Bargain hunters stormed through the doors of Surbiton’s new 99p store when it opened on the old Woolworths site on Thursday.
Some wanted Christmas gifts, others just wanted to browse, but topping most people’s shopping list was a 17-piece tea set on offer for one day only.
Predicting the tea set’s popularity, the store brought in 499 to sell on the day - and limited them to one per person.
By 9.20am, it was hard to spot anyone in the shop that did not have one in their baskets.
Mohan Majithia was the first to bag a tea set and was in and out of the store with his bargain buy in under a minute.
He said: “I came especially for the tea set so I can give it to a relative for a Christmas present.”
Sheila Russell, 79, also got there early to avoid the queues so she could pick up a tea set for her grandchildren, three of which are at university.
There had been some concern that the store would lower the tone of Surbiton, with one user commenting on a Surbiton community website: “There goes the neighborhood.”
But Sharon Abrahams, who currently lives at the YMCA in Victoria Road, dismissed the snobbery and said it would benefit everyone.
She said: “There are all sorts of people living in Surbiton. Me and my friend said we wouldn’t spend more than £5 on each other for Christmas so I’ve come to get some little gifts so there are lots of things to open.
“I’m basically homeless at the moment but it’s nice to buy pieces for when I get my own place.”
The store stocks a range of 4,000 products - everything from wax strips and Christmas lights to olive oil and socks, all for 99p or under.
Branded items line the shelves as well for those loyal to old favourites.
Chief executive Nadir Lelani said the chain had been helped by the close of Woolworths store up and down the country because space in good locations was hard to come by.
A few business in Victoria Road thought the opening would be good for increasing footfall and customers but one shop wasn’t quite as pleased.
Puneet Dawar, of Elite Housewares was spotted price gun in hand in an attempt to compete with his new neighbours.
He said: “I’ve put my Christmas cards at 99p. If I don’t, they won’t sell. It does worry me but we’re a business that thinks about the long-term and competition is nothing new.”
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