New NDC at heart of 99p’s expansion

Published: April 12, 2010

Budget chain 99p Stores has announced plans for a new national distribution centre that will allow the retailer to more than double in size in the next three years.  

The site – acquired from warehouse operator ProLogis – is double the size of 99p Stores’ current NDC at Devantry.

The single-price discounter claimed that the 370,000 sq ft facility would be larger than anything operated by its competitors.  

It said the £3m investment in the centre would pave the way for up to 300 new stores, following its acquisition of a swathe of former Woolworths sites.  

“We are now working with ProLogis on our mid-term plan of opening another NDC within four years in the north of England to build our chain to over 600 stores,” said 99p Stores chairman Gordon Brown.

Meanwhile, brothers Hussein and Faisal Lalani - co-founders of 99p Stores - have landed the Asian Business Enterprise Award at the Eastern Eye Business Award for 2010.  

The brothers have helped turn their high street value retailer from one-man band to national brand in less than a decade. With their father Nadir they set up 99p Stores in 2001 and today there are 130 outlets, with new stores opening up every week.

Said Hussein, "This award is dedicated to our family of 99p staff and shoppers. We are delighted to receive it.

"It’s been - and still is - a great journey being at the helm of this great retail revolution."