Pound shops have changed the world.

They have also changed the way people shop. Consumers are now so attracted to the “single price” offers in pound shops, it’s no wonder how much they have expended over the past few years. On the high street, it’s these types of shops that are taking over. So it’s our job to make sure you know exactly what products you need to continue to make your business thrive.

Most pound shops sell everything. You name it, they’ve got it. But every year there are some product categories that are going to sell more than others. So it’s important to keep up, or even beat the competition. Because let’s face it – people always want a bargain.

The future of retail lies in the hands of consumers. For every bulk buy you make for your business, it is important to always ask the following questions:

Do my customers want this product? Will my customers buy this product?

If the answer to those questions is yes, then the next part is simple. When you’re preparing your pound shops for 2015, these are the top ten products you need.

1. Diaries and calendars

One of the top items on everyone’s list when they’re out shopping in January is a diary or a calendar. Or both. If your business is ahead of the game, then we bet these will already be in stock. But there’s no harm in adding even more of these to your shop. At the start of a new year, people love new things. They love opening the first page of the diary and writing in it. They love turning the first page of the calendar and marking everyone’s birthdays on it. Whether it’s a wall calendar or a pocket diary, consumers love planning their day to day lives. That’s why diaries and calendars are at the top of the list. Buy these in bulk for your business and you’ll definitely be satisfying a lot of shoppers. Their schedule will be in order and so will yours.

2. Electronic cigarettes

It is estimated that 2.1 million people in the UK now use e-cigarettes. That is a huge market to be able to target. Sales for this product have risen year on year. In 2013, sales rose 340% and that is only going to increase. If your business is thinking about introducing e-cigarettes to your stock, here are a few things to know.

> E-cigarettes run on a lithium battery, which means nothing needs to be lit. They also contain a vaporisation chamber and a cartridge filled with liquid.

> The liquid used in e-cigarettes is usually a combination of nicotine, flavourings (such as cherry or bubble-gum), a solvent called propylene glycol and other additives. There are also cartridges available that contain the same flavoured liquid but without nicotine. This allows users to have the experience of smoking a cigarette without the harmful effects.

> They’re reusable, as long as the battery is charged.

> Some regulations do apply, but more often than not, e-cigarettes are permitted in smoke-free areas, which has proved to be a great marketing tool.

3. Candles and home fragrance
 
Home fragrances appeal on a range of sensory levels. They can improve a person’s state of mind, remove the feeling of stress, and set the scene for any occasion. Whether the scent is floral, woody, citrus or fruity, nearly every home contains a variety of scented candles or fragrances. People buy them as gifts or for their own homes and this is only going to continue. In 2012, nearly £90m was spent on luxury candles and the sales of scented candles rose 60% in this year compared with 2011. The start of the New Year is the perfect time to bulk buy these products. The gloomy dark nights aren’t going anywhere yet so sales are only likely to increase.

4. Stationery
 
People love stationery. Even with the digital revolution continuing to rise, stationery doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. Post it notes, notebooks, pens and more are still being bought by thousands of people. In 2011, Liberty opened a new stationary line and John Lewis saw a 177% in sales of its premium stationary lines. If your business is situated on high streets, you’ll attract one group of people who are always on the lookout for stationery – students. They’ll head straight for the bargain shops and stock up on paper and pens for just a pound. Paper clips, eraser, Pritt sticks and drawing pins are probably some things that are taken for granted, but things that your business can utilise.

5. Electricals and bulbs
 
Let’s face it – everyone is always going to need bulbs and anything electrical. Bulbs are always running of power and cables are always breaking or being chewed through (especially since 45% of UK households are estimated to own a pet). Consumers always want a spare of everything. Bulbs, HDMI cables and other power cables will always be in high demand. This is especially true during the winter and early spring months when more electricity is being used. Technology is changing and improving on a daily basis, which means businesses like yours need to be there for consumers when they are making new tech purchases. By offering them electrical goods your business can act as a helping hand to customers and become a faithful supplier of must-have essentials.

6. Car care
 
With the weather bomb that hit us recently and the prospect of snow on the horizon, car care products are going to be high on customers shopping lists. Ice, wind and all the other horrible weather means that looking after our cars is an even bigger priority, especially at the start of a new year. It is estimated that over 75% of people in the UK alone have a car, and many households have two or three vehicles. If consumers can purchase car care products at lower prices, like they can from stores like yours, these items will fly off the shelves.

7. Men’s and women’s fragrances
 
What happens in the second month of 2015? Valentine’s Day. And businesses start preparing for that as soon as the clock strikes on 1st January. Sales and new releases will only increase the want and need for fragrances for both men and women. Plus, there’s something else happening in the digital world that means your business will need these products – bloggers, in particular, beauty bloggers. There are over 160 million blogs. Just think how many of those are beauty bloggers? The answer is: a lot. What’s even better is that they love pound shops. And they have hundreds of followers, which mean more customers. 

8. Umbrellas
 
This might seem obvious, but the more obvious the better. Why? Because you know it’s going to sell. We’ve said this a lot in the post but the key is to stock products that consumers need. Your unique selling point is not only that offer many products to your customers but you also sell them at very low prices. It’s no wonder pound shops are always growing. The more basic products you have, the more you’re challenging the industry and becoming more of a competitor. What better way to start than with umbrellas.

9. Cleaning products
 
As soon as a new year starts people start thinking about spring. And if there’s one thing that comes with spring, it’s spring cleaning. One weekend, a few customers will suddenly decide that they want to clean their home from top to bottom. The place they’ll go to for cleaning products, for many of them, will be business like yours. They know they can buy in bulk for a low price and that’s why cleaning products are a key choice for 2015.

10.  Arts and crafts
 
There are many creative people out in the world today from professionals to children who just want to have fun. But one thing is for sure – arts and crafts supplies are some of the most popular products you could have for your business. They’re always being used and they’re always being bought. Schools need them and businesses need them so you need them too. You could even create displays yourself in your shop to showcase how they’re being used. Social shopping is the way forward – creating a unique experience for every customer. Showing them how to use a particular product for their needs is something very special and profitable that your business could utilise.