 buys from low-cost retail parks that are the new middle-class badges of honour. Dorma sheets in Dunhelm, Christmas decorations at Wilko and most unusual of all, the bargains at B&M, the home furniture shop that offers 'big brands and big savings'. A spanking new branch opened in the capital earlier this year. At the weekends the car park is populated by gleaming Range Rover Sports and electric Mini Coopers. Inside is a treasure trove of tempting products at inexplicably low prices. There are clusters of smart side tables for £10; snazzy drinks trolleys for £25 (we're all making martinis at home these days), a Scandi-style wooden office desk for £180, which would look at home in the Conran Shop and a white bouclé sofa for £140 that could be straight out of Claridge's. Who needs Chelsea when you've got Colindale Retail Park? Being more astute about where and what you spend your money on has become a matter of pride as well as necessity; the new humble brag. Aldi or Home Bargains shopping bags in the boot of your Audi. And once you discover that by being more savvy and less snobby you can buy well-designed furniture and good quality home accessories and save hundreds of pounds, there's no going back. Oh, and there's free parking too... Stylish bargains Last Sunday at the White City Retail Park on the outskirts of Manchester, I bumped into Stacey Semel, 56, a high-flying fashion production executive. She was perusing the special buys section on display in the middle aisle at Aldi. She's a big fan of the middle aisle – particularly popular with those in the know when the new arrivals are put on display each Thursday and Sunday. Here you can find everything from rustic 12-piece china dinner sets for £19.99, Love Your Earth duvets for £17.99, wet suits for £10.99 and men's suede moccasins for £8.9){kind=link}
Being more astute about where and what you spend your money on has become a matter of pride as well as necessity
Eavesdrop in the cafes of west London and the post-school-run conversations are no longer about tuition fees or chalets in Courchevel. Listen closely and it’s savvy (but stylish) buys from low-cost retail parks that are the new middle-class badges of honour. Dorma sheets in Dunhelm, Christmas decorations at Wilko and most unusual of all, the bargains at B&M, the home furniture shop that offers “big brands and big savings”.
A spanking new branch opened in the capital earlier this year. At the weekends the car park is populated by gleaming Range Rover Sports and electric Mini Coopers. Inside is a treasure trove of tempting products at inexplicably low prices. There are clusters of smart side tables for £10; snazzy drinks trolleys for £25 (we’re all making martinis at home these days), a Scandi-style wooden office desk for £180, which would look at home in the Conran Shop and a white boucle sofa for £140 that could be straight out of Claridge’s. Who needs Chelsea when you’ve got Colindale Retail Park?
Being more astute about where and what you spend your money on has become a matter of pride as well as necessity; the new humble brag. Aldi or Home Bargains shopping bags in the boot of your Audi. And once you discover that by being more savvy and less snobby you can buy well-designed furniture and good quality home accessories and save hundreds of pounds, there’s no going back. Oh, and there’s free parking too…
Last Sunday at the White City Retail Park on the outskirts of Manchester, I bumped into Stacey Semel, 56, a high-flying fashion production executive. She was perusing the special buys section on display in the middle aisle at Aldi. She’s a big fan of the middle aisle – particularly popular with those in the know when the new arrivals are put on display each Thursday and Sunday.