This week we hit the front page of The Eastern Eye.
Friday, 27 August 2010
Entrepreneur Causes A Stir With 99p Site - Eastern Eye Feature 99p Shopper Founder Suleman Sacranie
This week we hit the front page of The Eastern Eye.
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Excel Magazine - The 99p Entrepreneur
The 99p Entrepreneur
Suleman Sacranie dropped out of university to launch online discount operator 99p Shopper in July and, at the age 21, he already has dreams of floating the company.
How did you get started with 99pShopper?
The concept came to me while I was lying in the bath. At the time online shopping had taken off and I was thinking that if I opened one store I could only attract local customers, whereas with an online proposition I can aim at the whole European market.
What's the appeal for shoppers?
It is the first discount store selling goods online at 99p. This makes it convenient for such types as ex-pats who want to get hold of their favourite British brands.
How did you finance the idea?
I started with £500 in my bank account and was trying to get companies to support the project. I approached a variety of backers but was rejected. At first I thought I could get a £300 website that looked a million dollars but that wasn't the case. In the end I went to around 28 different web companies – I was initially quoted £35,000 but managed to get my site set up for £5,000.
What growth opportunities can you see for the firm?
Recently we have had more than 500 franchising enquiries from people interested in opening stores across the UK and Europe and we are looking at getting a franchising model in place. Once we have the retail outlets I am hoping to float the company.
What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs?
Do not outsource your web development outside the UK. I tried and it was a terrible experience. It has taken every ounce of determination and self belief to come back from that and make the site a success
Suleman Sacranie dropped out of university to launch online discount operator 99p Shopper in July and, at the age 21, he already has dreams of floating the company.
How did you get started with 99pShopper?
The concept came to me while I was lying in the bath. At the time online shopping had taken off and I was thinking that if I opened one store I could only attract local customers, whereas with an online proposition I can aim at the whole European market.
What's the appeal for shoppers?
It is the first discount store selling goods online at 99p. This makes it convenient for such types as ex-pats who want to get hold of their favourite British brands.
How did you finance the idea?
I started with £500 in my bank account and was trying to get companies to support the project. I approached a variety of backers but was rejected. At first I thought I could get a £300 website that looked a million dollars but that wasn't the case. In the end I went to around 28 different web companies – I was initially quoted £35,000 but managed to get my site set up for £5,000.
What growth opportunities can you see for the firm?
Recently we have had more than 500 franchising enquiries from people interested in opening stores across the UK and Europe and we are looking at getting a franchising model in place. Once we have the retail outlets I am hoping to float the company.
What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs?
Do not outsource your web development outside the UK. I tried and it was a terrible experience. It has taken every ounce of determination and self belief to come back from that and make the site a success
For Full Article Please Click Here
This Is Money Feature 99p Shopper
Suleman drops out for online 99p store
With rising food prices, shopping around for a cheaper deal is high on the agenda for consumers, which is good news for entrepreneur Suleman Sacranie.
Suleman, 21, abandoned his chemistry degree at Leicester University, to launch discount food website 99pshopper.com earlier this month.
The site offers brand-name products and everything is priced at 99p or less. Further reductions are available to bulk buyers.
Suleman, from Leicester, says the idea was inspired by his father and grandfather, who have run a string of shops.
'Last summer I knew I didn't want to return to university. I was thinking about the family's shops and the rise of discount stores during the recession and came up with the idea of an online discount store.'
The site registered 12,000 hits in the first two days and Suleman says about 50% of those visiting the site go on to spend money.
About 40% of orders come from expats in Europe and Suleman is considering expanding overseas.
'Most online retailers work on a two per cent ratio of buyers to visitors. For us the ratio is closer to 50%,' says Suleman.
And although 99pshopper.com can't match the huge profit margins of the major supermarkets, with a strategy of careful product selection and volume sales, the business is aiming for a margin of ten to 15%.
Growing interest from expats - about 40% of orders have come from Brits living in Europe - has prompted Suleman to consider franchising the concept and expanding overseas
For Full Article Please Click Here
With rising food prices, shopping around for a cheaper deal is high on the agenda for consumers, which is good news for entrepreneur Suleman Sacranie.
Suleman, 21, abandoned his chemistry degree at Leicester University, to launch discount food website 99pshopper.com earlier this month.
The site offers brand-name products and everything is priced at 99p or less. Further reductions are available to bulk buyers.
Suleman, from Leicester, says the idea was inspired by his father and grandfather, who have run a string of shops.
'Last summer I knew I didn't want to return to university. I was thinking about the family's shops and the rise of discount stores during the recession and came up with the idea of an online discount store.'
The site registered 12,000 hits in the first two days and Suleman says about 50% of those visiting the site go on to spend money.
About 40% of orders come from expats in Europe and Suleman is considering expanding overseas.
'Most online retailers work on a two per cent ratio of buyers to visitors. For us the ratio is closer to 50%,' says Suleman.
And although 99pshopper.com can't match the huge profit margins of the major supermarkets, with a strategy of careful product selection and volume sales, the business is aiming for a margin of ten to 15%.
Growing interest from expats - about 40% of orders have come from Brits living in Europe - has prompted Suleman to consider franchising the concept and expanding overseas
For Full Article Please Click Here
Financial Times Feature 99p Shopper
Staying at university wins out over entrepreneurship
The entrepreneurial dream of dropping out of university to develop a hugely successful start-up appears to remain just that in the UK, according to official higher education figures.
This week’s revelation that competition for university places this year will be more intense than ever is supported by data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency that show the number giving up their studies has hardly changed in recent years.
Figures for 2008/09, the latest available, show that 8.6 per cent of full-time first degree students across the UK dropped out of their course during the year, slightly down on the 9 per cent who did so in 2003/04.
These figures will provide depressing reading for those who believe the UK needs to ape the US, where companies such as Microsoft, Apple and Facebook were all formed by entrepreneurs who quit college to pursue their business plan.
But, it is not to say that many Britons do not take this route each year.
Jessica Ratcliffe has put her business management degree on hold to pursue her idea for a computer games exchange, called Gaboom. “When you are busy raising money, it is hard to justify going to lectures on modern management,” the 19-year-old said.
Another example is 21-year-old Suleman Sacranie, who dropped out of a chemistry degree to launch 99pShopper, the discount shopping website.
“My parents urged me to go into one of the professions rather than go down the business road . . . but the academic life just wasn’t for me,” he said.
Tim Barnes, executive director of UCL Advances, which tries to foster greater entrepreneurship among students and staff at University College London, said part of the reason so few undergraduates quit their studies to launch a start-up is that the concept is flawed.
“Bill Gates had a brilliant idea that no one else was doing so he was already as good as anyone else,” he said. “Other people, however, need to acquire more knowledge.”
For Full Article Please Click Here
The entrepreneurial dream of dropping out of university to develop a hugely successful start-up appears to remain just that in the UK, according to official higher education figures.
This week’s revelation that competition for university places this year will be more intense than ever is supported by data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency that show the number giving up their studies has hardly changed in recent years.
Figures for 2008/09, the latest available, show that 8.6 per cent of full-time first degree students across the UK dropped out of their course during the year, slightly down on the 9 per cent who did so in 2003/04.
These figures will provide depressing reading for those who believe the UK needs to ape the US, where companies such as Microsoft, Apple and Facebook were all formed by entrepreneurs who quit college to pursue their business plan.
But, it is not to say that many Britons do not take this route each year.
Jessica Ratcliffe has put her business management degree on hold to pursue her idea for a computer games exchange, called Gaboom. “When you are busy raising money, it is hard to justify going to lectures on modern management,” the 19-year-old said.
Another example is 21-year-old Suleman Sacranie, who dropped out of a chemistry degree to launch 99pShopper, the discount shopping website.
“My parents urged me to go into one of the professions rather than go down the business road . . . but the academic life just wasn’t for me,” he said.
Tim Barnes, executive director of UCL Advances, which tries to foster greater entrepreneurship among students and staff at University College London, said part of the reason so few undergraduates quit their studies to launch a start-up is that the concept is flawed.
“Bill Gates had a brilliant idea that no one else was doing so he was already as good as anyone else,” he said. “Other people, however, need to acquire more knowledge.”
For Full Article Please Click Here
Mail On Sunday - Suleman Drops Out For 99p
Suleman drops out for 99p
WITH rising food prices, shopping around for a cheaper deal is high on the agenda for consumers, which is good news for entrepreneur Suleman Sacranie.
Suleman, 21, abandoned his chemistry degree at Leicester University, to launch discount food website 99pshopper.com earlier this month.
The site offers brand name products, with everything priced at 99p or less. Further reductions are available to bulk buyers.
Suleman, from Leicester, says the idea was inspired by his father and grandfather, who have run a string of shops. ‘Last summer I knew I didn’t want to return to university. I was thinking about the family’s shops and the rise of discount stores during the recession and came up with the idea of an online discount store.’
The site registered 12,000 hits in the first two days and Suleman says about 50 per cent of those visiting the site go on to spend money.
About 40 per cent of orders come from expats in Continental Europe and Suleman is considering expanding overseas.
‘Most online retailers work on a two per cent ratio of buyers to visitors. For us the ratio is closer to 50 per cent,’ says Suleman.
And although 99pshopper.com can’t match the huge profit margins of the major supermarkets, with a strategy of careful product selection and volume sales, the business is aiming for a margin of ten to 15 per cent.
Growing interest from expats – about 40 per cent of orders have come from Brits living in Europe – has prompted Suleman to consider franchising the concept and expanding overseas
WITH rising food prices, shopping around for a cheaper deal is high on the agenda for consumers, which is good news for entrepreneur Suleman Sacranie.
Suleman, 21, abandoned his chemistry degree at Leicester University, to launch discount food website 99pshopper.com earlier this month.
The site offers brand name products, with everything priced at 99p or less. Further reductions are available to bulk buyers.
Suleman, from Leicester, says the idea was inspired by his father and grandfather, who have run a string of shops. ‘Last summer I knew I didn’t want to return to university. I was thinking about the family’s shops and the rise of discount stores during the recession and came up with the idea of an online discount store.’
The site registered 12,000 hits in the first two days and Suleman says about 50 per cent of those visiting the site go on to spend money.
About 40 per cent of orders come from expats in Continental Europe and Suleman is considering expanding overseas.
‘Most online retailers work on a two per cent ratio of buyers to visitors. For us the ratio is closer to 50 per cent,’ says Suleman.
And although 99pshopper.com can’t match the huge profit margins of the major supermarkets, with a strategy of careful product selection and volume sales, the business is aiming for a margin of ten to 15 per cent.
Growing interest from expats – about 40 per cent of orders have come from Brits living in Europe – has prompted Suleman to consider franchising the concept and expanding overseas
For Full Article Please Click Here
99p Shopper Praises Telecoms Supplier
After going live in July 99p Shopper has had fantastic growth not just in the UK but also abroad.
It took founder, Suleman Sacranie, many months of painstaking strategic planning so that when the website launched everything was in perfect working order.
Careful consideration had to be given not just to the website and distribution centre but also to how phone calls would be handled from the website.
Suleman chose leading telecoms supplier DBS to provide the 0844 contact number used on the 99p shopper website.
“We wanted a telecoms supplier that was long established and had a proven track record,” explained Suleman. “We were impressed from day one with DBS in terms of their customer service. Connection of our 0844 phone number was lightening quick and we were pleased to see that DBS was committed to its customers and its own staff – they are actually an Investors in People company.”
DBS offers a wide range of telecoms services – not just 0844 numbers. They provide literally thousands of 0800 numbers to UK businesses and are an OFCOM authorised telecoms reseller Their range of 0845 services are also very popular with UK based companies.
David Clarke of DBS said “We are very pleased to welcome 99p Shopper on board as a DBS Telecoms customer. They have got off to a great start and we wish them all the very best of luck – this is a great venture!”
It took founder, Suleman Sacranie, many months of painstaking strategic planning so that when the website launched everything was in perfect working order.
Careful consideration had to be given not just to the website and distribution centre but also to how phone calls would be handled from the website.
Suleman chose leading telecoms supplier DBS to provide the 0844 contact number used on the 99p shopper website.
“We wanted a telecoms supplier that was long established and had a proven track record,” explained Suleman. “We were impressed from day one with DBS in terms of their customer service. Connection of our 0844 phone number was lightening quick and we were pleased to see that DBS was committed to its customers and its own staff – they are actually an Investors in People company.”
DBS offers a wide range of telecoms services – not just 0844 numbers. They provide literally thousands of 0800 numbers to UK businesses and are an OFCOM authorised telecoms reseller Their range of 0845 services are also very popular with UK based companies.
David Clarke of DBS said “We are very pleased to welcome 99p Shopper on board as a DBS Telecoms customer. They have got off to a great start and we wish them all the very best of luck – this is a great venture!”
Thursday, 19 August 2010
99p Shopper Featured Startup In Todays NACUE Newsletter
Featured Start-up: 99p Shopper
Within the 70+ societies that NACUE engages, are some of the hottest young start-ups in the UK. In this new feature, we profile one university start-up each week and highlight how membership of the university’s enterprise society has benefited the founder(s). Our Featured Start-up today is: 99p Shopper
99p Shopper has been recently launched by Leicester student and serial entrepreneur, Suleman Sacranie on his 21st birthday. The website, which will compete with high street discount shops, will offer food and household products for just 99p. “The website will have everything you can find in Tesco’s, but it will all be 99p,” said Suleman. “It’s cheap and gives an alternative to people who are on low incomes. The new business is akin to an online version of Poundland, but with a difference.
Recalling his days growing up in his farther’s cornership, Suleman hopes his business will help families, students and other struggling in the current economic climate. Suleman is now in talks with a large supermarket chain over plans to create a discount version of the partnership bewteen Waitrose and online retailer Ocado.
Suleman first caught the public eye in 2009 when he pitched to BBC Dragons Den for his previous business ZS Media Tech, which worked to steer young people away from knife and gun crime. From his appearance and the subsequent exposure, he was able to secure a £50,000 deal from an American investor.
To learn more about 99p Shopper visit the website: www.99pshopper.com
Please Click Here For Full Article
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
Online Discount Supermarket Is A Hit!
With the great demand for our range, 99p Shopper were featured in today’s Leicester Mercury. The local Leicester paper has followed 99p Shopper since its development stage. Just 3 weeks in we are looking to open stores across the UK as well as increase our online range, Due to the demand we will also be moving into our new Distribution Centre
Online discount supermarket is a hit
An online discount supermarket offering a range of popular brands received 12,000 orders in its first two weeks
Founder Suleman Sacranie, 21, secured £100,000 of in-kind help and support from Nottingham web development company Eventure.
Mr Sacranie said the idea for the website was inspired by his father Aziz, a former shopkeeper from Leicester.
"I grew up above a small supermarket so retail is in my blood," he said. "My dad opened the shop on the day I was born.
"My grandad also has a string of shops in Leicester, so I grew up around business and that certainly rubbed off on me."
But despite this family background, when it came to launching his own business Mr Sacranie said he faced some opposition from his family.
"My parents urged me to go into one of the professions rather than go down the business road," he said. "So I ended up studying chemistry at Leicester University, but the academic life just wasn't for me."
Mr Sacranie is running the business from his bedroom at his parents' home in Uppingham Road. He has secured an agreement with two national goods distribution firms to enable him to get products to customers.
Brands available on the site include Cadbury's, Kellogg's, Pepsi and McVities.
99p Shopper Feature In Todays Metro
99p Shopper went live 3 weeks ago, since the launch we are now serving over 12,000 customers their weekly shopping every week. Today Metro featured Founder Suleman Sacranie as part of the Business Special
Wednesday, 4 August 2010
Kenco Rappor Coffee 100g For Just 99p RRP £2.49!
This week’s talking point has been our Red Bull offer 2 Cans at 99p. We had 20,000 cans in our picking centre with a RRP of £1.75 a can of Red Bull we wanted to give a treat to our customers with Red Bull Cans now out of stock we have Red Bull Multi Pack of 8 Cans for just £6 RRP being £9.99 a great saving for 8 cans of Red Bull at 250 ml
Fruit Shoot 4 bottles are available at just 99p, Our Top Seller of Coca Cola 30 X 330ml for just £12 a great buy this is available in both Coca Cola & Diet Coke. Soft Drink cans are available with 3 cans of Pepsi for just 99p. We will be having 7 Up back in stock next week after a week of 7 Up fever
Today we have added to our Drinks range with various Slim Fast flavours in Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla and many other flavours with Slim Fast
Kenco Rappor Coffee has been flying off the shelves this week with the Supermarket Price being at £2.49, we are offering 100g of Kenco Rappor Coffee at just 99p. We had 50,000 Bottles of Kenco Rappor Coffee in we are down to our last 500!
We understand the importance of water so we offer a range of brands at just 99p, add a hint of flavour to your water with our flavoured water range. Need to go to the gym or a run carry a sports bottle to keep your breath with our Sports Bottles perfect for on the go
Fruit Shoot 4 bottles are available at just 99p, Our Top Seller of Coca Cola 30 X 330ml for just £12 a great buy this is available in both Coca Cola & Diet Coke. Soft Drink cans are available with 3 cans of Pepsi for just 99p. We will be having 7 Up back in stock next week after a week of 7 Up fever
Today we have added to our Drinks range with various Slim Fast flavours in Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla and many other flavours with Slim Fast
Kenco Rappor Coffee has been flying off the shelves this week with the Supermarket Price being at £2.49, we are offering 100g of Kenco Rappor Coffee at just 99p. We had 50,000 Bottles of Kenco Rappor Coffee in we are down to our last 500!
We understand the importance of water so we offer a range of brands at just 99p, add a hint of flavour to your water with our flavoured water range. Need to go to the gym or a run carry a sports bottle to keep your breath with our Sports Bottles perfect for on the go
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