The death of Woolworths was a sad tale for bargain-hunting shoppers across Britain, however it presented a world of opportunities for the Lalani family. While many shops suffered from the largest recession in post-war history, their discount chain 99p Stores has prospered from taking over 55 disused Woolies stores, helping them secure their place on the high-street.
Retail is in the blood, explains Hussein Lalani, who co-founded 99p Stores with his father Nadir and brother Faisal. Brothers and father alike were all working in the industry before opening the first store in Holloway in 2001. “Our backgrounds, and my father’s contacts in the business were a real advantage,” Hussein recalls, which helped them develop their plan and secure suppliers.
Ismailimail 