0:00:03 > 0:00:06The question I get asked mostly in here is, "How much is this?"
0:00:06 > 0:00:07How much is this?
0:00:07 > 0:00:09HE LAUGHS
0:00:09 > 0:00:11That is the truth! How much are shammies?
0:00:11 > 0:00:13HE LAUGHS
0:00:14 > 0:00:17They're shops with a magical formula.
0:00:17 > 0:00:21It must cost more to make them. How they do it, I'll never know.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24Everything costs a pound!
0:00:24 > 0:00:26A pound?!
0:00:26 > 0:00:28Bargain in itself!
0:00:28 > 0:00:31And some people have fallen under their spell.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35Football! This is the most expensive shop in the centre.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38You buy one thing and you find another, then you find another.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40It's just so cheap. I like a bargain.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43SHE LAUGHS
0:00:43 > 0:00:47There is now a pound shop in almost every town and city.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50Bloody brilliant! I love pound shops!
0:00:51 > 0:00:55But for Chris Edwards, owner of the Poundworld empire,
0:00:55 > 0:00:57it's war.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00It's an insult to everything we try and stand for. It's ridiculous.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03It's a cut-price, cut-throat
0:01:03 > 0:01:07battle for survival against giant pound-shop chains.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09And now the supermarkets.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11Our "breast" sellers and we haven't got it in again.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13Somebody has made a boob somewhere.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15And as customers get more savvy...
0:01:15 > 0:01:21Sometimes they are smaller sizes to cater for the pound customer.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24..it's a fight to find new tricks to keep the magic alive.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27We've saved a fraction by not including any underwear.
0:01:27 > 0:01:32She doesn't mind. She's got a smile on her face! This week...
0:01:32 > 0:01:37The one in the red. Go and get her. It's a ?1 crime spree.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39We have more stealing than we have profit in the company.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42Chris is losing millions to shoplifters.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44I think they should chop their fingers off.
0:01:44 > 0:01:49And his rivals are even using his name. Oh, my God!
0:01:49 > 0:01:52If we want to say in business, that can't carry on.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02?1 a bowl. ?1 a bowl. Every bowl is ?1.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06It's champagne and lemonade prices.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11Chris Edwards, the owner of Poundworld,
0:02:11 > 0:02:13started his career like this.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16These are nice. These are nice.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18Selling bargains on a market stall.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Do you want anything else, darling? It's just ?1.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27Now he is flying high with over 200 stores.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30Do you like strawberries, raspberries? Look at these.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34Ra, ra, ra!
0:02:34 > 0:02:38When I look at it, I'm amazed at how far we've come in such a short time.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41I keep thinking back to the market stall and I think,
0:02:41 > 0:02:43"How the hell have we get here?"
0:02:43 > 0:02:46I can't even remember planning it or organising for it.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48It seems to have just happened.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52How we've managed to employ 4,500 people or more, amazes me.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01For Chris, business is a family affair. Hi. Everything all right?
0:03:01 > 0:03:04He built this empire with his brother.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08But there is one person who is really in charge. This is my mum.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12Are you all right this morning? Yes, I'm fine, thank you.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16Alice may be 86, but she clocks in every day to look after her son.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21Do you want anything? I'll have a slice of toast, if it's available.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25I've no toast today. I'll have a coffee. I've overspent this week.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27I'll have to wait until next week for another loaf of bread.
0:03:29 > 0:03:30Being a family firm, it is
0:03:30 > 0:03:33very important, because it's all I've ever been used it.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37I treat here like my own home. It's that personal to you.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40I would like to think that the whole staff
0:03:40 > 0:03:43thought as much about the business as we do.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48And I know just how he likes his coffee. Milky.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51It's a family business and we look after each other.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56Over in North Wales,
0:03:56 > 0:04:01one of Chris's managers has created her very own pound family.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05I'm Sally. This is Poundworld in Colwyn Bay. I'm the store manager.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10This is Mark. He started as a Christmas temp. I did, yes.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12Can't get enough of the place. Definitely not.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15He comes in and works for free sometimes, don't you?
0:04:15 > 0:04:18Many earn just over the minimum wage
0:04:18 > 0:04:20but Sally manages to keep them happy.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23The staff are nice and friendly and always there for each other.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25It's a bit of a laugh.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28That one? You know you want it! You're tempting me.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30That lady comes in. She roots Wayne out
0:04:30 > 0:04:32and he helps her do her shopping. He's very good.
0:04:32 > 0:04:38He helps me a lot. Don't you, my sweetie pie? I do. I do.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43This is Steven, the assistant manager.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46It should say assistant fool, really.
0:04:46 > 0:04:47Because we have such a laugh,
0:04:47 > 0:04:49the customers enjoy coming into the shop.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51They know they can have a laugh and a joke and join in.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55It's like one big happy family, but without the arguments.
0:04:58 > 0:05:03But the happy family is under attack by shoplifters after their
0:05:03 > 0:05:04?1 bargains.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08Sweets is a big area that gets hit.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11Sunglasses is the same. As you see, it's quite empty.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15Somebody's been trying to open that. It's an iPhone 5 case.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18There's one there gone. The bras, for instance.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22About 20%-25% of this product was stolen in three days.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25It gives us a rough idea of what is going on in the shop.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27It's very frustrating.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31The only thing stopping them is a cardboard copper.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33I think we're being robbed blind, to be honest.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37It's just ridiculous the amount that is going through the doors.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41It threatens all of us. It threatens all our jobs.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43Everybody's hours, it threatens your wages.
0:05:45 > 0:05:46It's unfair.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49If something isn't done, jobs will go.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55Sally's isn't the only store getting fleeced.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58Look at this situation here, look. Crikey!
0:05:58 > 0:06:04Chris is showing Alice CCTV of shoplifting incidents. Look.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07He's opening the bag. She's stuffing things in as quick as she can.
0:06:07 > 0:06:12She's nearly cleared a shelf. They've got away with murder there.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14I'd love to have caught them myself.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17I would've picked the biggest thing up
0:06:17 > 0:06:19I could and hit her on the head with it.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22Alice has a little bit of an issue with shoplifters.
0:06:30 > 0:06:30Can't get it in the bag quick enough.
0:06:30 > 0:06:30She doesn't know there's a member of staff behind him.
0:06:30 > 0:06:30Nothing... I wish I could meet them.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34Just put me in a room with them. Leave them with me.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36I'd be up for murder!
0:06:36 > 0:06:39"Did you pinch..." Yes. Are you finished? Yes.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42I've forgotten what I was going to say. You may as well carry on.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44It makes me mad.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46I know. They should put "thief" across the front of their head.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50Yeah. Chop their fingers off or something.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57Are you going to talk next? No, you talk. I'm not saying another word.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03I'm too upset to talk. Right. You could have fooled me!
0:07:04 > 0:07:07The thieving is costing Chris up to ?5 million a year.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11?5 million! That's more than we earn!
0:07:11 > 0:07:15We have more stealing than what we have profit in the company.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19And to make things worse, some police forces aren't interested.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21They don't want to come and apprehend...
0:07:21 > 0:07:24Sometimes they say, "It's only ?1." But it's not.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26If we want to stay in business, that can't carry on.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33All this pilfering couldn't have come at a worse time.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36You've only got to look down the street how many to let signs
0:07:36 > 0:07:38and for sale signs.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42There must be 20 shops closed, which just tells you the way it is.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46Over 18 shops a day went bust last year.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49Now even some pound shops are struggling.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53When stores like Poundstretcher start closing,
0:07:53 > 0:07:55it tells you how tough the business is getting.
0:07:56 > 0:08:01But Chris sees opportunities. This is the M that we're looking at.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06He's scouting clothes stores for sites to open new shops.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09If somebody said to me a few years ago we would be jumping in
0:08:09 > 0:08:11Marks Spencer's shoes, I wouldn't have believed them.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13Here we go. Let's have a look.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21Opportunities are what they are and you've got to take them as they come.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23I don't think we've got an option. We've got to go for it.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27This store is planned as a strike on his archrivals down the street.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32You can see the Poundland down there. That's a big shop.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36US-owned Poundland is Britain's biggest pound-shop chain.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40They've got 500 stores, almost 300 more than Chris.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44Right.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47About 5,000-6,000 square feet. How big is the one we're looking at?
0:08:47 > 0:08:51About 9,000. So we can give as good as we get there.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54Poundland is probably our biggest obstacle. They're good.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58We think we're better, but they've got a lot of buying power.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00That is why we've got to keep opening the stores to keep
0:09:00 > 0:09:02creating our buying power.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06Chris wants to open 50 new shops this year to stay in the game.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12If we just stood still now, we'd get engulfed.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17And he's spent millions on a new hi-tech warehouse to supply them.
0:09:21 > 0:09:26It ships 200 million items a year to shops from Glasgow to London.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28HORNS BEEP
0:09:28 > 0:09:31These busy bees are called the pickers, supervised,
0:09:31 > 0:09:34quite appropriately, by Buzz.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38The pickers are these people that are flying around
0:09:38 > 0:09:40this building on what we call man riders.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43They are basically picking what the shops have ordered.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45That's why they are called pickers.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48There's one whizzing past now. Off he goes.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50HORN BEEPS
0:09:50 > 0:09:53Because he's seen us, he used his horn, because he is supposed to.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56If we had not been there, he probably wouldn't have.
0:09:56 > 0:09:57HORNS BEEP
0:09:57 > 0:10:01Pickers have to pick up to 2,000 items a day to keep up with
0:10:01 > 0:10:03store demand.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05Say again? To help them go faster,
0:10:05 > 0:10:08they are connected to a voice-activated computer.
0:10:11 > 0:10:12Ready.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14It tells them where to go and what to pick up.
0:10:15 > 0:10:16710.
0:10:17 > 0:10:18One ready.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22The faster they pick, the more they earn
0:10:22 > 0:10:24so they do what they can to save time.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26Two ready.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30If you listen to it, the computer, they talk so fast.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32I have no idea what it's saying. No idea at all.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35INDISTINCT COMPUTER COMMAND Ready.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37INDISTINCT COMPUTER COMMAND Ready.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39But you can tell when the computer is going wrong.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43Oh... BLEEP.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46I'm like, "It doesn't understand that!"
0:10:47 > 0:10:51Talking to a computer all day turns them a little dotty.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55I have actually heard that they just randomly blurt words out. Ready.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59What did I say that for? I don't get it.
0:10:59 > 0:11:00It's just words you say constantly.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03Because you are repeating them, over and over.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05Four ready. Two ready. Say it again.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11It's not right, is it? No, it isn't right. But that's what happens.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13Ready. Say it again.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17INDISTINCT COMPUTER COMMAND
0:11:17 > 0:11:19One ready. Ready.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25Ready. Ready. It's like Tourette's, isn't it?
0:11:25 > 0:11:28It's all I can think of. You do not know you're saying it.
0:11:28 > 0:11:29Say it again. Ready.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37She does! It'll be on my tombstone. "Ready. Say it again."
0:11:37 > 0:11:38Ready.
0:11:45 > 0:11:46Over in Colwyn Bay,
0:11:46 > 0:11:50Chris has decided to crack down on the shoplifters
0:11:50 > 0:11:52eating away at his profits.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56My security guard starts today. Just waiting for him to arrive now.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59It's zero tolerance on shoplifting.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03He is replacing his cardboard coppers with some real-life muscle.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07SPAGHETTI WESTERN-STYLE MUSIC PLAYS
0:12:10 > 0:12:13I suppose I'm expecting him to be quite tall, erm...
0:12:15 > 0:12:18I don't know. Athletic?!
0:12:18 > 0:12:20SPAGHETTI WESTERN-STYLE MUSIC PLAYS
0:12:22 > 0:12:24So he's here.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28Hi. Good morning. It's Warren. I'm from Sure Tec.
0:12:28 > 0:12:33Warren has been an undercover store detective for eight years.
0:12:33 > 0:12:34He is keen to crack on.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41I just want to catch my first one. Get that out the way.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44Then I can take a chill pill and get a few more throughout the day.
0:12:48 > 0:12:53Chris's Liverpool store has also got a problem with shoplifters.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56Staff say it's one of the worst-hit in the country.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59A lot of stuff got stolen yesterday. This morning we've had stuff stolen.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Every single day.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04It is a complete nightmare, to be honest with you.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07The thieves here have to get jiggy with the store's
0:13:07 > 0:13:08very own Will Smith.
0:13:09 > 0:13:15There's a seat. Sit down. It's only a ?1 item. Pay the ?1.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17If I catch you stealing, I'll lock you up.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23He's regularly confronted with some of Liverpool's
0:13:23 > 0:13:25finest criminal minds.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28Come here, mate. Shop security. Come with me, please.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31Do us a favour. Security. Can you come back in the shop, please?
0:13:31 > 0:13:33Come on.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36Look, I'm security. Come on. I'm not going with a stranger.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39A female member of staff, please?
0:13:39 > 0:13:41We'll sort it out in the back.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46He needs eyes in the back of his head to catch this lot.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49She's just dumped... She's given the bag to the one in the red.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53Go and get her. The one in the red. Go and get her.
0:13:58 > 0:13:59Bring her in.
0:13:59 > 0:14:00How many did you take?
0:14:03 > 0:14:06You took one? You took one?
0:14:06 > 0:14:09How much stuff have they taken? A lot. For three young kids, a lot.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11About ?20-worth of stuff.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14These rascals have stocked up on some essentials -
0:14:14 > 0:14:18fake eyelashes, cans of pop and Nutella.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22I'm going to get your mums' and daddies' phone numbers.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27Well, we have to call the police.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31THEY CRY
0:14:31 > 0:14:36Don't cry. What are you crying for? Don't call the police! Please!
0:14:36 > 0:14:38If I get your mums' and dads' phone number, there'll be no police.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40How about that?
0:14:41 > 0:14:42You don't know them at all?
0:14:47 > 0:14:48OK. Don't cry.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50THEY CRY
0:14:52 > 0:14:54See you after. You'll be all right.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57These gentleman will look after you.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01It's time for a telling-off by the coppers and their very angry mums.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08Londonderry in Northern Ireland is the latest
0:15:08 > 0:15:10battlefront in the pound-shop wars.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15Recruitment manager Frances Dove is here to prepare for
0:15:15 > 0:15:17a new shop opening.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19Oh, this is it?
0:15:20 > 0:15:23This is massive. Is it about 5,000 square feet?
0:15:23 > 0:15:26I think it's a good location for us. I think it was worth waiting for.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31Poundland already has two stores here.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35Poundworld wants a piece of the action. But there's a problem.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38This one on the right-hand side. Oh, my God!
0:15:40 > 0:15:42Where did this come from?
0:15:43 > 0:15:48This isn't one of Chris's shops, but it's got the same name
0:15:48 > 0:15:52and some of the styling is familiar too. Have you seen the uniform?
0:15:52 > 0:15:57And Star Buys! Oh, my God! It's unbelievable.
0:15:57 > 0:15:58Oh, well.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02They might be looking for a job soon. Chris must be told.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09Hi, Chris. Hi. How are you? How you doing?
0:16:09 > 0:16:12It turns out Chris knows about the other Poundworld
0:16:12 > 0:16:17and he's contacted the owner. Mark, have you got a minute? Yeah.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19If you can fill us in. Can you tell us exactly what he said?
0:16:19 > 0:16:21Yeah, of course.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24He said he's been using that name for years and years and years
0:16:24 > 0:16:28and that in no way has he copied us.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30Let's make sure that we put the pressure on him.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32"You've got to get it shifted by this date
0:16:32 > 0:16:34"because that's when we're opening."
0:16:35 > 0:16:38But the owner says it's simply coincidence
0:16:38 > 0:16:40so they decide not to change the name.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46As Warren hunts for shoplifters in Colwyn Bay,
0:16:46 > 0:16:49Sally and Steve are dealing with a special delivery.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53Apparently, somebody came in and dropped me off a pie.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56Oh! Yes, it's in the warehouse.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59This lady brings in food for her favourite staff.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02Why did you bring them pies? Because I feel sorry for them!
0:17:04 > 0:17:06They can't get out!
0:17:06 > 0:17:11The team is often so busy, they can't go out to buy lunch.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14She got me a meat and potato and Wayne's got a steak one.
0:17:14 > 0:17:15I'll swap that.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18I'll tell Wayne you're after his steak pie
0:17:18 > 0:17:21and he can come and eat it before you get your hands on it.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23I'll go and nick his pie now.
0:17:29 > 0:17:30Where's she gone?
0:17:32 > 0:17:36You're not going to lick his pie, surely?! My pie.
0:17:36 > 0:17:41Steve would eat pies all day, if he could. Pies are good for you.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44Steve needs all the pies he can eat to keep up with
0:17:44 > 0:17:47some of the store's livelier customers.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51Kids. Bane of my life. The place just gets trashed.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56It's the school holidays and in pound shops across the country,
0:17:56 > 0:17:59kids are out in force.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02Rah!
0:18:02 > 0:18:04You want this one? No.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10They come in and throw everything back down again.
0:18:10 > 0:18:11She's filling the basket up.
0:18:11 > 0:18:16Just got to go around and keep redoing everything.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20Do you want this one? No. A car? No.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23Sometimes you can hear them when they don't get their own way.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25SHE SHOUTS
0:18:25 > 0:18:28There you are. George? No. Look at that.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30They've pulled the lenses out of that. How much is this?
0:18:30 > 0:18:33Everything's ?1. And not a terribly good quality.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36But you only pay ?1, so you can't expect a lot.
0:18:36 > 0:18:42This? No. These? No. This one? No. This one? No.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44No. Power Rangers? No.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49You spend ages on toys. You can feel like it's never-ending.
0:18:49 > 0:18:55Oh. Where? Where? This one? Yes. Are you sure? Yes.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59Football! Football!
0:19:01 > 0:19:03Trashed again. It's all been trashed.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09Kids' toys are very important to us
0:19:09 > 0:19:12because we sell thousands and thousands.
0:19:12 > 0:19:18In fact, there are over 100,000 toys packed away in Chris's warehouse.
0:19:19 > 0:19:20?1 is pocket money.
0:19:20 > 0:19:25If we haven't attracted the mum and dad in by what we offer for them,
0:19:25 > 0:19:28kids are pretty strong to drag them in on our behalf.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32The new delivery has come all the way from China.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Chris and buyer Daniel are taking a look.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39That is phenomenal, really. Looking attractive, looking colourful.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43It's passing the safety test. And we sell thousands.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48They order in bulk to keep prices down, and that's only the start.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51Every single part this doll has a cost - cost of the wool
0:19:51 > 0:19:54for the hair, cost of the beads for the eyes.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57We decide the quality of the clothing that goes on, what their hair...
0:19:57 > 0:20:00how many strands, down to that detail.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05But the kids' party is under threat.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08Anything that is made with plastic is oil-based.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10We all know the price of oil is constantly going up.
0:20:10 > 0:20:15So to keep selling toys for ?1, they are making them a bit smaller.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19We're not saying any shorter, but they might get a touch thinner!
0:20:20 > 0:20:23And that's not their only trick.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27We've saved a fraction here by not including any underwear.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29She doesn't mind. She's got a smile on her face!
0:20:31 > 0:20:34Back at the office, there is a crisis brewing.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40It's not business, it's just purely to put a spanner in the works.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42It has caused unrest in a lot of shops.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46Finding and keeping good staff is tough.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48Now a big discount chain is trying to poach
0:20:48 > 0:20:52some of Chris's best people.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55All together, there has been nine incidents so far.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57Have we lost any? I've lost two.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00If you imagine the devastation it would cause
0:21:00 > 0:21:02if we lost nine managers.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06They are trying to unsettle us. Three of our managers have been offered the same shop.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08They are playing games.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12We should try and stamp it out now before it gets any worse.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17The poacher has even been fishing in Colwyn Bay.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23What's up? Got something to tell you. Go on.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26I've been offered another job.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31You're having a laugh! No, I'm not. Yeah, you are. No, I'm not.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36Flagship store. 20% pay rise. Can't afford to say no, can I?
0:21:37 > 0:21:40I'm going for an interview on Thursday.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43Ah!
0:21:44 > 0:21:50You're just mean. I know. Not too happy about it, but...
0:21:50 > 0:21:55I can't force her not to do it. Everybody would miss her.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59You'd be all right.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01I feel really torn.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04It's more money and it's a challenge
0:22:04 > 0:22:07because it's a shop from the very beginning.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12But I absolutely love the team here. They're all brilliant.
0:22:18 > 0:22:23I'm following a gentleman which I believe has put his items in a bag.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27For one member of the team, things are looking up.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31Warren is stalking a suspicious-looking pensioner.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Can't see nothing at the moment.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41He's got to be 100% certain before he can pounce.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50A sneaky peek inside the suspect's bag confirms it.
0:22:53 > 0:22:58Control. I'm just doing a stop outside my store. Excuse me, sir.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02Excuse me, sir. Store security from Poundworld.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06I wonder if you'd mind coming back into the store with me so I can have a word with you.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10We've seen you with a pink Vanish in your hand, which I saw you put in there.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14You haven't paid for that, so I'd like you to come in with me. Yes, I'll come and pay.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17It's a bit too late for that now. A bit too late for that.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20If you'd like to come with me. It's a big bust.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23He's nicked a tub of Vanish and a bag of toffees.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29This is what you took. I know you didn't pay for it.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33That is why they are left there. He got one. Good.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37He went in his bag to put his other items in the bag and could see they were there.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40He could have said, "I have forgotten."
0:23:54 > 0:24:01All he took, a pack of special toffees. ?1. A pack of Vanish.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04He's now vanished to the local police station.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07Listen. Beware. Don't do it. It's where you go.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09Poundland saved two quid today, so...
0:24:09 > 0:24:11I'm starting.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15Poundworld, not Poundland. Poundworld. Nice one. One down. Many to go.
0:24:15 > 0:24:16See you.
0:24:22 > 0:24:28In Liverpool, Will Smith is close to bagging his 100th shoplifter.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31She had ?60-odd-worth of Dairy Crunch.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33She was charged and taken to court.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35Across the country,
0:24:35 > 0:24:38the new crackdown on shoplifters appears to be working.
0:24:38 > 0:24:43This male stole a roll-on deodorant. That's my mum.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46This is our Gaviscon thief.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50Over 300 people have been arrested and thefts are down.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53Two boxes of creme eggs. Theft of a tin of mackerel.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Oh. I think it's dinnertime for me.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00I'll see what my beloved has made me. Smells lovely.
0:25:04 > 0:25:09While I'm having my lunch, I'll be watching would-be criminals.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18Are you coming to the new Poundworld? Did you hear it was opening?
0:25:18 > 0:25:21Would you like a balloon? ALL: Yes! Can I have a blue one? I'll give one blue.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23The new store is opening in Derry.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26There you go.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29Customers can't help comparing it to other pound shops.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31Well...
0:25:31 > 0:25:32Very similar in price.!
0:25:34 > 0:25:38This one here looks... What's that big word?
0:25:38 > 0:25:40Fantastic. Fantastic, aye.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45Chris has flown in to see his newest store.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52But first he checks if the rival Poundworld has changed its name.
0:25:54 > 0:25:55Right, we're here.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00We've gone from Poundworld to Poundgiant. That is original. It's good.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04Have your own identity, we'll have ours and we're all happy.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10With one big problem overcome, Chris can do what he loves best - open a new shop.
0:26:12 > 0:26:17Let's see what we've got. I just noticed, as usual, we've got some lights out.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20I notice these things. It gets to me.
0:26:21 > 0:26:26There we are. Let there be light. Let there be light!
0:26:28 > 0:26:29This is his 183rd store.
0:26:31 > 0:26:36How are you finding the new shop? Good. Very good, in fact. Looks great. Are you impressed? Yes.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40Are you impressed by me? Of course! Deirdre!
0:26:40 > 0:26:44Only another 290 needed to catch up with Poundland.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48That's what I like to see, a full basket.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53But there's another battle that Chris has already won.
0:26:53 > 0:26:58Two weeks after a rival tried to poach her, Sally has decided to stay.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03Very proud of this shop. It is a really nice shop to be. The people are nice.
0:27:03 > 0:27:04It's just great.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08The package being offered wasn't good enough to tempt her away.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10If somebody was to leave, I think all of us
0:27:10 > 0:27:13would feel it really, really deeply.
0:27:13 > 0:27:18There'd be a link missing from the chain that runs it.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20It's...
0:27:20 > 0:27:24I've never felt like that about where I've worked before.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28Being silly now. That's good news for Steve. Life returns to normal.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37Two steak pies, please. It's lunchtime. Two baps as well, please.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40Today, Steve and his mate Mally are treating themselves to
0:27:40 > 0:27:43a gastronomic delight known only to select few.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48Pie bap. Minced beef and onion pie in a bap.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52Good.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58Ah! Oh!
0:27:58 > 0:28:00Can't take you nowhere. No.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03Oh, dropping my innards now. Gutted.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08Top notch, mate. Always hits the spot.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10Really nice.
0:28:12 > 0:28:17Next time... They are monsters. The supermarkets are coming after Chris.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19They are chasing everybody's business.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21They just don't know when to give up.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23A battle in Middle England gets ugly.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26It's unfortunate that a pound shop has come to Harrogate.
0:28:26 > 0:28:27And Chris comes unstuck.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29It's a hell of a store.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32We've only got four tills.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34Hopefully, people don't get the wrong impression.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10Hello.
0:29:10 > 0:29:10Hello. The
0:29:10 > 0:29:10Hello. The 92nd
0:29:10 > 0:29:11Hello. The 92nd update.