come in asking for one of the other types, only to be told "sorry, no stock". After a while, they no longer come in because the brands they actually want to buy are not stocked, but the store is covered with unpopular, unsold items from "back stock".
Then area managers stomp into the store demanding to know why they haven't sold much of a particular item the company is (allegedly) pushing on promotion, only for the store manager to tell the area manager that they've been trying to order the promotional item for weeks, but larger stores have been hoovering up all of the stock.
They don't use electronic stock control and ordering systems. And my son's store has had about a dozen people filling the "store manager" role an permanent appointment and short-term stand-in basis since it opened not much more than a year ago.
He even mentioned after one shift that a customer had actually asked if the store was closing down. He's obviously said, in good faith, that it isn't planning to close, but now I'm worried that his store will end up closing, and he'll be out of a job again.
As for the effect of internet shopping on the appearance of the traditional High Street? All well and good while the internet is cheaper, and there are still physical stores where you can go to try things on, but as soon as the internet sweeps away the High Street, and web based stores start merging or taking over others, competition will fall away and prices will rise online. What good will all those additional restaurants, cafes and coffee shops be to us then?
It's a bizarre insight into a weird world. Their staffing levels seem to be linked to last weeks figures. So if the shop had a bad week last week, shifts are short the next.
Another issue is supply. At Poundworld Plus, prices are NOT nailed down to "everything is £1". But when they have stock of, for example, three types of biscuit, they get customers in buying biscuits. The customers evidently then prefer one over the other two. By-and-by, the store are left with only one type of biscuit, and management display one type over three bays to cover shelf edge gaps. Customers come in asking for one of the other types, only to be told "sorry, no stock". After a while, they no longer come in because the brands they actually want to buy are not stocked, but the store is covered with unpopular, unsold items from "back stock".
Then area managers stomp into the store demanding to know why they haven't sold much of a particular item the company is (allegedly) pushing on promotion, only for the store manager to tell the area manager that they've been trying to order the promotional item for weeks, but larger stores have been hoovering up all of the stock.
They don't use electronic stock control and ordering systems. And my son's store has had about a dozen people filling the "store manager" role an permanent appointment and short-term stand-in basis since it opened not much more than a year ago.
He even mentioned after one shift that a customer had actually asked if the store was closing down. He's obviously said, in good faith, that it isn't planning to close, but now I'm worried that his store will end up closing, and he'll be out of a job again.
As for the effect of internet shopping on the appearance of the traditional High Street? All well and good while the internet is cheaper, and there are still physical stores where you can go to try things on, but as soon as the internet sweeps away the High Street, and web based stores start merging or taking over others, competition will fall away and prices will rise online. What good will all those additional restaurants, cafes and coffee shops be to us then?
yellowjack said:
My son works as a supervisor at Poundworld Plus.
It's a bizarre insight into a weird world. Their staffing levels seem to be linked to last weeks figures. So if the shop had a bad week last week, shifts are short the next.
Another issue is supply. At Poundworld Plus, prices are NOT nailed down to "everything is £1". But when they have stock of, for example, three types of biscuit, they get customers in buying biscuits. The customers evidently then prefer one over the other two. By-and-by, the store are left with only one type of biscuit, and management display one type over three bays to cover shelf edge gaps. Customers come in asking for one of the other types, only to be told "sorry, no stock". After a while, they no longer come in because the brands they actually want to buy are not stocked, but the store is covered with unpopular, unsold items from "back stock".
Then area managers stomp into the store demanding to know why they haven't sold much of a particular item the company is (allegedly) pushing on promotion, only for the store manager to tell the area manager that they've been trying to order the promotional item for weeks, but larger stores have been hoovering up all of the stock.
They don't use electronic stock control and ordering systems. And my son's store has had about a dozen people filling the "store manager" role an permanent appointment and short-term stand-in basis since it opened not much more than a year ago.
He even mentioned after one shift that a customer had actually asked if the store was closing down. He's obviously said, in good faith, that it isn't planning to close, but now I'm worried that his store will end up closing, and he'll be out of a job again.
Interesting reading and a useful insight. Thank you It's a bizarre insight into a weird world. Their staffing levels seem to be linked to last weeks figures. So if the shop had a bad week last week, shifts are short the next.
Another issue is supply. At Poundworld Plus, prices are NOT nailed down to "everything is £1". But when they have stock of, for example, three types of biscuit, they get customers in buying biscuits. The customers evidently then prefer one over the other two. By-and-by, the store are left with only one type of biscuit, and management display one type over three bays to cover shelf edge gaps. Customers come in asking for one of the other types, only to be told "sorry, no stock". After a while, they no longer come in because the brands they actually want to buy are not stocked, but the store is covered with unpopular, unsold items from "back stock".
Then area managers stomp into the store demanding to know why they haven't sold much of a particular item the company is (allegedly) pushing on promotion, only for the store manager to tell the area manager that they've been trying to order the promotional item for weeks, but larger stores have been hoovering up all of the stock.
They don't use electronic stock control and ordering systems. And my son's store has had about a dozen people filling the "store manager" role an permanent appointment and short-term stand-in basis since it opened not much more than a year ago.
He even mentioned after one shift that a customer had actually asked if the store was closing down. He's obviously said, in good faith, that it isn't planning to close, but now I'm worried that his store will end up closing, and he'll be out of a job again.
yellowjack said:
As for the effect of internet shopping on the appearance of the traditional High Street? All well and good while the internet is cheaper, and there are still physical stores where you can go to try things on, but as soon as the internet sweeps away the High Street, and web based stores start merging or taking over others, competition will fall away and prices will rise online. What good will all those additional restaurants, cafes and coffee shops be to us then?
The internet as a buying platform has been around for 20+ years. The high street has evolved and will continue to evolve.And conversely, should we protect "the high street"? If it no longer exists in its current form, would that be a great loss? I can remember the last time i walked around any of the towns local to me. I can buy stuff cheaper online and have it delivered to my door within a day. Its only for something i need "right now" that i'll venture into a town for. Same with shopping centres for that matter.
Why would prices rise online if there were no bricks and mortar high street competition? Internet prices are lower because they compete with other online retailers on price, so there will always be competition on price.
daemon said:
The internet as a buying platform has been around for 20+ years. The high street has evolved and will continue to evolve.
And conversely, should we protect "the high street"? If it no longer exists in its current form, would that be a great loss? I can remember the last time i walked around any of the towns local to me. I can buy stuff cheaper online and have it delivered to my door within a day. Its only for something i need "right now" that i'll venture into a town for. Same with shopping centres for that matter.
Why would prices rise online if there were no bricks and mortar high street competition? Internet prices are lower because they compete with other online retailers on price, so there will always be competition on price.
Unfortunately, as all these face to face communities disappear, from pubs, to the High Street to the Post Office and so on, society becomes awash with selfish, impatient, socially autistic cretins who need to ask the internet how to turn a light on and who to complain to that it was off in the first place. Probably badly typed.And conversely, should we protect "the high street"? If it no longer exists in its current form, would that be a great loss? I can remember the last time i walked around any of the towns local to me. I can buy stuff cheaper online and have it delivered to my door within a day. Its only for something i need "right now" that i'll venture into a town for. Same with shopping centres for that matter.
Why would prices rise online if there were no bricks and mortar high street competition? Internet prices are lower because they compete with other online retailers on price, so there will always be competition on price.
Another side-effect is the VAGinisation of choice. No, not something smelly between the legs. I mean that the internet is yet another place dominated by big players and where independents can make two bob selling basket weaving guides, but have no chance selling nice things that are sold in volume. You get the illusion of choice, but not the reality, it's homogenised tripe, like much of what VAG spew out.
Much internet shopping is just another dogs
t shopping centre, except trapped behind a screen and a knobjocky in a van who will leave your goods with your neighbour even though you were stood at your door waiting. It's progress, but I wouldn't call it Progress.
Poundworld gross margins were touching 40%. Not bad for poundstores, but look at the state of their shops the last few years, value and range has disappeared from the shelves.
Go home bargains or B&M, cheaper, cleaner and better value all round.
I work in the pound sector, there is still money to be made if the proposition is good. In Poundworld's case, people have stopped shopping there because they don't know what Poundworld stand for anymore.
Many retail parks now have 3 or more discounters within walking distance of each other, why would you go to Poundworld over home bargains or B&M?
Actually, my only gripe about home bargains is they charge 10p for a carrier bag and it's bloody tiny!
Go home bargains or B&M, cheaper, cleaner and better value all round.
I work in the pound sector, there is still money to be made if the proposition is good. In Poundworld's case, people have stopped shopping there because they don't know what Poundworld stand for anymore.
Many retail parks now have 3 or more discounters within walking distance of each other, why would you go to Poundworld over home bargains or B&M?
Actually, my only gripe about home bargains is they charge 10p for a carrier bag and it's bloody tiny!
janesmith1950 said:
Unfortunately, as all these face to face communities disappear, from pubs, to the High Street to the Post Office and so on, society becomes awash with selfish, impatient, socially autistic cretins who need to ask the internet how to turn a light on and who to complain to that it was off in the first place. Probably badly typed.
Meh. Thats a doom and gloom end of civilisation view. I'm quite happy for "high streets" with bricks and mortar retail shops to disappear. They're far too much hassle to get to and traverse. I've much better things to do with my time. I dont think social centres will disappear. They will just change and evolve - you only have to look at towns that HAVE embraced the changes in the way we shop to see that. Meeting points dont need to be shops.
janesmith1950 said:
Another side-effect is the VAGinisation of choice. No, not something smelly between the legs. I mean that the internet is yet another place dominated by big players and where independents can make two bob selling basket weaving guides, but have no chance selling nice things that are sold in volume. You get the illusion of choice, but not the reality, it's homogenised tripe, like much of what VAG spew out.
Theres a world of opportunity for small niche businesses to exist and thrive on the internet. Granted, they wont make money reselling what the big players sell, but they can, do and will make money offering what the big internet players dont. And whilst those niches may be smaller, the market place is worldwide, not just what happens to be passing your shop door.I can get an infinitessimal variety on the internet - far greater than i could in my local shops, and from pretty much anywhere in the world if i want to. I often order now from the far east. Getting stuff i'd never be able to get locally.
Such is the power of the internet.
janesmith1950 said:
Much internet shopping is just another dogst shopping centre, except trapped behind a screen and a knobjocky in a van who will leave your goods with your neighbour even though you were stood at your door waiting.
I quite like shopping. I like browsing. I like finding bargains. I like buying the latest gadgets.t shopping centre, except trapped behind a screen and a knobjocky in a van who will leave your goods with your neighbour even though you were stood at your door waiting. What i dont like is having to make an expedition in to my nearest city centre or out of town shopping centre. Risk parking my car in the car park, drudge around the shops trying to avoid ill mannered kids and noisy, rude parents. I dont want to queue up to pay for things and i dont want to have to drag it all back to my car and hope its not been keyed or dinged, then make my way home.
I can do all of the former on the internet whilst avoiding all of the latter stuff which i frankly hate.
No issues getting stuff delivered. If i think theres going to be an issue i can get things delivered to an Amazon locker or - god forbid - a pick up point in store somewhere close to work. Though at least then you can just go pick it up and leave, rather than "shop".
janesmith1950 said:
It's progress, but I wouldn't call it Progress.
Well, feel free to continue kicking your way through shopping centres and supermarkets then - places where thankfully i can now easily avoid 
janesmith1950 said:
Unfortunately, as all these face to face communities disappear, from pubs, to the High Street to the Post Office and so on, society becomes awash with selfish, impatient, socially autistic cretins who need to ask the internet how to turn a light on and who to complain to that it was off in the first place. Probably badly typed.
Another side-effect is the VAGinisation of choice. No, not something smelly between the legs. I mean that the internet is yet another place dominated by big players and where independents can make two bob selling basket weaving guides, but have no chance selling nice things that are sold in volume. You get the illusion of choice, but not the reality, it's homogenised tripe, like much of what VAG spew out.
Much internet shopping is just another dogst shopping centre, except trapped behind a screen and a knobjocky in a van who will leave your goods with your neighbour even though you were stood at your door waiting.
It's progress, but I wouldn't call it Progress.
Out of curiosity, are you therefore saying you're happy to pay (often significantly) more to shop in your local retail outlets, you use privately owned supermarkets not ASDA, Tesco, Sainsburys, you dont shop at Argos, and you dont order from Amazon, etc?Another side-effect is the VAGinisation of choice. No, not something smelly between the legs. I mean that the internet is yet another place dominated by big players and where independents can make two bob selling basket weaving guides, but have no chance selling nice things that are sold in volume. You get the illusion of choice, but not the reality, it's homogenised tripe, like much of what VAG spew out.
Much internet shopping is just another dogs
t shopping centre, except trapped behind a screen and a knobjocky in a van who will leave your goods with your neighbour even though you were stood at your door waiting. It's progress, but I wouldn't call it Progress.
Do you just accept the price your local car dealers tell you they can sell you a car for, and i'm assuming you dont buy Apple, Samsung, etc products?
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