I love them; always have; constantly shopped for basics at the 99c store in New York; batteries, milk, sugar... cheaper than the cheapest supermarkets, just the same products; delighted to see them booming.

That reminds me of one time I went to visit my sister and she was showing me around the town. We came across a £1 shop and I said I'd like to look inside. She said that I had to be wary of such shops because they only sold ribbish, but I went in anyway. I picked up a couple of things and turned around to see my sister with a basket full. Later I asked her, teasingly, if she had allowed a bit of snobbery to show through, but she just laughed it off.

yes they are everywhere...$2 shops ..and now you know why China will be the greatest power on the planet soon.