Poundworld prides itself on selling life's essentials, but every now and then one particular new product can unexpectedly start selling like hot cakes. Timing is everything with retail crazes, and the trick is to know what to gamble on. Poundworld boss Chris is tipped off by his granddaughter Olivia that the latest trend to hit is loom bands. Despite being baffled by the appeal of the coloured elastic bands which can be woven together to create bracelets, key rings and toys, Chris decides to order over a million packs. There's no guarantee that a craze will materialise, but Chris's savvy granddaughter has helped him steal a march on the opposition, and it looks as though the risk is paying off when sales rocket. But demand for loom bands continues to soar, and as their stock begins to dwindle, competitors start to catch up. Smaller competitors like Kevin from Leeds manages to get one over on the big boys by buying loom bands from a UK-based supplier. In the battle of the bands, being small gives Kev the edge because he only has to stock one store.
Pound Shop Wars was broadcast on BBC1 at Thursday 8 October 2015, 06:13. This episode was initially placed on Wednesday 19 August 2015.