Latest news with #bargainshopping
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Sydney Airport auctions off thousands of lost property items - from laptops to designer goods. Here's how to snap up bargains
Thousands of items left behind at Sydney Airport - from high-end tech gadgets to forgotten surfboards and designer items - are set to go under the hammer, with bidding starting at just $10. The annual Sydney Airport Lost Property Auction has returned - and it's not just savvy shoppers logging on to the online sale, which features over 2,000 unclaimed items. The auction gives shoppers the chance to browse through the treasure trove of items, including cameras, gaming consoles, jewellery, watches, perfumes, as well as plenty of one-offs like a giant teddy bear, a vacuum cleaner and even a frying pan. There are dozens of handbags and wallets, sporting equipment such as bikes, surfboards, and golf clubs, hair styling tools, sunglasses, alcohol Kindles, and toys. Shoppers looking to snap up big ticket items can expect to find laptops, headphones, coffee machine, and even the Lord of the Rings book collection. The auction, run by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers, is now live and will roll out across five days, with five categories closing between June 9 and June 12. The real draw is the cause: all proceeds will go toward free swimming lessons and water safety programs for families doing it tough amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures. Tech and gaming closes at 11am on June 9; jewellery and watches at 11am on June 10; clothes and shoes at 11am on June 11; sunglasses, bags and accessories at 2pm on June 11; and beauty, alcohol and home at 11am on June 12. As one bidder joked online, only at Sydney Airport could you pick up a designer handbag and a kitchen appliance in the same lot. Casi Prischl, Director at Theodore Bruce Auctioneers, said the auction has become one of the most loved events on their calendar. Australians log in from all corners of the country, not just for the deals but because they know they're supporting something meaningful. This year's collection includes high-quality electronics, luxury accessories, and standout surprises for both kids and collectors. Items are only sold after extensive efforts to reunite them with their original owners. Funds raised will be used to support the Inner West Aquatics team, who, in partnership with the Royal Life Saving Society, deliver essential swimming lessons to children who might otherwise miss out. Sydney Airport has already contributed $100,000 to kick-start the initiative - enough to fund 4,000 swimming lessons - and hopes the auction will triple that amount. Josh Clements, the airport's General Manager of Corporate Affairs, said the event is about more than grabbing a bargain. The auction gives shoppers the chance to browse through the treasure trove of items. All proceeds will go toward free swimming lessons and water safety programs for families doing it tough amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures For every $25 raised, another child receives a free swimming lesson - a vital skill that could one day save a life. In 2024 alone, Sydney Airport welcomed over 41 million passengers and successfully returned more than 7,000 lost items. Anything unclaimed has now been donated to charity or repurposed for the auction. Checked baggage isn't part of the auction, as that remains the responsibility of individual airlines. Inner West Aquatics will begin delivering the program to local children in the coming months, with hopes to eventually expand to include adult classes and broader community-based water safety programs. So whether you're after an iPad, a bottle of designer perfume, or a one-of-a-kind kitchen gadget, the Sydney Airport Lost Property Auction is offering more than just bargains - it's giving local kids a chance to stay safe in the water.
Daily Mail
30-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
How B&M turned posh as middle-class mothers flock to the bargain store - and it's got some very famous fans
Once associated with cut-price savings and selling mountains of stuff you don't actually need, B&M has become an unlikely haven for middle-class mothers in pursuit of a bargain. These days, the chain counts the likes of Molly-Mae Hague, Coleen Rooney and even Carrie Johnson - wife of former Prime Minister Boris - among its well-heeled fans. In their wake is a whole host of middle-class 'mumfluencers', who are now supplementing their bougie food hauls from M&S and Waitrose with a snoop around the halls of B&M Bargains. Unlike its more expensive competitors, B&M stores - of which there are more than 700 in the UK - don't offer mums a café for a pastry and coffee, have no shop windows for browsing, don't subscribe to a loyalty scheme and have a next-to-zero advertising budget. 'All these extra bells and whistles, they go into the cost,' said former CEO Simon Arora, discussing the key to its success with the BBC. 'We keep things simple and honest.' This week, B&M proved it had found an unlikely follower in the form of Carrie Johnson, who welcomed her fourth child, a daughter called Poppy, with the ex-PM earlier this month. The couple were spotted heading out to B&M with their newborn baby Poppy for the first time, in pictures published by The Sun. Afterwards, Carrie wrote on Instagram: 'Introducing Pops to our favourite shop.' Other mumfluencers, such as Bristol-based content creator Daisy @muddlethroughmummy, have followed suit in making B&M hauls a staple part of their content. Daisy, who is currently renovating a house, has shared numerous shopping hauls in recent months, even taking her viewers along with her as she browses the store. 'Come shopping with me!' she said, in one video and stocked her trolley full of groceries and essentials. In another, she said: 'I've got a little B&M haul. Let me show you what I've got.' As she emptied her shopping bag, Daisy, 35, unveiled her 'eclectic' set of goods, which included notebooks, a decorating set, a water bottle, sweets and a Minecraft-alarm clock for her son's birthday. On Mother's Day, she even shared a range of gift inspiration from the store and took her boys along to pick cereal for the weekend, saying 'we love this tradition as a family'. 'I went in for tea bags and came out with quite a bit more, but isn't that always the way at B&M! Went in for one thing... spent £60,' she said in another video, giving a shopping haul from her car. Daisy's not the only one to have been drawn in by the brightly lit stores, led by the excitement of cheap deals, wacky food offerings and an almost unlimited selection of cleaning products is proving hard to resist by the new audience. Former CEO Simon thinks the 'constant newness' of B&M is what keeps shoppers returning, saying more than 200 new products arrive in store every single week. He added, per the BBC, that regular visits are maintained as shoppers love a 'treasure' hunt as they see what's new and snap up the best deals. As such, the firm saw a whopping turnover of £5.6million last year. Sarah, another mumfluencer who posts under the username @motheringhappily0, recently filmed a video where she took her baby just to have a 'mooch' around B&M. 'We're going to take my baby, we're going to have a mooch around the shops,' she told her followers. 'I'm going to go to B&M Bargains.' Filming a selection of toys, including a teddy bear picnic basket and high chair spinning toy, she noted: 'Highly recommend, good price!' Others, who would usually shop in more traditionally 'upmarket' outlets, also admit they occasionally turn to B&M just to see what's new. Darcie Ratcliff, who is expecting her first child and lives near Chelmsford in Essex, said in a TikTok video that she enjoys going to B&M for 'one reason and one reason only, and that is for all the new sweets that I find'. Darcie, who showcases her love of baking through her content, and shops at M&S and Waitrose, said: 'I don't know about you but I like going to B&M for all the random sweets and chocolate.' Filming what she found on the shelves, Darcie grew excited at a whole range of Haribo sweets she'd 'never seen before', as well as novelty flavours of Sour Patch Kids and Lion Bars. Darcie said she likes paying a visit to B&M to see their range of chocolate and sweets The store's journey from bargain to bougie seemed to reach completion in 2022, when Love Island star Molly Mae Hague paid a visit with her boyfriend, boxer Tommy Fury. Panning the camera to her boyfriend, Molly-Mae told her fans: 'I think Tommy's enjoying our little trip to Home Bargains.' Tommy, brother of world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, remarked: 'Let me tell you, B&M Bargains, I've never seen anything like it. 'These drinks that you get in the gym, they're here and they're 89p. Like, hold on, stop what you're doing and process that for a second!' Molly, then reported to earn £400,000 a month in her role at PLT, was heard giggling, before turning to her trolley saying: 'We've really stocked up, guys. Honestly, B&M trips are the one.' Captioning her shopping video, she wrote: 'He's absolutely fascinated'. Later, Molly-Mae even partnered with B&M for a lengthy advertisement on her Instagram stories as she showed off her favourite bargains. She also spruced up the entrance to her mansion in Cheshire with a £7.99 find from the retail store, a Harry Potter themed doormat that read 'welcome to Hogwarts'. 'Another day of trying to be a grown up home owner and failing,' she wrote. And she added: 'It's from B&M.' She asked: 'Is this the best £7.99 I've ever spent? Yes, yes it is.' The crossover, however, ended badly as Molly's visit to the store in person accidentally sparked a 'classism' row on social media. Their shopping trip sparked a strong reaction from some on Twitter, with one writing: 'So weeks after being called out for her classist remarks [her 24 hours in a day video], Molly-Mae's first IG story that isn't just a photograph is a clip of her and Tommy in Home Bargains/B&M being utterly shocked at the low prices. 'Does she not have a PR team to advise her against s*** like this?' Another commented: 'Not Tommy and Molly Mae discovering home bargains.' During her appearance on I'm A Celebrity: Get Me Out Of Here! last year, Coleen Rooney revealed she often pays a visit to the bargain store. Speaking about being recognised by fans, she told her fellow campmates: 'I get that, in B&M or Home Bargains, they'll be like, "Why are you shopping in here?"' Coleen revealed that her footballer husband Wayne had been asked for a photo while using the urinal, adding that she thinks there are places where fans should leave celebs alone. She said: 'I know that that's happened to Wayne before in the past, he said whilst he's been standing there having a wee someone's said, "Can we get a photograph?" or "Can I shake your hand?" I think there's places where it's a no-go.' Earlier this month, shoppers rushed to B&M to get their hands on a 'rare' Australian chocolate bar that has recently been made available in the UK. The budget retailer is now stocking varieties of Cadbury's Marvellous Creations which is normally only found Down Under. The chocolate bar has been spied by customers in two flavours; dream raspberry and cola fizz. And in January, a £3 storage hack from B&M went viral on social media, with shoppers raving about the budget-friendly store's affordable containers.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
High street retailer with 500 branches closing popular bargain store in HOURS
A MAJOR high street clothing brand, with 500 branches, is closing its bargain store in hours. Locals are mourning the popular home-ware and fashion stores closure complaining that it's 'such a shame.' 3 3 Next, it will shut its store in Darlington Retail Park, off Yarm Road, this evening after four years of serving up budget buys. Responding to the news of the closure on social media one shopper said: 'Aw no I love getting the girl's clothes from here.' Another added: 'Such a shame.' But some have argued the store was difficult to navigate. One said: "Sometimes I could go in and see loads, other times it was rubbish, very hit and miss." Another added: "I find it quite like a jumble sale, unfortunately." Next has confirmed the store will close tomorrow, 24 May. However, its standard format store in Darlington in the Cornmill centre remains open. The brand warned of askew of closures after losing a landmark legal case of equal pay last year. In January, it told shoppers that it might have to hike up prices following the chancellor's increase of employer National Insurance Contributions. Why are so many big shops closing stores? The retailer claimed it would add £67million to its costs. This spells another blow for bargain hunters in Darlington Retail Park after the closure of Home Bargains in recent months. The town has also seen furniture shop Studio Eleven and a cheese and wine retailer this year. The news follows a dire start to 2025 for the high street with many established retailers announcing closures. WHSmith is to vanish entirely from town centres following the sale of its high-street branches while fashion retailer New Look has announced plans to shutter nearly 100 locations. Rising inflation and costs, a move to online shopping and the cost of living crisis have contributed to the high street struggling. Another struggling chain is Poundland, whose owner Pepco hired advisory firm Teneo to oversee the sale of the business. It came after Pepco said it was looking at "all strategic options" to separate Poundland from its brand. 3
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Thrifty shoppers race to buy B&M's discount dining chairs at just £15 a pop – down from £280 for the set
B&M has sent shoppers into a frenzy after slashing the price of posh dining chairs to just £15 a pop. So if you're looking to give your kitchen or dining room a makeover on the cheap, best keep reading. 3 3 3 One customer couldn't believe her luck after she nabbed a stunning dining chair set originally priced at £140 for just £60. The thrifty shopper, Siân Jones, was visiting the Bury branch in Greater Manchester when she spotted the epic deal. Whilst checking out the furniture collection, Siân came across gorgeous grey dining chairs in a set of two that was slashed by more than £100. And it seems that she was visiting the store just in time - as the set was reduced from £140 to £90, to then £50 and finally to just £30. This meant that each chair cost her a mere £15 - so without much hesitation, she picked up two boxes. Online, B&M shoppers can find the Zurich Dining Set for £150 - however, it appears that it also comes with a dining table, ideal for hosting parties. While the gorgeous chairs are grey, the dining table boasts a classy white marble finish that's sure to make your home look more chic. Chuffed with the epic find, the lucky shopper shared it on the popular Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group on Facebook. She wrote in the post: ''My bargain of the day 4 dining room chairs for £60! ''Down from £280, Bury B&M, i wouldn't of [have] paid the full price but £15 a chair.'' I transformed my council house hallway for under £60 - the old laminate has vanished but critics say it 'looks cheap' Impressed by the massive saving, one wrote: '' I wonder if our BnM has them.'' Another chimed in: ''Can get very similar chairs (maybe even the same) in different colours too, for £89 on Amazon if anyone doesn't manage to get these.'' If you see something you like in the B&M sale it may be worth comparing prices online to ensure you are not missing a better deal somewhere else. How to save money at B&M Shoppers have saved hundreds of pounds a year by using B&M's scanner app. The scanner lets you see if an item's price is cheaper than advertised on the shop floor label. Products that are typically discounted are seasonal items and old stock that B&M is trying to shift. The app is free to download off the B&M Stores mobile app via Google Play or the Apple App Store. According to one ex-B&M manager, you'll want to visit your local branch at 10am on a Wednesday too. Here's how you can join the B&M bargain hunt: Download the B&M app for free on any smartphone with an App Store or Google Play. Once you've installed it on your device, click on the option labelled "more" on the bottom, right-hand side of the app home page. You'll then find an option that says "barcode scanner". Click on this and you'll open a camera screen. Use the camera to hover over the barcode of the product you wish to check. If the price comes up as lower, take it to the cash desk and it will automatically scan at the lower price. You don't need to sign up to the B&M app to use the barcode scanner. Sales also vary from store to store, so just because one branch offers amazing deals on something doesn't mean they all will. You will also need to shop these offers in person as B&M does not have an online store. With that in mind, it may be worth ringing your local store ahead of time to check stock levels to avoid a wasted trip.
The Sun
17-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Shoppers rush to major discount store to bag HUGE outdoor pool for just £12.99
SHOPPERS are racing to their nearest major discount store to scoop up a huge outdoor pool for £12.99 just in time for summer. A savvy shopper posted the find on the popular Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group. 2 2 The outdoor pool was bought at Home Bargains for just under £13 and is said to be a "great size". The shopper who shared the deal in the bargain-focused group wrote: "Just picked this pool up for my kids (6 & 2 years old) — it's a great size. Home Bargains, £12.99." Bargain hunters are raving about the deal, with hundreds liking and commenting on the post. One user wrote: "What size is this. I'm looking one for my 3 year olds and looks perfect." "Great little pool," commented another, While a third added: "That's class for £12.99." Shoppers can find the huge outdoor pool at their nearest Home Bargains or on the store's website. It comes after Brits were urged to act fast and grab a popular garden item that flew off the shelves last time. Taking to their TikTok page ' homebargainsofficialuk ', the retailer shared a video of their 'adorable Highland cow' that fits perfectly in their garden. The Highland cow, nicknamed Hattie, can fit nicely in the corners of your garden. 'HATTIE'S BACK' When Home Bargains released this line earlier this year before selling out, people were even placing them around their home. Even better, the budget retailer is selling the cute objects for £9.99. They also have larger ones selling at £24.99 as well. Captioning their video, Home Bargains wrote: 'Last time she sold out fast. Don't blink. Hattie's back.' And the Highland cow, which comes in different colours and flower themes, has got people excited that they are back as many people rushed to the comments section to share their thoughts. One wrote: 'I need 4 of them RIGHT NOW.' Whilst others tagged their friends in the comments section to share the good news. While in-store, you can check out The Outdoor Edit Travellers Bazaar Cushion for just £4.99 from Home Bargains. May gardening jobs The Sun's Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the tasks you need to crack on with in May. GARDEN growth can go from nought to ninety in May, depending on the weather. The last UK frosts are generally seen at the beginning of the month, so all of a sudden there's so much more to do and grow. Plant out dahlia tubers It's a joy to finally plant out your dahlia tubers. Remember how big they can get - and space accordingly - anything up to half a metre apart. It's a good idea to put your support stakes in now instead of trying to work around them. And make sure you include lots of well rotted manure or decent compost to feed it and then mulch to keep it moist and suppress weeds. They generally start blooming in July. Final feed to Spring flowers You can give a cheeky feed to all your remaining tulips and daffodils. Although the majority of bulbs aren't guaranteed to come back year after year any more, as long as you've left them to die back naturally there's a good chance they'll have stored enough energy to come back again. Tomato feed is fine. Tie up climbers Your clematis, honeysuckle and rambling roses should be well on their way by now - try to use plastic free string to tie them back into their support, or tuck them round each other to make sure they don't sprout off in crazy directions. Feed the lawn It's not too late to give your lawn a good feed. Whether you use granular or liquid, it can give it a good boost to see it through the harsher summer months. While mowing, don't go too low with your cut length yet and never take more than a third off the grass height. Get creative It's also time to get creative with hanging baskets and pots. Trailing pelargoniums, which a lot of people call geraniums, and Begonias are a good, low cost way of getting lovely returning blooms throughout the summer in your baskets. And pots can be planted with spring bulbs. Don't forget the greenhouse! Give your greenhouse a good tidy and clean the glass inside and out. The improved light will help plants grow quicker inside and tidying is good for the soul. You can just use a household white wine vinegar and water solution - or even neat if you're feeling spendy - which gives a really good shine.
