Think a pound shop can't have a January sale? Think again.

Canny shoppers have been shunning the big department stores in favour of the bargain shops that have been competing with their own cut-price offers.

The Poundland store on Strood Retail Park was doing a brisk trade thanks to many items being reduced to 50p from their normal 90p. Prices were dropped from the usual £1 in May after a competitor opened near by.

KentOnline did a shopping test to see what new year bargains were to be had. Was it all hype or were there genuine deals to be had?

Items reduced to 50p included Dolmio Bolognese sauce, Heinz Tomato Soup, Mug Shots, and Ambrosia custard, Oreos, Jacob’s Cheddars and toffee popcorn.

A large bottle of Morning Fresh washing up liquid in the sale, again for just 50p and my friend picked up some Crest toothpaste for the same price. He'll need that for the Double-decker bites, a little pricier at 90p and his Haribo sweets a snip at 50p a bag.

One aisle was dedicated to seasonal stock and gifts at 50p and there were plenty of people planning ahead to next Christmas.

They included Jean Collins who always pops in when she visits Matalan next door.She said: “I spent £1.90 today and got three things, including Christmas things for next year. It is a good place to shop for toiletries and cleaning stuff, real value for money.”

Also on the bargain hunt was Patricia Rose, from Hoo, also likes to bargain hunt. She said: “I spent £7.10 today and got eight items, that’s good value. I think the 90p price is good too, you are getting even more for your money.”

While his namesake was more used to the casinos of Monte Carlo, Omar Sharif, who lives in Cliffe Road, is a regular. He said: “I come to this shop as it is cheaper than anywhere else and it is good for those things you need.

“I needed some shoe polish today and thought, I wonder if Poundland do it, and yes they did, that’s what I like about it, I was not disappointed.
“I also get my cleaning products and crisps here and some DIY stuff, it’s good for that too.”

In all I spent £7.70 on items and got felt like I’d got a good deal and My friend Kevin handed over £2.40 for a bundle of sweets - and of course his toothpaste.