// Poundstretcher has denied raising its prices ahead of launching a 50% off sale
// The retailer said it had faced a 37% price increase from branded food suppliers
Value retailer Poundstretcher has denied claims it raised prices ahead of launching a ‘50% off sale’ earlier this year.
The retailer said its promotion had been “misrepresented” by an article in The Scottish Sun that suggested many items had doubled in price ahead of the sale.
The newspaper quoted shopper Lisa Elder who said that a three-pack of kitchen rolls that she had previously bought for around £3 had been increased to £7.99, which made it more expensive even after the 50% promotion.
A Poundstretcher spokeswoman told The Grocer: “The Scottish Sun article misrepresents our 50% off promotional offer.
“It is not true that our prices are more expensive. In fact, I can assure you that we are generally cheaper than every other retailer in the UK by between 10%-70% on the price our customer pays at the till.”
However, shoppers have taken to Trustpilot to complain about rising prices at Poundstretcher ahead of the promotion.
READ MORE: Poundstretcher launches “warehouse clearance” 50% off sale
Retail Gazette readers have also been lodging their complaints. One reader wrote: “Went in store and the 50% discount caught my eye. Went to buy some logs for wood burner retail recently at £4.50 now priced at £8.99 – very under-handed.”
Another commented: “White Dolce Gusto coffee pods originally were £3.29 but were priced at £5.99 at time of 50% offer which took it to £3. Only a 29p saving, not 50% at all. So deceiving.”
Poundstretcher’s spokeswoman said: “Regarding price increases, there has been a 37% increase in food cost prices compared to last year from branded food suppliers. We are receiving price increases every week from our suppliers with the same supplier sometimes increasing their prices as many as four times since the beginning of January 2022.
She added: “In addition, there has been very significant increases in freight shipping costs from China over the past six months. Despite this background of cost price inflation, we are offering our customers, via the 50% offer, prices that are indeed significantly cheaper than last year.”
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27 Comments. Leave new
Prices have been reduced and 50% promotion still available but sadly they forgot to mention that it’s not 50% off the reduced prices total it’s 50% from original price. #Theivingarseholes
The black bags I get are 2.99 I got some for 1.49 went in the next week gone up to 3.99 and now 2 pound with 50% off seen it on lots of things in there they have definitely put prices up so you don’t save much if anything
I worked for Poundstretcher until recently and can confirm that all the prices went up considerably weeks before the 50% off went live. I left due to their poor practices. They increased the prices on every item, and we spent days changing the tickets.
It was obvious what has happened who were they trying to kid. The minute I walked in I could see what scam was going on.
I work across from poundstretcher and yes the prices went up just before the sale ,sweets I bought for a pound shot up to £1.50
Another case of RIP off Britain. Price on shelf doubled at till, then 50% off. I will never shop at poundstretcher ever again.
If you take a across board price increase such as toilet roll to cans of pop it was obvious they had increased the prices by 50% margin , a can of Diet Coke went from 50p to a £1 over night ( rrp is only 59p ) Just so they could run this strange promotion – I did ask for this to be called out , but it fell on deaf ears – shame on you Poundstretcher
I noticed poundstreachers had gone very very expensive so I stopped shopping thare more than two years ago& I confirm I won’t go back no matter what they do.&I’ tell all my mates avoid poundstreacherz
Tin of Heinz soup £1.70 Double the price then 50%off I think it’s disgusting they are getting away with it every thing in the shop has doubled in price surely they are breaking some laws
Totally agree I worked and shopped there and prices did significantly RISE before the promotion, coffee pods and batteries are prime examples.
Basically Poundstretcher are saying that their new pricing means it will be up to 90% more expensive than others shops unless the item is on “Sale”
Gusto Flat white: £3.29 – £3.99 in other shops. Poundstretcher £5.99
Agree with all comments, shopped there today they showed 150 fatballs for £10.00 till receipt showed £19.99 – discounted price of 50% is the price I would have paid in other shops so not the deal they are advertising as obvious prices are being increased to cover the 50%
Batchelors noodles £1.29…..supermarkets circa 50p – 60p MMmmm……strange that
I got Netradol air freshener 1st week of sale £1.99, 50% off 99p same as several other shops, 2nd week of sale the price went up to £2.49 so I went elsewhere, generally I think there prices have gone up considerably and there are less customers than they used to have.
As a current worker I can confirm prices increased 100-200% prior to sale launch and are still increasing weekly.
They absolutely did double most of their prices. Prior to that, they had edged them up by around 10% to 15%. Then doubled that price. I couldn’t believe they thought the average customer was that stupid.
I won’t be visiting again, absolute rip off
I went into store when the promotion first launched and was stood beside the store manager as he changed the prices in front of me, they had already been adjusted on the system and when i got to the till the higher price was already being charged. When I mentioned it I was told you’re still getting 50% off the total price, yes I know but when I picked it up it was 50% less than what it’s now scanning at!! I contacted the head office and was just ignored. Never will I shop there again, shocking practices.
Won’t be visiting again absolute rip off
Very disappointed with Poundstretcher and this pricing scam which should be illegal. Not only are they forcing you to spend £5 to get goods at normal price but the big price ticket on the shelf is already showing the reduced price
Can’t take the truth about hiking prices
having worked in retail for over 40 years i can confirm nearly all the big retailers who offer 50% off is a con, A well known carpet retailers prices were at least a third dearer than ours but some customers didnt understand that because they say half price, they were getting a bargain. you get what you pay for.
Rip off pound stretcher
They must think because their customers maybe a little more hard up than others stores shoppers they are stupid, the only stupid people are the ones who came up with this scam and the ones who signed off on actually implimenting it.
Halifax store did the same before closing a few weeks ago
Tins of soup £1-69 only 45 p in other stores,rip off
An absolute joke the prices in the so called 50% off I for one wasn’t born yesterday ought to be thoroughly ashamed of themselves and just left prices as they were instead of taking us all for mugs shame on you poundstrecher