Runcorn Memories: Marks and Spencer led the way to cut costs
IT was a master stroke by Marks and Spencer to sell off two million items at a penny apiece in its 300 stores up and down the country.
For the company, celebrating its 125th anniversary, it was a reminder of the retail giant's early trading days when it began as a penny bazaar back in 1884.
It was also a reminder that other stores followed suit, although not to the same extent.
Woolworth built a reputation on the number of goods that could be purchased for as little as sixpence (old money, of course).
Woolies, of course, had a small store at the top end of the old Victorian main shopping thoroughfare in Widnes until all their stores closed down a few months ago.
But it was not until the mid-1960s before one was built in Runcorn.
It was located at what is now the traffic lights junction at the corner of High Street where the post office is a familiar landmark.
It didn't last all that long because Woolworth's moved to Shopping City, now Halton Lea, when many businesses were persuaded to have faith in the 'New Jerusalem.'
But what about penny bazaars?
The only one which comes to mind was Piper's bazaar in Church Street where Lunts Chemist is today.
I seem to remember I ventured into Piper's Bazaar only once so my recollections of what was on offer are vague, to say the least.
Perhaps readers will be able to enlighten me.
Piper's was there in the early post-war years but when did it close down?
Again, I don't know and cannot find any reference or record of the store.
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