"...And Not A Penny More!" (How to thrive in a time of recession)

Odd news just in from the rather lovely Borough of Poole. (Second largest natural harbour in the world and all that jazz.)

For it seems a thriving 'Every Item A Pound' store there has been forced to close after a rival shop opened opposite selling the same wares but for a penny less.

Can't imagine it's much fun working the till at such a place, not to mention the cash-up at the end of the day. That though is by the by, for the Great British Public has spoken - "Show us a penny and we're for taking it."

Is this then the dreadful measure of the depth of the recession that people will literally cross the road just to save a penny? Seemingly so on the evidence. (Would that some feral youths of this parish would cross the road to spend a penny at the local public convenience designed for that very purpose and absolutely - despite the metaphor - free at the point of delivery, as it were, rather than simply urinating where they stand on their side of the street. But that is another matter for another time.)

Let us though pursue the thought and in so doing make our fortunes. For if 99p pricing can wipe out a pound, then let us at once pool our resources (in Poole naturally) and chance our arms with a 98 pence a throw model of sales.

Bound to work - for a while - until some dastardly cove comes in at 97p, to be further undercut by the 96'ers. And so forth, thence finally reaching the point of absurdity where someone actually pays you to take the goods away.

Granted then there are limits to the 'pile 'em high and sell 'em cheap' way of doing business. But it will be the richest fellow in town who can chop in at the absolute rock-bottom price with yet a margin of profit howsoever small.

Sets you thinking don't it?