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Pound Shop Wars

Documentaries

Factual

Documentary series following the competition between Britain's pound shop chains.

Documentary series following the competition between the rival pound shop chains on Britain's high streets.

Simulcast of network BBC One in high definition. From 03/11/2010

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Pound Shop Wars: Series 2

Cat Lewis

Tom Williams

Victoria Bell

Nine Lives Media

Pound Shop Wars: Series 2: Episode 7: A Frozen Frenzy

A Frozen Frenzy

Episode 7

Episode 7: A Frozen Frenzy

Series 2

BBC One - Pound Shop Wars, Series 2, A Frozen Frenzy

Chris does a deal with Disney to produce a massive range of official Frozen merchandise.

Documentary series following competing pound shop chains. Chris does a deal with Disney to produce a massive range of official merchandise for the Frozen films.

Poundworld boss Chris is setting out to prove they're no Mickey Mouse operation. He's done a huge deal allowing him to manufacture a range of genuine Disney products promoting the latest smash-hit film, Frozen. Chris can't believe that, from starting off on a single market stall in Wakefield, he now finds himself signing deals with the mighty Disney Corporation. 

There are strict rules on branding and the quality Poundworld must adhere to. It's head buyer Nicola's job to spearhead this company first and try to turn movie magic into pound shop gold, but the sudden popularity of Frozen means there are just a few months to source, manufacture and ship 80 new products from China, in time for the run-up to Christmas. While Poundworld wait for this huge order, back on Britain's high streets, everyone else is cashing in and selling out. Arch-rivals Poundland have managed to get their hands on a small range of Frozen products weeks before any other pound shop.

Chris flies off to China to meet clients and oversee the production lines. We see how the battle of keeping prices down and getting ahead of competitors all starts in China. Here is where businesses will win or lose in the long run. Chris has been doing deals in China for over 15 years, to ensure he always gets the best prices. But there's one thing this ex-market trader still hasn't got the hang of... and that's the local food. In contrast, Chris likes the tradition of having a drink with everyone who attends his celebratory dinner party.  

The factory in China has to have a licence to produce Disney products. It will add nearly a quarter on to the price Chris pays, but is vital. One of the 80 different Frozen products Poundworld has ordered is a money tin. Chris visits the factory where 143,000 of them are being made. Chris can only sell products like this for a pound because the cost of manufacturing in China is so low. Workers in the factory earn around £100 a week. Chris's money tins will take six weeks to ship, so it's still hit-and-miss whether they'll arrive in the UK in time.

But not all pound shops rely on flogging mass-produced products made in China. The new designer Poundshop is run by London hipsters Sara and George. They sell through pop-up shops at stylish venues and are sure there's a place for high-end designs at discount prices. They're opening their latest pop-up within sight of Buckingham Palace, but what kind of product is fit for the Queen?

Sara and George aren't the only ones offering stylish design at bargain prices. There's been a mini invasion of discount design stores from Europe, including Hema and Danish shop Tiger. Is Poundworld's mainstream offering falling behind the times? Always keen to stay ahead of his competitors, Chris has bought some of their pound products to see how they go down with Poundworld's biggest fan - his 87-year-old mum Alice.

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Pound Shop Wars

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Episode 7: A Frozen Frenzy

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