You gotta mix it up, kids. For every purchase which makes you wince, and your credit card recoil in…read morehorror, a visit to the 99p store must be made. It's not even the pound shop - its 1 whole penny cheaper every time! I came to the 99p store, which is hidden away in the cheap corner of Kingston at 10.30am on a week day. Every other shop in Kingston was just getting going, but this place was packed. Credit crunch central. I generally view heavily discounted shops as a bit of a false economy - yes you might buy a lot of stuff, but is any of it actually useful? So I came in here with the aim to find goods which I would actually need, and I was pleasantly surprised. As well as the omni present tat, there was quite a large amount of food on sale - not fresh, like Aldi or Lidl, but perishable goods. Did you know that Lloyd Grossman sauces came in jumbo size? The industrial looking container made it look a bit.... unappetising, but I presume that this sauce is no different then the one that I would find in Waitrose for 4 times the price. I also found a few food items that could almost be considered in the deli bracket, like balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Its not all eastern European cereals here. I also found a wide range of toiletries, household goods, pet food and toys, kids toys, electrics and even a little bit of underwear. Unfortunately the women's pants only came in sizes above 22, but at least that gave me 5 minutes of fun playing with them. I kept on imagining that the 99p thing was just a gimmick - and that only a few things would be that price, with everything else being more pricey. But it does what it says on the box; absolutely everything in the shop will give you change for a pound.

Does what is says on the tin: so, not quite sure whether it's embarrassing to admit to shopping…read morehere, or if it's something to own-up to - with pride - as the sign of a canny, practical shopper. While it's not one of my all time favourite stores - far from it - if you have the time and perseverance you can come away with some astonishing bargains. Amongst these might be a large Pandoro or Panettone (a traditional Italian cake) served at Easter and Christmas, that might retail for up to ten times the price in other outlets. Books, stationery, artists supplies and kitchenware basics are other good reasons to shop here. It can be a little hit-and-miss though; you can't rely on finding the same item here twice - stock changes frequently - but if you visit, in the right frame of mind, you might just end up smiling at some of the less enticing 'bargains' that you wouldn't touch with a bargepole.

It's always nice to find a shop like this one, where you can get help and advice on what to wear…read more They have a really good range of clothes at reasonable prices. It's easy to find your way around and the staff are very friendly and helpful.

I'm aware that I sometimes use these reviews as a bit of a confessional: Primark is a typical case…read morein point. It's definitely a bit of a guilty secret for me (secret rather than pleasure...). The guilt comes in on two levels - first: because I wonder about how their items are produced, when they sell them so cheaply, and second: because it's so easy to become lured into buying items you don't really need. Throw-away fashion and all that! I could launch into a whole debate about a consumer society but it's probably not the time or place... The upside of their stock, besides the accessibility of their prices, is the up-to-the-minute, bang-on-trend styling. The downsides are often the finish, the attention to detail (hardly surprising) and the way that sizes can vary greatly from one garment to another (even in the same style). Also, be aware that when they do produce a really 'hot' style you'll have to move fast or they'll fly-off the shelves before you can reach them.

Standard Sainsbury's supermarket, usually do a bit of shopping here after I've had my nails done…read moresince I'm parked here anyway seems silly to then go and drive to another one. 1 hour free parking for everyone and 2 hours free parking for customers spending over £10. They also have some car wash guys in the parking if you want your car cleaned while shopping and an ATM outside

A smart and 'special' branch of TK Maxx, it has a different feel to the other TK Maxx, with only…read morefemale clothing and beauty items and a different decor. It has items on the upper scale and more expensive items than the other TK Maxx, so although you can find some good stuff, there is less choice than on the other branches (because of the size store and the limited departments)

Usually when I think of TK Maxx (or TJ Max for the Americans here) I think of bargain basement bins…read moreand rummaging through stacks of gross sweaters. This place, however, is quite the opposite. While the womenswear do boast bargain basement prices, the store is clean, orderly and holds lots more than just ugly sweaters. I purchased a few job interview dresses here. (One Tahari and one Calvin Klein) The fitting room attendant didn't even seem annoyed when I returned about 4 times to try on more stuff. They also have lots of cute sun dresses and skirts.

I am beyond grateful that they have H Mart in London! Being from Hawaii I absolutely have to have…read moremy asian foods! Although this location is a little of a trek for me it is completely worth it. I just wish they had ALL the Melona ice cream flavors like coconut and mango, but they have everything else so I'll take it!! Can you guys stock Rose Tteokbokki please and thank you!!!

As an expat from the States, I was wildly surprised to find an H-Mart in London. Wildly surprised…read morebut pleasantly relieved - I mean, where else can I buy good quality udon, kim chee, noodle mixes, frozen dumplings, super thin sliced beef/pork for hotpot and fresh shiitake for a good price? I know Japan Centre has similar quality but the price point is not always right. Chinatown is good for some things (fresh veggies, fresh rice noodle rolls, ramen, etc.) but it's hard to beat the selection at H-Mart. There is good lighting and sufficient aisle space so carts going in opposite directions don't have to awkwardly back out of the aisle so the opposing cart can go first (kind of like the naughty London roads!) - in most grocery stores in Chinatown, you are elbow to elbow with someone else trying to get a damn jar of Hoisin sauce in your overflowing basket. Customer service is lacking, especially when something is out of stock and no one in the store seems to know what is going on or when they will get more. Aside from the cashiers, most people working the floor do not speak English very well. The employees are mainly Korean and Chinese. However, most items are translated to English on labels and signage. I will continue to shop here for quality groceries and I hope they open more locations so that it is easily assessable to more people in London.

So popular, this branch recently doubled in size; TK Maxx is not a venue for the faint-hearted…read more Best to visit when your energy reserves are not flagging; patience and perseverance can often pay-off in the bargain hunting stakes. There truly is something for everyone here; all are catered for. In clothing from tiny sizes to the most accommodating:men, women and children, top designer and throwaway fashion. Treasures and disasters. A shop of contrasts. If your timing is right you can snare a real winner. Current examples include Armando Pollini suede boots at just under £80 instead of £300; Diesel jeans for around £20. In the household department I once found a beautiful Limoges porcelain plate with real gold decoration for just 50p. Not a place to come for optimum customer service; you can however explore at your leisure, although the crowded aisles can sometimes feel like an obstacle course. Come here when you have time on your hands and an open mind.

TK Max is vast having swallowed up the shop next door, it is now on several floors and levels…read more Crammed full of stock in a not too far from the jumble sale arrangement meaning you have to go down each line and hope that all the sizes are in the right place (often not). About as much choice as you could wish for and best not to go in looking for a particular item - but best when you find the perfect item you never knew you wanted after browsing for much longer than you expected to. Prices are not the bargains they used to be but in some ways this is reflecting the higher prices of the items that they were initially sold at. Used to be a store that collected unsold stock from shops but I suspect some suppliers now sell direct to TK Max.

Loved this quirky little store that we stopped by during a shopping trip recently. It's like a…read morelittle IKEA (slightly more out there like with the toilet golf gift, haha) with very awesome prices and a neat set-up. I loved looking at everything, it was very tough not to walk out of there with like 100 items. I ended up buying a cute shower curtain and a little pepper mill shaped like a lady for about £14. The girls working there were very helpful & patient when I tried to use my US debit card (no pin & chip sadly) and they had to get my proper signature on a receipt, look at my US driver license to compare the signature, and then put that in the cash drawer. They were so nice and even said it was a learning experience for everyone! Haha. Love Tiger!!

This store is spread over three floors, they are always competitive on price and have many offers…read moreon a variety of things. Great for all house hold items and DIY tools, they also sell food and sweets in this one. They have a quite large toy section as well as seasonal items all at a good price. In the basement they sell furniture for bed rooms bathrooms etc not that great looking but would do a job if you are on a budget. If you are in gardening then they do many items and plants all cheaper then in other stores

Not the place to visit when you're after glamour or luxury but seriously useful for household…read morebasics or DIY bits and bobs. Prices here are very competitive whether it's a phone extension lead you're after, handy storage boxes or basic toiletries and household items. In the spring and summer you can find some surprisingly stylish garden furniture here that suggests you've been far more extravagant than the till receipt shows.

I generally go to the 99p store if I want to get my cheap fix - after getting change from a quid, I…read morefind everything else a bit expensive! But the Discount store still produces a few gems. My top tips for this place is the makeup - it may not be MAC or Shu Umera, but it does a good range of nail varnishes and eye liners that I like to pick up. They also have a surprisingly big range of candles - church, tea light, you name it. At the back is quite a large section of outdoor goods. Its also a good place to pick up fairy lights, I get mine here. Heads up, tat lovers, there is also plenty here to tickle your fancy.